REAR Frame Support braces 64-67

[wheelz]

Guys, I've had and sold several 65 GS over the years and never looked to see if any of them had the F41 support brackets... I know OPGI and TPP sells repros, but looking at the pix on line, they really look like they are produced with thin material.  ANYbody got a set of originals to sell me?? 

The attached pix are 68-72 style braces and are heavy material but just too long...
Appreciate the help guys!

Wheelz, Tampa Bay

[Brian]

The 64-67 Buicks never had these, but they are a nice addition.  The 64-67 ones were a welded fabrication like the reproduction places sell.  The 68-up ones are a little longer and a stamped piece as you know from the ones you have.  The ones you have can be shortened to work--there is enough flat area to drill a new hole that lines up, then cut off the excess and round off the end with a grinder to look correct.  That is what is on my two 4-speed cars--easy modification to make them fit!

[sjfd04]

I believe 65 4 speed GTO's had them, Ames sells them.  The only problem you might have is the size and placement of the muffler, might not clear them.

[sjfd04]

Maybe these:


https://www.opgi.com/gto/1965/chassis-suspension/chassis-components/D250054/

[WkillGS]

The repos are a little different than the originals, but they are a recommended upgrade for any car.

$70 and free shipping on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/64-67-rear-control-reinforcement-frame-stiffeners-Chevy-Pontiac-GTO-Chevelle-442-/252734788892?fits=Model%3AChevelle

or $75 from Ground Up:
http://www.ss396.com/category/chevelle-framebraces.html

[gssizzler]

I have them on both of my stick cars and like them very much ! ,they help the frame and rear crossmember from cracking and twisting!

[gs spoken here]

It is very easy to make the 68/72 ones fit the 65/7 cars. just cut about 2' off the straight end and reform the end and re-drill the hole, they fit nice. I have done this on my 66 stick GS and have a set to do for my 5. I do have a set of the repro ones but they do not look like the 68/72 OEM ones. I do not think I have seen and early GTO with the original ones, to see if they are the same as the repro ones.

[WkillGS]

There's some history on the crossmember reinforcements over at the Performance Years/Ames/Max Performance forums. They became available in late '65 on 4 speed GTO's as a service item, and were factory installed on some cars in the last month of production. There is also mention they were used on Chevelles.
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609537
and
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=776908

This service bulletin pic was posted there: