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Vega Hatch....

Started by Rolling_Thunder, June 30, 2009, 09:18:36 PM

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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...

1968 Dodge Charger - 6.1L Hemi / 6-speed / 3.55 Sure Grip

2013 Dodge Challenger R/T - 5.7L Hemi / 6-speed / 3.73 Limited Slip

1964 Dodge Polara 500 - 440 / 4-speed / 3.91 Sure Grip

1973 Dodge Challenger Rallye - 340 / A-518 / 3.23 Sure Grip

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
1968 Dodge Charger - 6.1L Hemi / 6-speed / 3.55 Sure Grip

2013 Dodge Challenger R/T - 5.7L Hemi / 6-speed / 3.73 Limited Slip

1964 Dodge Polara 500 - 440 / 4-speed / 3.91 Sure Grip

1973 Dodge Challenger Rallye - 340 / A-518 / 3.23 Sure Grip

BigBlockSam

there getting harder and harder to find . i'd pick it up  :yesnod: :scratchchin:
I won't be wronged, I wont be Insulted and I wont be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to others, and I require the same from them.

  [IMG]http://i45.tinypic.com/347b5v5.jpg[/img

Magnumcharger

I'd buy the whole Vega if I were you.
Put your Charger drivetrain into it....it'll be a whole lot faster!! :nana:
1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S 340 convertible
1968 Dodge Charger R/T 426 Hemi 4 speed
1968 Plymouth Barracuda S/S clone 426 Hemi auto
1969 Dodge Deora pickup clone 318 auto
1971 Dodge Charger R/T 440 auto
1972 Dodge C600 318 4 speed ramp truck
1972 Dodge C800 413 5 speed
1979 Chrysler 300 T-top 360 auto
2001 Dodge RAM Sport Offroad 360 auto
2010 Dodge Challenger R/T 6 speed
2014 RAM Laramie 5.7 Hemi 8 speed

learical1

Quote from: Magnumcharger on July 01, 2009, 06:44:41 AM
I'd buy the whole Vega if I were you.
Put your Charger drivetrain into it....it'll be a whole lot faster!! :nana:

and uglier! :eek2:
Bruce

moparstuart

Quote from: learical1 on July 01, 2009, 11:31:32 AM
Quote from: Magnumcharger on July 01, 2009, 06:44:41 AM
I'd buy the whole Vega if I were you.
Put your Charger drivetrain into it....it'll be a whole lot faster!! :nana:

and uglier! :eek2:
:yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod:
GO SELL CRAZY SOMEWHERE ELSE WE ARE ALL STOCKED UP HERE

Magnumcharger

1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S 340 convertible
1968 Dodge Charger R/T 426 Hemi 4 speed
1968 Plymouth Barracuda S/S clone 426 Hemi auto
1969 Dodge Deora pickup clone 318 auto
1971 Dodge Charger R/T 440 auto
1972 Dodge C600 318 4 speed ramp truck
1972 Dodge C800 413 5 speed
1979 Chrysler 300 T-top 360 auto
2001 Dodge RAM Sport Offroad 360 auto
2010 Dodge Challenger R/T 6 speed
2014 RAM Laramie 5.7 Hemi 8 speed

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.


Normal is an illusion. What is normal for the spider is chaos for the fly.
Charles Addams

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.
               Bob               



              Going Nowhere In A Hurry

PocketThunder

Heck, just leave the vents in when you build it..?..??   :shruggy:      :popcrn: :popcrn:
"Liberalism is a disease that attacks one's ability to understand logic. Extreme manifestations include the willingness to continue down a path of self destruction, based solely on a delusional belief in a failed ideology."

dillon14

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


1970 Dodge Coronet R/T 426 Hemi 4-Speed 1 of 4
1969 Boss 429
1968 Shelby GT-500KR 4-Speed Convertible

Magnumcharger

OK...a question....what is an acceptable trunk drip edge (dutchman panel) donor?
(The part depicted in this picture)
1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S 340 convertible
1968 Dodge Charger R/T 426 Hemi 4 speed
1968 Plymouth Barracuda S/S clone 426 Hemi auto
1969 Dodge Deora pickup clone 318 auto
1971 Dodge Charger R/T 440 auto
1972 Dodge C600 318 4 speed ramp truck
1972 Dodge C800 413 5 speed
1979 Chrysler 300 T-top 360 auto
2001 Dodge RAM Sport Offroad 360 auto
2010 Dodge Challenger R/T 6 speed
2014 RAM Laramie 5.7 Hemi 8 speed

BigBlockSam

QuoteOK...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     :coolgleamA:
I won't be wronged, I wont be Insulted and I wont be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to others, and I require the same from them.

  [IMG]http://i45.tinypic.com/347b5v5.jpg[/img

Magnumcharger

So....a '73 Satellite should be the same thing, huh?
1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S 340 convertible
1968 Dodge Charger R/T 426 Hemi 4 speed
1968 Plymouth Barracuda S/S clone 426 Hemi auto
1969 Dodge Deora pickup clone 318 auto
1971 Dodge Charger R/T 440 auto
1972 Dodge C600 318 4 speed ramp truck
1972 Dodge C800 413 5 speed
1979 Chrysler 300 T-top 360 auto
2001 Dodge RAM Sport Offroad 360 auto
2010 Dodge Challenger R/T 6 speed
2014 RAM Laramie 5.7 Hemi 8 speed

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.


Normal is an illusion. What is normal for the spider is chaos for the fly.
Charles Addams

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.


Normal is an illusion. What is normal for the spider is chaos for the fly.
Charles Addams

Magnumcharger

Quote from: hotrod98 on July 01, 2009, 07:32:51 PM
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.... :2thumbs:
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.
1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S 340 convertible
1968 Dodge Charger R/T 426 Hemi 4 speed
1968 Plymouth Barracuda S/S clone 426 Hemi auto
1969 Dodge Deora pickup clone 318 auto
1971 Dodge Charger R/T 440 auto
1972 Dodge C600 318 4 speed ramp truck
1972 Dodge C800 413 5 speed
1979 Chrysler 300 T-top 360 auto
2001 Dodge RAM Sport Offroad 360 auto
2010 Dodge Challenger R/T 6 speed
2014 RAM Laramie 5.7 Hemi 8 speed

BigBlockSam

QuoteI'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.


:yesnod: yea what he said
I won't be wronged, I wont be Insulted and I wont be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to others, and I require the same from them.

  [IMG]http://i45.tinypic.com/347b5v5.jpg[/img

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.


Normal is an illusion. What is normal for the spider is chaos for the fly.
Charles Addams

BigBlockSam

looks good  from here   . ARE YOU DONE YET!
I won't be wronged, I wont be Insulted and I wont be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to others, and I require the same from them.

  [IMG]http://i45.tinypic.com/347b5v5.jpg[/img

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..... :shruggy:

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?
1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S 340 convertible
1968 Dodge Charger R/T 426 Hemi 4 speed
1968 Plymouth Barracuda S/S clone 426 Hemi auto
1969 Dodge Deora pickup clone 318 auto
1971 Dodge Charger R/T 440 auto
1972 Dodge C600 318 4 speed ramp truck
1972 Dodge C800 413 5 speed
1979 Chrysler 300 T-top 360 auto
2001 Dodge RAM Sport Offroad 360 auto
2010 Dodge Challenger R/T 6 speed
2014 RAM Laramie 5.7 Hemi 8 speed