Here’s an interesting one, a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette frame, suspension, and drivetrain that could use some duds. And if you’re not a Corvette fan, then that old expression, “The Emporer has no clothes” may be appropriate. Actually, all of the underpinnings here look pretty good and mostly complete but as to what happened to its topside – no disclosure. So, what to do with this rolling chassis? Let’s look it over and decide. Hanging out north of the border in Alberta Canada, this Corvette project is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $7,050 (U.S.) with the reserve not yet met.
Do you ever feel like a story just leads to more unanswered questions? That’s the case here as the seller states, “This chassis comes from an NCRS judged 67 it was restored in 2002. Was a great driving car” – the operative word being “was“. So, what happened to it? One can only imagine…The frame looks to be in pretty solid shape – all of it actually as there’s no sign of damage or corrosion and it’s well-finished. It’s complete down to the shock absorbers and the seller mentions that he has the radiator core support, radiator, A/C condenser, and the spare tire.
For power, we’re looking at a 300-gross HP 327 CI V8 engine and the engine code of “HR” checks out. This is one of the last of these vintage engines to use a Holley carburetor as Chevrolet switched to the ubiquitous “Quadrajet” in ’68 for almost everything but true Hi-Po engines – those continued to employ one of several different Holleys. BTW, finding a small block cast iron intake manifold with a Holley flange can be an undertaking these days. The HR code also indicates that this ‘Vette utilized a two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission – not a very Corvette-like component, but in this case, there is now a 700R4 four-speed automatic in residence – a very worthwhile swap. And that begs the question of whether or not this car would have been judged by NCRS with its non-original, swapped-in 700R4 gearbox. What do you think on that front?
The seller suggests, “This is a perfect opportunity for your 65-67 body” so I’ll ask the question, how about an opportunity for any C2 Corvette, and maybe several different C3s? I know that they are all similar and ride on a 98″ wheelbase but don’t know enough about the technical particulars to know the range of swapability here. What do you think, are there more possibilities here than identified?
This a unique BF to me, and the possibilities are endless IMHO.
I’ll probably be burned in virtual effigy for the idea, but a Chevy body from a different era would be an interesting idea; as a street rod, could you imagine a ‘41-47’ period Chevy truck body on top that someone had laying around as a cast-off? Maybe a sedan or coupe pre-Tri 5, or a ‘64-65 Chevelle body..
BBBBut where’s the bbbbbbbirdcage??
Watch this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlzUMaK1a-w
The birdcage is referenced as not being part of the frame but an assembled structure, secured to the frame, from which the body parts are attached.
Sure it’s necessary if one wants to attach a new ‘Vette body to this frame but it will have to be sourced. As I stated in the post, no idea what happened to this car but a hard hit would have likely destroyed both the body and birdcage at the same time.
JO
Jim, very informative video. Thanks.
Picture of a Corvette Birdcage I pulled for the Internet.
My ’70 convertible had the top half of the windshield frame rotted, the bottoms near the kickpanel were bad, and the corners behind the seats.
So, if the frame has rot, it is almost guaranteed that the birdcage will as well. Very difficult to replace/ I was lucky and found someone who could weld a good top half of the windshield frame and maintain alignment and no leaks. The rest of it I took out the interior and patched, then Por-15ed.
Grab the old Chevy coupe and plant it’s body on the Corvette chassis and you have instant restomod. Not quite turn key but close.
Oh, the mind reels at what could be done. Here’s a fly in the ointment, how about a Corvette? I read complete replacement bodies are available for a PALTRY $21 grand, you supply the chassis. With the mishigosh of today, $30 grand for a new(ish) ’67 Corvette seems to be the way to go.
Maybe someone did a aftermarket frame swap with newer gen components. Hopefully we’ll hear a backstory on this one
Frankly, as one webmeister put it, “nothing special” to be found in a C2 chassis. Do a few minutes of browsing the design of that front suspension, for example. This is a de-horned unicorn.
Rig up a Sparco racing seat and see how fast it does it a quarter mile.
How about that. I have read many times here that the Corvette engine sits directly over the front axle and that the big-block engine with its extra 200 lbs can affect handling. I guess you can’t believe everything you read. Like the following statement-
“This 1968 Corvette will undoubtedly divide opinions, with some lamenting the loss of the numbers-matching big-block. It means the car will probably not offer the outright performance in its current form that it did when new, but it is not necessarily bad news. The small-block reduces the car’s weight by more than 200 lbs, with most of the additional weight hanging over the front axle. Therefore, the change should result in better handling, which may offset the power loss on twisting roads”
I think that frame was used until 1982.
Yes it sure was. Nothing unique or special about this chassis, save for the fact it was under a ’67.
True, and you could adapt the frames to different years pretty easily. You find a great ’82 frame and with a bit of work, it would fit under a ’70.
I considered it for a little while.
The seller has a rough coupe body also for sale…https://www.ebay.com/itm/125798609466?hash=item1d4a2e723a:g:BawAAOSw07pkAB~Z
I see that the seller also has a 67 L79 corvette body for sale as well
How about using it to build a Byers SR100?
Theses days, it’s all too common to see the custom shops on TV to buy a restored classic and rod it. They probably Took the restored body and made a restorod. What I’d look for is one of the better 60s kit bodies that were designed for various frames.
What a waste of a good Corvette!
I wept over this one, Interesting that the 67 coupe body is very badly damaged on the front end but it does have the interior or most of it. Possibly was the body for the car. OK. a damaged body that needs another 30 k or so put into it and the frame for 10 g’s = 40 for a project car?!?!?Hmmm!
If it was NCRS body its on its way to resto mod. If its that wrecked body, why no frame damage?
I didn’t see a mention of numbers, does the engine match the chassis? Is there a title? What would a Carfax say? If wrecked do they have salvage titles in Canada? Anyway I’d get an early C1 body kit, if the wheelbase lines up.
Back in the early 60s I had a frame and allignment shop and built street rods on the side. I picked up a 60 Vette frame and running gear that had flipped and demolished the body with no frame damage. Found a solid mid 30s Chivy pickup body that fit nicely. For $400 I hada hot sweet handeling pickupWith a little weight in the bed I burned a lot of muscle cars street draging. Unfortunatly Viet nam interfered and it went down the road. I tried to find it when I came home but it was long gone. If I wasn’t to damb old I would love to grab this one and do the same thing.
I bought the orange 72 vette a few months ago-nice body needs paint . only said it need to be gone through and the frame was good. Well the frame is horrible, I thought it would have split in 2 on the run from Florida to wash, state The seller said the frame was good -should have had pics. ANY ONE got a 68-73 frame 4-sale. The car has a has decent interior. 81k miles so its a good one to fix. Its a 4spd,posi rear. The motor looks original-dont matter that was the first thing coming out. That motor needs to have a bit more horses under its hood for me.
Was that first seen here on November 25, 2022? Florida dealer?
http://www.corvetteusa.com 65mm60@gmail.com. Complete rolling chassis. No core required. They have been advertising in the NCRS Driveline magazine for many years.
Corvette frames are easy to find. Not saying they are cheap. But they are available.
Yep, Erik bought one of the Corvettes from the Miami Dealer that is so often represented here.
All of the seller’s stuff is junk, and so many buyers are being victimized by their less-than-honest attitude.
I hope that Barn Finds will completely stop featuring this EBay seller and spare another BF member from getting screwed over.
You betcha! As soon as the orange 72 was mentioned I was pretty sure who was involved from the selling side.
Mite this be the same erik Johnston that went to Brownsville Elementary School ?
A soul in search of a body.
I’m going to guess either a fire or it was being transported by a “hotshot” that didn’t read clearance signs