Charger Speedster - UPDATED - NEW PICS - ALMOST DONE!!!!

[professor-patrick]

Some of you may have heard of this project, but we've been keeping it pretty much on the downlow - until now because I am so excited to see it coming together in time for the Mopar Nats.  It's a 68-70 style Charger that's been heavily modified - starting with the removal of the roof!  Other interesting tidbits include functional dual fuel fillers, rear of car has been widened 3 inches, integrated rear spoiler, full front and rear seats, plus a few other fun mods.  GETTING CLOSE - Check out all the pics of the progress at

www.scotlea.com/ChargerRoadster.html


Dr. Patrick Hagerman
Scotlea Hot Rods Inc.
918-231-3605
patrick@scotlea.com

[Spike]

I like it  Hope to see it at the Nationals.

[charge69]

VERY interesting and a great project Dr. Hagerman.  I am anxiously awaiting the completion and I know just how hard this project is as I am in the middle of a restoration myself and it is very time consuming getting all the panels to match up , even on a stocker. Probably spend too much time getting it as perfect as I can anyway.

Yours is a bold venture and will be an eyecatcher for sure. Hope it all works out beautifully!

Carl

[Back N Black]

I like it! lots of hard work and mods gone into it. 

[BigBlockSam]

wow! that is very cool . 

[tan top]

clever work gone into that !    intresting    , not for me though , second generation shape perfect !!! as it left the factory 

[professor-patrick]

Yea, I understand it won't be for everyone.  I've built over 20 68-70 chargers in the last few years, and had this shell sitting outside being stripped of parts for a long time.  It was so badly rusted I almost scrapped it.  It even had holes in the roof you could stick your head though - there is very little of the original sheetmetal left.  I had this idea brewing in the back of my head, and after having a concept rendering done, I had to build it. 

[Mike DC]

Looks very nice Patrick.  I'm impressed.    And big props for using a unibody with a wasted roof to start with.

I'm pleased that FINALLY somebody tried building a Charger 'vert with the stock low windshield frame intact.  IMHO that has been the principal reason so many Charger verts haven't been as impressive looking as they should be.  The lines of the car reall cry out for the lower angled A-pillars of the hardtop.  

You've kinda lost me on the 3" widening job in back though.  It looks nice and subtle in the pics but I'm not sure how it's really an improvement on just narrowing & tubbing things like usual.  Just my opinion.  



What's the plan for the roof?  Over the years many people have talked about trying to keep the stock flying buttressed design with a cloth top.  It would be very impressive to see that carried out although it would be a big challenge.  (Personally I've always liked the idea of a removable hardtop of some sort. maybe an aluminum/fiberglass job or something, so that it would be reasonably easy to lift on and off by hand.)

 

[MoparManJim]

What's the plan for the roof?  Over the years many people have talked about trying to keep the stock flying buttressed design with a cloth top.  It would be very impressive to see that carried out although it would be a big challenge.  (Personally I've always liked the idea of a removable hardtop of some sort. maybe an aluminum/fiberglass job or something, so that it would be reasonably easy to lift on and off by hand.)

 

Askly the roof wouldn't be much a challenge when you really think about it. Haven't you all ever look at fold up beds? Look at how they are built on the moving parts that fold up. You be surprise where you can find idea ways from different things and how they work and put them ideas togother to do something on something else    . I can think of two ways to do a convert butterfly roof on a charger. 

[Darkman]

What's the plan for the roof?  Over the years many people have talked about trying to keep the stock flying buttressed design with a cloth top.  It would be very impressive to see that carried out although it would be a big challenge.  (Personally I've always liked the idea of a removable hardtop of some sort. maybe an aluminum/fiberglass job or something, so that it would be reasonably easy to lift on and off by hand.)  

AFAIK, a roadster doesn't have a roof. From what I gather, that is what is being built as opposed to a convertible.

Great job! I enjoy seeing other people's handy work and imagination at work!

[jeryst]

Cool.

I would like to see a 2nd gen Charger widened by about a foot, then lowered. Would give a Lamborghini or Ferrari lots of competition.

How about a retractable hard top? Now that would be totally cool, and an engineering marvel to boot.

[tan top]

Yea, I understand it won't be for everyone.  I've built over 20 68-70 chargers in the last few years, and had this shell sitting outside being stripped of parts for a long time.  It was so badly rusted I almost scrapped it.  It even had holes in the roof you could stick your head though - there is very little of the original sheetmetal left.  I had this idea brewing in the back of my head, and after having a concept rendering done, I had to build it. 

oh right i got it  deffo  clever fabrication stuff 

[professor-patrick]

This car won't have a roof at all.  It's not a convertible - wasn't interested in that.  That makes it mainly a fair weather car since it also doesn't have wipers anymore -the cowl is completely smooth.  But, I did plan for water.  The floors were coated in Por-15, then bedliner, then Dynamat.  No carpet padding, just rubber backed carpet, with the drain hole plugs accessible if water gets in and needs to be drained.  Also, the seat foams are covered in plastic under the vinyl so they won't get wet.  The dash uses 70 charger panels (hard plastic), and all the wiring is weatherproofed.  You can drive this in the rain if you wanted (and if you could see), or wash it and not worry about getting the inside wet.

As for why I widened the rear - I just wanted to see if it could be done and look good.  When I replaced the quarters, I attached them at the doors and then pulled each side out 1.5 inches at the back, so it's a gradual "flare" that isn't noticeable unless you measure the distance from the taillights to the outer edge of the fender.  This also had the effect of tucking the rear bumper in against the body nice and tight without any cutting.  The stock outer wheel wells would no longer reach the quarters, so the outer wheel wells are "tubbed", which allowed me to run a 14" wide tire without any other mods.

[mikesbbody]

What you had to start with was a great candidate for the project I really like it  I'm sure you will be asked by the Mopar Magazines to feature your Charger in their Magazines

[Tilar]

That has the potential to be a very cool car.  I like unique when it's done with style and that one sure fits the bill.   

[200MPH]

this is going to be great when its done!

[RIDELIKEHELL]

Very interesting can't wait to see it finished

[professor-patrick]

Check out the latest progress.... almost finished....