Vega Hatch....

[Rolling_Thunder]

Well - I am a stranger to this section as my Charger is already painted and getting re-assembled...    but I have always thought about building a Daytona Clone with another Charger if I ever had the means....      Anyway - I have found a local guy with a Vega Hatch off of a 73 (I'm pretty sure they have the gills under the window)

My question is what does your average vega hatch go for price wise ?    I'm thinking of just buying this and storing it until / if I get a 69-70 Charger carcass to clone a Daytona into...

[Aero426]

If you are buying a hatch to store, I would wait for one without the gills as it is less work.    I don't think either version takes a lot of money to buy.

[richRTSE]

I bought a pretty clean one a couple months ago (no gills) for $100.

[Rolling_Thunder]

Well - I just called the guy -        the guys has the trim and glass that goes with it...   seems like a killer deal So I will be picking it up ether way

[BigBlockSam]

there getting harder and harder to find . i'd pick it up 

[Magnumcharger]

I'd buy the whole Vega if I were you.
Put your Charger drivetrain into it....it'll be a whole lot faster!!

[learical1]

I'd buy the whole Vega if I were you.
Put your Charger drivetrain into it....it'll be a whole lot faster!!

and uglier!

[moparstuart]

I'd buy the whole Vega if I were you.
Put your Charger drivetrain into it....it'll be a whole lot faster!!

and uglier!

[Magnumcharger]

I'd buy the whole Vega if I were you.
Put your Charger drivetrain into it....it'll be a whole lot faster!!

and uglier!

True.

[hotrod98]

Definitely buy it. You can fill in the louvered section. It's more work, but if you get ready to build a car and can't find a 74 up hatch, at least you'll have something. We buy both types any time we can find them. As for price, If they're rust free and the glass and trim are very nice, I don't have a problem spenidng up to $250 for one. I generally pay around $100 to $150 each.
I definitely prefer to use the later syle. I can put the skin on an english wheel and get the shape better without a patch welded in.

[Old Moparz]

I agree, go get it. What used to be "a dime a dozen" is now hard to find. The vents are no big deal compared to certain other modifications that are done.

[PocketThunder]

Heck, just leave the vents in when you build it..?..??        

[dillon14]

I paid $265 for mine delivered and it had nice glass and trim.

[Magnumcharger]

OK...a question....what is an acceptable trunk drip edge (dutchman panel) donor?
(The part depicted in this picture)

[BigBlockSam]

OK...a question....what is an acceptable trunk drip edge donor?
(The part depicted in this picture)

73 charger . it's not exact but it's real close     

[Magnumcharger]

So....a '73 Satellite should be the same thing, huh?

[hotrod98]

No...71-74 Charger only.
I've been using donor 71-74 Charger dutchman panels. I cut them near the glass to get as much of the panel as possible. I bow them up in the middle slightly using gentle heat with both ends clamped down and a block in the middle. This gives them the correct contour to match up with the deck lid. Also, the end to end radius is slightly different than the original Daytona deck lid. Just account for this when you alter the deck lid. Also, you will need to account for the difference in the measurement from back to front on the stepped section when you alter the deck lid. Otherwise your deck lid closeout panel will hit the lip where the gasket sits. I make the deck lid a little longer at the front edge. The extra length is really not noticeable.
Or, you can find a good sheet metal shop that can reproduce this piece to the correct dimensions. For me it was just easier to alter the dutchman.
I've seen a few guys just make a straight piece for this and then make the deck lid front edge straight to match it. It just doesn't look right to me. It looks better with the radius.
Also, after removing the inner structure from the vega plug, you will need to massage the lower area with an english wheel to get it to lay down enough to weld in. They don't fit quite as well in this area as you would think. In fact they stick straight out.  I still have to make a couple of relief cuts at the lower corners of the glass to get the fit just right even after the massaging with the english wheel.
After installing a few, they go in faster and look better as well. You learn something every time you do one.

[hotrod98]

Correction. You know I never noticed that the part number for the 71-74 Satellite/Roadrunner dutchman is the same as the 71-74 Charger dutchman, so that Satellite part should work.

[Magnumcharger]

Correction. You know I never noticed that the part number for the 71-74 Satellite/Roadrunner dutchman is the same as the 71-74 Charger dutchman, so that Satellite part should work.

I was waiting for you to realize that....
The reason I asked, is because I just obtained a '73 Satelitte Sebring, and I remember a previous thread where somebody (maybe you?) mentioned using the Charger Dutchman panel.
Here's a shot showing a vega window installation beside that of an original styled Charger 500/Daytona.

Maybe I'm wrong, but it looks as if you installed the Vega window UPSIDE DOWN, it would better match the originals dimensions?

And a few shots from a current ebay auction.

[BigBlockSam]

I've been using donor 71-74 Charger dutchman panels. I cut them near the glass to get as much of the panel as possible. I bow them up in the middle slightly using gentle heat with both ends clamped down and a block in the middle. This gives them the correct contour to match up with the deck lid. Also, the end to end radius is slightly different than the original Daytona deck lid. Just account for this when you alter the deck lid. Also, you will need to account for the difference in the measurement from back to front on the stepped section when you alter the deck lid. Otherwise your deck lid closeout panel will hit the lip where the gasket sits. I make the deck lid a little longer at the front edge. The extra length is really not noticeable.
Or, you can find a good sheet metal shop that can reproduce this piece to the correct dimensions. For me it was just easier to alter the dutchman.
I've seen a few guys just make a straight piece for this and then make the deck lid front edge straight to match it. It just doesn't look right to me. It looks better with the radius.
Also, after removing the inner structure from the vega plug, you will need to massage the lower area with an english wheel to get it to lay down enough to weld in. They don't fit quite as well in this area as you would think. In fact they stick straight out.  I still have to make a couple of relief cuts at the lower corners of the glass to get the fit just right even after the massaging with the english wheel.
After installing a few, they go in faster and look better as well. You learn something every time you do one.

yea what he said

[hotrod98]

Are you saying that my vega plug would look better reversed? I don't agree. Looks fine the way that it is and as far as I know everyone else installs them the same direction.

[BigBlockSam]

looks good  from here   . ARE YOU DONE YET!

[Blown70]

Well, I have two hatches.... one I paid 35 for (thanks Russ!!!) and $250 for the other.... guess, you never know when you may need a second one... so I have told people I know keep eyes out for a vega and if they are correct to get them for me.....

[oldcarnut]

I have a 74 one I picked up before I bought the RR. I would trade around for some stuff to use on my Bird clone if someone switched to a Daytona and had extra RR stuff.  I don't see myself building a Daytona clone in the future since I barely get time to work on the RR.  I can post a pick if anyone is interested--just got to pull it out the back of the garage.  I'm in SC.
David

[Magnumcharger]

I'm not saying anybody is wrong OR right.
All I'm doing is pointing out the obvious.

The window has a curved side, and a straighter side. On a Daytona/500 the curved side is up, and the straighter side is down. The Vega hatch is the opposite.
The bottom of a Daytona/500 window matches the contour of the dutchman panel at the trunklid. The Vega setup doesn't.

What I'm asking is: Is it even possible to install the window the other way?

[oldcarnut]

That's an interesting observation.  Maybe because I'm an amateur when it comes to the Wing cars, I never noticed that difference before.

[moparstuart]

I'm not saying anybody is wrong OR right.
All I'm doing is pointing out the obvious.

The window has a curved side, and a straighter side. On a Daytona/500 the curved side is up, and the straighter side is down. The Vega hatch is the opposite.
The bottom of a Daytona/500 window matches the contour of the dutchman panel at the trunklid. The Vega setup doesn't.

What I'm asking is: Is it even possible to install the window the other way?

robin  I think the angle of your pictures are decieving you

  check out this picture  it looks flat on the bottom and bowed on the top  

[BigBlockSam]

the pic on the right isn't a real daytona .it's also a clone

[Rolling_Thunder]

Those photos are taken on different axis...   optical illusion -

[Magnumcharger]

Your eyes are as good as mine.

[Daytona R/T SE]

the pic on the right isn't a real daytona .it's also a clone

Yeah ! My Clone

It's real to me, man! 

I've noticed the upside-down looking window thing on the Vega hatch too.

At least it looked that way to me when I was staring at a row of Vegas in the junkyard.

It was at that moment I decided I was NOT going to use a Vega hatch on my clone.

But somehow, in actual practice, you Vega-hatched cloners seem to pull off the look very well.

Disclaimer:  

No Vegas were harmed in the creation of my Daytona clone.

[ozziemoparnut]

Are there any other options in steel for the window plug??

[Magnumcharger]

the pic on the right isn't a real daytona .it's also a clone

Yeah ! My Clone

It's real to me, man!  

I've noticed the upside-down looking window thing on the Vega hatch too.

At least it looked that way to me when I was staring at a row of Vegas in the junkyard.

It was at that moment I decided I was NOT going to use a Vega hatch on my clone.

But somehow, in actual practice, you Vega-hatched cloners seem to pull off the look very well.

Disclaimer:  

No Vegas were harmed in the creation of my Daytona clone.

Yes, and IMHO...yours is the best effort I've seen here.
Not to say that others aren't fantastic...yours is fantastic-er.

Since I already have a C500 back glass, when the time comes I hope to replicate your home-brewed window plug efforts.
I think using a Janek fiberglass replica as a pattern was a stroke of genius.
How many hours did it take for you to build your window plug? And what tools did you use?

[Daytona R/T SE]

Yes, and IMHO...yours is the best effort I've seen here.
Not to say that others aren't fantastic...yours is fantastic-er.

Since I already have a C500 back glass, when the time comes I hope to replicate your home-brewed window plug efforts.
I think using a Janek fiberglass replica as a pattern was a stroke of genius.
How many hours did it take for you to build your window plug? And what tools did you use?

Thanks.

I didn't keep track of the hours, let's just say ALOT !

As far as tools, I used a cutoff wheel to cut out the pieces, and around the window openings, etc. I have a nibbler that I could have used, but 46,000 C-shaped sharp little bastard pieces of metal flying everywhere just plain sucks!

I had a local sheetmetal shop form me some strips of sheet metal into a 90 degree angle strip 1" X 1" X about five feet long, then I hand formed them to the curves necessary for around the window opening.

The same thing was used for the drip rail across the dutchman panel.

Everything else was done by hand, in my garage, by me.

The only "exotic" tool I used was my 110 volt mig welder.

After seeing all of the work that these guys put into making a Vega hatch work. I sometimes think it might be easier to just start from scratch and make one.


Links to disscussions about my Daytona clone, For the newbies:


http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,10669.0.html


http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,21596.0.html


http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,29685.msg324490.html#msg324490

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,32287.msg353161.html#msg353161



http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,56803.0.html

[hotrod98]

You can't turn the vega plug the other way because the bottom of the glass is 4 3/4 inches wider than the top. It simply won't fit the other way.
If you decide to try it, please post pics. I think it's going to look mighty strange with the top being almost five inches wider than the bottom. 

[BigBlockSam]

If you decide to try it, please post pics.

please

dayclona makes nice steel plug plus ya need the trim . both expensive .the vega plug isn't exact but it's close . plus it's affordable .

[Daytona Guy]

Your eyes are as good as mine.

Great point and I have thought about that for years. Reversing it would not work -  the glass is slightly tapered from 43" to 47". It would look really funny.

[Daytona Guy]

Yes, and IMHO...yours is the best effort I've seen here.
Not to say that others aren't fantastic...yours is fantastic-er.

Since I already have a C500 back glass, when the time comes I hope to replicate your home-brewed window plug efforts.
I think using a Janek fiberglass replica as a pattern was a stroke of genius.
How many hours did it take for you to build your window plug? And what tools did you use?

Thanks.

I didn't keep track of the hours, let's just say ALOT !

As far as tools, I used a cutoff wheel to cut out the pieces, and around the window openings, etc. I have a nibbler that I could have used, but 46,000 C-shaped sharp little bastard pieces of metal flying everywhere just plain sucks!

I had a local sheetmetal shop form me some strips of sheet metal into a 90 degree angle strip 1" X 1" X about five feet long, then I hand formed them to the curves necessary for around the window opening.

The same thing was used for the drip rail across the dutchman panel.

Everything else was done by hand, in my garage, by me.

The only "exotic" tool I used was my 110 volt mig welder.

After seeing all of the work that these guys put into making a Vega hatch work. I sometimes think it might be easier to just start from scratch and make one.


Links to disscussions about my Daytona clone, For the newbies:


http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,10669.0.html


http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,21596.0.html


http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,29685.msg324490.html#msg324490

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,32287.msg353161.html#msg353161



http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,56803.0.html

That is simply amazing work

[hotrod98]

If you decide to try it, please post pics.

please

dayclona makes nice steel plug plus ya need the trim . both expensive .the vega plug isn't exact but it's close . plus it's affordable .

Mike is getting ready to make another batch of nice, solid fiberglass Superbird rear window plugs. Now might be the time to get on the list if you're building a bird.

[mopar_nut_440_6]

Yes, and IMHO...yours is the best effort I've seen here.
Not to say that others aren't fantastic...yours is fantastic-er.

Since I already have a C500 back glass, when the time comes I hope to replicate your home-brewed window plug efforts.
I think using a Janek fiberglass replica as a pattern was a stroke of genius.
How many hours did it take for you to build your window plug? And what tools did you use?

Thanks.

I didn't keep track of the hours, let's just say ALOT !

As far as tools, I used a cutoff wheel to cut out the pieces, and around the window openings, etc. I have a nibbler that I could have used, but 46,000 C-shaped sharp little bastard pieces of metal flying everywhere just plain sucks!

I had a local sheetmetal shop form me some strips of sheet metal into a 90 degree angle strip 1" X 1" X about five feet long, then I hand formed them to the curves necessary for around the window opening.

The same thing was used for the drip rail across the dutchman panel.

Everything else was done by hand, in my garage, by me.

The only "exotic" tool I used was my 110 volt mig welder.

After seeing all of the work that these guys put into making a Vega hatch work. I sometimes think it might be easier to just start from scratch and make one.


Links to disscussions about my Daytona clone, For the newbies:


http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,10669.0.html


http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,21596.0.html


http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,29685.msg324490.html#msg324490

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,32287.msg353161.html#msg353161



http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,56803.0.html

Did you use an english wheel to get the correct contour and a shrinker/stretcher to make the nice clean corners on the drip rail?

Awesome work!

[hotrod98]

"After seeing all of the work that these guys put into making a Vega hatch work. I sometimes think it might be easier to just start from scratch and make one."

I would love to have done just that on my clone but I just couldn't see paying the big bucks for the glass and then having to make the moldings. All this for a car that I may turn back into an original triple black R/T SE some day. The original parts are safely stored away.

[Daytona R/T SE]

Yes, and IMHO...yours is the best effort I've seen here.
Not to say that others aren't fantastic...yours is fantastic-er.

Since I already have a C500 back glass, when the time comes I hope to replicate your home-brewed window plug efforts.
I think using a Janek fiberglass replica as a pattern was a stroke of genius.
How many hours did it take for you to build your window plug? And what tools did you use?

Thanks.

I didn't keep track of the hours, let's just say ALOT !

As far as tools, I used a cutoff wheel to cut out the pieces, and around the window openings, etc. I have a nibbler that I could have used, but 46,000 C-shaped sharp little bastard pieces of metal flying everywhere just plain sucks!

I had a local sheetmetal shop form me some strips of sheet metal into a 90 degree angle strip 1" X 1" X about five feet long, then I hand formed them to the curves necessary for around the window opening.

The same thing was used for the drip rail across the dutchman panel.

Everything else was done by hand, in my garage, by me.

The only "exotic" tool I used was my 110 volt mig welder.

After seeing all of the work that these guys put into making a Vega hatch work. I sometimes think it might be easier to just start from scratch and make one.


Links to disscussions about my Daytona clone, For the newbies:


http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,10669.0.html


http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,21596.0.html


http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,29685.msg324490.html#msg324490

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,32287.msg353161.html#msg353161



http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,56803.0.html

Did you use an english wheel to get the correct contour and a shrinker/stretcher to make the nice clean corners on the drip rail?

Awesome work!

Nope ! Just my Dutch/Irish fingers !

[Daytona R/T SE]

"After seeing all of the work that these guys put into making a Vega hatch work. I sometimes think it might be easier to just start from scratch and make one."

I would love to have done just that on my clone but I just couldn't see paying the big bucks for the glass and then having to make the moldings. All this for a car that I may turn back into an original triple black R/T SE some day. The original parts are safely stored away.

Larry, The way I got into this project went something like this:

I was test fitting my Ted Janak fiberglass plug, and I just couldn't figure out how to keep the damned thing from cracking. Every time I would close the trunklid, the damned plug would flex...a lot. I had already considered the Vega plug, but after that day in the junkyard, that option was out.

I then contacted Dayclona about a steel plug, and was told it would be a six month wait, and about $3000.  Having already waited seven months for the fiberglass plug and the rest of my FG parts from TJ, waiting another six months and dropping another $3K was not an option.

So I got pissed and said: "God Dammit! for 3 grand, and a six month wait- I'll just make the F&%#ING thing."

The next day I raided the sheet metal off fall rack at work and brought home a few large pieces of 16 gauge and went at it. No plan. I just did it. I only had my Fiberglass Ted Janak plug, and a bunch of photos of HemiGeno's car to go by.

At that point I had no idea if I could pull this off, so I didn't even worry about the glass, I did have the lexan window from TJ to work with.

After things started looking good, I realized the lexan back window wasn't going to get it, so I spent the $675 on the glass.

The trim cost me $20 for the RoadRunner moldings.

The metal and my time (lots of it) were free.

So I'm into this stage of the project for $695...

I don't count the cost of the Fiberglass plug in this figure...since my leftover Ted Janak parts are currently for sale  

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,56075.0.html

End of short novel  

[moparstuart]

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,58760.0.html


  this one has a vega plug and it is fantastic

[Magnumcharger]

You can't turn the vega plug the other way because the bottom of the glass is 4 3/4 inches wider than the top. It simply won't fit the other way.
If you decide to try it, please post pics. I think it's going to look mighty strange with the top being almost five inches wider than the bottom. 

Thanks!!

[richRTSE]

Correction. You know I never noticed that the part number for the 71-74 Satellite/Roadrunner dutchman is the same as the 71-74 Charger dutchman, so that Satellite part should work.

So this part from AMD should work? Its a '71 plymouth piece ($199), they don't list one for the Charger. 

[hotrod98]

It looks the same as the Charger piece. Should work.
If you have already altered your deck lid, don't go this route. It won't fit properly. The deck lid has to be altered slightly different to align with the gasket ledge and to follow the slightly different radius of the 3rd gen panel.
The install is not as simple as it looks. You don't want to have a deck lid that leaks all of the time.

[oldcarnut]

Not mine but for while it's been on the topic.  Someone here maybe    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-DODGE-CHARGER-DAYTONA-REAR-WINDOW-PLUG-MOPAR-HEMI_W0QQitemZ130316050871QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item1e577121b7&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A317
For you guys that asked about the one I had send me your email address so I can send some pics.  Can't seem to find a link to add them to the messages.

[hotrod98]

That's way too much even for a nice hatch.

[Blown70]

Not mine but for while it's been on the topic.  Someone here maybe    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-DODGE-CHARGER-DAYTONA-REAR-WINDOW-PLUG-MOPAR-HEMI_W0QQitemZ130316050871QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item1e577121b7&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A317
For you guys that asked about the one I had send me your email address so I can send some pics.  Can't seem to find a link to add them to the messages.

wow, I would sell my two for that price... and they are as nice......  I agree way tooo much for a hatch....

[Rolling_Thunder]

Well I did not go get the hatch - I just can't store it...     it has minor just below the window and DOES have louvers...    but has trim and glass...    anyone else need it?  it is in SoCal and the guy wants a whopping $14

[richRTSE]

Well, I was out in the garage today and took a couple picts of a Janak plug and a vega hatch together....

[richRTSE]

definately looks like Chevy put their window in upside down...

[hotrod98]

Look at the pic again. Looks like Dodge put their glass in upside down. Most back glasses are made more like the vegas.

[Magnumcharger]

RichRTSE, thanks for posting those pictures!!!

[Back N Black]

That makes it real easy to pick out a Vagtona! 

[hotrod98]

Mine's a Daytovega.
Daytona in the front. Vega in the back.

[moparstuart]

Mine's a Daytovega.
Daytona in the front. Vega in the back.

I'm going to make a vegietona and make it run on vegie oil ( biodeisel )  lol 

[Old Moparz]

That makes it real easy to pick out a Vagtona!  

Man, you have to change that from Vag to Veg, or you'll be getting a letter from the lawyers at Vagasil.