68 Charger "Vert" - Some Think It's Crazy Others Think It's Visionary

[69ChargerVert]

I was 15 years old when dad called to let me know he had found a car for me. Imagine my surprise when he showed up with a sublime green 69 charger. (I wanted an AMC Gremlin) I wasn't too excited about the car, that is until I stomped the petal on that meaty 383. I was hooked. Turned the big five-o this year and am looking for a little youthful inspiration so to speak. I'm looking to build a 68 Dodge Charger convertible resto mod, she'll look stock but have all the best of modern technology. I understand this may be considered blasphemy for hardcore Dodgers, but I've just fallen in love with the renderings I've had done.

My question is this... apparently there is someone named "Mars" who has built some Charger "verts" - where can I get more information?

Also, I've read you can basically buy any "B" body, pull the existing sheet metal and replace it with new Charger sheet metal. Is this a possibility?

Looking forward to being a part of this community.
Thx,
Tim

 

[1970beep]

Several have been built. Your renderings look great. I always wanted to do one of these in a 1/25 model.

Here are some links for you to read
http://www.ridelust.com/one-of-none-1970-dodge-charger-convertible-on-ebay/

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2011/08/26/hemmings-find-of-the-day-1970-dodge-charger-daytona/

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,48870.0.html

Good luck and welcome aboard, John

 

[super-bee_ski]

I like it!

Welcome aboard 68RTX
Thanks for joining the Forum.

From the "Great state of Texas" i see.

 

[Redhorse719]

Welcome to the best MOPAR site! Good luck with your endeavor. You really wanted a Gremlin? Nooo.

 

[747mopar]

There are a few I'm sure that will scream bloody murder............................ I'll just say "me likey". If it comes out like your renderings I'll be in love with it and cheering you on the whole way, Badass. As for the sheetmetal I just finished my 69 Charger and there is a few more differences between the Chargers and others. The roof is obviously different which doesn't matter to you seeing how it's coming off, the front ends (rear seats forward) are "as far as I know" identical and most everything rear of the axle is different (trunk pan, trunk opening, rear valence, etc). I would just pick up a catalog and look up the different parts and what they are listed for, you'll notice allot of "fit's blah blah blah but not CHARGERS". Good luck, sounds awesome.

 

[A383Wing]

A local 69 Charger up here that is done right and really a looker....

 

[69ChargerVert]

Thanks John, I'll look into those links. Good to be aboard!

 

[69ChargerVert]

Glad to be on board. Thanks sbs

- - - Updated - - -

What can I say? I was just a dumb 15 year old... glad I saw the "mopar" light!

- - - Updated - - -

What can I say? I was just a dumb 15 year old... glad I saw the "mopar" light!

 

[Propwash]

Your the first person I've ever heard that actually wanted a Gremlin...lol Best of luck on your Charger drop top. Should be a pretty cool project!

 

[roadrunnerman]

At least he didn't say he wanted a Pacer. Will be nice to see you do the charger convert

 

[Sixpaksteve]

Welcome to the site 68TRX! I agree re your drawings/renderings..... very nice! The factory could have used those back in '68, or even today. (Why is there no Challenger convertible today to compete with the Ford Mustang and Chevy Camaro drop tops?) :sad1:

If you do pursue building your own Charger convertible, remember that when the factory did design/build a convertible version of a particular model the convertibles were somewhat different structurally. For example, my 64 Polara convertible has a horizontal support brace attached to the 1/4 panels that you won't find on a hardtop Polara. Length-wise, this brace it starts about midway in the trunk and then runs up to where the rear seat is.

 

[69ChargerVert]

At least he didn't say he wanted a Pacer. Will be nice to see you do the charger convert

The sad thing is we had a Pacer too... not sure what my parents were thinking!

 

[Photon440]

Your the first person I've ever heard that actually wanted a Gremlin...

What about the over 670,000 people that bought new ones?

 

[Ron 73]

What about the over 670,000 people that bought new ones?

He didn't meet them ones

68RTX, I love the renderings you had done,, and im not the youthful ones your looking for i reckon but i love the idea! It will be a resto-rod and i wonder how many with one of these B-Bodies that isint made into a convertible have wished they could be riding down the highway in one! Ragtops are cool and i think if you pulled into a cruise night location with one some hot summer night you would have a lot to explain and im thinking all good stuff!!! Im soon here to turn 59, but a concept like this is something i like considering its a rag top, thats all, you haven't changed but the roof and its still a Charger, just a bit cooler with a long haired lady in the P-seat with it blowing around and the tunes ring out and man, im getting carried away with a fantacy i may have to explain if my wife sees this! ROFL.. GO for it!!! :blob1::blob1::blob1::blob1:

 

[440+6]

Welcome, great concept, I have seen pics of Chargers without roofs but never in person. Your drawings look great you make me want to cut the roof off of my GTX

 

[old_skool]

I'm one of the few that actually liked the Gremlin, Hornet, Rebel and still love the AMX/Javelins

 

[BIGSHCLUNK]

I have a buddy w a built up Gremlin. Built 401 subframe connected. Really scoots!

 

[TekHousE]

You wanted a Gremlin, but got a '69 Charger..Oh, I feel so sorry for you..NOT!

Imagine the direction your life would have taken if you hadn't owned a Mopar!!

 

[Ron 73]

I'm one of the few that actually liked the Gremlin, Hornet, Rebel and still love the AMX/Javelins

I think the black on that little big boy makes it look pretty cool, i hated them back in the day but like a lot of them this many years ahead, including my 73, i really have changed my likes of the cars...

 

[A383Wing]

i really have changed my likes of the cars...

me too the older I get