My project is a '36 Chevy Master Deluxe 5 window coupe. The frame has been hacked and subframed badly by previous owner. Back half is a top hat type original I think???? Front subrame is disc brake Chevelle. My questions are: Did the Master Deluxe have a top hat style frame? Did the Standard have a "C" channel frame? Will the other models frames interchange, sedan, etc? Does anyone have a dimensioned drawing for this? Thanks in advance for your help.
hey i just cut up one a rust one. if your looking at a side view of the channel it is a hat on top of a plate so its boxed out of the factory. Not sure what model model it was. Post a picture of what you have. You can up load it, by clicking on the Go Advanced tab _--_ ---- front view of a cut section All i know is that the front end was drum and independent. I have the rear springs if you need measurements
1935 Standard wheelbase 107" 1936 Standard wheelbase 109" 1935 Master wheelbase 113" 1936 Master wheelbase 113" 1936 frame construction "Channel Section 5-1/4" deep width of flange 2-3/8". Stock thickness 1/8"; 5 sturdy cross members, two subframes. "Y-K" shape subframe construction" All info from Chevrolet: The Coming of Age 1911-1942 ISBN 0-913056-08-1 Still looking for info on the top-hat frame, I know it was in one of my books... Knee action was started in 1934, although I've read top-hat frames started on Standard models in '36 and ran through '54, except the 'vette which ran a top-hat to '62. Tex Smith's How to Build Hot Rod Ch***is has a picture of one.
Thanks Valkokir, The tag on the car says Master Deluxe, but the frame (at least the non subframed portion, is a top hat type. Just trying to get a read on what I've got to work with. Probably will start looking for a uncut frame. Were all of the coupes and sedans built on the same frame with the exception of the top hat? Is the wheelbase difference between the standard and the master just a result of the knee action steering? Thanks again.
I know the standard and Master series had completely different bodies and available cars. I can't even say for sure that the Master series didn't have a top-hat frame. Pretty unlikely that someone put a Standard frame under a Master since they are so different in construction. I'd poke your head in over at www.vccachat.org and talk to those guys. They'll have all your answers and you won't have to speculate based on an amatuer armed with a book I'm sure you can find a frame around locally, those VCCA guys can help you there too. I've had good luck doing research at a local museum. The curators sometimes don't think it's funny when you are laying on your back under the car or outside the ropes taking pictures but they get over it. I also check ebay as some of those sellers are thorough about taking pictures of the undercarriage, I've got tons of pictures of other people's '28s from there. When you start with a messed up pile and don't know where the pieces fit, you have to start somewhere!
The standard was a top hat, master a "C". Not supposed to interchange but I did see one standard on a master frame. With a clip I'd think it was easy to do. Not really a lot of 36 frames around, I looked for a couple years and found two. They were way too far to get. I always thought a Ford frame could be the way to go.
well if u need some parts we got a lot of 1936 standard parts may help u . just got done restoring one and still looking for some small parts
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