Restoring my Rusty 65 4spd convert from start (and hopefully) to finish

[WkillGS]

The frame part number is on the left side rear frame rail, near the rear bumper bracket:

[Mark Ascher]

Th VIN is also stamp on top of the frame rail under the left rocker panel. Gets pretty rusty there too, and hard to see, if not impossible. Rob, if you can find the part number on the Skylark convert frame, please post.

Mark

[Brian]

You can see the triangular brace in this picture--it fits in the front corner of where the rear crossmember meets the frame--gussets the crossmember to the frame with the welded in triangle since the crossmember is just riveted in.  It was to keep the force of the upper control arms from weakening the riveted joints.  Note that I have a set of the dealer installed rear crossmember braces on my chasis in this picture--the link that goes between the upper and lower control arm bolts--don't let that confuse you when looking at it. 

[WkillGS]

Interesting.....my 65 GS 'vert frame does not have that reinforcement.
And it's a 4 speed car, built August '65 in Baltimore.
Here's a file pic....65 GS 'vert frame in black, 66 'lark 'vert frame in primer.

[Chris At 65GS]

Thanks for posting the picture Brian, I was about ready to crawl under my car to snap a picture of the brace.

I've only seen this extra brace on the 65 GS convertible frame and neither of my 4 speed frames have it.

Chris

[Robk]

Boy this is helpful.  I thought I was going nuts.  None of my cars have this brace.  Frankly I am just glad to hear that some have it and some don't, as it confirms that I am not blind.  That brace seems to make sense.  Maybe I'll make one.  I think I am going to need a toothbrush to find any signs of those numbers. 

[65GS]

The frame part number is on the left side rear frame rail, near the rear bumper bracket:

Walt

I assume the top #'s are the build date of the frame?
My 65 # are 155N2= jan. 5, 65? There is no spacing between the #'s.

thanks
Al

[Mark Ascher]

My frame does not have the brace as shown in Brian's pic.
Rob, you're probably going to have to employ a stiff wire brush to uncover those numbers, I'm not sure a tooth brush will make a dent!

Mark

[Robk]

Here is the latest on my car.  The floor is in place with finish work remaining.  The after market product actually went in nice.

The rear quarters are a combination of the skylark rear clip and lower quarters off my junk hardtop.  Note that we used a piece of front Buick special fender to finish the edge on the driver's side quarter.  My close friend and body man does very nice work and everything I have seen him do turns out smooth as glass.  He has done mostly mustangs but he is enjoying helping me with my car as the first car he ever owned was a 67 GS.

[gssizzler]

Rob, looks great! keep up the hard work! Jon

[Robk]

Here's the latest on my car.  I can't even remember where all the rust went.  Spending most of my time hunting down the little things such as chrome and wheel refinishing,  trunk latches, etc.  Also starting the re-finishing work on the frame soon as the body is going to need a place to sit.  I still have an extra GS frame which I won't be using, if anyone wants to come up to the Twin Cities and take a look. 

Rob K

[Chris At 65GS]

Rob, your ride is really looking nice!

I'm dyeing to know what you'll have wrapped up in body work when he's all done. 

If it's reasonable, I have enough projects around here to keep him busy for a really long time!

I'd seriously be willing to trailer my cars there to have this guy metal finish them like he's done yours.

Please pass on our compliments to your body guy,

Chris

[Robk]

Chris,
Thanks for the encouragement.  I'll pass on the compliments to Mike.  It remains to be seen what the total cost is as the frame is not done, but he's a good friend so I'm pretty fortunate on that front.

One question to all:   I stopped by the shop today to pick up some chrome and visit the car and we went through the GM info on Flame Red and it lists three different mixes. Two are very bright and one is slightly more muted.  My hood, which has not been touched yet seemed to match the muted mix.   Anybody know anything about why GM has three flame red mixes?  I like the muted tone better but I have seen some very bright red flame red cars out there. 

Thanks  Rob Keena

[Robk]

passenger side view in primer

[Chris At 65GS]

Rob,

This is probably something that our buddy John E. can help with since he's already been down this road with his flame red convertible.

I know that the original 65 flame red that I've seen looks almost brownish in color when under indoor lighting however once you get it out in the sun it really brightens up. 

I think a lot of guys are painting their cars the brighter reds that you could get on the Pontiac's of the time.  There's nothing wrong with that however if original is what you're after, it's not the correct color.

Personally I'd try to match the red as close to possible to any of the original paint you have and go with one of the newer base coat clear coat systems.  The finished job will outshine and outlast the original paint.

http://65gs.com/Colors/flamered.htm

Chris

Chris