Frame repair

skinny · 04-24-2007, 12:00 AM

I probably should have looked before buying the car, but I still have not checked out the frame condition on my recently purchased 71 Supreme. I have been told since that these cars often rot the frame out just behind the front wheels. If this is the case, can this be repaired? Or would I need a new frame? Or would it basically turn this into a parts car?

joe_padavano · 04-24-2007, 06:31 AM

It all depends. If the rust is confined to a small area, a good frame shop can easily weld in new metal. If the rust is substantial you can always replace the frame, but that's essentially a body-off restoration. The price for good frames seems to be going up rapidly. At the Spring Carlisle swap meet this weekend, the asking price (not to be confused with selling price, by the way) for A-body frames that had been sandblasted and painted was $2,000 for a HT frame and $2,600 for a convert frame. You'll need to decide what the car is worth.

Eightupman · 04-24-2007, 07:15 AM

DAMN....and I just GAVE a straight frame away... I'mma dumbass...

John

joe_padavano · 04-24-2007, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eightupman

DAMN....and I just GAVE a straight frame away... I'mma dumbass...

John

At the risk of veering off topic, prices for A-body parts at Carlisle were just INSANE. Completely shredded A-body buckets that needed all new foam and upholstery (and probably frame repair) were going for $400-500 a pair. 12 bolt posi axles for $1250. Rusty Cutlass front fenders for $200 each.

Again, these were asking prices, but people see this and think their junk is solid gold.

skinny · 04-24-2007, 06:26 PM

hmmm, that would meant that I may be better off parting out this car instead of rebuilding it. But that would go against the entire reason I bought it.

decisions, decisions...

2blu442 · 04-24-2007, 08:46 PM

What part of the country are you in? If you would post the city and state someone nearby might be able to help you. I have a couple 68-72 hardtop frames myself, and a 1971 Supreme project car but unless your close by it would probably cost too much to ship.

Eightupman, I don't want to think about how many I've cut up and sent to the scrap yard in the last 25 years! We all have 20/20 hindsight

skinny · 04-24-2007, 09:32 PM

Sorry about the location, forgot to fill that in, however it would not help much as I am in northern British Columbia, Canada, closer to Alaska than to Washington.

04-24-2007, 12:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
skinny Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Northern BC, Canada Posts: 11	Frame repair I probably should have looked before buying the car, but I still have not checked out the frame condition on my recently purchased 71 Supreme. I have been told since that these cars often rot the frame out just behind the front wheels. If this is the case, can this be repaired? Or would I need a new frame? Or would it basically turn this into a parts car?

04-24-2007, 06:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
joe_padavano Moderator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 1,435	It all depends. If the rust is confined to a small area, a good frame shop can easily weld in new metal. If the rust is substantial you can always replace the frame, but that's essentially a body-off restoration. The price for good frames seems to be going up rapidly. At the Spring Carlisle swap meet this weekend, the asking price (not to be confused with selling price, by the way) for A-body frames that had been sandblasted and painted was $2,000 for a HT frame and $2,600 for a convert frame. You'll need to decide what the car is worth. __________________ Joe Padavano 64 Jetstar 88 Conv 66 442 L-69 Conv 68 W-30 69 H/O 69 442 70 W-30 72 442 84 Custom Cruiser 86 Caprice wagon (w/307 Olds)

04-24-2007, 08:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
2blu442 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Medford, Oregon Posts: 801	What part of the country are you in? If you would post the city and state someone nearby might be able to help you. I have a couple 68-72 hardtop frames myself, and a 1971 Supreme project car but unless your close by it would probably cost too much to ship. Eightupman, I don't want to think about how many I've cut up and sent to the scrap yard in the last 25 years! We all have 20/20 hindsight __________________ 1964 Cutlass Factory 4spd 1965 442 4spd 1967 442 Auto 1967 Cutlass Convertible 1968 442 Auto 1969 442 W30 Auto 1970 442 4spd 1971 Cutlass Flat Top Wagon 1973 Che*vy 3/4 Ton 454/TH400 Tow Vehicle Only the tow vehicle is finished!

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04-24-2007, 07:15 AM	#3 (permalink)
Eightupman Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 252	DAMN....and I just GAVE a straight frame away... I'mma dumbass... John

04-24-2007, 06:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
skinny Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Northern BC, Canada Posts: 11	hmmm, that would meant that I may be better off parting out this car instead of rebuilding it. But that would go against the entire reason I bought it. decisions, decisions...

04-24-2007, 09:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
skinny Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Northern BC, Canada Posts: 11	Sorry about the location, forgot to fill that in, however it would not help much as I am in northern British Columbia, Canada, closer to Alaska than to Washington.