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#1
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69 GTO Convertible Frame
Hi all,
My friend is trying to rectify some shoddy work done by the PO of his 69 GTO convertible. He took it to a reputable restoration shop and got a load of bad news. 1st up, the frame is twisted and therefore needs to be replaced. As this thing sounds like a frankenmobile, does the convertible have a different frame from a hard top? Figured it might and there might be an incorrect frame under the car.
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65 Tempest, 400, TH400 86 Fiero SE 2.8 |
#2
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#3
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just curious how twisted a frame needs to be to warrant replacement.
Many a 69 frame has been put back in shape on a good frame machine. Heck Ive used many unorthodox methods to get them straight. Big trees,chains,come a longs,heavy equipment,if done correctly will suffice.
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Everything comes and goes Pleasure moves on too early And trouble leaves too slow |
#4
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If the repairs or straightening needed was extensive or unreasonable. I think I’d be tempted to replace with one of the aftermarket frames available.
Eg. Roadster shop frames start at $13,000, that would be a great foundation to build a nice convertible on.
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73 T/A 455, 4speed Last edited by nas t eh; 03-19-2024 at 03:10 PM. |
#5
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65 Tempest, 400, TH400 86 Fiero SE 2.8 |
#6
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a simple string and plumbob can tell a lot in just a few minutes
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Everything comes and goes Pleasure moves on too early And trouble leaves too slow |
The Following User Says Thank You to Cammer-6 For This Useful Post: | ||
#7
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My 69 Lemans convertible has apparently been hit in the front and maybe the rear as well. The frame was bent in more than one way. Additionally, when I was troubleshooting how bad it was, my measurements did not make sense. I had the body off and the suspension assembled with wheels and tires. The wheelbase on each side didn't match the frame measurement deviation. Then I looked down at the rear axle and it was visibly bent! The previous owner had been driving it that way.
Anyway, I found a shop who agreed to straighten the frame for $800 (in 2015). Good luck, none of the other collision shops wanted the cash business, they are setup to do insurance work. This shop was a friend of a friend and that's the only reason they were interested. I am pleased with the end result. Make sure they check and fix the front extensions or the radiator support won't line up.
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Kent R. |
#8
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if you do replace the frame- be sure to get a 2 door frame. the 4 door, station wagon and el camino ones look similar but have a longer wheelbase. It’s possible to cut and weld it to size but more work involved. Fab skills vs time/ money, etc. many posts online about this subject. Also, should you locate a 2 door hardtop frame as mentioned it won’t have the boxed rails which would be more critical for a convertible as it lacks the body structure but there are kits out there to reinforce these frames as the factory convertible ones seem to command a higher price. it might be cheaper to go this route. an example of a reinforcement kit: https://www.opgi.com/chassis-suspens...r-ch30614.html hope this is helpful
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Long live the Muscle Car Instagram @tuske427 1967 Firebird #BVbird 1967 Firebird 400 4 speed project 1969 Verdoro green GTO (daily) |
#9
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btw, good news is that basically any 2 door (112" wheelbase) 68-72 A body frame will fit regardless of GM division. As mentioned, convertible frames are dimensionally identical to the other 2 door frames but had boxed side rails that were factory welded to a coupe frame C sections. Convertible frame also has heavier section over the rear axle. Inversely the door 2dr post sedan frame looks the same as the hardtop one but has thinner sections in some parts of the frame.
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My Break Away Squad 1969 Fbird (base OHC, 350, 400HO & Sprint Cvt’s - 400HO & TA ht’s) 1969 Custom S 2dr ht 1969 LeMans (2dr & 4dr ht & Cvt) 1969 LeMans Safari wagon 1969 GTO (2 Cvt, 2 ht & Judge ht) 1969 Cat (3 Cvt’s & 2dr ht) 1969 Ventura wagon 2 seat 1969 Exec 4dr post 1969 Bonnie Cvt & 2 wagons 1969 Bonnie Brougham (4dr ht & Cvt) 1969 Grand Prix 2 SJ’s 1969 2+2 2dr ht (Canadian) |
The Following User Says Thank You to north For This Useful Post: | ||
#10
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I saw this on facebook marketplace. the 69 cutlass convertible fame is what you are looking for. Not sure about what repairs it would require....
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...9895178686088/ |
#11
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Looks crooked and has significant rot, as expected for upstate NY
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My Break Away Squad 1969 Fbird (base OHC, 350, 400HO & Sprint Cvt’s - 400HO & TA ht’s) 1969 Custom S 2dr ht 1969 LeMans (2dr & 4dr ht & Cvt) 1969 LeMans Safari wagon 1969 GTO (2 Cvt, 2 ht & Judge ht) 1969 Cat (3 Cvt’s & 2dr ht) 1969 Ventura wagon 2 seat 1969 Exec 4dr post 1969 Bonnie Cvt & 2 wagons 1969 Bonnie Brougham (4dr ht & Cvt) 1969 Grand Prix 2 SJ’s 1969 2+2 2dr ht (Canadian) |
#12
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69 Judge, SURVIVOR, Carousel Red/Parchment, RAIII, 4-sp, 63k orig. miles, unrestored, #'s match 65 GTO, SURVIVOR, Tri-Power, 4-sp, 79k orig. miles, Capri Gold, orig. paint, top, interior, #'s match 70 GTO Conv, 400, at, A/C, Atoll Blue/Sandlewood/White top, all #'s match 2015 Challenger R/T Plus, hemi, Sublime |
#13
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Need a 68-72 GM A-body frame for convertible
Does anyone have a lead on a GM A body frame for convertibles, '68-72? A Chevelle, Cutlass, 442, Skylark, GS, GTO or LeMans all use this same frame (i think).
I currently live in SC but I'm gonna guess something from the southwest US might have a better chance of not being a rusted, rotted mess. Mine is literally Swiss Cheese right where I need to bolt the rear end. *face palm |
#14
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The chances of finding a frame from someone reading this tech thread is rather slim. |
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