 4dr 57
"6th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 2735
Loc: The Texas Hill Country
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07-23-12 04:02 PM - Post#2251321
Another one that caught me by surprise today was being told that the 2 piece frame on our 57 4dht was also used for 55 and 56 model cars to. Yikes!
I told my buddy that we must be talking about 2 different frames but he described the necked down front section that goes into the rear frame that meets it, the welding, etc. Is this so? Thanks. Stan
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 Rick_L
Honored Member
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07-23-12 05:18 PM - Post#2251370
In response to 4dr 57
All 3 years' frames are the same. One piece and two piece main frame rails were used in all 3 years, and their construction was the same for each type.
The difference between 55-56 frames and 57 frames is mainly in the extensions forward of the front crossmember. The 55-56 frame has a channel cross section, and the 57 frame is boxed. The bumper attachments are different.
Other differences are in the location of the bumper mount bolt hole, it's different on 57 frames. The bolt hole for the front of the rear spring is higher up on the 57 frame also.
Other differences relate to body style.
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cdmhenry
Very Senior Member
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07-23-12 06:22 PM - Post#2251387
In response to Rick_L
Don't forget the rear hangers.
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Rick_L
Honored Member
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07-23-12 07:28 PM - Post#2251429
In response to cdmhenry
Yeah I was trying to avoid overload.
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4dr 57
"6th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 2735
Loc: The Texas Hill Country
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07-24-12 02:54 PM - Post#2251737
In response to Rick_L
WOW! That's news 
I did not know there were two piece frames in 1955 and '56! All used under 4dht cars I'd guess.
In other words the "California" requirement for the 2 piece frame and one piece bumper in 1957 did not require any "new" frame developement from GM, just a different bumper. Interesting.
Avoiding overload...  Thanks Rick_L
Stanley
| Wife: "Don't race the Police car, Stan!" |
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Rick_L
Honored Member
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07-24-12 05:31 PM - Post#2251814
In response to 4dr 57
All three years used two piece and one piece frames interchangeably. This was not a "California" thing, or anywhere else.
There were simply two sources for frames, and the two sources had different configurations. They are totally interchangeable.
The only thing special about 4 door hardtops is that they had an extra body mount in a unique location. This is documented in the assembly manuals. The extra mount could be installed on either style frame.
There have been surveys of which assembly plants installed which frame, both on this site (a long time ago), and on trifive.com (more recently but a while ago too). Turns out that the most one piece frame cars were built in Norwood, Ohio on both surveys.
On the other hand, California did require the "one piece" bumpers. But a couple of other states and Canada did too. I don't know the reason they required it, but I'm pretty sure the requirement came about before 1955.
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rj_ly
"6th Year" Gold Supporting Member & Tri-5 Calendar Creator
Posts: 17553
Loc: Southwestern OH
Reg: 11-15-02
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07-30-12 01:19 PM - Post#2253800
In response to Rick_L
California one-piece frame ARE a myth.
FIVE of my non-Califorina made '57s set on one-piece frames.
FOUR were made AND assembled in Norwood, OH. Including the spare frame I own.
Besides California, most western states and even some Canadian Tri-5s set on one-piece frames.
We've hashed thiss over & over on here many times.
This also goes for the '57 one-piece from bumpoer. It is NOT exclusive Califorrnia.
57 Hrdtp(mine for 40 YEARS JULY 12)
57 210 4-dr Sdn(37 yrs Aug 12)
57 Hrdtp(32 yrs Jan 12)
57(windowed)S. Delivery(31 yrs Oct 12)
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4dr 57
"6th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 2735
Loc: The Texas Hill Country
Reg: 11-10-04
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07-31-12 08:53 AM - Post#2254145
In response to rj_ly
ok, thanks Guys.
To the best of my knowledge, the two-piece frame and one piece bumper were California Safety Requirements for 1957. And that's all.
Stanley
| Wife: "Don't race the Police car, Stan!" |
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Rick_L
Honored Member
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Loc: Katy, Tx, USA
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07-31-12 02:39 PM - Post#2254237
In response to 4dr 57
Stanley, the myth says California frames were one piece, not 2 piece.
And unless you don't believe a whole bunch of folks on this site who reported what they had, the myth is untrue.
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4dr 57
"6th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 2735
Loc: The Texas Hill Country
Reg: 11-10-04
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08-01-12 08:30 AM - Post#2254473
In response to Rick_L
Clear as mud - 
Where are the 4dht guys on this?
We got 2dr Sedan and 2dht and 4dr Sedan owners....
One and one doesn't equal one; the goesinta front cross member sections make it a little more cramped that's for sure.
California Sedans would have had a weight advantage with a one piece frame and bumper over a 2dht, so I can only guess that they raced in a separate class.
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Rick_L
Honored Member
Posts: 24718
Loc: Katy, Tx, USA
Reg: 07-06-00
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08-01-12 03:04 PM - Post#2254605
In response to 4dr 57
You still don't get what we're telling you.
Any model except a convertible could have either a one piece or a two piece frame. All 3 years, any build location. Two and four door hardtops had extra body mounts in certain locations. Those are just welded to the sedan frame. Those locations are in the assembly manual.
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YOUNG57
Contributor
Posts: 458
Loc: Franklin TN
Reg: 12-06-10
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08-02-12 12:17 PM - Post#2254963
In response to Rick_L
So was a one piece front bumper required in California? Or is that myth too?
I have, and there are many, one piece frames here in Fly Over States (Tennessee in my case) and not made in or for the Left Coast. I assumed it was not really California exclusive, but more of a nickname or comparison, California bumper or California frame meaning “one piece” rather than two.
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Rick_L
Honored Member
Posts: 24718
Loc: Katy, Tx, USA
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08-02-12 02:01 PM - Post#2255016
In response to YOUNG57
Any connection between California and one piece frames is a myth and is incorrect. Both the chevytalk and trifive frame surveys showed more one piece frames on Norwood cars than any other, and that many LA and Oakland cars had 2 piece frames.
The California bumper thing is true, but Canadian cars also had them as well as cars for a amall number of other states.
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ThumperNZ
Contributor
Posts: 504
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08-02-12 02:28 PM - Post#2255030
In response to Rick_L
Any connection between California and one piece frames is a myth and is incorrect. Both the chevytalk and trifive frame surveys showed more one piece frames on Norwood cars than any other, and that many LA and Oakland cars had 2 piece frames.
The California bumper thing is true, but Canadian cars also had them as well as cars for a amall number of other states.
Rick, the Canadian cars which were exported to New Zealand all had one piece bumpers, so I guess that holds true for all Canadian Cars except for the models not assembled there.
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