Question for you. Hypothetically; if an all tubular, Jig Welded (2”x4”x11 ga. rectangular) C4 chassis was available, specific to Tri-Fives, with Engine Mounts for SBC, BBC or LSX at the proper firewall distance, using a stock tank, priced at $6095.00 and all you have to do is supply hardware, paint it and bolt your supplied C4 Suspension to it, would you consider purchasing it?
C4 Chassis?/Poll
NickP
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Question for you. Hypothetically; if an all tubular, Jig Welded (2”x4”x11 ga. rectangular) C4 chassis was available, specific to Tri-Fives, with Engine Mounts for SBC, BBC or LSX at the proper firewall distance, using a stock tank, priced at $6095.00 and all you have to do is supply hardware, paint it and bolt your supplied C4 Suspension to it, would you consider purchasing it?
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No I wouldn't.
It just wouldn't give me the pleasure to make it worth the extra investment. I'm more interested in looks than performance and I mean the looks of the body and interior and under the hood. I'm not concerned how it looks underneath other than clean and neat. Having said that, I am doing several upgrades to make my '55 project more fun to drive than it would be stock (Ram Jet 350, T56 Magnum, 4 wheel discs, 500 box, Torque Thrust II's, Vintage Air).
I have had several Corvettes over the years. I've had a C2, C3, 3-C4s and my son has a new C6 that I helped him buy. I have the C3 now but I think I am going to sell it and get a C6 after I complete my '55 Bel Air project. My '55 Bel Air is going to be a keeper for life for me.
Anyway, I have no desire to have that kind of chassis upgrade to my '55. When I want to drive a sports car, I'll drive the Vette.
That's my story and I'm stick'n to it.
I guess at some point in this thread you'll explain why you are asking. I hope I am helping with what you want to find out with the explanation of my vote.
It just wouldn't give me the pleasure to make it worth the extra investment. I'm more interested in looks than performance and I mean the looks of the body and interior and under the hood. I'm not concerned how it looks underneath other than clean and neat. Having said that, I am doing several upgrades to make my '55 project more fun to drive than it would be stock (Ram Jet 350, T56 Magnum, 4 wheel discs, 500 box, Torque Thrust II's, Vintage Air).
I have had several Corvettes over the years. I've had a C2, C3, 3-C4s and my son has a new C6 that I helped him buy. I have the C3 now but I think I am going to sell it and get a C6 after I complete my '55 Bel Air project. My '55 Bel Air is going to be a keeper for life for me.
Anyway, I have no desire to have that kind of chassis upgrade to my '55. When I want to drive a sports car, I'll drive the Vette.
That's my story and I'm stick'n to it.
I guess at some point in this thread you'll explain why you are asking. I hope I am helping with what you want to find out with the explanation of my vote.
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19,951 Posts
"IF" I was going to build a trifive with C4 suspension I would definitely consider it. 
I'm not a big fan of that type of mod but that is my preference.
-Bruce
I'm not a big fan of that type of mod but that is my preference. -Bruce
I'd have to see one first. To see what your design is, whether you have mandrel bent frame rails or use a design similar to Hot Rod Jim.
Then I'd have to know how that compares to Chevynut's original frame conversion, as well as Hot Rod Jim. Chevynut and everyone who has one have been pretty close to the vest on that. And I respect that.
For that price, one assumes you have to have volume to have some nice features.
Then I'd have to know how that compares to Chevynut's original frame conversion, as well as Hot Rod Jim. Chevynut and everyone who has one have been pretty close to the vest on that. And I respect that.
For that price, one assumes you have to have volume to have some nice features.
If you are intending to build these for market, I think you have a tough egg to crack. The concept is a good one and that fact that it is all Chevy is the cool aspect of it. However from a business model perspective you have a very...very limited market.
On a mass scale there are not that many of these cars around to begin with. This type of mod is a serious one in the sense that most people are afraid to do it. It really isn't that hard, but it is alot of work and time consuming. Basically the average enthusiast is afraid of taking a body of a frame even though it can be done with hand tools, a couple of good saw horses, straps, and pullies.
In addition, there are at least half a dozen outfits offering a chassis for the tri fives so you have a limited market, alot of competition and a high price point as far as mods are concerned. Don't get me wrong, I think that your price is reasonable. It is just alot of money to spend for most guys. For a personal ride I would do it. It would be very cool to see this setup when you open the hood, but I wouldn't expect to turn a consistent and reliable profit from it as my main income.
If it were to be done on the side as a supplimental revenue stream provided you don't need to go and buy a bunch of equipment, it may work for you.
On a mass scale there are not that many of these cars around to begin with. This type of mod is a serious one in the sense that most people are afraid to do it. It really isn't that hard, but it is alot of work and time consuming. Basically the average enthusiast is afraid of taking a body of a frame even though it can be done with hand tools, a couple of good saw horses, straps, and pullies.
In addition, there are at least half a dozen outfits offering a chassis for the tri fives so you have a limited market, alot of competition and a high price point as far as mods are concerned. Don't get me wrong, I think that your price is reasonable. It is just alot of money to spend for most guys. For a personal ride I would do it. It would be very cool to see this setup when you open the hood, but I wouldn't expect to turn a consistent and reliable profit from it as my main income.
If it were to be done on the side as a supplimental revenue stream provided you don't need to go and buy a bunch of equipment, it may work for you.
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375 Posts
Yes, I would consider it.
In fact, I'm considering it right now. But only because I've already determined what I want to do with my 57. And because I want it to look like a trailer queen, handle like a corvette, yet be functional for an everyday driver, that's why I'm pursuing the C4 route. Now if I could just sell one of my toys I'd be on EZ Street!
Good luck in your decision.
In fact, I'm considering it right now. But only because I've already determined what I want to do with my 57. And because I want it to look like a trailer queen, handle like a corvette, yet be functional for an everyday driver, that's why I'm pursuing the C4 route. Now if I could just sell one of my toys I'd be on EZ Street!
Good luck in your decision.
I agree with D.C.
And I'm a little like Jeff's response.
I have too much I want to do to spend that much money on one thing.
To me,it isn't your price,it's the large amount of money.Most have to scratch and save to get these large ticket items and will spend the money on an engine or paint.
Plus,there are so many suspension up-grades that can be added a little at a time to improve the handling of these old cars such as tires,wheels,front and rear stabilizers,shocks,etc.not to mention lowering them.
Mike.
And I'm a little like Jeff's response.
I have too much I want to do to spend that much money on one thing.
To me,it isn't your price,it's the large amount of money.Most have to scratch and save to get these large ticket items and will spend the money on an engine or paint.
Plus,there are so many suspension up-grades that can be added a little at a time to improve the handling of these old cars such as tires,wheels,front and rear stabilizers,shocks,etc.not to mention lowering them.
Mike.
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12,101 Posts
Couple of things....
First of all, maybe I'm wrong but I think you might be hard-pressed to make much money selling a complete new frame for that price. There's a lot of parts involved and a lot of welding. Maybe you've figured that out already.
Secondly, I don't believe a wagon tank will even fit with a C4 rearend. So a wagon would have to use some kind of custom tank.
Are you going to make your own crossmember or use the C4 one?
There's definitely a market out there, if the price is right. I have 4 more in the schedule right now. It's a niche market, but there were close to 5 million of these cars built and a lot of them still exist. AME is still selling their chassis, even though they're over $12-14K.
I don't know what ever happened to the "build it yourself" kit that was posted here a while ago, but from what I saw it was not feasible at the price point that most guys would be interested.
For those of you who have an interest, what price would you consider paying for a C4 conversion frame if you had to finish some of it yourself? A lot of the construction can be done without a frame jig. Just curious.
Many of these projects stall or don't get off the ground because of the cost. $6000 for the frame is just the tip of the iceberg. A ton of parts are still required to get the car on the road: suspension parts, rebuild suspension because the newest c4 is now 15 years old (1996), brakes, new brake and fuel lines, wheels and tires, etc. If everything else on the car is perfect, paint and body, interior, trim etc, it's still 15-20K to just to replace the frame.
I have a Car Creations frame for my Corvette and an Art Morrison frame for my 56, unless your frame offers something spectacular just offering a slightly discounted price probably won't be enough to sway buyers.
Nick
I have a Car Creations frame for my Corvette and an Art Morrison frame for my 56, unless your frame offers something spectacular just offering a slightly discounted price probably won't be enough to sway buyers.
Nick
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