Chassis Section Links

FRAME
Markings
SPRINGS, FRONT
Springs, Rear
Steering
Superlift Air Shocks
Suspension, Front
Suspension, Rear
VEHICLE WEIGHTS

 

Frame Assembly - Group 7.003

It's interesting to note the 1967 Chevelle listing in the Chevrolet P&A Catalog, no 2-door sedan or sport coupe is specifically mentioned except in NOTE 1. The AIM shows a single frame assembly with part number 9786300 for the 13000 series Chevelle.

VIN derivative stamping on 1967 El Camino frame - Kansas City, early October final assembly.

Date stamping on 1967 El Camino frame - September 16, 1966, night shift.

With the VIN derivative stamped on the top of the frame rail, it's almost impossible to see without lifting the body.

Nicely detailed non-convertible frame ready to receive the body. Note locations of body mounts.

Listed under group 5.382 in the Chevrolet Parts & Accessories Catalog, the frame reinforcements are listed as part numbers 3909669/670 for all 1965 to 1967 Chevelles with 396 and 327 Hi-Performance and Special Hi-Performance applications.

Parish was one of two OEM frame suppliers to GM, the other is O.A. Smith. The A.O. Smith frame is easily identifiable in two ways; the manufacturer's symbol is the letter "S" in a circle and the A.O. Smith frames were one piece where the Parish frame is a two piece unit welded together just behind the rear body mount. The Parish frame above (#3893329) is dated April 11, 1967 and 1st shift.

Another Parish frame dated April 5, 1967.

A.O. Smith SS 396 Sport Coupe frame.

Note the difference in the location of these two holes on the sedan/coupe/convertible (hereafter SCC) frame and pickup/wagon (hereafter PW) frame below. SCC frames have been found measuring either 8.25-inches or 10.5625-inches from the body support to the leading edge of the elongated hole regardless of whether it's of Parish or A.O Smith manufacture.  The PW frame below measures approximately 13.875-inches and is an A.O. Smith frame.

A.O. Smith El Camino frame

Since there is no channel to tuck the fuel and brakes lines in as there is on a typical sedan/coupe/station wagon frame these lines must run with no added protection on the boxed, convertible frame.

Note differences on frame rails on the boxed, convertible frame. Instead of an open "C" channel, the frame rails are completely enclosed, or 'boxed', to add rigidity to the convertible.