I am brand new to the site and I am hopeful that someone has some info for me about frame interchangeability for a 1967 Parisienne 2 door hardtop frame that is rotten out. I have spent literally weeks online looking for concrete info but keep getting varying info or the forum posts start to go away from what the person was asking about. So I will try to give you all of my info in order to help with getting some good info. I have a 1967 Pontiac Parisienne (2 door hardtop, Canadian) and I am doing a frame off restoration. I have removed the body and the frame is pretty badly rusted through the middle section all the way from before the transmission crossmember to the body mount area just in front of the rear wheel arch in the frame. I realize that it is possible to brace and cut out and weld in and get straightened but I am looking for alternatives due to a poor wrap job someone did before .
My frame numbers are 3400653 - GC200
8-4-66-1-2
I cannot find out what this frame is exactly; however, I can guess that the 8 -4 is month and day and the 66 is 1966 with the 1-2 being the shift it was made. I think the GC is the factory location but cannot confirm and of course the 3400653 is the frame part number but once again, I cannot find any hard proof anywhere online.
Now from my research, the Parisienne frame and running gear should be Chevy impala but some sites say that impala frames can be used from 1965-1970 (full perimeter frame) but then some forums say that exact frame matches are only for certain years like 1965-1966 and 1967-1970. Other forums say that you can use convertible frames and the only difference is there is two extra body mounts that arent used and the frame has an extra welded piece to make it a boxed frame. While others say that you cannot use a convertible frame with hardtops. So as you can see, I am getting very confused and very reluctant to buy a different year, different make rolling chassis that may not work for my Parisienne.
So, Please can someone help me out and once and for all have a nice detailed and documented post for all of us Parisienne owners to reference. I have attached some pictures to help with this topic. Also if anyone has a good frame or rolling chassis that fits what I need, I would love to come and see it (Lower Mainland, B.C.)
I know what you mean, this has been discussed before and either nothing concrete has been stated, or the thread has drifted away from the topic. With that said, I will ask guys to post in this thread ONLY if they have detail that will help with the question.
And I am able to tell you one thing absolutely because I've proven it with both Hollander Interchange Manuals and GM Parts books-
All 67-68 Canadian Pontiac and Chevrolet full size frames (except convertible) are a direct interchange. So this would include Biscayne, Bel Air, Impala, Caprice, Strato Chief, Laurentian, Parisienne, Grande Parisienne 2 door, 4 door or station wagon. Beyond that we'll see if anyone else chimes in with more info.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
Having recently gone through this for my 70, I can verify what Carl says in that you're looking for a 67-68 Canadian Pontiac or Chevrolet B-body (Impala, Biscayne, etc) non-convertible frame. 65-66 are the same, 67-68 are the same, and 69-70 are the same. I put a 69 Parisienne 2+2 hardtop chassis under my 70 Parisienne hardtop last summer.
I think in theory a convertible frame can be used, but the bottom edge of them is wider than the non-convertible frame, and henceforth the convertible crossmember is narrower than a non-convertible crossmember. (that's why convertible crossmembers cost more)
To be honest, I think the only differences between the 67-68 and the 69-70 frames may just be the frame horns that the bumper bolts to.
Here's a couple photo's of the soft chassis that was under my 70:
Emil, I blew up those pictures you posted so people can see them better. That way if they have any comments about any particular part of the frame they can point them out in a picture.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
I have a 67 Impala 2 door hardtop. The frame was toast. I had some time to research this and Brian Owens of Whitby worked for me for a while and then he took a position with Hunter selling alignment machines. Brian was able to get the frame data sheets for my 67 and compared them to the 68 and they were the same.
My search ended when Brian called me up and said that there was a California 68 Station Wagon that was destined for the crusher that day. I hurried over and upon inspection found out that the wagon had the 4 piston Corvette style disc brake option. The motor had been taken out reports say it was a massive big block..... I paid 35.00 and the owner towed it to my shop.
The vehicle was put on the hoist and all of the body mounts disconnected and the following morning the tow truck came and wrapped a chain through the roof and presto I had a frame.
The frame went to the metal laundry and came out sparkling. One small repair and it was epoxy enameled. Spent the winter installing new parts and in the spring the body went on the "new" frame.
There was one bolt at the rear that had to be adjusted but all fit easily.
I have had the car now for 36 years and upgraded stuff along the way.
Unfortunately I lost my binder documenting all of the work that has gone into the car or I could get you the frame sheets.
Hope this helps shed some light on the subject
Cliff
Check the Sept 1 2014 issue of Old Autos fora detailed story of my attachment to this car. Issue # 17 for 2014
-- Edited by oshawacliff on Tuesday 3rd of February 2015 08:39:24 PM
Awesome, nice to have some info coming in. I would love to hear from some more people so that we can confirm whether a convertible frame can be used or not. I was under the impression that the station wagon frames were the same as a convertible. So if Oshawacliff used one on his 1967 hardtop, then maybe a convertible frame can be used... I will give Dave a call and see what he has, it just sucks that it is on the Island as that instantly adds a ton of money and hassle. Ideally I want to spend as little as possible on a donor frame but I guess under $1000 will probably have to happen. This build is on a pretty tight budget so the cheaper the better.
So, so far we have pretty concrete info that a 1967-1968 impala frame will work, just not sure about convertibles. I have a lead on two different 1968 convertible impalas so it would be nice to hear from someone who knows for sure about this.
Just a thought....if the frames are identical for 1965-1966 and then it changes but is the same for 1967-1968 frames. Then why would my 1967 car have stamped numbers on the frame showing its a 66 frame? Maybe the 65-66 frames will work? I have contacted the Craigslist ad for the car above, just waiting on some decent pics before I go to the island to check it out. Anyone know if my frame should have a vin stamped on it? Any hints to where it should be? I cleaned up a bunch of areas that I saw from a Chevy site but no luck...would love to confirm what my frame is from.
From what I see your frame is built August 4 66 so that should make sense for a 67 model car. I doubt they were still rolling out 66 models that late.
I have never looked for the vin on a full size but I'm told it's on top of the frame rail behind the rear wheel. I've seen it there on a Beaumont. You have to clean the frame REAL well to see it!
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
That was one of the first places we cleaned but I think the metal is so corroded that the stampings might have been lost in the severe pitting on the surface...
Another thing I found today is that my idler arm is bolted the inside of the frame which apparently means it is a 1967 -1970 frame...the 1965-1966 frames have a idler arm that bolts through a hole in the frame rail. Can anyone confirm this?
This car I believe is still available. It was parked in a carport on concrete for years. It's been moved to the lawn for the last year. I no longer live there to look at it again, but this might have a good frame.
There is a '68 Laurentian and Impala out at my brothers farm. The Impala was on it's roof for years. Frame should be good. Couldn't check till spring though.
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'68 Parisienne 2+2 Convertible Matador Red (Resale Red but not for sale).
Another thing I found today is that my idler arm is bolted the inside of the frame which apparently means it is a 1967 -1970 frame...the 1965-1966 frames have a idler arm that bolts through a hole in the frame rail. Can anyone confirm this?
That is correct, 65-66 frames idler arm mounts in a different way than 67-68 & 69-70 frames.
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being in B.C. I would first check with TIN MAN 
