With all the buzz the Plymouth Road Runner generated upon its debut in 1968, Dodge’s equivalent, the Super Bee, sometimes got overlooked. A comparable product, sales numbers of the Super Bee paled by comparison, and Dodge moved on after 1971. This 1970 Super Bee was a factory 440 6-Pack model, though the original engine has been replaced with one from 1969. It runs but needs some TLC and is available here on craigslist, where the asking price is $32,500. Our thanks go to “Curvette” for this bad ass tip.
The budget-minded Road Runner was based on the B-bodied Plymouth Belvedere, so it followed that the Super Bee would have its roots in the Dodge Coronet. The latter’s name wasn’t as gimmicky and used the car’s platform as part of the moniker. As was the case with the “Bird,” a 383 cubic inch V8 was standard, and two super engines were optional, the 426 Hemi and 440 6-Pack, which is how the seller’s car was built. Dodge produced 15,500 Super Bees in 1970 while the more popular Road Runner found 40,600 customers.
With its triple 2-barrel carburetors, the 440 6-Pack was rated at 390 hp, 15 more than the single 4-barrel, which was not offered in the Bee. The seller’s car (sadly, no fender tag) is said to be a real-deal “V”-code car (6-Pack), but the motor and 4-speed transmission are not original to the vehicle, so you’ll have to lose your dream of numbers matching. The odometer is broken, so the mileage on any part of this Dodge is unknown.
On the plus side, the body is said to be light on rust (aka “no rot”), and the interior is okay, so this is no basket case. It’s a running hot rod that does have a slipping clutch if you stand on the accelerator (and why wouldn’t you?). Estimates are that fewer than 1,300 Super Bees left the factory with a 6-Pack in 1970, so this is a rare car even though it’s not as-built.
Bees 🐝 clutch needs some more bite.
I know you’ll get it but for me it’s a little over priced.
I think this years nose looks like an Edsel,only it has 2 horse collars.
I was about to make a similar comment. Dodge missed the boat when they styled that snout. Where’s Virgil Exner when you need him? He couldn’t have done worse.
I know this’ll start an argument but the 440 6pack will run with a Hemi, it all depends on the driver. Can anyone tell what the original color is? If it’s black that’s a badass looking car.
I love this year Bee and Road Runner. The Bee always looks pissed off
The trend of putting wings on the trunk lid of every performance oriented Mopar can’t end soon enough. They look horrible, unless it’s on the trim tag, it doesn’t belong.
Steve R
I’d say the same about GM cars too. 442, Cutlass and Supreme, GTO, Le Mans, GS, Skylark. Never been a fan of spoilers. Outside of the GSX where the stripes are incorporated into the design, most only disrupt the body lines, IMHO. If the car came with one from the factory, fine. Otherwise, I don’t understand the fascination with them.
You’re right, the trend can’t end soon enough.
I bought a 70′ Superbee back in 87′ and even then someone had tacked that wing on after the fact. Was never a fan of them either unless they were originally ordered that way.
The same goes for wagons with surfboards on top.
You better be able to hang ten and carve up a wave 🏄♂️ w that look or you’re a poseur angliagt 😅👍
Surfboards on the roof of wagons is probably worse. I live near the coast and had several friends that surfed, the reason you bought a wagon was because the board would fit inside, or close to it. They’d fold down the rear seat and stick it in back, at most the tip was hanging out the back.
Steve R
I agree on the spoilers, the Camaro/Fbird ones were the only good looking ones. Another Bee worthless add on was the non working side scoops, my original 69 Bee didn’t have them, but my current project does have them, I guess I’ll keep them.
Fake scoops are all lame Chuck. 🚮👍
I admit that front grill has to grow on you and it does. I think the rear is the most macho muscle car made. The 68 Charger is a close second but no Mustang or Camaro even come close to mean though appearance.
There is so many things wrong with this for the price and most here have zeroed in on the wing.
There’s plenty to like here and I can appreciate the seller’s honesty about the car. Plum crazy all the way.