Challenger SE vinly trim location

Can anyone in the forum with an SE make a few measurements between the trim on the SE back window and the vinyl top trim mounted on the dutchmen panel? mabye 1 measurement at each corner piece and then 1 on the centerline. I got rid of my original dutchman panel and now need to drill some mounting holes , any help is appreiciated.No matter how I adjust the trim it seems like it won't cover the seam between the rear window plug and the dutchman (see picture) trim is for an SE and isn't twisted or bent

thanks
John

The trim won't cover the seam. It appears to sit correctly in your picture. Originally the window plug has a thin insulation-like material glued to it. The vinyl is not actually glued to the plug, it is only glued to the metal, and stretched over the plug, and glued in the window channel as well. At the bottom, on the dutchman panel, it is only glued to the edge of the panel under the trim. In addition, there is a thin stainless strip (3/8" or so wide) that is screwed down to help hold the edge of the vinyl in place. This is all covered by the trim.

This is what I found on my RT SE. It had original paint and top before I restored it. Attached are a few pictures with some measurements. Unfortunately I don't have digital pitures of it when it was all apart.

One more.

Material on the window plug.

Material, 2nd pic. It is very soft and highly compressible.

Ok, Thanks for the pics,
So the vinyl top trim will ride just below the plug seam at the centerline and cover the seam at the corners? where is the thin 3/8" piece fastened to help hold the vinyl top down, on top of the dutchman, or in the window channel? I know that piece wasn't there when I took this apart, but the top was probably not original.

john

The 3/8ths strip is on top of the dutchman panel, right under the trim. It is definitely a factory piece, my car was never apart before. I don't know if all SE's would have that, as mine is a very early build date.

Thanks for all the info, I guess the highly compressable insulation would be there for any misalignment of the plug which should probably be flush with/or below the surface of the roofline, I also understand that sometype of metallic tape was used to cover over the screw holes on the plug,
so just to double check the install, I will stretch the vinyl top over the plug, glue inside the window channel and install the 3/8" stainless keeper, does that sound right

thanks again
john

Looks good. Gotta love those RT/SE's!

Tav

Quote:

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Thanks for all the info, I guess the highly compressable insulation would be there for any misalignment of the plug which should probably be flush with/or below the surface of the roofline, I also understand that sometype of metallic tape was used to cover over the screw holes on the plug,
so just to double check the install, I will stretch the vinyl top over the plug, glue inside the window channel and install the 3/8" stainless keeper, does that sound right

thanks again
john

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Yes, that sounds about right.
Mine didn't have any tape on the screw heads, probably as it is a very early build date car, but I've seen that on other SE's.