To Frame off or not to frame off...

DJMatthews · 12-04-2006, 07:31 AM

that is the question.

I have a 1970 cutlass convertible. Trunk gone. Quarter used a case of bondo. Inner/outers probably shot. Passenger floor has a tin rivited in. Other than that the car is fine. One body shop says he can do the work, but suggests doing a frame off. Another shop says, he can do the work, but says i shouldnt do a frame off if i plan to drive the car.

No Frame Off

Some say to take the frame off you have issues with the body sitting back on the frame.

cost is high and you never get your value back

you would make the car a trailer queen

For Frame off

you get all the rust

I know i would have confidence the car has been gone through and more issues with the car would be found by doing a frame off

Besides...what law says you cant drive a car that has had a frame off restoration. Why would i buy a car i wouldn't enjoy?!?!?!

What is a novice to do?

bjtstarfire · 12-04-2006, 09:33 AM

It's a personal choice that you need to make on your own - you have the facts just lay them out and see what you can live with (i.e. cost benefit).

If the frame is in good shape then forgo the frame off unless you want to have it blasted and painted...

rockethound · 12-04-2006, 05:16 PM

first of all it is a very easy, every one well tell you not to for veriuse resons.
but like bjtsarfire said its up to you. if you can do alot of the disasebly your self even strip the paint. you will save your self a boat load of money. check with your body shop the would probably want to do the body repairs first bifore taking it off the frame.mine was a hard top so i did mine first before body work. either way you will need to now how to renforce the door openings because its not a hard top. i took the body off the frame in my 22' by 18' garage then took the rolling frame and had it sand blasted then took it and had it primed and rubber caoted . coast for sand blasting and paint was about six hundred dollars. nd to boot mine is a driver thats what they were made for was to drive in my mind.

ImWired · 12-05-2006, 01:28 PM

If the body is that punky you could start looking for another shell and finish the frame while your looking.
ImWired

12-04-2006, 07:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
DJMatthews Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 13	To Frame off or not to frame off... that is the question. I have a 1970 cutlass convertible. Trunk gone. Quarter used a case of bondo. Inner/outers probably shot. Passenger floor has a tin rivited in. Other than that the car is fine. One body shop says he can do the work, but suggests doing a frame off. Another shop says, he can do the work, but says i shouldnt do a frame off if i plan to drive the car. No Frame Off Some say to take the frame off you have issues with the body sitting back on the frame. cost is high and you never get your value back you would make the car a trailer queen For Frame off you get all the rust I know i would have confidence the car has been gone through and more issues with the car would be found by doing a frame off Besides...what law says you cant drive a car that has had a frame off restoration. Why would i buy a car i wouldn't enjoy?!?!?! What is a novice to do?

12-04-2006, 09:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
bjtstarfire Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Greater Philadelphia, PA area Posts: 65	It's a personal choice that you need to make on your own - you have the facts just lay them out and see what you can live with (i.e. cost benefit). If the frame is in good shape then forgo the frame off unless you want to have it blasted and painted... __________________ Ben '61 Starfire

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12-04-2006, 05:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
rockethound Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 41	first of all it is a very easy, every one well tell you not to for veriuse resons. but like bjtsarfire said its up to you. if you can do alot of the disasebly your self even strip the paint. you will save your self a boat load of money. check with your body shop the would probably want to do the body repairs first bifore taking it off the frame.mine was a hard top so i did mine first before body work. either way you will need to now how to renforce the door openings because its not a hard top. i took the body off the frame in my 22' by 18' garage then took the rolling frame and had it sand blasted then took it and had it primed and rubber caoted . coast for sand blasting and paint was about six hundred dollars. nd to boot mine is a driver thats what they were made for was to drive in my mind.

12-05-2006, 01:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
ImWired Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 12	If the body is that punky you could start looking for another shell and finish the frame while your looking. ImWired