No matter how gorgeous a car may look, you never quite know what you’re getting yourself into until you completely tear your project car down and take inventory. This is an important part of the build process, especially if you’re thinking of doing a full restoration, building a resto-mod, or building a car from the ground up.

Over at American Modern Insurance Group, Rick Drewry and his crew have taken on quite the project- a 1965 Chevelle Malibu that had an unfortunate run-in with a brick wall.

While the car certainly looks bad in front, we learned last week that there is quite a bit that can be salvaged, such as the engine, transmission and even the underbody. What the car does need, however, is a straight frame.

Check out how those on “The Build” acquired the perfect GM A-body platform for the job in the video above.

While we could debate all day long about how different the 60s GM A-bodies were, from the muscular Pontiac GTO to the Buick Skylark, they all retained the same base frame. That’s why, when one owner tragically lost his 1965 GTO convertible to a garage fire, it made the perfect frame donor for American Modern’s ‘65 Malibu project car.

Far beyond fixable, this destroyed 1965 Pontiac GTO convertible made for the perfect donor car when it came to the frame for American Modern's project car.

What’s even greater about this donor frame is that because it came off of a convertible, it has a boxed in c-channel along the sides. This will provide the Malibu with a stronger and stiffer frame, as well as improve its handling capabilities.

Being resourceful and turning tragedy into triumph are some of the best parts of building cars. Check back next Monday to see where “The Build” will take us next.