My '67 ragtop needs massive sheetmetal surgery and a new frame. Can I do the body work while it's mounted on the old frame and then swap frames? In its current condition, I doubt the body is strong enough to survive being lifted for a frame swap.

On a related note-what frames can I use? Will other GM a-body frames fit? Could I use a hardtop frame, boxing it for strength (I want to drive, not concerned about show points)? Thanks for the help.

Sorry ,the only frame that will fit perfectly ,would be a Cov.frame 64-67,since the conv.is specially braced.However if you have a Mig welder and patience you can use a regular sedan frame and brace it as the conv.frame.
HR

I just got a MIG, but I don't know how to use it, yet. I sure will by the time I finish this car, though! As suggested in another post, I called Sundell's-he doesn't have any for me, so I've got some thinkin' to do.

Just my opinion but I would do the frame first. Whenever you lift a convertible body off the frame you take a chance of bending the body. The best way to avoid this is to weld and bolt steel tubing braces across the door openings, from door to door forming a rectangular box with additional extensions back to the rear of the passenger area behind the rear seat. With this approach you can lift the car with the bracing and it will not flex. It is not enough to just leave the doors attached and shut. They are not designed for that type of stress.

So the point is?? If you are going to weld bracing to your body you might as well do the frame first since you will have to remove traces of the welding before you paint/finish your interior. Also, whenever you do a frame off you risk some damage, however minor, to the body - especially if you are welding tubing to your door jambs.

There is a good book I picked up at Barnes & Noble that shows this very well. I believe it is called Professional Auto Restoring. It is fun to read and has a lot of good tips by a pro who does restorations for a living.

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1967 Malibu
1967 Impala SS396 Conv.
"I don't have a solution but I admire the problem!"

If you are going to get into cutting out the body structure in the floor, I would do it on the frame. That way, you can line everything up where it sat before and then lift the body off the frame. OR, put the body onto a new frame (or repaired frame) and do the work at that time. Doing that work on the body without the frame leads to alignment problems unless you are very careful with measurements and alignment (which is hard without experience).

Don't lift a convertible body without bracing it. I did and it took some creative frame bending to finally get everything back in line.

Peter

Thanks, guys! I was talking to some folks at Chevellabration today, and they gave me some ideas about the frame situation. Here's what I'm thinking-do all my rough bodywork Cutting, welding, etc.) while the body is on the old frame. Next, weld in bracing and install body on new, prepped frame. Finally, remove braces and do finish bodywork and paint. What do you think-is this a good plan?

Yes, it sounds good. IF THE BOXED BRACING ON THE OLD FRAME IS AT ALL SALVAGEABLE, KEEP IT! ALSO, THE TRANNY CROSS MEMBER, they are one of a kind. If the boxed bracing is rusted, but still has good structural integrity, very carefully, using a cutoff wheel, cut it at the factory welds and SAVE it to use on a regular frame. After you cut it off, you can have it blasted or acid dipped to get rid of the rust. If nothing else, it may be useful as a pattern to fabricate a new boxed section.

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Tom Parsons