73 Charger SE vinyl top delete

[Hilljack68]

I'm pondering a slight conversion of my 73 Charger opera windows. I like the louvers, but not a fan of the vinyl top. This is a low-budget, drive-it-ugly monstrosity project. Just a wicked BB stroker under the hood of a seemingly ugly beater (obviously not the car presented below).

Has anyone undertaken the work necessary to change this...

...to this?...

Interested in tricks, tips, and potential pitfalls. Thanks boys!

 

[moparsaver]

Leave it as built.

 

[Hilljack68]

Leave it as built.

I appreciate your opinion, but I asked for anyone's experience in doing it; not opinions on whether or not I should.

 

[moparsaver]

I appreciate your opinion, but I asked for anyone's experience in doing it; not opinions on whether or not I should.

 

[Hilljack68]

 

[Nacho-RT74]

Vibrations cracking the bondo filler down the paint is the issue I can see.

Hence the reason for the vinyl top.

 

[Biopack]

There are studs for the trim that will need to be cut if you want it smooth. The other item is the trim lines up directly with the front window trim. I don’t see it in the 2nd pic above so delete possible. Just my thoughts.

 

[Hilljack68]

There are studs for the trim that will need to be cut if you want it smooth. The other item is the trim lines up directly with the front window trim. I don’t see it in the 2nd pic above so delete possible. Just my thoughts.

Yeah, if I pull the trigger on my sinister plan, I would remove the studs. As far as the other trim lining up (and looking decent)... that'll certainly take a little finesse.

 

[70chall440]

Your car, build it as you want it. It is a bit of a PIA to remove all of the studs and will require some paint afterwards but it is definitely a possibility and not super hard to do. Remove the trim, peel off the roof, cut off the studs, grind them flush, prime/fill and paint. Know that in some cases the studs can fall in after cut leaving a little hole.

 

[Nacho-RT74]

I know is an opinion and you don’t care LOL. BUT I can’t stand the SE louvers without the vinyl.

 

[YY1]

Agree on it being your car...

But that plastic plug doesn't really look finished if you remove the vinyl.
It's designed to accept the vinyl, to fill the gap.

You can kind of see it in your "after" pic.

 

[Justasgood]

I'm pondering a slight conversion of my 73 Charger opera windows. I like the louvers, but not a fan of the vinyl top. This is a low-budget, drive-it-ugly monstrosity project. Just a wicked BB stroker under the hood of a seemingly ugly beater (obviously not the car presented below).

Has anyone undertaken the work necessary to change this...

View attachment 1959180

...to this?...

View attachment 1959182

Interested in tricks, tips, and potential pitfalls. Thanks boys!

I have the same model. And I agree that it is your car so do as you like. I am not a fan of the louvres without the top with 1 caveat: If you do the vinyl delete, get a louvre for the rear window. I feel that this would at least give the side louvres a place of belonging.

 

[Hilljack68]

If you do the vinyl delete, get a louvre for the rear window. I feel that this would at least give the side louvres a place of belonging.

Not a bad idea.

 

[YY1]

If you find one for less that $2500, let me know.

 

[Runcharger]

Remove vynil, paint louvers black.

 

[Hilljack68]

I know is an opinion and you don’t care LOL. BUT I can’t stand the SE louvers without the vinyl.

But that plastic plug doesn't really look finished if you remove the vinyl.
It's designed to accept the vinyl, to fill the gap.

I'm kind of in a tough spot. The vinyl top was gone when I bought the car. With my intention of leaving her rough, I can't put a shiny new top on it... but I'm not sure I want that mess behind the louvers. Well, if I'm going to drive her ugly anyway... maybe just leave it as is.

 

[WileE]

Seeing your pic, I'd paint the louvers body color. The top pic shows the black louvers sticking out like an ugly, wayward Buick gone haywire.

 

[RSMS]

I'm kind of in a tough spot. The vinyl top was gone when I bought the car. With my intention of leaving her rough, I can't put a shiny new top on it... but I'm not sure I want that mess behind the louvers. Well, if I'm going to drive her ugly anyway... maybe just leave it as is.

View attachment 1959718

If your going for the “as found”
Look I would leave it as it is. It looks good just the way it is