Poor Boy 1962 Corvette Chassis Help - Lateral-g Forums

OldSchoolSS · #1 04-29-2009, 06:02 PM

Hey Guys,

I picked up a 1962 Corvette back in January that I found a mile down the street from my house. The price wasn't great but it was pretty good judging from what I've seen on Ebay since then.

I digress. I'm looking for recommendations on what to do for a chassis. I want to go with a c6 front suspension and probably a solid axle in the back since I don't want to give up any space in the passenger compartment or in the trunk of the vette. I'd love to pick up an Art Morrison frame but at this stage in my life(26 years old and three years out of college) I can not justify the $7,500 for the bare frame especially when other guys are offering their bare frames from $3,500-$6,500 range. I have a couple options right now.

Option 1:

I found a stock 59 rolling chassis that is in need of repair. It is from a Michigan car and has rot through by the two rear kick ups and a dime size spot on the front passenger side by a body mount. The guy is asking 800 for the rolling chassis, I could probably get 500 out of stock suspension components on it and have a 300 dollar starting point. I could repair the rust issues, smooth the whole frame and graft one of Art's bikini front c6 clips on the frame and figure out my own rear suspension incorporating a watt's link. I'm thinking I could have a respectable frame for about $2,700 total.

Option 2:

I found a respected frame builder in Ohio that is offering nice smooth one piece boxed frame rails for $2,700 for the pair, he also offers a frame less front suspension for $3,500. I could put Art's clip on either one of those options. For the price difference I'd be better off going with the whole frame at $3,500.

Option 3:

I found a third builder who is a former NASCAR boy who offers his bare frame for $3,500 with his suspension mounting points on it, but he said he could do c6 corvette components but it would be more than $3,500. I'm still waiting to hear back on a final price.

I'd love to put my mechanical engineering degree to work and build a complete frame myself but I don't have the time to tackle such a project. What would you guys suggest? My car is running driving now so I don't really want to tear it apart to use my solid stock frame as a starting point.

Thanks for the help,

Scott

XLexusTech · #2 04-30-2009, 04:39 AM

Save up for the AME frame... really no better choice then that in my mind,,

Other routes will cost you as much in the long run anyway

TonyG · #3 05-04-2009, 08:34 PM

Personally, I would leave the stock frame and just upgrade with aftermarket parts.

there are companies that make a fiberglass transverse leafspring and a set of adjustable shocks for the rear and a nice set of coil-overs for the front. I am not sure about the control arms.

The factory IRS is actually fairly strong.

This would be a great budget upgrade without having a lot of downtime.

ibuildm · #4 05-04-2009, 08:42 PM

A 62 Corvette does not have a IRS. It has a 49 Chev front end and a 55 Chev rearend with leaf springs.

ProTouring442 · #5 05-05-2009, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XLexusTech

Save up for the AME frame... really no better choice then that in my mind,,

Other routes will cost you as much in the long run anyway

I think I would second that. Another choice is a Newman Car Creations frame, but they modify your frame for C-4 suspension, front and rear. Cost: $7K

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

BBShark · #6 05-05-2009, 04:51 AM

Why not put a C2/3 frame under it (1963-82)? Rolling chassis are not that expensive, lot's of aftermarket suspension stuff. You might need to do a little glass work to your floor but, because the floor is fiberglass, it's easy and probably need some work anyway.

Differences in frames:

http://www.vettemod.com/forum/showthread.php?t=148

**CraigMorrison** · #7 05-05-2009, 09:11 AM

Scott- thanks for considering us in the build on your project. Keep in mind that out back we have a tri-4 bar kit that you can graft into your chassis. We can definitely do a front clip for you, but there's a lot of stuff going on in a very confined area so it's going to be a challenge on the install. If you take your time you should be good to go. If there are any other questions please let me or silver69camaro know.

TonyG · #8 05-05-2009, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibuildm

A 62 Corvette does not have a IRS. It has a 49 Chev front end and a 55 Chev rearend with leaf springs.

sorry, I had a brain fart! I jumped the gun and was automatically thinking mid-year..lol

customcam · #9 05-05-2009, 09:08 PM

Be patient,save and get the best

deuce_454 · #10 05-06-2009, 12:41 PM

im going to say something really unpopular now...

(while i agree that at AME frame would be the best thing to do.. and i would do it, i have an issue with dooing so)

If you put it on an AME frame it looses its corvette identity... just as if you put it on a 1982 ford 4x4 diesel pickup frame, it isnt an allwheel drive, alternative fuel corvette.. its a ford PU with a corvette body... putting it on an ame frame takes the corvette out and leaves you with a 2009 AME with a vintage corvette body... (imho atleast)

i also doubt it retains its value very well.... a wayne due subframed 1 gen was the hot ticket a few years back... now.. not so much!