About a year ago I asked if anyone had any input regarding transplanting a 1947 Sedanet body on a 1994 Roadmaster chassis and got no responses. At that time I only had the '47 Buick.

Well, I suppose the silence could have meant that everyone thought I was either crazy or they could not think of any objections. So, before I start taking the body off a perfectly good 1994 Roadmaster, I thought I should ask again - anyone got any advice?

The frame, drive shaft, exhaust, brake lines, etc. on the 1994 all have to be extended 5.9" to match the 121" WB of the 1947. That does not present a problem. The problem I have yet to address is how to best install new body mounts. Obviously the '47 mounts do not come close to matching the '94 frame as it is wider than the '47 frame. So, building new body mounts is the answer, and that is not a real problem. The problem is how and where to best attach them to the '47 body.

Any suggestions from anyone with experience in this area will be greatly appreciated. And, yes I know I could clip the front and rear end from the '94 and attach them to the '47 frame - using the whole '94 frame is a matter of principle to see if it can be done - and made to be safe.

Well, I haven't done anything similar, but I will try to offer some encouragement.

I would suggest that the original '47 mounts are placed in a strategic manner and their location should be studied for why they were placed there. Then it may be possible to move them outward with or without concern for re-enforceing the areas where they were. If you find some area needs support you may be able to just fabricate a channel support under the floor similar to others you should find there.

Good luck!

Take lots of photos and keep us posted. Go to the showroom and start an album for the project!

Bob

Thanks for the suggestion. It sounds like the best starting point. However, my first kneejerk reaction is that I would likely have to drill additional holes in the '94 frame to match the '47 mounts and that could weaken the frame. Even still, reinforcing the frame around the new holes would likely be much easier than attaching new mounts to the body.

Thanks Again!!!

Todd, I have heard of this conversion but no feed back from them--I have not seen this up close myself and lets just say It seems do-able. Another thought---the Riv boatails have the correct wheelbase without doing any extending of the frame and they appear to sit low--might be worth looking into...........good luck!!!:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

:waving: Hey Tod

There is a local Buick owner who just recently did a similar conversion on a '48
Roadmaster Convertable.

He used the Boat-Tail Chassis and 455 Drive-Train.

The Transformation Turned out "Splendid" A real site to see.:bana:

He did have to do some modification for the "Body Mounts.

The Wheel base and lower and a bit wider stance is very appealing and you couldn't get a better power-train. PLENTY of Grunt and Tourque.

Personally of all the options available, This would be the direction I would look in-in-to.:thumbsup:

Regards,:beers:

Tom Gallagher :shield:

It is encouraging to hear that someone else has done a complete transplant. The Riveria chassis sounds interesting, however, I wanted something a little newer and was able to get the 1994 Roadmaster at a very low price.

Based on input received, I think I am going to use the existing body mounts on the '47 as much as possible and drill and reinforce the frame as needed.

Thanks to all for the information!!!

Well, I think the reason you didnt get a many of answers is that, not many of us have done that type of mod before. However i had read how it was done in a mag article. A 50 mercury body on a 70,s pontiac midsize frame, had the requisite length. It was a successful swap and they claimed the frame was almost made for that body, in fact even a couple of holes on the frame matched.This type of mod would give you a much lowered car with more modern chassis, and it had a wonderful ride also. This means it can it can be a economical, and practical, way to get your buick rolling. Get your tape measure and a camera and start hitting the wrecking yards for the right chassis, you might find the best one. Good luck and send pix when you get going on it.

Thanks for the reply. I think you are right about the "complete transplant" being unusual. It is probably easier or quicker to do a clip job on the front and rear end than to have to deal with the body mount problems.

However, doing the whole transplant is something I want to do just to see if I can do it. The previous sentence is an admission I would not make anywhere but here because most people just don't get it when I discuss working on an old car. I suppose it is sort of like why people climb mountains - because it is there.

Car guys understand why such a project is undertaken. They do not need an explanation as to the reasons or logic behind such projects.

Thanks for the comment about measuring. On such a project, one cannot take to many measurements. I have photographed every inch of the frames of each car and measured just about every direction they can be measured.

Thanks again for the reply.

Sounds like a very interesting project! A local guy, built a "lead sled" 49 or 50 Merc utilizing, I believe, a 80's Buick frame. The way he did it was to cut the floor pan out of both the Buick and the Merc and then welded the Buick floor pan with some modifications into the Merc body, then mounted it back on the Buick frame. I don't know if this would be easier or better than other methods, but his car was one of the best customs I have ever seen. This guy is a very accomplished body man and has built five or six customs, all of super quality.

Marc

I am in the midst to having a shop do a transplant. I'm putting a 96 fleetwood under my 52 super 2-door hardtop riviera.

The I8 was gone when I bought the car. My floor was mostly gone and I wanted to channel the car anyway, so they are using the FW mounts and fabricating attachments to the body.

The fit it going very well. The 93-96 FW wheelbase is 121-inches, a 1/2-inch shorter than the original. From my research, the 93-96 roadmaster, caprice, and impala is the same width but 4 or 5 inches shorter. The FW was "totaled" by a rearend accident but all I needed was the frame and drivetrain. The frame was OK but diamonded about 1-inch and the frame shop set it right. The rear frame extensions had to be shortened and they are trimming the front extensions to get the radiator to fit this week.

I get a modern V8, drivetrain, brakes and suspension for what the salvage yard wanted for their engine and transmission.

The suspension is set so I still have full range of motion. For now I am going with drop springs but plan to go airride in the future.

Obviously I still have a lot of work, but so far I am very happy with going this route on my car.

Your project appears to be much the same as mine only I am doing all the mechanical work and most of the body work other than painting.

I did not realize that the 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood had a 121" wheel base. The 1993 -96 Buick Roadmaster hs a 116" wheel base. Actually it is 115.9". My 1947 Buick Special has a 121" wheelbase and thus I am having to stretch the '96 frame to fit.

From your pictures, it appears that you have channeled the body several inches. I plan on keeping the original ('47) body height about the same distance from the ground. However, this presents a few complications because the '96 frame is several inches closer to the ground than is the '47 frame. -- But, what the heck, it is just a matter of designing, cutting, welding and bolting adapters to make it fit.

I am a couple of months away from getting the bodies off the cars to be able to really tell how it is all going together. I have measured, remeasured and then measured again, but from past experience, until the frame and body actually start coming together, there is always something that was not foreseen.

Good luck on your car and please keep me posted on the progress.