Hi -

My father has a 1965 Cutlass Convertible (picture below) that he's owned for 20+ years. It was my first experience wrenching on a car and when my mother passed away it was the only common ground the two of us had. In short, a ton of sentimental value. The frame has seen better days. There were some rust holes under the driver's door which had steel plates welded over. My father decided to get both sides done at the same time. Now there is a rather large hole right behind the front wheel (which seems common). This brings me to my questions:

1. Is there a way to patch that portion behind the front wheel safely to skirt by for the next 5 years?
2. I realize the best way to do this is replace the frame. Is there a step by step post on how this is done? Any thoughts on hours need? My fear of this is broken body bolts which is bound to happen on a car with this much rust.
3. Is there a company that offers full frames for this car? I'm curious to see how much a new nicely coated frame would cost.

The shame of it is objectively there is nothing special about this car. It's got bondo in one rear quarter, the other needs to be replaced, chrome isn't in great shape, drivetrain is just "ok", in normal circumstances I'd say it's a money pit. I have this internal struggle between the financially responsible side of me and the car guy continuously playing ideas over in my head. If space and time were not an issue I'd say my father and I should strip it down, take it down to a body shop, have them brace it then pull the body off. Have them fix any rust on the body mounts, maybe restore the body itself (new quarters, inner fenders) while we work on swapping all the gear over to the new frame. To me that sounds like a 3-4 year project, I don't think he can be without his baby for that long.

Ok, I'm done ranting. Below is a picture of the Olds, it photographs well but don't let the old gal fool you!

IMG_0564 by sicklyscott, on Flickr

 

Plenty of frames are available I'm sure. All GM vert A Bodies of the same years will work if yours cannot be repaired. Oldspackrat may have a nice rustfree one. Or you could spend a heap and get one of these.

http://www.schwartzperformance.com/1...-body-chassis/

I say fix it and keep it forever, nothing like a car that stays in the family.

 

My recommendation is do a good fix. Don't do a perfect, high dollar, repro frame fix, but get a good used frame, repaint it, and call it good. You can disassemble the car, pull the body off after you brace it, take that to a body shop, and you and your old man can swap the chassis over to the new frame and detail while you wait for body work.

Slap the fixed shell back on, hang the panels, go for paint, then reassemble.

 

Where are you located? Convertible frames are a little rare but by no means unobtainable. Changing the frame out is easy. Fixing all the stuff associated is what will take the time. The car has a lot of sentimental value to you. I'd fix it right.


My dad passed away 7 months ago. I've got his rust free 87 Mustang 4 cylinder convertible he bought new. It's worth about $500 in the market but priceless to me.

 

Thanks all for the comments so far. I'd love a G-machine chassis but that price point isn't in the cards (not to mention my father would hate it!).

I'm in central New Jersey.

Finding parts for newer cars is easy for me. I have yet to find good quality used parts for the older cars. Took me 7 months to find a decent rear quarter for the car.

 

If you have a friend who is a good welder, the repair is fairly straight forward if there is good metal left around the areas needing repair. There is a bit of labor involved with getting the body lifted and yes there is a chance the body mounts could be problematic. I'm currently repairing a 67 Vette frame that is in really poor condition. the hardest part is gaining access.

 

From what I can tell the '64-'65 Chevelle convertible frame is interchangeable, is that correct? Are there other cars that can be a direct swap without fabrication?

 

Sounds to me like the car has a lot of sentimental value and worth the effort. Come up with a game plan that fits your time and financial budget. Restoring a car is like eating an elephant. Take it one bite at a time. Good luck..

 

NO CHEVELLE FRAMES ARE UNIQUE..they will not interchage

the frame is shorter behind the wheels..the labor it takes to lenghten the frame isnt worth it

Buick Olds and Pontiac interchange..Henry on here can give you exact..he enlightened me to the fact some of the 442 frames are diff..i believe 66-67

they basically interchange 64 -67... 67 frames accept a 400 turbo othere wise simular

the chevelle frame is so rare...so rare..but theres plenty of 64-67 BOPs

I believe you need 64-67 lemans

64-67 skylark

65-67 skylark GS hardtop and sedan frames have convertible frames under them from the factory

and 64-65 Cutlass...not sure about 66-67 cutlas frames..Henry said they are wider at the front horns for radiator clearence..and have a different Hollander interchange number

 

Doing all the prep work a week in advance me and my buddy knocked out the repairs on my frame over memorial day weekend. We both work in the automotive field. He works on big rigs I'm a body guy that also helps but its really not that bad.