There are plenty of companies that make complete, modern frames for ‘66 to ‘67 Chevelle’s . Is there a company that builds one for ‘66 to ‘67 Cutlass/442 that is reputable ? In the early idea/design stages of a RestoMod with modern big block Olds (550 hp) and an auto trans.

 

Why couldn't you just use a Chevelle frame?

 

There are minor differences from what I am being told. Using an Olds BB instead of an LS also presents a different set of challenges due to motor mounts, headers and a few other parameters. Someone recommended Art Morrison but I never heard back from them - either they are really busy or out of business. Going the LS route would obviously make the project easier but there are custom BB Olds engines that I am interested in.

 

I would do some more research on those differences -- my understanding is that an A-body frame is an A-body frame.

 

The front frame horns are straight on a Chevelle and offset out on a cutlass. The Chevelle hardtop/ convertible frames are also about 3" shorter in the rear along the gas tank under the trunk. I am pretty sure this 66 cutlass has a Roadster Shop frame under it. You might to reach out to them. They make an awesome product.

 

Here you can see the front frame horn difference which is the biggest change between the chevelle and cutlass.

Chevelle:


442/ cutlass frame:




Buick, Pontiac, and Chevy A-bodies all used the straight front frame horns from 64 to 67. Olds, Buick, and Pontiac were all about 3" longer than chevy in the straight section of the rear frame rail along the gas tank area. This makes the Olds (and Chevy) frame unique. The rear frame length differences get a little more complicated when talking about wagons and ElCaminos as the chevelle wagon and ElCamino rear frame rail length is the same as the Buick, Olds, and Pontiac 2 door rear frame rail length.

 

The stance on that 442 looks really nice. I’ll look up/call the Roadster Shop and see what they offer. Thanks for the info.

 

Thanks, Tom. The Buick/Pontiac thing was going to be my next question.

 

Yes, it is pretty easy to shorten the rear of a Buick or Pontiac frame to fit under a chevelle. Not as easy to cut off the Olds frame horns and adapt them to Buick, Chevy, or Pontiac but still possible.

 

Obviously these frames/complete chassis are not cheap, so finding one for a ‘66 Cutlass/442 and having the company do all the modifications before delivery would be ideal. Roadster Shop looks like a reputable company that does nice work. Tom do you know if that blue 442 had the complete chassis setup (tubular suspension/coil over rear) or just the frame ? Did t you get to talk to the owner about how she rides/handles ?

 

'68 is the magic year when GM normalization hit its stride. Before '68 is hit and miss - some parts are the same, some totally different, some have slight and peculiar differences.


The aftermarket frames typically have a perch specific for an LS or SBC/BBC. But if you're looking at an aftermarket chassis then it'd be best to be comfortable doing some fabrication. Custom mounts - or maybe just relocating the mounts that come with the frame - would be required. But it's easier with a fresh new frame than a crusty old stock one. Regardless of how nice the aftermarket stuff is I still wouldn't expect it to all just bolt together and run.

 

The owner said it drove and handled like a modern sports car. it had full tubular suspension with coilovers, power rack and pinion steering, and large baer brakes all around. The Roadster shop does a lot of their own full custom builds in addition to just building frames. My brother and I went to the Columbus Goodguys show in 2021 and I think Roadster shop had like 12 of their cars at the stand. They seemed like very nice guys. They were one of the shops selecting the top ten builders choice awards and I got to talk to them for awhile when they were looking at my wagon (no award though). If you are considering buying a frame from them, it may be worth asking about getting a ride in a car with one of their frames. Even if you do not live close to their shop they may be bringing cars to a show in driving range, or know someone near you with a car you could ride in.

 

Thanks Tom.

They must be better chassis builders than car show judges because I think your wagon is really cool - as I’m sure that plenty of people feel the same.

Mike

 

Thanks Mike. I was just happy to be parked in that section at that show (goodguys biggest show of the year). Probably 80-100 cars in the builders choice section most of which were multiple 6 figure builds. My car did make it into some of the picture albums on Goodguys website and elsewhere which is cool considering there were close to 4000 cars registered. Here it is in an article about the show in gauge magazine:
https://gaugemagazine.com/goodguys-2...ing-nationals/

 

Not sure where you are from, but if you ever get the chance to go the Columbus show was amazing. Many of the top Builders in the country were there with their builds. Ring Brothers, Roaster Shop, Rad Rods by Troy (probably a dozen more or so) The trip out from Lancaster, PA took about 11 hours but was totally worth it.

 

Wow that show looks cool - a lot of impressive looking builds. To get 6,500 cars at one weekend show is pretty insane. I’ll keep an eye out for this years dates and see if I can make it out that way.