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SlippyPGH · 10-15-2021, 07:30 PM

Hello, I purchased a 66 Ambassador a few weeks ago and am really excited to bring it back to its glory. Here’s the caveat. The frame is in very very poor condition, however the body is in nice shape so I am planning on flat bedding it 50 miles to my house. When I say the frame is in bad condition it is no exaggeration, the main rail is gone, like totally gone, doesn’t exist, from just under the door to the A frame. I am extremely worried about wenching this thing on to the equipment trailer we are using to haul it. I plan on building a long ramp to get it on to the trailer then once it is on the trailer, hopefully with the body still in ok condition, I’ll crib the 4 corners and weak frame areas to attempt to stabilize it for the little run down the Pothole ridden Western PA interstate.
Any advise is really appreciated!

Bubba L · 10-15-2021, 07:41 PM

Congrats on the 66. Strap down the four corners and axle. I would run a few straps over the top at the rib locations. Take it easy and drive slowly. 50 miles is not that far. I would consider towing, but in lieu of what you said about the main fram member, I would be concerned. Good luck and keep us posted.

SlippyPGH · 10-22-2021, 07:13 PM

Well it was quite the adventure but we got it back to my house in one piece. Now to plan out a new chassis, floor plan for 2 adults and 4 kids, and figure out how to procure window glass, utility appliances, etc, fix the body, make a wiring diagram.

mrdes8 · 10-22-2021, 07:35 PM

Welcome to the forums and congrats on getting your '66 home. Does look like the body is pretty straight. As several other posts will attest 66-68 window glass is very difficult right now with many reporting none out there. Just have to keep eyes and ears open. When I first got my '68 4 windows were gone so did temps with big box plastic panels, kept the water out. Some folks keep the plastic for years. Saw a guy at a rally this year with a '67 who used plastic or polycarbonate. He cut thin strips of wood to the curve of the body and to go vertically on the plastic window to hold the curve of the body. Also used it to integrate kind of a blind thing on it, looked very cool.
Good luck, Mark D