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C1 Corvette Chassis - 21st Century Framework

Inside Jim Meyer Racing Products' New First-Gen-Vette Chassis
By Jerry Slattery
Photography by Jerry Slattery
Jim Meyer C1 Corvette Chassis
Now you can upgrade any '53-'62... 
   
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Jim Meyer C1 Corvette Chassis
Now you can upgrade any '53-'62 Corvette with a Jim Meyer Racing Products chassis. The standard package is available with any engine and trans mounts, a core support, body mounts, and bumper-bracket mounts-all in their stock locations. This chassis has also been tubbed 4 inches at the rear and features Wilwood brakes.
Jim Meyer C1 Corvette Chassis Front Suspension
The same adjustable-stance... 
   
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Jim Meyer C1 Corvette Chassis Front Suspension
The same adjustable-stance IFS in this chassis is also available as a separate bolt-in unit for a stock C1. It bolts to the original factory holes and can be installed in a weekend using basic hand tools. The front crossmember features 2x4x0.188-inch (wall) construction, with a three-position adjustable upper-coilover mount and a two-position lower mount. JMRP's 1018 steel, 3/4-inch-diameter, nickel-plated lower A-arm cross-shafts are some of the beefiest in the aftermarket. Bronze bushings are installed in the crossmember holes for easy cross-shaft removal. To eliminate telescoping road vibration through the steering, JMRP uses 90-durometer urethane bushings to isolate the lower shafts in the crossmember.
Jim Meyer C1 Corvette Chassis A Arm
Each IFS includes four threaded... 
   
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Jim Meyer C1 Corvette Chassis A Arm
Each IFS includes four threaded holes in the upper A-arm tower for the upper coilover (or airbag) mount. Since there are two holes in the bracket, this arrangement gives you a three-position upper-mount adjustment. These three positions will provide about 3 inches of up-or-down adjustability. For extra strength, the mounting surface of the bracket is doubly thick where it mates to the upper tower. The bracket can be flipped for an additional inch of adjustability.
Jim Meyer C1 Corvette Chassis Steering System
To mate the stock column with... 
   
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Jim Meyer C1 Corvette Chassis Steering System
To mate the stock column with the new splined rack-and-pinion steering system, the bottom of the column will need to be modified using a JMRP kit. Alternatively, the company offers a new Ididit column designed specifically for the '53-'62 Corvette. Note that the steering linkage has a support bearing on the top of the frame. Depending on which style headers you use, you may need a third U-joint.

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