Colors and Customs offers all phases of repair, from the structural repair to the refinishing, including all associated mechanical needs as well.  Long recognized for their ability to restore their customers’ vehicles back to a pre-accident condition, management decided to take their ability to the next level.  "I feel we have an obligation to our customers to do the finest repair possible, to protect their investment," stated Clarke, referring to the "jig system" used to restore the vehicles structural dimensions.  "Our system uses fixtures, designed to restore factory specifications," said Clarke, "and are the only independently owned fixtures outside of the manufacturer, for the C5 Corvettes."

While Colors and Customs has fixtures for all years of Corvette frames back to 1963, the new hydro-formed rail design of the C5 Corvette has special concerns by design, causing problems in attaching any conventional hold-down equipment.  Under normal procedures, Clarke explains, a vehicle is attached to a frame machine, by the use of "pinchweld clamps," placed at positions known as the torquebox areas, between the wheels on either side of the vehicle.  Clamps designed to grab the pinchwelds of a vehicle, securing it from moving, while hydraulic towers with chains grab the damaged rail and pull.  "Unlike previous years, the C5’s are a different animal, lacking the conventional pinchwelds," says Clarke.  "Sadly, shops have been known to weld angle-iron plates to the rails so they can hold the car down during the pulling process.  These rails were not designed to support the car under the strain necessary to pull damage from a collapsed rail.  The results are sometimes worse than the original problem!"  Clarke goes on to explain that the dimensions are absolutely "critical" to the final quality of the repair.  If there is any inconsistency in the re-dimensioning process, discrepancies will show up in the alignment of the panels, especially the hood to fenders, and gaps top to bottom, in the line between the fenders and doors.

More concerning is the accuracy of suspension dimensions.  "Improper repairs in these areas can not only effect the handling of the vehicle, it can be extremely dangerous!  A compromised frame repair on a Corvette can easily devalue the car, thousands of dollars!"

Colors and Customs, employs the use of fixtures to re-dimension a damaged frame, attaching them to key suspension mounting points, to ensure they remain in their exact locations.  Jigs are attached to all suspension cradle mounting locations front and rear as well as upper control arm mounting bolt holes.  Additional fixtures are attached to the front cross-member and the factory jig holes at the front of the side rails, left and right.  Hold-down clamps are attached into the side rail factory holes between the wheels, left and right.  The result of this type of repair insures the vehicle will be restored back to the original factory specifications and that all the body panels will line up properly.

C5 frame rails and repair sections are available from the manufacturer along with sectioning procedures and combined with our "jig system" can restore even the worst of frame damage to factory specifications.  To confirm our procedures on frame repair, consult with the manufacturer for their recommendations.

Colors and Customs also uses computerized laser measuring to verify accuracy of repairs to corrected frames.  A print-out may be provided as proof of the repair, showing the "before and after" measurements.  Repairs may be limited to the structural and suspension or a complete repair depending on owners’ requirements.

References upon request.