Chris's 66 @ The Roadster Shop

[Roadster Shop]

Here is a new project that we have been working on that many of you may know , or have seen it at several of the track events. After a lot of discussions over the past few years, Chris decided to bring his 66 Chevelle in for some updating. His main goals were looking for better performance as well as general ride quality and the overall stance of the car. The timing worked out perfectly as we were in the final stages of re-designing our Chevelle chassis. So after a few more discussions, we went to work.

Here is the original car.






Let the disassembly begin:

[66LS7]

That car looks very familiar to me, but where have I seen it before?

[Roadster Shop]

Our original chassis was designed and built 5 years ago before we many of the capabilities that we now do. There has been a lot of conversation about frames hanging down below the rockers of a car. This was one of our main areas to address in the re-design of the chassis. The goal was to get the new frame rail to be at the same location or less than where a stock frame rail sits in relation to the rocker. We were able to accomplish this and more! Our new frame rail design sits actually 3/4" closer to the body than a stock frame making it completely disappear under the car. As Chris said, it is a shame to cover this chassis up with a body, but our goal was to make a low profile frame as well as improve upon an already proven platform.

Here are a few shots of the frame rails being mocked up under the body.


Not the best view with the protective paper, but you can get the idea. Even with the car at eye level, the frame rails are not visible! There will be better pics in the next few days when the car is back on the chassis.




New center crossmember design to clear the floor, allow for 3" exhaust, and keep the frame rail the lowest point on the car.

[GregWeld]

Awesome!

[tommycomfort]

Alright, now we're even more excited for Chris and Lynda. We've been waiting for this thread!
Tom

[Roadster Shop]

A few shots of the chassis clamped in the jig being welded up. A lot of time went into the jigs and fixtures to make all future chassis the same as the first chassis.

Another visual re-design was on the rear section of the main frame rail in front of the rear wheel. On most chassis, the frame rail dives inward leaving a large gap. In our re-design we moved the body mount on the frame rail so we can have a continuous frame rail running down the rocker filling it out. The rear frame rail kick up is also now boxed in by the side rail and the center crossmember brace creating a rear torque box in the frame for added strength.

[56pickup]

Great looking chassis! car will look even better thats for sure!

[coolwelder62]

Amazing,awesome,right-on,

[scottysimp7]

Wow, amazing stuff. Pure art.

[1965_SS]

Originally Posted by RS-Perf

Our original chassis was designed and built 5 years ago before we many of the capabilities that we now do. There has been a lot of conversation about frames hanging down below the rockers of a car. This was one of our main areas to address in the re-design of the chassis. The goal was to get the new frame rail to be at the same location or less than where a stock frame rail sits in relation to the rocker. We were able to accomplish this and more! Our new frame rail design sits actually 3/4" closer to the body than a stock frame making it completely disappear under the car. As Chris said, it is a shame to cover this chassis up with a body, but our goal was to make a low profile frame as well as improve upon an already proven platform.

Now that's the way to do it!!!!!!!

Can you still use the stock front inner fender wells or do you have to massage them to make them fit? Also for the 65' frame? It could be just the pictures, but it looks like the frame comes out further forward into the wheel area?