69 frame
 

I have an early 69 (10/68) are there frames other then 69 that will work. If so, do I need to be concerned about the car being built in early 69. May go for another frame and was looking for some info. Thank you

Hi r,
You can certainly use a 68-72 frame.
There's a small difference between the 68-69 frame.... for 69 a diagonal brace was added to the frame rail on each side at the 'kick-up'.
The frame differences became more involved as the rubber bumpers were added to the cars.
Regards,
Alan

In 1980, I bought a replacement frame from GM for my 1969. So I ordered a 1969 frame. Several years ago, I decided to build up this frame for my 70. Removing front bumper brackets from my 70, I discovered they would not bolt up to the "69" spare frame I had ordered. A slight difference, but still no bolt up. I discovered, thanks to the help of people at Volunteer Vettes, that if you ordered a spare frame in 1980 for a 69, you would get......I forget now......either a 72 or a 73 frame...I can't now remember which. So I have a 72 or 73 frame and it's not quite the right frame for a 70. Actually it's only a couple of bolt holes that make the difference...a body shop will have no problem bolting up my 70 parts to whatever frame I have... Drilling a couple of holes, welding on a nut, etc.. Now that I've had some time to think, I think my "69" service frame is really a 73. For sure a 68 to 71 frame is OK. Probably a 72 frame also.. A 73 frame can be easily modified. For a 74 frame..forget it.

I bought a 73 frame to replace my 72 frame and there were indeed differences in the front bumper brace mounting holes. IIRC I drilled one new hole on each brace and elongated another existing hole on each side to get the braces to fit. No other problems with body mounts or rear bumper. I examined frame drawings for solid and rubber mount (73+) frames and the newer frames had the mounts lowered by ~1/8" so there isn't an issue if you decide to use either solid or rubber mounts.

A 74 frame is actually the same as a 73 (info from a restorer) but it has plates welded to the rear section for the first energy absorbing bumpers. If you cut those plates off you have a 73 frame. 74 and later frames had a different rear section that is not easily modified.

:cheers:

Rick B.