Thread: Body Structure

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I have a 1930 Chevrolet2 door sedan with a wooden frame that needs to be replaced with steel. Does anyone have experience doing this that they can share?

Duh! I just joined and ask this question before looking at all the projects.

Are their any companies that specialize in inner frames?

If you're looking for a custom all-steel chassis to put under your body, start here....
http://autoweldchassis.com/index2.ivnu

If you're looking for replacement wood for your chassis, call Classic Wood or KC Wood Manufacturing. Both their numbers are shown at the bottom of this page...
http://www.hemmings.com/hmn/stories/...feature31.html

With any kind of old car, I'd urge you to become a subscriber to Hemmings Motor News. It's the old car Bible for the hobby.

Hello,
My brother Dan replaced the whole inner structure of wood on his dodge 4 door project with metal and it was quite the project I remember. I think I would be inclined to get a new wood kit for her, BUT steel can be done. No companies that I know of that make a kit. Just lots of custom little pieces that you would have to fab up. Good luck! Don Jr.

Is your '30 a restoration project?

If so, I can put you in contact with a man in Tennessee who really knows his '30s. He has restored some including a two door that has won a bunch of awards.

He's a real stickler for keeping things original so if you approach him about modifying the frame he might sic his dog on you. If you want to keep things authentic he could be a source of good information.

If you think you might want to get in touch with him let me know and I'll PM you some contact information on him.

Good luck with your project,

Jim

Thanks for the feedback. I would enjoy putting in the wood kit, but I am told that it would not be strong emough for the 350 engine and suggested for safety sake that I go with steel.

welcome back tech

thanks Barb. How have you been?

Thought I would show you my project.

http://s807.photobucket.com/home/itsmeb01

I am building a '35 Coupe, and I did it last Fall-I bought a Pro tools Bender, 100' of 1" X 1" tubing, and went to work-I have chopped and filled the top, and although I did fine on the Welding, I was concerned about "Cowl Shake" and the general lack of inner structure to the car-I wanted it stiff.

I bent and welded tubing to the Cowl, inner top and added supporting for my Headliner, so I could have a "hard" headliner-I also wanted a Trunk ('35's didn't really have one), so I made the tubing to support the rear of the 1/4 panels and made a place for the Trunk panels (which I Dzus fastened).

I tried to triangulate everywhere I could, weld the tubing to the flanges of the Window and Door supports, while trying to make places where the Upholsterer can mount to-

I could probably put in another 50' of tubing or so (going overboard), but I did try to not put in too much weight. Go for it, it's fun to bend and fit the tubing (I used Tig Rods and chipboard to make my patterns mostly)-this was a first for me, but I think it is worth it-

By the way, very nice Car-good luck!