3rd Gen Opera Window ?

[JohnnyBee]

Now this is different... Any others?

[Charger1973]

Man thats some custom work there.  There were 3 vinyl top choices in 73/74 but that wasnt one of them.  This is the closet we got to a full vinyl roof



If someone wanted the opera windows i wonder why they didnt just get an SE?

[Blue Pentastar]

That is the gills. The opera windows were the base window option it is like a square porthole. I can get a picture if you like. I see if I can dig one up.

Mike

[Charger1973]

Mike...  that is simply a SE with the louvers removed. (they are just fiberglass and screw on)  And someone had added a full vinyl top.  They werent ever this way from the factory. 

[Charger1973]

A better shot of the louvers, you can see that they are not part of the vinyl just designed to look like it.  Once removed it looks just like the picture you posted.  The SEs were converted from regular Chargers and is really just a plug with a fixed window.  The louvers then attatch to the outside and inside to give it the "gill' effect. 

[Charger1973]

There were 3 styles of vinyl tops on these cars.  The SE shown above and the 2 shown here.  There was never a complete full vinyl roof on 73/74

[RD]

there is actually a charger called the "spring special" I believe that had the SE style rear windows, but no tri-louvers, just a square fiberglass insert.

[Charger1973]

there is actually a charger called the "spring special" I believe that had the SE style rear windows, but no tri-louvers, just a square fiberglass insert.

Now thats one I have never heard anything about...  So maybe I am wrong?  But I still say that picture is a SE with the louvers removed

[twilt]

     Nacho, could you please clarify these things for the 100th time.

[hemihead]

The one pictured with the " square opera window " is a Coupe.

[Blue Pentastar]

The car happenens to be my sons and I assure you it has the Frames in it they are just open in the center. And also it is not an SE it is a base charger and it came from the factory with those window and vinyl top that size just in gold my son thought the black looked better. This has been verified by Wayne Wooten and has been seen by Galen and he did not argue the point either. I will try to get a close up pic of the window for reference.

Mike

[Blue Pentastar]

Here is another angle a little closer I will try to get a pic of just the window area tomorrow if I can. The last picture shows the car as we purchased it in 2000.

[RD]

your son's is a 74.  That is the year the spring special came out i believe.  Do you have the broadcast sheet?

[Blue Pentastar]

Yes it is a 74 and so far we have not located the broadcast sheet but are about out of places to look. The carpet and seats have been redone so the odds are it is a gonner.
It had a build date of June 3rd.


Mike

[doctorpimp]

That first car is wierd!
That would be a lot of custom work for sure.  Kinda looks like a '70s Lincoln or TBird.

[Nacho-RT74]

Twilt I have no problem on that hehehe. Mostly of times I have explain this was on the old board... I think there is a topic here, I'll search first and post the link.

But let's start with the fist pic posted with oval opera window is no more that an UGLY CUSTOM JOB... look at the vinyil top trim... is incorrect. Even I like the opera window without louvers Charger vinyl top more that halo or SE, I like the right one not that custom.

[Nacho-RT74]

Ok didn't find the topic so here I go:

As many of you guys now there were three Basic Chargers Models assemblied on 73/74 and they are/were:

-WL21 on VIN, ( Low price class ) called COUPE because even didn't have the fixed B pillar post, the quarter window glass was fixed onto the top of inner frame on quarter with a bracket, so no regulators on that window able to roll down them. The vertical seal molding is what makes a simulated B pillar post.

-WH23 on VIN, Called HARDTOP, ( High price class )because this model has roll down quarter window, with all regulator hardware and stuff. Is hardtop, because with windos completelly rolled down the "B PILLAR POST" is gone.

Note about these two models: all trim inner and outer, including weatherstrips is the same, difference is just glass, regulator and upper inner quarter panel without hole to crank. Both models with glasses upp looks EXACTLY THE SAME FROM EXTERIOR, and both could have any of vinyl top options... halo top ( or full ) or canopy top ( or 3/4 top )

-WP29 on VIN, called on Mopar manuals FASTBACK, just because the original use of P on VIN on 60s. This was the Premiun class price Charger ( That's the real reason of P=Premium ) stated as SE, with all known window quarter louvers with the filler plug and stuff, particular Vinyl top etc...

Note about this model is that sheet metal is EXACTLY THE SAME with JUST drip rail shorter and a REAL B pillar post what is welded. Also top of quarter area where doors meet, above the door striker doesn't have the cut to hide the glass, is a solid sheet metal piece up to top.

This model has of course completelly different trim everywhere from inner panels to exterior pieces and weatherstrips.

Once whe have clarified this three basic models then you can choose the packages what did not make difference on VIN numbers but yes on Fender tag and buildsheet. Here is where comes to float the Rallye package stated as A57 code mostly of times ( what we know apparently some assembly planst didn't stated it ) and was available only on Cope ( WL21 ) and Hardtops ( WH23 ) models. HOWEVER we have known about some very rare WP29 or SEs Rallye packaged

for some info about packages here is a good source:

http://chargerinfo.homestead.com/infoandspeck.html
Is a 73 info. 74 only difference as far I know was the 340 out of production on 73 and replaced with 360. Don't know if 360 same as 340 was a Rallye by default.

[Nacho-RT74]

Now I'll talk about those rare packages or whatever you calls, but the fact were rare models assemblied and optioned. They DO EXIST on Mopar catalogs:

First one that cames on my mind, however I don't have a pic of it, is a very rare SE with roll down quarter windows only available on 73. This model is exactly that, a mixed WP29 and WH23 model with WP29 on VIN. This model cames with all SE package: interior brougham package, big rocker molding, chromed edges on tail lenses and grilles, and also chromed tail lights housings. SEs badges on hood and C pillars. From the WH23 did take the roll down quarter glasses with all its hardware, inner and outer trim and also "HALO" vinyl top. About   this model, were sold en ebay two of those on 2003. Badly I did't saved pics.

Another model is a "CELEBRITY" Charger. Sorry I don't have more info beside the pic I saved. I don't know if is a WP29 or WH23 or what's exactly the package. the Mopar catalog I have is 74, and it doesn't appear there so probably is also just a 73 Model. By the pic it looks to be an SE without louvers, so probably is WP29 on VIN with just louver difference

[Nacho-RT74]

The other one that also cames to float on this topic is what apparently was known as "Spring Special", what I don't know is true but the fact is that it does exist. Apparently is just a 74 model ( it appears on my 74 Catalog ) and it could be true since all that I have known are without grilles on hood and three points double retractor seatbelt. Never have seen the trunk to check the humped stuff...

THIS MODEL IS NOT A WP29 is a WH23 so we could say even is not a real one, is a HARDTOP on Mopar catalogs because the 23 on VIN.

Since is a WH23 it could came with Rallye package.

Here some pics about one was auctioned on ebay, including Fender tag. If some of you guys could say what's the tag code to this package, here is the oportunity to decode:

[Nacho-RT74]

This model as stated DOES IT COME WITH FRAME replacing the louvers in and out to fill the empty spacce at edges left by louvers.

This model is THE SAME HARDWARE AND TRIM that SE on quarter windows ( inner and outer ) but louvers of course however is a WH23. You can install louver on it for same reason. In fact was a member on the old board that had missed the frame and installed louvers for a while he found the frame... because the rarity of it, is not easy to find the frame and vinyl top trim. Shape of this trim is a lot close to 71/72 real full vinyl top. I LOVE THIS REAL FULL TOP

here a pair pics more, including the old board member car.

[MassCharger73]

I was going to bid on the red car with the opera windows when it was on E-Bay. I didn't bid because I was too concerned with trying to fix the roof.

[Nacho-RT74]

I have to say now that I have doubts the yellow old board member's car, since the end of full vinyl top trim ( corners ) look pretty weird and I can't see the hanging shoulder seatbelt with retractor on it of 74 models. Also I can see brougham package on upper doors panels ( extra padded ) what was really SE part of package ( even my car has now also same brougham package to a hardtop from a canadian donor car... extremelly rare )

[Charger1973]

Thats one I had never seen.  So I was wrong there.  One of those things you dont see every day

[twilt]

Nacho,  Outstanding info and pictures      I knew you would be the best source of info on this topic.

[Nacho-RT74]

Nothing more than what I have read on my own catalog and collected web info and pics what makes me arrive to these conclusions.