Let's Frame Off A (Difficult) Classic C2 Corvette!

Welcome back to Horsepower Warehouse!
Today we are going to take the body off of the frame on a 1966 Corvette convertible. While most of our body removals go without issues or any sort of drama, this ole' girl was mighty hesitant. Join me as we encounter just about every obstacle possible in the path to restoring this awesome Corvette back to it's former glory! Email for Inquiries: [e-mail]

[@douglasthompson9482]

Great job. Very surprised to see so much rust on the frame.

[@louisrivest9444]

That's the type of video we like to see; we learn much more this way. If I'm going to purchase a C2, I'll look at the frame first. Keep showing more of the work itself; fiberglass work, frame work, seperating methods, interior rebuilds; make your video "educational" / "instructive". Love the work you do. Keep them coming.

[@supernoobthps]

You're car's are amazing, and it's a crime you don't get more views.

[@richmaier5130]

Great video. Why would someone fill a Corvette with foam and make a mess of it. You really produce some beautiful restorations.

[@manuelserrano9857]

I enjoy your videos so much. They’re very informative as well as realistic in the sense that you don’t hide the kind of problems you may find along the way. It builds confidence in attempting the work on your own, without feeling that the problems that you come across are your own fault. Keep up the great videos. You’ve got a fan here in Georgia.

[@mo2058130]

Wow! Thanks. More of this rebuild please 👍

[@jetstream123]

What was the purpose of the foam?

[@michaelmaas5544]

The frame and everything metal was rusted out. Someone was trying, very poorly, to hold it together.

[@royvazquez1244]

You guys do good work, looking forward to watching more videos about this car

[@damonangelo9135]

Big love from Australia. Keep the vids coming

[@williampalladino3663]

Great video, I will be watching,Just purchased a 66 frame off.And now I can see the work it takes..Thanks.

[@davidsmith3828]

Fantastic video! You guys do incredible work in an incredible facility. Hats off to the team! I’m starting to work on a ‘75 C3 I recently acquired…and I’m soaking this up. Be safe!

[@dannyocean3782]

you are the man love your passion

[@therealjayfreshour]

Enjoyed the video !!

[@houseofno]

That you took the time to make sure you can lift them safely instead of indifferently jacking it up under whatever your jack finds is reason enough to seriously consider doing business with you. Great videos! Thanks for showing your care to these vehicles.

[@houseofno]

"Foam Corvettes repair, Pastries, and Plumbing, this is Clem speaking. How may I assist you?" LOL. Great job carefully separating that Corvette. As Vehcor would say, "Somebody's been in here before..." Vehcor has encountered filler abuse before also.

[@dinoa9608]

Been a 1972 C3 Convertible owner for 31 years. Did a factory correct frame on resto. Still lots of work. I really enjoy your in-depth videos. Feels like I'm there, but not doing the work. LOL Keep posting. Subscribed.

[@thehillbillyhoarder4996]

Nice video. Thank you for taking the time to make and post it. Just subscribed

[@raymondgignac6027]

Super job

[@jimpanzer07]

Fantastic stuff, just subscribed!

[@stephenhoosick7434]

Awesome as always,,,Wish I had the $$$ for you to build me one,,,Thanks again

[@bengone3349]

The things that Bubby does are never ending.

[@bifpow9252]

Love the channel and the content! Outstanding video in this series! I originally was going to purchase a 67 in San Diego and then Sacramento. After driving and inspecting both, I opted for a 2017 C7 Z06 since we don’t have a JR in SoCal!

[@tonysteppan8495]

Great content, wow what some people do to keep a car on the road. I now have a better understanding about hidden rust, even without the foam there's those places can be missed when getting to jazzed about a Vett when shopping around. Gald to hear you were able to find the Vett you wanted and drove the ones you passed on. Sometimes folks don't realize that a 1960's or 70's car is just that. Plus, the amount of money involved in getting a proper restoration to your liking. Yup 2017 ZO6 is a real sweet deal. No year or two long waits just get in and enjoy.

[@johnsmith-qz4bv]

great video .....my quess is the last owner used foam to hide alot of problems....to try and make it look better then it was....keep up the great content ....

[@nickrice7535]

This should make anyone appreciate the time that goes in to a body off vs a body on restoration.

[@stevegreen3982]

Wow Wish you guys were closer…. I have a 72 which is real nice on top but telltale signs underneath reveal it had a heavy hit in the drivers side once. But I have an NOS never used chassis to go under it…. Got it from a chap in New York State that bought it 25 years ago and stored it… one day 🤔 maybe… great work you guys do 👍

[@VideoPresence2020]

Interesting to see the cars. But I get distracted by the heavy use of my and I mixed with a limited use of we and us.

[@johnadams9044]

This damaged C2 car makes my stomach turn.

[@dupreetire4938]

Why would anybody put foam in the first place?

[@BradKwfc]

Man. I bet that car was quiet lol. Must be nice to have a lift. I pulled m my body off with an engine hoist.

[@MrTexasDan]

Hey Junior, pretty interesting procedure. Thanks for taking us through it. Question ... where do you get a replacement frame?

[@houseofno]

Corvette specialty shops sometimes carry replacement steel parts or replacement frames can be fabricated from steel beams. C3 frames can also be retrofitted if needed.

[@kennethengstrom9261]

Foam Corvette😱👎bad work. Now it will be better than new👌. Great vid👍

[@steveosgood9182]

the rare factory option. Foam ride suspension...

[@arete8338]

Favorite C2 = 1963 split window. I don't know what kind of blue you have on that sumptuous convertible you have there, but that's the color I want, with a navy blue or grey interior. BTW, could you provide the donor car should I decide to take the plunge?

[@tonywise3705]

Wow

[@dougfearing2076]

Super video! Question: I need to even up two corners (right front and left rear) on my '66 Corvette convertible to level it out, which (obviously) means I need to add body to frame shims or thicker mounts in those two corners. What would I need to disconnect in order to safely do this? I restored the car four years ago but didn't take the frame off or mess with the body mounts because everything looked so good underneath. I guess I didn't notice the difference in height from the ground up to the center edges of each of the fenders. Off over an inch right front and left rear (lower than left front & right rear). Crazy what someone did with the foam gun on this car you're working on. Appreciate any advice you could give on this or any direction to a video would probably be even better. Thanks!

[@bergan1227]

Where do you suggest to get a replacement frame or rails

[@jimchappell414]

I thingkgasoline will melt foam right away so you won't have to struggle with scraping. Jim C

[@dah960]

Why foam? Were they trying to stop rust? Sound deadening? Squeak control? What were they thinking?

[@conceptalfa]

👍👍👍!!!

[@user-gk9zt4rr3n]

Where are your showrooms? Bob Holmes

[@johnnymula2305]

I just swapped out rotted rocker panels on a 52 Lincoln for a client. Someone decided to fill them with expandable foam. Why? I have no idea…..

[@Man_of_TheWay]

What was the purpose of the foam? Attempts at sound deadening or rattle stop?

[@curtfreeman8632]

Hello! New to your channel and it’s great! KZbin algorithm recommended you because I’ve started looking for a c2. Question…is it hard to find a solid frame for those cars when needed? Are c3 frames the same. I plan to buy a solid builder, but in case I need a frame, I wanted to ask you. Thanks for the education you’re providing.

[@carollevola9047]

Curt Freeman hello! I realize your question wasn't directed at me at all, but seeing that you've already asked two weeks ago, and Junior is quite understandably a very busy guy, I thought I'd shoot you some answers that I know Junior would also agree are accurate. So here goes bro. The corvette retained the same basic frame that was introduced for model year 1963, all the way up to 1982. Realistically you can adapt the frame from any one of those years to accept your C2's body. Now, having said that, the newer you go, the more there will be to alter. The changes down the line were mostly made to accommodate different body mount designs as they evolved, and their exact locations. These are very minor changes and easily converted to be exactly like whichever specific c2 you're building. But then the other, more major changes were made to the very front and very back portions of the frames to accommodate the constantly changing front and rear bumper designs and construction. So the newer you go with a donor frame, the more you will have to address. Totally doable if you yourself do any metal work and welding or have access to people who do. But it would be in your best interest to just shoot for a donor no newer than 1972, because the effort required to make everything for the swap nice and easy will be well within the reach of any home garage restorer. Whatever your donor lacks, or however slight it differs, can be made identical either by reusing parts from your worn out original, or just measuring/copying/using as a guide. Keep in mind, there are also two locations where each of the frames carry stampings of the car's individual VIN number. Important if you're going for a correct, ncrs type restoration. And if you'd rather forgo everything just mentioned, you can also just buy a completely new reproduction replacement frame for around 6k, last I priced... Hope this helps.

[@chuck483]

Do you have a web page?Cant find one

[@deney54]

Better than Mice Nests...

[@Bangkok-ik1fp]

That's an insane amount of foam. I wonder if the guy was in the Navy and liked to be ready for an amphibious assault?

[@gabriellowe2035]

Hey Junior, quick question: I've seen you pressure wash and/or scuff-pad w/ lacquer thinner the underside of each car. Why do you prefer this way to having it baking soda blasted or glass blasted. (I know sand blasting pits, but soda blasting seems to do okay). Thank you so much for any input. And btw, What you do is SUPER impressive.

[@HorsepowerWarehouse]

Excellent question. I don't soda blast simply due to the absolute mess it makes of the surrounding area. With a dedicated blasting booth I'd be on board however my method of steam and thinner with light abrasives does the job extremely well. I approach the process as one of those "If it ain't broke" kind of things. Thanks for the compliment and I appreciate you checking out my channel!

[@gabriellowe2035]

@@HorsepowerWarehouse thank you so much for your reply. I respect you and your amazing craftsmanship beyond what words can express. Thank you so much for your videos.

[@monkeybarmonkeyman]

Might wanna cover the carb up with a rag when you do that separation work, yah?

[@89vette1]

Why did they put the foam in?

[@Thomas63r2]

Rusty frame “fixed” by expanding foam!

[@1970srockroll]

what foam are you talking about, I have done at least 75 body offs on C1's thru C3's and never heard of foam , please enlighten me

[@dgiorgi1725]

wow, Foam... don't forget to re form everything once the body is back on the frame, ha ha ha. Who does this to a Corvette?

[@georgenesto9480]

why was it filled with foam?

[@Thomas63r2]

This was someone’s previous attempt of how to deal with a rusty frame. Crazy fixes like this are the great body off surprises that awaits

[@VanceMcKim]

What is the website for these guys?

[@HorsepowerWarehouse]

www.classiccarsofsarasota.com Thanks for checking out my channel!

[@melissadunagan6596]

Why did they put the foum in it?

[@brucebarchenger2431]

Why is there all the foam?

[@stevekegerreis1962]

Why all the foam ?

[@BernardBouchard-qq9kq]

Try to lift the way the factory does

[@philipbiondillo1960]

Was the frame that bad ...... looked like it was salvageable ........

[@michaelmaas5544]

It was a rusted out poorly repaired POS. Have you seen the quality of his builds?

[@boarzwid1002]

So basically some butcher foam glued the body to the frame

[@timbutler7433]

Why foam?

[@Thomas63r2]

Corvette frames rust, maybe this previous “repair” was ill thought plan

[@kimosabbe50]

Flotation "device" 🤔😬

[@warbonnet64]

Are you kidding me? That Vette ain't worth a plug nickel. I know you are more than capable of rebui;ding it but...the man hours? I would have a heart attack when you present the final bill to the owner.. Final answer? More work than its worth.