Some of you saw the pics I posted of a friends '71 Chevelle I was looking for parts for.
I work part time at a major collision repair company, although I don't do that work. I have my own back room where I do restoration and modification work for them. There is a frame rack back there and I brought the Chevelle there a few weeks ago. After stripping the front sheet metal off, the shop owner and I straightened the left frame horn that took the brunt of the impact.
I then locked the frame down and put 6 gauges on it to determine where and how much the frame was bent. I pulled the front rails left 5/8" to get them, and the front crossmember, back in alignment.
Once we had the frame looking good, I installed all the used sheet metal I have acquired for a trial fit. It is very close and is well withing acceptable gaps to turn the car around and pull the rear damage out.
The rear damage is causing a twist thru the center area of the frame.
I need to get the body pulled back into shape before we can do all the final frame straightening and check for a diamond, which we assume it will have too. That is the next task. I will turn the car around next week and start on the back.
I did pick up the 1 piece trunk floor, left quarter panel, tail panel and all the wheel houses yesterday, so I have most of what I will need to rebuild the body, once it is pulled out and all the inner structures are back in place.
