1964 Roadtser
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: CT
1964 Roadtser
Is there a way to salvage a rusted frame without doing a body-off resto?
I have a 64 roadster that is a 2+ all over except the frame which has rusted through on the rear cross-member and on the driver-side front where the frame jogs around the wheel well. The hole is about the size of a quarter.
The frame under the door sills shows evidence of previous weld repair. The car spent its first 25-30 years in Buffalo, NY and the salt damage is only now rearing its ugly head!
I have a 64 roadster that is a 2+ all over except the frame which has rusted through on the rear cross-member and on the driver-side front where the frame jogs around the wheel well. The hole is about the size of a quarter.
The frame under the door sills shows evidence of previous weld repair. The car spent its first 25-30 years in Buffalo, NY and the salt damage is only now rearing its ugly head!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 889
Likes: 0
From: Victoria BC
Re: 1964 Roadtser (C3C2)
C3C2,
Dollars to donuts the rest of your frame is going to have more damage than you can see with the body on it or do a proper repair for that matter. Sorry buddy but it has to come off. All in all you will be better off as you will be able to see what you really have and do alot more clean up etc to the body with the lift. Doing a band aid repair to it is basically a waste of time on a car of this vintage.
[Modified by Ron D, 6:42 PM 3/19/2002]
Dollars to donuts the rest of your frame is going to have more damage than you can see with the body on it or do a proper repair for that matter. Sorry buddy but it has to come off. All in all you will be better off as you will be able to see what you really have and do alot more clean up etc to the body with the lift. Doing a band aid repair to it is basically a waste of time on a car of this vintage.
[Modified by Ron D, 6:42 PM 3/19/2002]
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
Likes: 717
From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Re: 1964 Roadtser (Ron D)
Agree with Ron on this one. You'll find a lot more damage than is apparent. You can do a "semi-frame off" resto, if you want to. About 10 years ago, a group of Corvette club "guys" chipped in to help a friend do the frame on his 64 roadster. He was/is the original owner! I have a VERY talented friend and neighbor, who has an extensive shop/garage at his home....8 car garage, every known type of welding device, lathes, mills, etc. The job was done there. I was one of the "grunts" in this job. We disconnected everything necessary, and lifted the entire body...interior, etc intact. We had a BUNCH of guys, several 4x4 beams, and a bunch of cinder blocks and wood railroad ties. We lifted the body up high enough to roll the frame out from under the car...engine and all. We left the body supported on the wood/cinder block frame we constructed. The frame was repaired, and fuel/brake lines replaced, etc. Then we dropped the body back down. Worked well. Never cracked anything. The rest of the story??? The guy drove the car home, where it has sat, outside, for the past 10 years...never driven. Chances are the frame's shot again. This is an original motor 365HP Daytona Blue/blue roadster still in the hands of the original owner. Chuck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 9,662
Likes: 7
From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: 1964 Roadtser (Chuck Gongloff)
That's a heartbreaking story. There should be some sort of organization, Corvette Protection Services, that goes and buys cars from someone like that and then places them a better home with a real Corvette family.
Not on the same level, but for the last 15 years on the way to work, I've passed a 74 BB Coupe that has set out in the weather with its hood slightly open. When I first saw it, it had a really nice original black finish. The tires have rotted flat, and the paint has turned a uniform dull, streaked charcoal color. About 8 or 10 years ago I stopped and asked the owner if he was interested in selling, he told me he was going to "restore it" when he got around to it. I'm sure it is past the point of saving.
Not on the same level, but for the last 15 years on the way to work, I've passed a 74 BB Coupe that has set out in the weather with its hood slightly open. When I first saw it, it had a really nice original black finish. The tires have rotted flat, and the paint has turned a uniform dull, streaked charcoal color. About 8 or 10 years ago I stopped and asked the owner if he was interested in selling, he told me he was going to "restore it" when he got around to it. I'm sure it is past the point of saving.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
Likes: 717
From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Re: 1964 Roadtser (Smokehouse69)
The rest of the rest of the story is that he also has a 40 Ford coupe that he's been "thinking" about making into a street rod...for a decade or two. He also has an Austin Mini Countryman...that's the Austin Mini Cooper like station wagon. You should see that project.....untouched too. Chuck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 795
Likes: 0
From: Madison MS
Re: 1964 Roadtser (Chuck Gongloff)
Along the same lines: http://carsinbarns.com/bowtiesinbarns/pg34.html
Things like this are enough to make me cry and mad :mad . I just don't understand how you can let something so in demand totally rot into the ground. I understand wanting to keep it and restore it, but if you never do, you have totally screwed yourself out of money and someone else out of having something they will cherish.
dl
Things like this are enough to make me cry and mad :mad . I just don't understand how you can let something so in demand totally rot into the ground. I understand wanting to keep it and restore it, but if you never do, you have totally screwed yourself out of money and someone else out of having something they will cherish.
dl
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,501
Likes: 0
Re: 1964 Roadtser (dladd74roadster)
The world is full of sick, bizarre people. Most find this disconcerting. I consider it- job insurance!
I checked your link. What a sad sight!
I checked around some on the website and found this one as well-
[Modified by Mac, 10:41 PM 3/21/2002]
I checked your link. What a sad sight!
I checked around some on the website and found this one as well-
[Modified by Mac, 10:41 PM 3/21/2002]
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