[Nicks67GTO]

So Iv'e got a California original 67' GTO H.O. Iv'e got all the numbers matching stuff laying in the corner and iv'e got a 455, 5 speed, 9" etc in the car

I knew the car had been smacked before but i had no idea the frame was beat up in 3 spots. Its humped up in the back on one side, there's a 1/2" difference between wheel bases between driver and passenger side, the frame bar by the gas tank is dragging low, and the front, lower, rear A-Arm mounting point has been re-welded in the wrong spot to compensate. Its FUBAR. To make a long story short i just had a good frame guy tell me he could have anywhere between 20-60 hours fixing this mess and it could end up in the $4K range. Screw that. I'm not paying $4K to keep a frame on a $25K car that i'm likely to never sell. Its very disappointing and a huge setback.

What are my options? Is there any real difference between a Lemans, Tempest or GTO frame? Can I use any 64-67 Chevelle, Skylark?, F-85, Cutlass??? Are there any real numbers stamped on the frame that mean anything? Is this killing the cars value? What should I do here? Son of a bitch i'm mad....

Here's the car.....

[marxjunk]

67 is a unique frame, its equipped for a 400 turbo and the rear spring perches are unique too

64-67 skylark and lemans/gto interchange, chevelle is shorter and cutlass has diff horns in the front for the wide cross flow radiator..

if you want a bolt in you need a 67 skylark or lemans frame, you have to modify the rest

[6704gto]

there is the partial vin number stamped on the frame to match the car

[fyrffytr1]

The partial VIN is stamped on top of the frame behind the rear wheel on the driver's side(I think).

[jd66]

first of all nice looking car, love those vinyle tops, well don't do like i did when i blew mine apart to restore, i got all excited when i found out my 66 hard top car with a factory original convertiable frame was shot, got really carried away and found a good hard top frame and grafted my front to it and then added the original boxes, what a lot of work, look around theres a few 67 frames out there, all 67 gto, lemans, tempest, will work, to bad you dont live closer i could fix ya up, as far as numbers go i wouldn't worry about it, my replacement frame wern't readable so i restamped my numbers where they are supposed to be, worked for me, good luck jd grim 66 gto

[geeteeohguy]

'65-'67 Tempest, Cutlass, 442, F-85, Skylark will all work fine. If it's an earlier frame from a non TH400 car, you will need to change the location of the trans cross member mounting. Easy. More labor intensive than anything else is swapping the drivetrain/body over, but when you're done, it'll be right.

[242177P]

El Camino is the right length and boxed. Chevelle needs the rear section lengthened (believe it's 3-4"?) but you could keep the VIN by using your rear section...

[Sloan66]

there is a 67 LeMans frame listed for sale on this forum, $700

[HaloMedic]

Originally Posted by Sloan66

there is a 67 LeMans frame listed for sale on this forum, $700

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=709681

[lemans411]

buy mine and you're good to go. one hole needs a little fix but the rest are good. id sand blast and paint and put it under the car. and yes a chevelle frame is shorter . ask me how i know lol.

[GT182]

Nick, keep the section of the rear frame rail that has the vin on your bad frame. You can cut out the vin on the replacement frame and weld yours in. Tho no one will probably ever see it when done, it's a good idea to have the matching vin number.

[6d7gto]

Beautiful car Nick. Buy a good used '67 Pontiac A frame but make sure it is from the same manufacturer as your original (either Parrish Pressed Steel, AO Smith or Pontiac). If your car was built at the Fremont California plant your frame was probably built by the Pontiac frame company. Check your frame at the left rear rail for the stamping initials "Pon". The good news is that Pontiac built frames are the best in design (one man's opinion). More good news is that if you can get another one it will probably come from California and might be totally rust free! Have the frame galvanized 'hot dipped' then powder coated then the frame will not only look beautiful and permanently rust proofed inside/out, but the process will also eradicate the VIN and date code stampings. I won't tell if you won't tell.

[gregneun]

Call Steve at Pontiac Heaven, outside of Phoenix, AZ. He would probably have one. Truly Vintage is always hauling cars and parts around the country. Both are board members here.

Greg

[lust4speed]

Originally Posted by 6d7gto

...but make sure it is from the same manufacturer as your original...

Just curious, is there an actual physical difference between the frames from the different manufacturers?

[lemans411]

mines still for sale and a lot closer than az. just saying

[6d7gto]

Originally Posted by lust4speed

Just curious, is there an actual physical difference between the frames from the different manufacturers?

Yes. Comparing Parrish to Pontiac (I don't have access to an AO Smith at this moment), Parrish is the weaker of the two. Pontiac frames seem to be stronger due to greater overlap at the welding joints which makes for longer welds if that makes any sense. Differences are mostly at the front end where frames are beefed up to support the motor. Rear and side rails are all pretty similar except for star like patterns (reminds me of a female torx head socket) versus a plain hole. The purpose of these holes is beyond me. Pretty sure an expert will know all the subtle differences. I just know they are definitely different.

[4 SPEED GOAT]

HI I HAVE A 67 FRAME FRO A REAL 67 GTO THAT I PARTED OUT FOR ANOTHER CAR .I AM OUTSIDE KANSAS CITY.IF INTERESTED PM ME FOR DETAILS.THANKS

[Nicks67GTO]

I ended up picking up a perfect, barn stored, rust free, Montana original, 67' GTO frame about 10 miles west of town. Thanks for all of you that responded.

[arbys]

That's great to pick up a frame so close to you. There's got to be a story there.

[jd66]

congradulations, what luck, take some pictures of the change-over, good luck. jd grim