Update: Thanks for all of the private messages, but I found a frame. ----------------------------------------------------------------- My '66 GS is undergoing a frame off renovation. Frame off because the frame is rusted inside and out. Anyone got a reasonably priced donor or a lead on one.
Denice, before you buy a frame long-distance, make ABSOLUTELY sure you have someone go over it carefully to make sure it is in good condition and not bent!
What are some tell tale signs of a bent frame...besides an obvious bend? Are the subtle things to check? Also, are there other year frames that will work on a '66 GS convertible? As I understand, it '66 and '67 have the same body style. Would a '67 GS frame work just as good? Ideally, I'd like the same year. I don't want to cheapen the originally of the rest of the car.
64 to 67 are essentially the same dimensions. 1967 does use different rear springs. Converibles and Gran Sport models both used the 'boxed; side rails for extra strength. Buick, Olds and Pontiac frames are interchangable, but Chevelle frames are a few inches shorter in the back. There are frame charts that show dimensions at various points on the frame. Most measurements can be done with a tape measure, but to be 100% sure the frame isn't twisted, the frame should be placed on a flat surface for measuring. As an example of what can go wrong, a board member in Indiana bought a frame, had it shipped from hundreds of miles away (another $400), only to discover it had undisclosed damage, and requires $900 worth of repairs to make it usable. A bad situation for all involved.
I will pass this info to the man doing the work for me. He may have already found a frame locally (VA Beach). He has a line on a '65 frame yesterday. In the past, he sent a guy to check out nearby (regional) frames before buying. I'm trying to be helpful and stay as involved as he'll let me without getting in his way. Thanks for the valuable info.
AWESOME! :beers2: Thanks! It looks like WHEELZ might have a rust free '65 boxed frame for me, if no '66 frames can be found locally.
Denise..., a plan between the Indiana buyer and myself had been all worked out but since Walt felt it necessary to break the seal on this can of worms, I may as well open it up all the way. I own a 65 GS vert. its a mess, but nevertheless, it was in planning stages for a restoration. Back in 07, I bought a 65 GS coupe from VA, that was a rust bucket. I sold and parted almost everything except the frame...I thought I may need it for my Vert restoration...someday. So,....Fast-Forward to these days of difficult financial economic times and the fact that I havent worked in 18 months, I recently decided I had better sell my 65 GS boxed chassis to try to make a few late mortgage payments. The chassis in question has some 44 year old surface rust BUT SOLID AND NO RUST THRU anywhere. I sold this chassis to a fello in Indiana. He had made arrangement to come and see/inspect the chassis, but at the last minute, decided to waive his inspection and have it transported to his home in Indiana. Once he received it, he found an area covered in undercoating and as he scraped off the undercoating, he found a damaged area... NOT RUSTY or torn metal or structurally weakened, just dented. He now insists on getting his money back ASAP and I am just not in a good financial situation to repay the man. SO heres lies the situation. I need to sell this chassis to repay this man his investment. I am now offering this chassis once again. The following is the best honest description as I can give as this chassis in now in Indiana. It is a solid, boxed 64-67 chassis that has a dented area as per the pix the INDIANA fello sent me. So NO,..this chassis is not perfect, and it shows 45 year old signs of surface rust ONLY, again,..there is NO RUST THRU ANYWHERE!!! It is a solid roller with an open rear end and complete original drum setup on the front. For what its worth...I DO NOT KNOW if Walt has seen this frame up-front and personal, but I simply cannot see $800 or as Walt describes...$900 worth of damage...I've had frames put on 'frame machines' and repaired for less than $250 that were much worse than this one. You will never convince me it will take $800 or $900 to repair this frame. NOT EVER. AND....from experience I would MUCH RATHER deal with a slight dented area than a RUSTED OUT chassis, anyday! That being said, I've watched good GM 64-67 boxed frames sell for $1200 - 1500!!! AGAIN...THIS IS A VERY RESTORABLE chassis that you can buy as is, for hundreds of dollars less at just $750 but you will have to go pick it up in Indiana AND yes, you may have to put it on a chassis machine to make it perfect but KNOW THIS . . .IT IS NOT RUSTY ANYWHERE. NOTE: The $750 will NOT GO TO ME..IT WILL go direct to the fello in Indiana and I will somehow pay him back THE DIFFERENCE to cover his invested transportation costs. YES...I AM GUILTY of NOT researching this little area of concern and because of that, I made an honest mistake by selling the man a chassis that I described as straight and RUST FREE.., it wasnt straight, it does have a dented area as per the pix...BUT IT IS SOLID and RUST FREE!!! I am dealing with a terrific financial burden at this time in my life, but I promise to repay Indiana Greg the best way AND FASTEST way I know possible. Take a look at these pix and let me know if YOU or if anyone else is interested, and please contact me. I have a ton of more pix and details if so desired. Wheelz, Tampa Bay
Wheelz, nothing personal. I didn't want to bring names into it, I just used it as an example of what can go wrong. I 'heard' (for what ever that's worth) one of several frame guys checked it out and it was bent over an inch. If the suspension mounting points are where they should be, it may be usable as is. If one of those points is actually out by an inch, it will need professional repair.
Wow! The guy doing my renovation may have already found a frame locally. I was only trying to be involved in the process. It might be a situation where I'm being too helpful. I'll pass what I know along to him. I'll post an update as soon as I know.
naaah. doesn't have to get fugly. I have obviously made a mistake and I am willing to correct it asap the best way I can. pretty simple plan. offer this very restorable chassis to someone who would rather have a dented frame and not a rotted-out rusty one, for a fair price with all reasonable offers considered. sell it and send the money to the original buyer. I will make up the cash difference "whatever that may be" and send it to him as well so he can get on with his project. everyone involved will be over all this soon. we can move on to much more important things.
Question: My car seems to be all original...the numbers of the major components all match and the car is unmolested. How badly does changing out the frame hurt the value of the car? There's only 1480 of these convertibles ever made. I'm thinking I should stick with a '66 GS or vert frame. As luck would have it, someone sent me a PM saying they had a straight, rust free, sandblasted, and painted frame. The cool thing is my car was made in Flint, Mich and that's where this guy is from. What are the odds? What parts of the frame should I ask him to take pictures of as proof that it's as good as he says?
-The 65 frame has a slightly different front crossmember...there is a triangular piece welded to the front of it. In 1966, that 'point' was molded into the frame. However, some early-built '66's still have the 65 style crossmember. -'67 frame has different rear spring pockets, and different transmission crossmember mounts to accommodate the ST400 trans used that year. If you are concerned about numbers on the frame: -VIN is stamped in frame (2 places) but can not be seen with car body mounted unless you use mirrors. There is a part number and date stamped on the left side frame rail near the rear bumper. I have pics on file if you need more info! I had gotten estimates on sandblasting and powdercoating a frame a few years ago....about $450 and up to $1000. One rust problem area is the lower portion directly behind the front wheel. You could try contacting board member 'Brian'.....he's in your region and a real 65 diehard. Maybe he knows of something that's avail....
For what it's worth, Have any of us yet congratulated this young lady on her obvious taste in having not just one, but two 1966 Skylarks, let alone fixing up a GS? I have found Walt and other members of this site to be ESSENTIAL in doing my cars right. We all have parts stashed for future needs, and I am sure you will find what you need here. Dan
Thanks Dan K. I suppose I'm in the minority on this message board. I haven't come across another woman in all of the posts I've read. Yes, I have TWO '66 verts. They both have great stories for how I came to own them, if anyone is interested. I am so THRILLED to have finally found a guy who wants my business and seems genuinely excited about putting the GS back together. She's been sitting quietly in the yard for the past 2 years waiting for me to make the decision (keep/sale). Every time, I thought I about selling her, she'd start right up without hesitation. VRRROOOOOOMMMMMM. Yes, this website is AWESOME. It has already been a wealth of information for me. Walt helped my replace the springs on the SHINEY one. It turned out I was driving her around in an unsafe state. A bit of suspension work and replacing several parts corrected the problems. I'll be around more for the next 6-12 months. Thanks for the welcome.
ok my 2 cents.... first...I think i love you because you have a 66 GS and your a woman.. so lets get that out there...lol second.. I think its great that your restoring one...and if you need parts I can help you out... Im pretty much the sickest nut case on 66's..and walt and Dan are right on my tail... between us.. we can give you any correct information neccesary..as you can see..walt is an encyclopidia...spou: anyway..if your referring to the frame that mike has in flint...I have personally looked at it.. it was off a 4 speed midnight blue car that was cut up for parts... dont even get me going..I had nightmares already..thats the frame you should get... Im sure your resto guy is good... but hes not as good as us... if it were me... id wait for a 66 boxed frame.. not a 65 or 67..they are out there... I prolly can find 3 or 4 by weeks end... up to you... but thats what I would do...and they only made 148 burgandy mist convs GS in 66..and 64 of those were from flint.. PM me if you need anything specfic
It's great to know I'm loved, and how could I not restore a car that kept asking to live? She wants to go fast...I mean I want to drive her fast. I'm going to put all 3 of ya'll on my buddy list. How do you know this? I'm a pretty good web-slueth. I found a Hemmings Motor News article with numbers...13816 total GS, 1480 Convertible Super Turbine 300 2-speed automatic. But now, my girl is 1 of 64 ever made. That's even more awesome...< 1% of total GS ever made in '66. You convinced me. I'm gonna insist that my resto guy get a '66 GS boxed frame! If you live in Mass, how'd you see a frame all the way in Mich? You guys wouldn't be trying to take advantage of a poor girl? JK:grin: I gave the contact info for the Flint frame to my resto guy. He made a funny noise when I told him it was in Mich. I'm pretty certain he wants to look at any frame he buys...something within driving distance. I'm very interested in '66 GS frames near south-eastern Virginia.
Ok how do Iknow this??? lol I have 15 66 GS's and buying the 16th midnight blue hardtop 4 speed next week... the frame that Mike has was originally from VA I think...I have been to Mikes house a few times...and he's been to mine .. like Isaid that frame is mint..I almost bought it just to hang it in my barn to look at it...I also have informationn that you cant from Hemmings or via web.. ha ha...:bla: anyway..yours is one of 64 burgandy mist cars built in Flint...and as far as being interesed in a frame...you go where you have to go to get one...dont limit yourself...can I ask you were you got that car from? did it come from Chris Babinski in Huntington Beach Ca?... just wondering..
