Home page
  Active Threads   Forum Search   Top Posters List   Private Messenger   Vette Registry Email System   Corvette Quiz
  Members Vettes & Pictures   Member Stories   Member Stats   Real Time Member Map   Member Search   Lifetime Member List   Member Calendar Entry Form   RSVP Events   Who's Online
  Vette Registry Data   Corvette Statistics   Corvette Order Guides   Corvette Paint Color Production Report   Corvette Tips & Tricks   Corvette How-Tos   Corvette Club Directory   Corvette Events Calendar   Corvette Mechanic Directory   Corvette VIN Decoder   Save the Wave   Corvette Emblem History   C3 Corvette Birthday Calculator   C3 Corvette Build Dates & Trim Tag Codes   1953-1982 Corvette Parts & Illustration Catalog
  Corvette Parts Auctions on eBay   Corvette Books   Corvette Collectibles and Accessories   Vette Registry In-Stock Apparel & Accessories   Vette Registry Member Name Badges   Vette Registry Custom Apparel & Accessories @ Zazzle   Vette Registry Window Stickers   Vette Registry Member Calendars   Shop Amazon.com
  Our History   Advertise with Us   Sponsor List   Link to Us   Compare Levels   Member Agreement   Terms of Service   Privacy Policy   Contact Us   Our YouTube Channel
☰

Frame-Off Restoration

Forum: C3 General Discussion

22 Messages
Page 2 of 3
Share:
Sponsored Content

Already a Member?

Welcome back! Access your account.

Sign In

Not yet a Member?

Join our community! Registration is free.

Join Free

Re: Frame-Off Restoration

Posted: 2/24/26 10:23amMessage 11 of 22
K
Ksafe 69Vette
Free Member
Send PM
OAK RIDGE, TN - USA
Joined: 7/30/2025
Posts: 5
Vette(s): 1969 350/300 4-speed convertible
No, never taken on a task of this magnitude. Would consider myself a competent "shade tree" mechanic. My thought is, with retirement, I should have time to take it slow and learn as I go.

Plan to do most work myself. Exception - don't plan to learn to weld for this project. I do think some frame repairs are in order. That is one of the main drviers for the frame off approach. Will contract any such repairs.
2 people like this post
Sign In to Like this post
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support Vette Registry)

Re: Frame-Off Restoration

Posted: 3/5/26 11:49amMessage 12 of 22
Profile Pic
Adam Wartell
Lifetime Member
Vette Registry Founder
Moderator
Send PM
Eagleville, PA - USA
Joined: 11/1/2001
Posts: 27948
Vette(s): Used to own a 1979 Corvette now owned by JB79
Wow!
It would be great if you documented and took pics of the process and shared them with us along the way.

Good luck with your endevor!

-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: Vette Registry 

My first Vette, now owned by JB79:

1 person likes this post
Sign In to Like this post

Re: Frame-Off Restoration

Posted: 4/19/26 7:54pmMessage 13 of 22
K
Ksafe 69Vette
Free Member
Send PM
OAK RIDGE, TN - USA
Joined: 7/30/2025
Posts: 5
Vette(s): 1969 350/300 4-speed convertible
Well, didn't take long to conclude not enough room in the garage. Thus, the restoration is taking a break while I build a shed in the back yard. Been working that on the weekends the past couple months. Soon I will have somewhere to get the yard stuff out of the gargare and store some corvette parts. Will keep you posted....
4 people like this post
Sign In to Like this post

Re: Frame-Off Restoration

Posted: 5/14/26 11:30amMessage 14 of 22
b
blu72
Standard Member
Send PM
Pasadena, MD - USA
Joined: 6/16/2004
Posts: 327
Vette(s): 72 Coupe L48 4 sp Air Tilt Leather
I went to Tony's Corvette shop last week to see about an evaluation on my 72'. During the conversation he mentioned a frame off restoration can go between$150k to $200k. Really? I guess a project like this will put anyone well under water considering what it is worth to sell at some point.....Of course doing it yourself can be extremely difficult, depending on what is wrong, and less expensive, but rewarding non the less.... :)

Bruce
72 Coupe L48 4sp
Custom Blue/Silver/Pearl

(Click for a larger pic)

Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

Re: Frame-Off Restoration

Posted: 5/14/26 11:40amMessage 15 of 22
m
manchestershark
Lifetime Member
Send PM
Equinunk, PA - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2632
Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.
It is a Very expensive undertaking. Body prep and paint is, in my mind, Way more expensive than the car is worth, not counting the restoration of the other things, no matter what year it is.


Click on image for full view

Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post

Re: Frame-Off Restoration

Posted: 5/14/26 5:18pmMessage 16 of 22
T
TonyC
Gold Member
Send PM
Manhattan Beach, CA - USA
Joined: 11/14/2006
Posts: 68
Vette(s): 1980 Coupe, Black exterior, oyster interior.
Wow, $150-200k!! That's insane. I guess I should be really thankful I did it all myself and saved six figures. Of course, my name is Tony, so maybe I need to go into the restoration business...at least I owe myself a really big bonus! 🤣
1 person likes this post
Sign In to Like this post

Re: Frame-Off Restoration

Posted: 5/15/26 8:54amMessage 17 of 22
Profile Pic
Redwingvette
Lifetime Member
Send PM
Waterford, MI - USA
Joined: 9/13/2002
Posts: 1804
Vette(s): 1973 Red coupe
Having done this myself in my garage I just want to advise you what to lookout for. I used the lifting straps that attach to the rocker channels. Just make sure yours are not to rusty to do the lifting from. I also recommend using something across the car so the straps aren’t pulling in on your door skins when you lift. I placed a 2x4 across the doors to keep the straps spread apart. I had a second strap attached to the front to support the nose as I lifted the body.
I will look for the pictures and post here later.

Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
Borgeson Steering box
 


1 person likes this post
Sign In to Like this post

Re: Frame-Off Restoration

Posted: 5/16/26 2:58pmMessage 18 of 22
Profile Pic
Redwingvette
Lifetime Member
Send PM
Waterford, MI - USA
Joined: 9/13/2002
Posts: 1804
Vette(s): 1973 Red coupe

Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
Borgeson Steering box
 


1 person likes this post
Sign In to Like this post

Re: Frame-Off Restoration

Posted: 5/16/26 3:02pmMessage 19 of 22
Profile Pic
Redwingvette
Lifetime Member
Send PM
Waterford, MI - USA
Joined: 9/13/2002
Posts: 1804
Vette(s): 1973 Red coupe
Here is list of things I removed

Remove:

From Rear;

1.)The rear bumpers and support brackets

2.)License plate bezel and exhaust bezels

3.)Valence panel

4.)Ground strap from antenna

5.)Gas tank ground and sending unit wire

From Front;

1.)Valence panel and air dam

2.)Unbolt nose support from frame (will stay with body)

3.)Starter wires

4.)Ground straps (more than one place)

5.)Carbon can vacuum line

6.)Oil pressure gage line from motor

7.)Throttle cable from motor

8.)Coil wires

9.)Heater and A/C hoses from motor

10.)Alternator wires and temperature sending unit wire

11.)Radiator hose and transmission cooling lines (radiator should be removed or it will stay with the body)

From Center;

1.)Parking brake cable and brackets from under seat area

2.)Shifter cable and down shift wire (automatic) and speedometer cable

3.)Battery ground strap from frame

4.)Rocker moldings

5.)Seats (to lesson the weight)



Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
Borgeson Steering box
 


1 person likes this post
Sign In to Like this post

Re: Frame-Off Restoration

Posted: 5/16/26 5:53pmMessage 20 of 22
K
Ksafe 69Vette
Free Member
Send PM
OAK RIDGE, TN - USA
Joined: 7/30/2025
Posts: 5
Vette(s): 1969 350/300 4-speed convertible
Thanks for all the feedback (and keep it coming)!

It is clear this is not an investment. My hope is to do as much as I can myself, but expect to hire out the body work few minor (hopefully) cracks at some of the corners & paint; and the restoration work of the frame. That is my real fear. Plan ahead to be underwater, a labor of love.

As for the pics and list from Redwingvette - THANKS. Lifting the body is one item I still have not figured out. Was wondering about stress on the doors/body if I just let the straps follow the conture on the car. Your suggestion of spreader bars is very useful. I plan to strip the body of everything I can to reduce weight/stress. Any idea what yours weighed?

As I said before, with summer here, spending my weekneds at the lake now. But retirement date is comming soon! Disassemble will start in enerst then.
Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post
Share:

in Forum: C3 General Discussion


Sponsored Content