[Metal Twister]

So I was just about given this 1930 Chevy body. The metal is in really good condition but like all chevy's of this vintage the wood is gone so that means it is just the body. No floor or fire wall at all. I would like to get it cropped up on a frame. I have several good model a frames and being the whole floor is non existent does it really matter what I bolt it to? I could build a frame just about as easy, but wondering if building it to the original specs really has any advantage at this point?

[MARTINSR]

Personally I would be looking for an original frame, but that's me. I like the parallel leafs and would run them.

Brian

[OneMoreTime]

With something like that either build a new chassis which is my preference as I like the idea of new steel or if you have something suitable use what you have..30's vintage frames in good condition are in short supply..

Sam

[Metal Twister]

Yep, Im sure I will be building a new frame but Im having a hard time finding info on the size of the original. I would like to keep it fairly close to the original width... Even though I dont know why. Think more importantly at this point is to find out how wide the body is supposed to be. With the entire floor gone there really isn't any way to tell except maybe a measurement across the b pillar floor mounts. If I could get that one measurement I think I could at least get a sub floor fabbed up.

[Richiehd]

You have got yourself a project there my friend. A ways back I built a 31 Chevy Sedan street rod. I bought a wood kit for the floor. The wood frame sits on the chassis and then the floor boards are laid over it. I built the floor boards out of sheet metal. I then replaced all the wooden door posts and chopped the top 2 inches. (4 door) Metal beams were made for the roof and a roof from a Chvey van was welded in. All the wood was sealed with urethane and I am sure that car is still on the road today.
As far as a chassis goes, shop around I am sure sombody makes a repop somewhere. I took my original chassis, boxed it, coil overs in the rear and Mustang front. I drove that car 25000 miles in the five years I had it finished.
Good luck

[Metal Twister]

Thanks for the input... I do this for a living and have a rod shop in San Diego so I can build it all. I just need a measurement. LOL Thanks for the help though.

[OneMoreTime]

I think in this circumstance that I would jig the body and get it straight and the doors to fit and work and then go from there with measurements for the frame..That can be done by jigging the body into shape..


Sam