How to be different: 1968 Charger convertible

[Haymondhomesinc]

I'll risk upsetting the purists and post the following question: If I wanted to create a 1968 Charger convertible, what's the best way to go about it? I do not wish to destroy a potentially valuable restoration project, nor do I want to pay a fortune for my jumping off point.
I'm a Pontiac guy so my depth in Mopar is limited. Is it as simple as taking any 1968 B body convertible and bolting on the front clip? I saw a picture of one for sale years ago, so it seems possible. I want the '68 charger front end, but do I have to stay with a '68 donor or will '69's and 70's donors work as well? Can I take any of these that started life as a coupe/ hardtop and remove it, or is it true that cars which left the factory as convertibles have stiffer frames? Are there conversion kits for this, or is anyone offering aftermarket windshield frames? What other potential landmines might I step on? I'd like to have it appear as close to factory as possible.
Please don't respond with trashy e-mails. As I said, I'm looking to create something a little different without destroying a car which should be saved.

 

[moparstuart]

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

mars will make it for you

 

[moparstuart]

I have always wanted to make one of these to match my birdible

 

[old tired rebel]

Those Chargers look great too bad the factory didn't build a few thousand.

 

[moparstuart]

my personal feeling are that the sail panels are beautiful on a charger and make the car. That roof line is just awesome . So really the only way I like them as a convert is with the huge wing to make up for the loss of the sail panel . My 2 cents

 

[daredevil]

Maybe use a coronet vert and graft the charger rear and bolt on a charger clip so you have a factory vert car with reinforced frame and working top.

 

[moparstuart]

Maybe use a coronet vert and graft the charger rear and bolt on a charger clip so you have a factory vert car with reinforced frame and working top.

thats what mars does they completely reskin a coronet or satelite convertible, this would really be the only way to go .

 

[Haymondhomesinc]

So it can be done, but to make sure I understand: Mars is taking Satellites or Coronets and adding the front clips/ rear grafts or are they chopping the tops of existing Chargers?
While were at it, what's ya'lls opinions of aftermarket chassis I see offered at around $11,000? Then all I'd need is running gear and convert body.
One more: Why does it appear to me that the tops of the rear fenders on a Charger have a little more upwards arc than a Satellite or Coronet's? Am I seeing things?

 

[daredevil]

you must be drinking that hill country hooch. j/k You sure live in some pretty country.

 

[69 Runner]

66 Charger FRAME?????? :edgy:

 

[ACME A12]

66 Charger FRAME?????? :edgy:

Yeah, it's probably because the '66 front coil springs are stronger than the later versions...:rolling:

:grin:
ACME

 

[moparstuart]

So it can be done, but to make sure I understand: Mars is taking Satellites or Coronets and adding the front clips/ rear grafts or are they chopping the tops of existing Chargers?
While were at it, what's ya'lls opinions of aftermarket chassis I see offered at around $11,000? Then all I'd need is running gear and convert body.
One more: Why does it appear to me that the tops of the rear fenders on a Charger have a little more upwards arc than a Satellite or Coronet's? Am I seeing things?

mars reskins the whole car with new AMD charger sheet metal

 

[Haymondhomesinc]

Got it. Seems like a lot of work/ money to reskin. No doubt the roofline and sails are awesome, but having something off the wall is pretty alluring. If I go for it, I'll take one of these Chargers that have rotted roofs due to the vinyl tops. I would probably go for no top as this car would never see rain anyway. What would I do for a windshield frame?

 

[moparstuart]

start with a convert , people who have started with a charger have had major problem with windshield and top . start with a convert .

 

[Revhendo]

Wait Wait Wait,
Who's offering an aftermarket chassis?
Which model of 66 Charger had a frame?

And yes, it's a lot of work to reskin a vehicle, but you do want it to look right and not like you just took a sawzall to your car don't you?

 

[Haymondhomesinc]

O.K., no chopped tops. As far as the chassis go, they were on e-bay awhile back, but I haven't seen them lately. The company was offering chassis set ups for several popular muscle cars and they were approaching the $12,000 range.

 

[moparstuart]

just weld in the frame connectors everyone does and the convertibles have hemi torq type boxes already . here are my frame rail connectors just made out of square tube , but mopar makes a bolt in kit now too .

 

[Revhendo]

Stuart, did you make your torque boxes? Do you or anyone else have patterns for them?

 

[69HEMICORONETR/TCONV]

I would like to have one of these, but a complete re-skin has GOT to be a pain in the a** !

 

[moparstuart]

Stuart, did you make your torque boxes? Do you or anyone else have patterns for them?

mine where all bent up from someone using them for a jack point. so we did make a skin and reskin mine , because we made them almost 13 year ago now.

they make them now ( repop ) http://www.autorust.com/m_boxi_1.html