Looking for some info on Impala FRAMES
 

Hey all, hoping to pick some brains of all you knowledgeable folks here. I'm looking for a frame for a 1962 Impala convertible. What i'm wondering is what other years will work....i'm almost sure the 63 and 64 frames are the same....? what other years. also models? at this stage i can only guess the biscayne and belair used the same frame. also where are the extra mounting points on convertible frame? are they just regular body mounts that could be added to a coupe frame or was there something special about the shape/design? also assuming sedan and wagon frames will be longer.....

any help/thoughts are greatly appreciated. thanks in advance. :thumbsup:

There is a guy in GA that does nothing but impalas. He can tell you anything and everything about them. I even bet he has a frame for you. His name is Ronny 4045973247. I hope this helps.

You can also try to contact https://lateral-g.net/forums/member.php4?u=3398 on this site.He knows more than anyone I have ever talked to about these cars. He may even have a frame or know where to get one.

Hey T-Type, the 61 -64 frames are all the same also I hear the canadian pontiac frames are too. but the convert frame has 4 extra body mounts as well as extra plating on the X section to stiffen them up for the converts. you can easily reinforce a hardtop frame and add extra mounts if needed.

What are you working on I see you are out my way. Have you had any leads on frames locally? I am looking to replace mine in my conv as it was reinforced for hydros but plans changed as I aged and it never happened so to lighten it i want to swap it out for a stock frame with a few mods, hehe.

Would be good to hook up when the weather is nice enough for cruisin too!!:cheers:

hey 61. thanks for the added info. now I can expand my search a little bit using those years. i'll try doing a bit more research on those pontiac frames and see if i can come across what models they were used in. should help with the searching. the hard top frames will definitely be a heck of a lot easier to come by than convertible ones. but if there isn't anything special about the 4 extra mounts then welding them on should be a cake walk, along with the extra bracing.

originally i had started looking for a complete car but so far have only come across barrett jackson watching people with unrealistically priced rollers or again similar program viewing people with complete junkers that think their car is worth the moon. i have definitely added patience to my list of virtues during this process...hahha. :willy: also hard tops are a dime a dozen, well maybe not that common...hahha....and the rags being harder to find. i don't know what it is but there are so many 63's out there for sale.....

ultimately i'd love to end up with a 62....just something about those body lines. but like your 61 i wouldn't say no to one if i came across one. the paint combo i think i've picked out would look great on both body styles. of course that's just my opinion..haha. so far i've only managed to gather an engine/transmission combo along with computer and wires for the project. going through the personal debate right now on leaving it a 350 vs rebuilding as a stroker 383. but all that will be another thread...quite possibly soon....

so being a bit more realistic of time constraints and mostly space constraints i figured i'd also start looking for a frame as well that way I could rebuild it get the motor and air bags on and then worry about the body as i won't have to worry about storing everything associated with it as i rebuild the frame.

locally i haven't come across much but closest i've come across is a wrecker in vancouver, washington that seems to have a good selection.....probably make my way down on a non rainy weekend to take a look.

i've got a long way to go before i get this thing on the road since i only really have the engine...hahaha...however i'd love to hook up during the summer and get a better look at your car and hopefully my current project will be somewhat done by then. i think i saw your car at the langley cruise in last year. spent a while admiring it and hung out for a bit so i could talk to the owner but never did run into you...if that was your car...hahha. :cheers:

thanks for the info guys, greatly appreciated. i'll be sure to get in contact with them for any more insight. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Sounds like a great project T-Type. Ya my car was at the Langley show but I dropped it off then took off and didn't come back till later that day. I was parked with a yellow 63 rag and a blue 64 hard top (my 61 is silver).

If you don't mind me asking what is the going price on an X frame. I am looking for just a frame no other components and was curious as to what they are worth. maybe I will buy the one you get when you find the body to your car off ya lol.

Are you in Vancouver or out in the burbs somewhere? If you want any info or a hand feel free to contact me as I have been there already and have learned a lot from my mistakes haha.

you mentioned computer, what is the motor out of?

i've seen frames with everything as in suspension, rear ends and tires mounted for around $400. although i haven't seen a deal like that in a while, i'm sure all that stuff would have to be changed anyways....but easier to get home i guess. last i really looked for anything impala related was a few years back while helping a buddy with a 64 hard top frame off. had i known i was gonna go down this path i would've kept the frame he scrapped....we had to take two cars to build one. but i digress...hahah....

the wrecker i've noticed all their frames they've got listed for $700. i haven't touched base with them so i don't know if it's just the bare frame. also they didn't have any convertible frames either. by all means....if you want to wait for when i get my extra one......although the way things are going i'd advise for you to not hold your breath at this stage...hahahha. seriously though...if u want to get one earlier let me know and i can give you the contact info. i'd be more than glad to help you turn a wrench as well.

i'm actually in east van......that explains the space constraints..hahhaha...i'm sure i'll be bugging you quite a bit as time goes on here...using your car as reference. again, love it.

the motor i got out of a 1992 buick roadmaster. i'm leaning towards the ram jet intake after the rebuild vs. keeping it the TBI. i know they come with a piggy back computer to ensure a smooth operation. edlebrock and others i believe have copy cat and perhaps better intakes.....but again....i'll leave that debate up to the engine question thread...so many questions.....so many decisions....

i've seen frames with everything as in suspension, rear ends and tires mounted for around $400. although i haven't seen a deal like that in a while, i'm sure all that stuff would have to be changed anyways....but easier to get home i guess. last i really looked for anything impala related was a few years back while helping a buddy with a 64 hard top frame off. had i known i was gonna go down this path i would've kept the frame he scrapped....we had to take two cars to build one. but i digress...hahah....

the wrecker i've noticed all their frames they've got listed for $700. i haven't touched base with them so i don't know if it's just the bare frame. also they didn't have any convertible frames either. by all means....if you want to wait for when i get my extra one......although the way things are going i'd advise for you to not hold your breath at this stage...hahahha. seriously though...if u want to get one earlier let me know and i can give you the contact info. i'd be more than glad to help you turn a wrench as well.

i'm actually in east van......that explains the space constraints..hahhaha...i'm sure i'll be bugging you quite a bit as time goes on here...using your car as reference. again, love it.

the motor i got out of a 1992 buick roadmaster. i'm leaning towards the ram jet intake after the rebuild vs. keeping it the TBI. i know they come with a piggy back computer to ensure a smooth operation. edlebrock and others i believe have copy cat and perhaps better intakes.....but again....i'll leave that debate up to the engine question thread...so many questions.....so many decisions....