After reading your post i understand your dilemma. My friends faced the same problem with thier rag tops. One welded his frame connectors in-the other bolted them in. Both cars have since been sold. The Challenger was not an original car-and it did not matter to the new buyer-that the connectors were welded in. The road runner was an original car-and it did matter to the new buyer that the connectors wre only bolted in. Of the 5 potential road runner buyers/viewers-every one stated they would not have even considered the car-if the frame connectors were welded in. In your scenario i believe you would be happiest with bolt in pieces.