'69 Charger R/T convertible

[69bronzeT5]

I saw this today at a show down in Everett Washington. Still a project with no interior. Not sure if it was a real R/T or not...

[resq302]

As much as I love convertibles, it just doesn't look right on a charger.  Maybe is the roof line for me that makes the car along with the other body lines but I just can't see it looking better as a convert.

[A383Wing]

That's Darrens car...I don't know if it's a real R/T or not either....Bob would know

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

VERY RARE Recall Wheels 

[resq302]

VERY RARE Recall Wheels 

Im guessing they are not originals but the repros that are now out there.

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

VERY RARE Recall Wheels 

Im guessing they are not originals but the repros that are now out there.

How sad, everything can be faked now... 

[jaak]

Call me crazy...I sorta like it. Would like to see pics with the top up, though. The only thing I sorta don't like is the Charger script on the fenders....but I guess ya gotta put 'em somewhere with the roof gone 

Jason

[Nacho-RT74]

Nice job on it but

As much as I love convertibles, it just doesn't look right on a charger.  Maybe is the roof line for me that makes the car along with the other body lines but I just can't see it looking better as a convert.

[HANDM]

I saw it today as well, with the top up as I was late and it was raining by the time I got there. I gotta say it was not much improved with it up.
If it is the same car I have been seeing a the roundup over the last 18 years or so, it has REALLY come a long way.

Did you see the white race daytona hooked up to the trailer?? Might have been in the show and since I was so late, the owner had it hooked up and was loading it up. My son had to tell him "your not supposed to use a race Daytona for towing" after which he replied "like I tell everybody, we've restored them once, so we can do it again" priceless, I say, priceless!

I took a couple of crappy CP pics of the Daytona hooked up if any one wants to see em

[CB]

Charger convertible?

[bull]

Yup, same here. An answer to a question that shouldn't have been asked. Doesn't even look like a Charger without the roof.

[MoparManJim]

I think the reason why some of us say this kinda don't look right is because we haven't seen very many of them around. We are use to seeing the roofs 99.9% of the time   

That car is kinda growing on me when I look at the photos. Now only if they could make a tunnel roof soft top to put on that car.. now that might top it off with the looks 

[DonC1]

Gives me an idea...one could take a hardtop beater 68-9 coronet/satellite, cut off all the panels and bolt/weld on new charger panels...instant charger without the high buy in charger price tag...or not. This car possibly started off as a satellite rag or they stripped one for parts.

[MoparManJim]

Gives me an idea...one could take a hardtop beater 68-9 coronet/satellite, cut off all the panels and bolt/weld on new charger panels...instant charger without the high buy in charger price tag...or not. This car possibly started off as a satellite rag or they stripped one for parts.

Sense you mention it, I went back and had another look at the photo showing the pass side rear interior spot. Look at the rib formation there, and then look at a charger rib formation.. I do belive they are different.

[472 R/T SE]

If it is the same car I have been seeing a the roundup over the last 18 years or so, it has REALLY come a long way.

Different car.  I think Bob used to own the one you're talking about, green correct?

[8WHEELER]

If it is the same car I have been seeing a the roundup over the last 18 years or so, it has REALLY come a long way.

Different car.  I think Bob used to own the one you're talking about, green correct?

Well yes and no, actually they were both green cars, Bobs was a 68 ''from Richard Sias'' and Darren's is a 69.

Both were at several Seattle mopar meets, Bobs car never had an engine in it, after it was made into a vert.

Darren's is a numbers matching 69 RT ''440'' Charger, and now red, but the engine is not back in yet.
Two of these before pictures of Darren's car have been posted here before just as he was picking it up.
The other is of it at our show in Seattle in 2001.

Dan

[BrianShaughnessy]

Gives me an idea...one could take a hardtop beater 68-9 coronet/satellite, cut off all the panels and bolt/weld on new charger panels...instant charger without the high buy in charger price tag...or not. This car possibly started off as a satellite rag or they stripped one for parts.

Generally that's how these one-off ragtops start off life,  as a coronet / satellite ragtop - or at least they take a lot of sheetmetal and other parts from a donor.  Seen a few around.   What VIN tag they end up with is up to the builder. 

[tan top]

Gives me an idea...one could take a hardtop beater 68-9 coronet/satellite, cut off all the panels and bolt/weld on new charger panels...instant charger without the high buy in charger price tag...or not. This car possibly started off as a satellite rag or they stripped one for parts.

Generally that's how these one-off ragtops start off life,  as a coronet / satellite ragtop - or at least they take a lot of sheetmetal and other parts from a donor.  Seen a few around.   What VIN tag they end up with is up to the builder. 

yeah thats what i'm thinking this  charger is 

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

VERY RARE Recall Wheels 

Im guessing they are not originals but the repros that are now out there.

Originals had trim rings....and probably cost more than that poor Charger

[Old Moparz]

I love it! 

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,48966.0.html

And I'm still seriously considering converting my '68 Coronet one day.

[Magnumcharger]

Absolutely lovely!!!

I mean it!! FANTASTIC!!!

Now the nit picking part.....that standard B-body A pillar post. I hate that!!!
What it needs (IMHO) is the windshield and A posts of the hardtop, which is considerably different from the fourdoor/convertible windshield surrounds.
There is at least 2-3 inches less vertical height in a hardtop A pillar.

Since actions speak louder than words, and a picture is worth a thousand words...I humbly submit the evidence....

Original and modified A frames - check it out. Looks a whole lot betterer.

[Daytona R/T SE]

I've wanted to build a Charger convertible for Decades. 

I've just never been able to lay my hands on a 68-70 B-body convertible that either wasn't a total rust bucket, or big $$$$ and too nice to cut up...

...Now, with all of the AMD sheet metal that is available AND my extensive stash of second generation charger parts, I wouldn't even NEED a charger donor car to start with, just the B-body convertible, the credit card, and my junk pile...

Anybody got a Coronet rag top they want to unload? 

[1969chargerrtse]

   Ma Mopar didn't make them for a reason and I understand why. I don't like the straight up look of the windshield post/frame/glass on a conv Charger.

[Highbanked Hauler]

   rotz  Ma Mopar didn't make them for a reason and I understand why.

  Chevy didn't do a convertible  on the Monty Carlo either did they?

[noff57]

I hate verts. 

[472 R/T SE]

Other B body choices out there.  I hate the fact the rear window area is all completely lost.

[Magnumcharger]

  Ma Mopar didn't make them for a reason and I understand why. I don't like the straight up look of the windshield post/frame/glass on a conv Charger.

I agree...which is why I changed the post angle in the second picture...above.

[stripedelete]

Nice job on it but

As much as I love convertibles, it just doesn't look right on a charger.  Maybe is the roof line for me that makes the car along with the other body lines but I just can't see it looking better as a convert.

X3.  I'm sure Chrysler mocked one up back-in-the-day and saw the same thing.

[Skyview69]

I want to see it with the top up and then make a decision.   

[Magnumcharger]

I want to see it with the top up and then make a decision.    

Lookie here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dodgedeora/sets/72157607518259173/

[Charger´69]

No no and no, 2nd gen Charger and convertible  I don´t like, it doesn´t look like a muscle car anymore 

[375instroke]

The 4-door to hardtop windshield difference is obvious, but I never noticed it on convertibles.  If I was to do this, the top would have sail fins.  I've seen them on Fiero convertibles.  I understand that the top is the same as '67 and earlier convertible tops.  So is the windshield the same as a 4-door, or is it unique to itself?  All these convertible Chargers looked messed up.  They all cut corners, grafting Charger panels onto a convertible body, and calling it done.  People look down to installing a '68 grill on a '69, for instance, but a Coronet roof on a Charger is fine?  I don't think so.  The convertible rear window looks similar in size to a Charger window, so that could stay.  I'd at least extend the roof back in the corners and use cables to maintain the shape.  There are cables in there already, so it's not like it's a big re-engineering effort.  Lowering the windshield would be the big challenge.  Since the top is the same as earlier models, I think it looks that way because of cost saving measures, not because of some engineering necessity.  In the end, though, with the top down, it still looks funny, so I guess I'd have to leave the top up all the time.  What would be the point, then?  Just to show off?  The other B-bodies look OK with the tops down, but they look funny with it up, too.  E-bodies look fine with the top up, or down, and maybe that's because they were designed for that body.  Well, I hope someone that decides to do another one of these does it the right way.  I'd really be impressed.  Now, what to do about the rear upper door pads?

[Skyview69]

I want to see it with the top up and then make a decision.    

Lookie here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dodgedeora/sets/72157607518259173/

Hmmm...I'd have to say it is not for me however it is a Charger and it does look good either way

[Vainglory, Esq.]

For me the biggest question has always been whether there are sailpanel-esque parts of the top that allow it to flow into the quarters.  If not, it doesn't look like a Charger.

That shouldn't be a total deterrent though, since I'm sure they could be made with enough skill and time.  After all, if you look at the BMW 6-series convertible, you see that it can be done.  Admittedly not the best example, but at least clear proof that a convertible roof does not have to destroy the flow of the bodylines.

[MoparManJim]

You know, after looking at the photos and reading what all you said. I got thinking, I like building models all the time and doing different things to them and adding much detail as I can when I can.. I got thinking (yea I know that is scary  ) maybe later on down in the summer. I think I will get a revell charger kit and do a model charger convertible with a working correct roof on it  . I wonder if I could pull that one now that I think about it 

[375instroke]

Here's a Fiero as a Ferrari convertible clone with sail fins.

[chargd72]

How do you know if they're real or not?  There is a pair for sale on craigslist by me.

VERY RARE Recall Wheels 

Im guessing they are not originals but the repros that are now out there.

How sad, everything can be faked now... 

[bakerhillpins]

VERY RARE Recall Wheels 

Im guessing they are not originals but the repros that are now out there.

How sad, everything can be faked now... 

Are these original recall wheels? Pic swiped from ebay auction http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BUILT-383-MAGNUM-TCI-Tranny-MSD-CAM-Lots-O-Xtras-/230485016697?cmd=ViewItem&pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item35a9fa4079

Not a big fan of loosing the sail panels with a rag top.. 

[bakerhillpins]

I've wanted to build a Charger convertible for Decades. 

I've just never been able to lay my hands on a 68-70 B-body convertible that either wasn't a total rust bucket, or big $$$$ and too nice to cut up...

...Now, with all of the AMD sheet metal that is available AND my extensive stash of second generation charger parts, I wouldn't even NEED a charger donor car to start with, just the B-body convertible, the credit card, and my junk pile...

Anybody got a Coronet rag top they want to unload? 

You can apparently get all the tin from these guys:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,48966.0.html

The post is old so I wonder if they are still selling as I don't see a lot of Charger verts... Which is fine with me. 

[375instroke]

Did you get the right picture?  The original recall wheels weren't chrome.  They had trim rings.  I've seen two different centers and two different trim rings used.

[chargd72]

These are the ones I was talking about.

[resq302]

The appear to be the alluminum slotted rims. 

[bakerhillpins]

Did you get the right picture?  The original recall wheels weren't chrome.  They had trim rings.  I've seen two different centers and two different trim rings used.

Sorry, I wasn't suggesting they were recall wheels, just wondering if they were. I take it by your response that they are not which answers the question. 

[A383Wing]

Not a big fan of loosing the sail panels with a rag top.. 

The '68 Charger 'vert that Bob had was designed to have the tunnel back sailpanel design. Top was a "scissor" style like the mid '70s GM cars had. You would have to ask him for more details about it.

[bakerhillpins]

Not a big fan of loosing the sail panels with a rag top.. 

The '68 Charger 'vert that Bob had was designed to have the tunnel back sailpanel design. Top was a "scissor" style like the mid '70s GM cars had. You would have to ask him for more details about it.

Ok, so more like folks were suggesting with the BMW and Ferrari. I guess I could hold off judgment until I see a top like that but top down just doesn't do it for me at all.

[Old Moparz]

Not a big fan of loosing the sail panels with a rag top.. 

The '68 Charger 'vert that Bob had was designed to have the tunnel back sailpanel design. Top was a "scissor" style like the mid '70s GM cars had. You would have to ask him for more details about it.

Ok, so more like folks were suggesting with the BMW and Ferrari. I guess I could hold off judgment until I see a top like that but top down just doesn't do it for me at all.

I've only seen one Charger convertible where the person building it was trying to keep the roof line of a hardtop Charger. It was from the northwest & had supposedly been owned by a Chrysler engineer, then sold before it was ever finished. I am pretty sure a member on this site bought it & still owns it.

[Khyron]

These are the ones I was talking about.

gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme

[Magnumcharger]

I've only seen one Charger convertible where the person building it was trying to keep the roof line of a hardtop Charger. It was from the northwest & had supposedly been owned by a Chrysler engineer, then sold before it was ever finished. I am pretty sure a member on this site bought it & still owns it.

That Chrysler engineer was Richard Sias, and this is the car you're referring to.

[Old Moparz]

I've only seen one Charger convertible where the person building it was trying to keep the roof line of a hardtop Charger. It was from the northwest & had supposedly been owned by a Chrysler engineer, then sold before it was ever finished. I am pretty sure a member on this site bought it & still owns it.

That Chrysler engineer was Richard Sias, and this is the car you're referring to.

Yeah, that's the same car, just different photos. It was for sale on the internet for a couple of years & then one day it finally sold. I have yet to see a pic with the top in the up position. It may be why the project was never completed. 

[8WHEELER]

That 68 was in my garage for three years, after Bob bought it from Richard Sias, and the top was never put up.

It had the power motors installed and everything, but there was no other electrical to put the top up.

Dan

[Magnumcharger]

A bit of information passed along from another Charger buddy...a fellow who actually has another Charger convertible:
Hey Robin, I read the thread about the Charger convertibles on DC.com. 
I just figured I'd let you know that I was in the garage today, putting an exhaust system on the Charger'vert. I grabbed a tape measure and I measured the windshield height on the 'vert at both the actual windshield glass and the vent window height, and compared them to the same measurements on the 1970 V code Charger R/T that I just got from Troy.
There is only 1 inch difference between the convertible windshield height and vent window height, over the standard Charger windshield height, and vent window height.
The Charger windshield height is 21 inches, and the vent window height is 13 7/8 vs 22 inches on the windsheild height on the 'vert, and 14 7/8 on the vert vent windows. To use the standard Charger windshield height wouldn't be worth the aggrivation, because of all the glass no longer fitting the car properly.
If you lower the top 1 inch in the front, then you would have to lower the top an inch in the rear to keep the roof straight, this would cause the glass to no longer roll up all the way up. The only way to fix that would be to have all four windows cut 1 inch with that little notch on the door glass to recieve the vent windows. The windsheild of the standard Charger also has way more curvature at the top where the convertible windshield is straighter at the top by 3/4 of an inch.
This means that in the middle of the windshield where the top frame meets the windsheild the standard Charger windshield frame sticks out 3/4 of an inch beyond the convertible windshield in the middle of the windshield. The top frame would have to have to have the front of the frame reconfigured to fit the standard Charger windshield frame. I don't think it would be worth all the labor involved to do this for a gain of only 1 inch. I had looked into all this when I originally did the Chargervert.
Pete

[8WHEELER]

Here is a picture of that red 69 vert Charger with the top up, not a great picture though.

Dan

[375instroke]

I don't see what the big deal with the glass is.  People have been chopping '49 Mercs, and everything else, for decades, and have been able to deal with the glass.  The roof has to look right, whatever the cost or effort, or it's all wasted effort.

[Magnumcharger]

Here is a picture of that red 69 vert Charger with the top up, not a great picture though.

Dan

I think it looks a lot like a Coronet with the roof up.

[resq302]

Here is a picture of that red 69 vert Charger with the top up, not a great picture though.

Dan

I think it looks a lot like a Coronet with the roof up.

[69*F5*SE]

Here is a picture of that red 69 vert Charger with the top up, not a great picture though.

Dan

I think it looks a lot like a Coronet with the roof up.

At first glance I thought it was a Coronet also.  It looks better with the top up to me. 

[Old Moparz]

Aside from the glass height being different, the angle is different as well. One windshield leans back more than the other, & I believe it's the 2-door hard top that does. I have the interior windshield pillar trim from 3 different body styles, sets from a base Charger, from a 4-door Coronet, & also from several Coronet & Satellite convertibles. I was told over 20 years ago that the vent wing windows & frames, the triangle ones, from a '66 & '67 B-body, 4-door, are the same as a '68, '69. & '70 B-Body convertible. It makes sense since the 4-door doesn't have the same angle on the windshield as the 2-door.

I saved the 4-door trim I had in hopes of modifying them for my ragtop since the ragtop pieces are tough to find & mine were cracked. I compared the 3 sets of pillar trim, & the 4-door ones match the ragtop ones, but are longer because of the way the roof is. The 2-door hardtop sets have a different angle, so I seriously doubt the windshield can simply be "chopped" to fit. There's just too much geometry going on. Also, a friend of mine with a '70 Road Runner convertible, snagged a diver's door from a '67 4-door for free because he needed the window frame replaced on his car. He hasn't done it yet, but it does appear to be exactly the same part.

Please don't toss any front doors from a '66 or '67 4-door in the scrap pile, ragtop owners may need the vent wings. 

[moparstuart]

Aside from the glass height being different, the angle is different as well. One windshield leans back more than the other, & I believe it's the 2-door hard top that does. I have the interior windshield pillar trim from 3 different body styles, sets from a base Charger, from a 4-door Coronet, & also from several Coronet & Satellite convertibles. I was told over 20 years ago that the vent wing windows & frames, the triangle ones, from a '66 & '67 B-body, 4-door, are the same as a '68, '69. & '70 B-Body convertible. It makes sense since the 4-door doesn't have the same angle on the windshield as the 2-door.

I saved the 4-door trim I had in hopes of modifying them for my ragtop since the ragtop pieces are tough to find & mine were cracked. I compared the 3 sets of pillar trim, & the 4-door ones match the ragtop ones, but are longer because of the way the roof is. The 2-door hardtop sets have a different angle, so I seriously doubt the windshield can simply be "chopped" to fit. There's just too much geometry going on. Also, a friend of mine with a '70 Road Runner convertible, snagged a diver's door from a '67 4-door for free because he needed the window frame replaced on his car. He hasn't done it yet, but it does appear to be exactly the same part.

Please don't toss any front doors from a '66 or '67 4-door in the scrap pile, ragtop owners may need the vent wings.     

great info i need good vent window frames for my convert they are all pitted

[moparstuart]

  I have alway said build a convertible charger and you need a big wing on it to compensate for the loss of the sail panels
  these look great ,  no mistaken that charger for a coronet   

[resq302]

  I have alway said build a convertible charger and you need a big wing on it to compensate for the loss of the sail panels
   these look great

I agree.

[69*F5*SE]

Yeah, that kind of works for me too. It needs to have a wing or it looks kind of weird.  That's obviously a Woodward Dream Cruise pic.  I'd recognize that WRIF 101 billboard anywhere.

[Magnumcharger]

 I have alway said build a convertible charger and you need a big wing on it to compensate for the loss of the sail panels
  these look great ,  no mistaken that charger for a coronet   

Yes...but look close...NO VENT WINDOWS!

[MoparManJim]

 I have alway said build a convertible charger and you need a big wing on it to compensate for the loss of the sail panels
  these look great ,  no mistaken that charger for a coronet   

Do I spot a yellow Challenger in the back ground? 

[1970Moparmann]

 I have alway said build a convertible charger and you need a big wing on it to compensate for the loss of the sail panels
  these look great ,  no mistaken that charger for a coronet   

That looks great! 

Is the picture at the Woodward Dream Cruise?

[moparstuart]

 I have alway said build a convertible charger and you need a big wing on it to compensate for the loss of the sail panels
  these look great ,  no mistaken that charger for a coronet   

Yes...but look close...NO VENT WINDOWS!

interesting 

[Old Moparz]

 I have alway said build a convertible charger and you need a big wing on it to compensate for the loss of the sail panels
  these look great ,  no mistaken that charger for a coronet   

Yes...but look close...NO VENT WINDOWS!

interesting 

You have to wonder if they were removed to be redone, or if it was a hardtop car with the roof removed?   

[mauve66]

chopping the tops on older 30-50 cars was a little easier cause alot of them had straight flat glass in the doors and rear sides, no curve in the glass as it went up, notice i said alot and not all

[Brock Samson]

Any updates on the Converts?..

[wingcar]

I think Magnumcharger hit the nail on the head....it's the A pillar that looks out of place. 
To my eye they appear to tall and upright giving it a larger look than they should have.
Of course it all a matter of personal tastes, and I wouldn't turn down the keys if handed to me....
And, many are correct in that one of the styling features that makes the Charger such a stand out is the roof line.

All that said, it's still a beauiful car....

[Ghoste]

The "double diamond" sides don't lend themselves well to it either.  Only my opinion of course, but it gives the car a bent look without the roof.    Excellent caraftsmanship (sic) though.

[Old Moparz]

An old thread but still a good one.   


That company from down south, "Mars Mopars" that was at Carlisle with the Charger convertible on display, seems to have vanished a couple of years ago.   

They had an ad in the services forum here for a long time & a website but neither are around now. If the timing had been better for me I was going to trailer my '68 Coronet to them for the conversion but Murphy's Law had struck again. 

As for the Charger convertible looking weird with the top up, who cares? I mean the whole purpose of a ragtop is to put the top down & go for a cruise. Hardly anyone takes an old classic out in crappy weather so the top is almost irrelevant.

Here is the link with the photos I took..... http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?topic=46405.0;

[Back N Black]

Any updates on the Converts?..

Welcome back! do you still have the charger?

[472 R/T SE]

Any updates on the Converts?..

Welcome back! do you still have the charger?

Yeah, no kiddin'.  There's a moldy oldy.

Brock, I seen this Charger on ebay year or 2 back & thought of you.  I remember you wanting to see what this would look like on a car IIRC?

[tan top]

Any updates on the Converts?..

Hey Brock !  good too see ya              

[Brock Samson]

Thanks!  
 Still got the Charger, but there been huge changes in my life since we got married june of '14,..  
Meanwhile, The R/T has been languishing in the garage.
 We've done a home remodel that incl. removing a 60' Yucca tree that broke the sewer pipe, inside plumbing, a new electrical service and a host of Misc. issues to combine our to households into one..   (read "Two tones of shit in a one Lb. bag.)
 I'm just driving the Jeep Grand exclusively and it's been a perfect Swiss army knife of a ride, does everything well, (but sip gas). MPG's still twice as good as the R/T though.
 One action the charger has seen, has been as a literal parade float in the annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade, i posted a couple pics from the first yr. here I think.
 Who ever painted that '70 up there really screwed that up... SMH.. thanks for the tip,
they sure followed the photoshop pics made for me to the letter,.. too bad.
  Hey! Where the "Like" button?!  
Hope all is well with all of you!  

[Lord Warlock]

I still like it, when I first got my charger in the 70s my previous car had been a v8 mustang vert, and I always wanted to get a 2nd charger to lop the top off and try it out, took longer than I expected and eventually gave up on convertibles and moved on.  (as most do) I like the lines of the charger better than the coronet, and it looks good as a convertible, it does look like a coronet with the top up a little, bet it depends on the angle though.  Back in those days, cruising with 3 or more friends along was preferred, now parking tends to be the trend now.  4 door verts were popular at one time, now 2 seaters tend to be more popular.  The charger was a happy medium, looked like a 4 door, but only had 2 doors, and the vert top looks like it was made for it, even if it doesn't carry the shape as the hardtop. 

Getting the right top is paramount to a vert, have to drive it sometimes and may want the top up occasionally, so It has to look the part.  Most of the time they look ok. I've seen some poor examples done, especially with new challengers that people convert. 

[69bronzeT5]

Any updates on the Converts?..

Welcome back! do you still have the charger?

Yeah, no kiddin'.  There's a moldy oldy.

Brock, I seen this Charger on ebay year or 2 back & thought of you.  I remember you wanting to see what this would look like on a car IIRC?

Could be wrong....but I'm pretty sure that was one Travis used to own (it was all black when he had it)

[472 R/T SE]

So was Travis responsible for the guitar color work or the person who bought it from him?