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Hello all. I am planning on ordering a new frame from Vette Products of Michigan soon for my 63 SWC. Looking for feedback from others who have used their frame. My concerns are mainly with positioning of brackets for brake lines, emergency cables, clutch linkage etc. Any hick ups learned from others are greatly appreciated. My car is not number matching, looking to make it a very nice driver. Thanks in advance!
Don (Forum Member) and I did a body off for Aaron (another Forum Member) last year. Aaron's frame was in dire straits due to rust through issues. Ironically the 66 had spent most of its life in upstate Michigan. I ordered a 66 frame for Aaron's L79 convertible from VP of Michigan. When I ordered it we were 15th in line and were looking at at least a six to eight month wait for the frame. A bunch of customers in front of us in line eventually dropped out and we moved quickly up to 11th in line. Eventually it turned out to be about five months before the owner and his son delivered it to my house. I ordered the frame in September of 2021 and we got it on 20 February 2022.
There were no issues with the frame and everything fit fine and all the brackets were there. Make sure to be very specific when you order the new frame as to the year and whether a convertible or coupe. Keep in mind that you will have to drill and tap every single bolt hole in the frame. This includes all the bolts/clamps that hold the brake lines and the fuel lines. Aaron had Don and I take his new frame to a metal company where it was powder coated in 60 percent black which turned out looking great. You will need to put down a healthy deposit on the frame in order to secure your place in line. You will pay in full when the frame is delivered or you can save a lot of money by driving up to Michigan and picking it up.
You can PM me if you have any specific questions. I have attached a picture of the original frame (rusted out) and the new frame from VP of Mich back from the powder coaters. Also a picture of the frame being delivered to my house by the owner (white handlebar mustache) and his son. We were just one of several on their delivery route.
If you have the money, it is the way to go. It was a fun project and I learned a lot about C2's and how they go together. C.J.
Original 66 Frame New frame up on the lift and old frame below it Newly powder coated frame on the lift from a head on view.
Neal Porter of Vette Products of MI is a perfectionist, but also somewhat challenging to deal with. Don't hold me to this, but I think Neal may have previously worked for AO Smith (when they were making Corvette frames), or some other company that supplied parts to GM.
To my knowledge, Neal's frames are darn near spot on correct. A shop I deal with has installed a couple of them, and been very happy with them. If there's an issue, it's dealing with Vette Products of MI, not their frames. As others have said, the wait times can be long and may fluctuate. Their policies and the way they operate, can also take some getting use to.
Someone I know ordered a 66 frame and made plans to pick it up at Corvette Carlisle. When he arrived Friday morning to get it, he was told they needed it to display all weekend and he couldn't have his frame until Sunday afternoon. This person traveled about 3 hours, hadn't planned on spending the weekend, didn't have a hotel, and hadn't been told any of this ahead of time. Needless to say a heated discussion arose and they eventually settled on a compromise, they let him have his frame on Saturday evening after the show closed for the day. Neal's asked me why I don't buy from him, and I have tried, but in the end I've always had better luck getting things he makes (like air cleaners) though other vendors like Central or Corvette America.
In the end I think you'll be happy with your frame.
I have no direct experience, but from a holistic standpoint, it's amazing that someone is still manufacturing a totally correct frame for a 60 year old car. If I needed one, I would plan around the wait and be happy.
Before I went the "Resto-mod" route, I researched frames. There is Corvette Mike in California who'll "re-do" a C3 frame to make it a C2 frame and that seemed like a good idea (I'm sure there are others). I also researched the Vette Products of Michigan frame. As I understand it they have original jigs/tooling (GM) to recreate the frames. If I were to restore car that needed a frame, I would go that route. It is relatively expensive, but would be worth it in the long run.
Neal was a manufacturing engineer on the C2 line (and maybe C1). When GM said they were gonna scrap all the stamping dies and tools Neal convinced his wife buying all the production tools/dies for basically scrap was a good investment. Over time he’s been proven correct. I’m always interested in people who make stuff. Neal showed me thru his whole operation. Spent hours with him. Qwerky but a fascinating guy. He basically begs GM (back at my time) for press time to run a bunch of stamped rails etc. These dies require REALLY big presses. These are HUGE stamping dies. As I recall Neal produced his own weld fixtures that are VERY complex and accurate. About 6 years ago I paid I think 5500 for the new frame. All my suspension parts bolted back together like it came from a GM frame. Not one issue. I took my frame to Punxsutawney PA and had it dipped for corrosion treatment inside and out then epoxy primed and painted. Don’t know what he charges today, but u want a new frame that you know is right he has the monopoly. You’ll cheat yourself from a cool experience if you don’t go and pick it up in person. It’s worth every penny, else go find a used one. I wasn’t interested in that route. Welcome to PM if you want more. Larry
I've known Neal for many years and would consider him a friend. He was an elective official in his area and wanted to hire me for the governmental unit but the travel distance was too far.
I have worked with a long time customer of his and have helped him on body off restorations where Neal's frames have been used and there has been nothing but positives concerning the frames. If you want a totally new, correct Corvette frame from GM tooling, Vette Products of Michigan is the only place.
Be patient and understand that Neal can be difficult to communicate with but hang in there.
I purchased a frame from VP of Michigan one year at Carlisle. Needless to say, Neal is a character. He very quickly told me not to call for status, that he would let me know when the frame was done.
My frame came and fit my 65 Convertible perfectly.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply to my inquiry! I have placed a call to them, and I am awaiting a callback. It’s good to know a little bit about the vendor so I can be prepared for any quirky attitudes. The website list the cost for a new C2 frame at $7200. A lot of money, yes, but I think my split window will be worth it.
07-04-2023, 02:54 PM
Frame from Vette products of Michigan
