what are a persons options in reguards to finding a "A" body frame that will work under a convertible. what other donor cars will work? can you use a sedan,or hard top frame?
64 thru 67 convertibles all share the same critical measurements. 64 isn't recommended if you're installing a big block as starter removal will be too tight. 64 thru 67 El Camino also shares all the same crical measurements with the exception of overall length. But cutting out 3 1/4" behind the last body mount on the side and rewelding will bring it into convertible specs. Been there done that. The boxed frames are for extra rigidity. Think about it, once the body is bolted to the frame the roof of the sedan/hdtp becomes a stiffener. No roof on a convertible or camino.
As a side note: saw a 66 conv bare blasted and painted frame at Carlisle last month. It had been sold and the guy said he got $1200 for it. Hell of a deal.
Don't believe the A body Pontiac and Olds will work - don't the front horns bend outward on the Olds?
Alternately, use a HT frame and box it yourself (if you are not overly concerned about originality) I didn't find anyone selling precut peices to do this when i looked... less chance of the frame being rotten from having dirt/moisture in the boxed section all it's life...and easier to find.
64-65 Vert A body 64-65 Elcamino shorten rear piece 66-67 A body vert shorten rear piece The last 65 one I sold went for 1500.00 stripped of everything, not painted, not sandblasted. How bad is the one you have and where is it rusted? I here you can buy the boxed sections and with a good welder I'm sure you could make a HT frame look original. Paul.
I forgot to mention 1 thing in my above post. 66 and 67 frames are not the same but will interchange. All critical dimensions are the same. The difference is in the rear spring upper perch. If you are using a 67 frame for a 64,65 or 66, then you have to use 67 springs. the reverse is also true, of course.
Also when mounting the new frame remember the conv uses 2 more mounting points than the hdtp/sedan. But the extra holes are on all frames. When buying a new set of mounts specify the convertible set so you get the correct number of mounts.
here are some photos of my convertible frame (no not selling it), for reference in boxing yours if you want.
as you can see from the crappy looking welds and cuts of material on this factory frame. its not a stretch to say you can do a better job of boxing it quite easily. I'll search around to see if I can find any "kits" for boxing.
-- Edited by kelico on Sunday 5th of August 2012 01:17:37 PM