1970 Charger: What is the purpose of the suitcase under the Dutchman panel?

[Kern Dog]

Both of my '70 Chargers have the suitcase looking thing in the trunk underneath the Dutchman panel. I'm guessing that maybe it was there to support a rear window defogger?? There are no brackets for that though. No wires running to it either.
I can't figure out the point of it. It seems that an easier way to support the Dutchman could have been used so why is this here? It hangs down and takes up space.

[Mytur Binsdirti]

Both of my '70 Chargers have the suitcase looking thing in the trunk underneath the Dutchman panel. I'm guessing that maybe it was there to support a rear window defogger?? There are no brackets for that though. No wires running to it either.
I can't figure out the point of it. It seems that an easier way to support the Dutchman could have been used so why is this here? It hangs down and takes up space.

They obviously put it there to annoy you! Actually, the real reason is to hide the rot holes at the bottom of the rear window glass.

Don't worry 68's & 69's have them too.

[mopar4don]

Its a funnel that catches the rain water that gets into the window channel and then distributes that water into the trunk 

[Ghoste]

Spread the rust.  lol

[ht4spd307]

Drug runners stash area

[orange383]

I assumed it was to add strength to that area of the vehicle.

[b5blue]

Right an annoying over engineered attempt to cantilever support wile maximizing trunk space. 

[odcics2]

I assumed it was to add strength to that area of the vehicle.

Nascar race cars don't have that part...   

The rebodied #37 1967 K&K Charger had it when the guy made it into a 1969 #71 clone car! 
He didn't know it was supposed to be removed...

After the Museum acquired the "71" car, a LOT of modifications took place to make it appear more correct. 

Be nice if it was restored to back to the 67 car. For one thing, the roll cage would fit better!! 

[Kern Dog]

Funny responses...
It seems like an over-complicated way to support the Dutchman panel.

[Mike DC]

  
The engineers probably figured that between the bottoms of the stereo speakers and the torsion springs that support the lid, you couldn't store very much height (worth of luggage) underneath there.  Might as well use the open area for strengthening the body.  The spare tire was assumed to eat up most of that area anyway.  

I am kind of surprised they didn't shape that piece to capture/shield the torsion spring bars, though.

[John_Kunkel]

Actually, the real reason is to hide the rot holes at the bottom of the rear window glass.

And to provide a couple of holes to attach a drain tube. 

[captaindodge]

Do the Daytona Chargers have that suitcase?

[dual fours]

My guess would be to protect the speaker and de fogger motor and blower from damage from trunk contents during sudden stops. The blower sucks interior air and blows it though a hose and out the rear window vent onto the rear window. And also could help protect your passengers from dinging their heads when you stuff them inside the trunk go to the drive in movies.  

The rear window defogger blower motor on right side was fastened with screws. The black window vent was fastened with nuts and bolts.

[Kern Dog]

I was really hoping that ten people would explain this and then tease me for not knowing. It seems to have everyone stumped. 

[dual fours]

Maybe the right person is waiting for you to offer a ''$ Reward $'' for information leading to the correct answer.

[Kern Dog]

Ha....
I never asked for cash when I answered tech questions!

[JB400]

It was probably more efficient to locate one larger piece of metal to support the dutchman panel than it was to have multiple, smaller pieces.

[J.Bond]

Probably going to get crapped on for this. Been studying the first gen flow thru design(cab to deck lid), and the more you look at it, there is way more to it than one would think. Need Odcics, help here, Did they block off the entire trunk openings on first gen track cars?, have not been able to find any pic's,

What I see on the second gen , is an air plenum, could be something that they thought may work, one thing missing is, a pair of grills, like you would see on a 68/69 corvette, they would require drain holes, as seen. The problem, on the 66/67 was a low pressure spot, caused by the roof line slant back. Second gen was worse, hence the 500/tona rear plug. Were they trying to reduce the low pressure area by feeding it more air? first gen flow thru had 25.5 square inches of cab opening, feeding two 3/4 x3/4 openings at the trunk edge opening?

[375instroke]

I'm sure it supports the front edge of the trunk opening.  It's bigger than any other Dodge, and completely flat, offering zero strength on it's own.

[69rtse4spd]

How far up the body were these cars dipped. holes are there to let the trapped air out (uppers), and bottoms to let solution out. Working at the truck plant here, they have had trucks float off and sink in the dipping tanks, lots of down time. That's my  worth, could be wrong.       

[Kern Dog]

I'm sure it supports the front edge of the trunk opening.  It's bigger than any other Dodge, and completely flat, offering zero strength on it's own.

I think that you figured it out.
Anyone that knows sheet metal also knows that a flat panel is not as rigid as a curved or one with some ridges, indentations or creases. The flat Dutchman spans between the C pillars and in that area, the trunk lid and springs are attached. This "suitcase" isn't an elegant solution but maybe the function was just to provide strength in an area that would otherwise shake and buckle without such a robust support.

[odcics2]

Do the Daytona Chargers have that suitcase?

Production cars yes. Nascar race cars, no.

[dual fours]

I'm sure it supports the front edge of the trunk opening.  It's bigger than any other Dodge, and completely flat, offering zero strength on it's own.

I think that you figured it out.
Anyone that knows sheet metal also knows that a flat panel is not as rigid as a curved or one with some ridges, indentations or creases. The flat Dutchman spans between the C pillars and in that area, the trunk lid and springs are attached. This "suitcase" isn't an elegant solution but maybe the function was just to provide strength in an area that would otherwise shake and buckle without such a robust support.

I can say as teenagers, we would go to the drive in movies, park backwards and four slim ass's, guy-girl-girl-guy would lay between the sail panels against the rear window, dutchman and trunk. Nothing buckled or gave way. We would throw a blanket down first, not much fat on those young ass's back in the day.    

[INTMD8]

Well my 68 had a rear defroster so that's a solid theory.

Would say I've never heard the term dutchman panel so I learned something with that.

[ht4spd307]

Do all chargers have this ? I also have the rear demist option