[GTO1]

My 70 Lemans is in dire need of a frame replacement. After looking for and not finding a decent convertible frame, I am boxing a hardtop frame. I was planning on cutting out the inner c channel from my old frame and welding it to the hardtop frame, but it is in really bad shape. Do ou guys have any suggestions?

[GTO1]

My 70 Lemans is in dire need of a frame replacement. After looking for and not finding a decent convertible frame, I am boxing a hardtop frame. I was planning on cutting out the inner c channel from my old frame and welding it to the hardtop frame, but it is in really bad shape. Do ou guys have any suggestions?

[Judas]

Just curious, whats wrong with the original frame?

[GTO1]

Bad rust. The car was originally delivered to Rochester NY and was up there for a few years. They did a really good job undercoating it, but the frame has rusted from the inside out. The car needs floor pans and a trunk, but the rest of it is in really good shape. I bought the car from virginia and it appears that it spent a good part of its life on dirt roads. everywhere the dirt set in the frame, it is rotten. After I flushed out most of the mud I had 1/2" thick flakes of rust coming out. The bottom section of the convertible inner channel is gone and the area where the trans crosmember mounts is so soft you can push holes in it with a screwdriver. I don't intend for this car to be a show car, just a nice driverwith a 455.

[A-body]

I know convert frames are hard to find (I have a 66 Chevelle convert), but did you look into Station Wagon frames. In the Chevelle world, Converts, wagons, and elkes all used a boxed frame. I have an elke frame I am going to put under mine. Just a thought
Gary

[69ARROWHEAD]

GTO1- I have a convertible frame that is out of a '70 Cutlass conv. It has been primed and painted black. Problem is I am located in Texas. I can send pics of the frame if you would like. Let me know.
Alfred

[louisville97]

I am currently boxing in my '70 hardtop frame as well. I am doing it for the extra strength factor only as it is in excellent condition. I am using 14g plate and forming it in a 8' press. Seems to be going very nicely so far. Should stiffen things up considerably. All you have to do is make a short template of the bends you need, and a good fab shop to bend them up for you. If they can't get the frame curve right, you might be able to box it in in 1 foot sections. It will be just as strong, if not stronger than a 1 peice box job.

[kwinters2]

Arrowhead, I am located in Austin and am interested in putting a boxed frame under my 68GTO hardtop. I would at least be interested in seeing pics of the frame you have if it is interchangeable.

Email me at [email protected]

[69ARROWHEAD]

Kinley, I will e-mail you the pictures tonight.

[mjc34]

Not boxing for strength, more to do with rot repair in my siderails, but along the same line. Here's some pictures anyway of what I'm doing with my frame right now. The "caps" are about 14ga, are made from Galvannealed HSLA high strength steel (I work on a Galv line). This hard material was not easy to bend in a smaller brake!
Like Mr Bruce said, make a template duplicating the frames cross section and start forming.



Good luck!

[69ARROWHEAD]

Kinley, sent you an e-mail with pics of the frame.
Alfred

[kwinters2]

I did not receive the email, was the address correct?

[email protected]

[69ARROWHEAD]

Kinley, sent them again. Hope you get them this time. Let me know if you do.
Alfred

[Paul E]

I have found a company in the north east that is interested in making the pieces to weld in and box the A body frame. My frame is to far gone, does anyone in the northeast need this done? or can they take the needed pictures. This would save alot of time boxing a standard frame if the pieces were available. The company is called Rust converters and they do alot of Mopar kits.