63SS project- The goal is a full fabricated chassis build that is a stand alone and requires very minimal alterations to the stock floor pan. Status-under construction . .
If I understand the plan based on your photo you are going to graft that later oem front frame section to the rect. tube main frame, could you explain the reasoning behind that.
My initial concept was to use an existing GM metric chassis and fit it to the Nova but the sacrifices to the Nova to accommodate the Gbody chassis were way more then I wanted to inflict on the Nova. The GM front clip is not going to intrude into the Nova in any negative way. It’s the last part of the original concept that I have lingering on in the conceptualization. I’m actually working on a alternate front suspension option at this time. The core frame from the fire wall back is pretty well set and could be outfitted with different suspension packages as desired. So with that in mind the front suspension should be equally flexible.. The point of this exercise is to fortify the existing Nova unibody from underneath with very little modification to the Nova. The frame accommodates the body.
800 miles in 10 years, I think it deserves someone who will drive it more. The GF put most of those miles on it, she keeps promising to drive it more but doesn't. I am thinking hard about advertising it come spring.
Putting a full rectangular tube chassis under a Gen. I/II car is pretty tough to do without some major mods to the floorpan unless ride height/ground clearance is not an issue. From the firewall forward it's not a big deal so I don't understand why you would graft an oem front stub to a fabricated frame. My 67 has about the closest thing to a full frame with a rect. tube back half and custom front crossmember and suspension, as well as round tube subframe connectors and other mods, all with an uncut floorpan, the cars' ride height is at least four inches lower than stock without the use of air bags. My pal was a pro chassis builder and actually built two 66 sedans for himself with full rectangular tube frames but the floorpans had been completely removed and replaced with all new sheetmetal, it sat lower than mine and also did not use air bags.
This is a project that is in the works and will evolve as it progresses. I have no interest is cutting up the factory floor. I’ve seen numerous 1st & 2nd gen Chevy IIs with back halves and subframe connectors that require cutting through the floor or complete removal. This is not an acceptable solution for me. It’s an unnecessary path that does not have to be the only way to achieve the goal. Don’t get hung up on the front GM clip. That platform has been around for a long time and is used in all kinds of competition environments. It offers a lot to of benefits for a budget build which is where I started with my initial concept. Ride height is indeed a prime concern for me and is going to be lower then stock but by how much is yet to be determined. I will most likely be running coil overs all the way around. No airbags for me. This is a performance minded build not a parking lot poser..
I totally get the whole work in progress deal, my car has actually been through a couple of different iterations in the 35 years I've owned it. I'm not hung up on anything someone wants to do on their car, but (just my opinion) using that front stub after building a tube chassis is like taking a bath and putting on dirty underwear. Like you, I too did not want to alter my floor/trunkpan and other than widenining the rear wheel tubs two inches, the only mod were these two small tunnels under the stock rear seat. Not HAMB friendly so I won't go into detail.
Think of like this, American Stamping makes reproduction ‘32 frame rails. You can set them up anyway you like from an all original configuration to highly modified suspension and inner framing members. The choice is as your discretion, preferences, and budget will allow. The rails still fit the a ‘32 body. What has been done between them is subject to the desires of the owner/builder.
My neighbors son has a 66 ss ragtop 6cyl auto , will get some pics next time he visits in the spring , never been touched.
So I came upon a post recently and thought I’d share it. The circle track crowd has a new class of competition called “Vintage Outlaw” and it uses ‘72 and earlier bodies on modern racing chassis. Being a Nova enthusiast this build is relavent as it is based off of a 64 hardtop.
didn't ask him the year , were backup lights optional 63 and earlier? I was mostly curious about it being a six.
Interested but not a player, have too many Ford projects. Canadian dollar sucks right now to. That is a good looking car you should have no problems selling it.
Back up lights were not optional. 62, 63, & 64 the back up lights were located in the two tail light fixtures. In 65 models the back up lights moved to the rear deck lid with 4 light fixtures. 66, 67 returned back to a two tail light fixture configuration. 62-64 65 66-67
In case someone pipes up and says "I've seen some 66/67 Nova convertibles". There have been quite a number of them built over the years, some real nice ones that are pretty convincing. The ones I first remember seeing were based on the 62/63 bodies with replaced panels, and if I remember correctly there have been some made directly from the 66/67 style. There also have been a number of station wagons converted to both two door wagon and deliveries. They were never offered from the factory though I saw a wagon on the internet that was pretty convincing too some years ago.
If anyone wants the '63 parts of a convertible to build another '65-6-7 phantom rag top, I have the sheet metal in my junk pile (cowl, windshield, top surround and rear quarter tops). Always planned to use them, ain't goin to get there.
The Jalopy Journal
