This 1970 Dodge Super Bee here on eBay is another offering from Mark Worman and no doubt comes with a fine pedigree, as it left the factory in the coveted FC7 Plum Crazy color and was originally equipped with a 440 Six Pack, the latter in the past tense as there’s now believed to be a 440 dated 1973 with a 4-barrel on top. It’s a project, but if you’ve got a strong set of B-Body skills perhaps you can get this one all straightened out and back on the road. The Mopar is located in, you guessed it, Springfield, Oregon, with 13 bids so far taking the price up to $18,300, not enough for a sale yet as the reserve hasn’t been reached.
The Super Bee came new with the sort of performance perks dreams are made of, including of course the 440 Six Pack (E87), 4-speed manual (D21), Super Track Pack (A34), Ramcharger (N96), plus more of the right stuff, so I have to agree with Mark that based on the goodies this one’s worth saving. But the condition of just the fender tag itself is a pretty good indicator of the level of corrosion the next owner’s gonna be facing.
If you’re a regular Graveyard Carz viewer, you may have seen the Bee featured on an episode that can be viewed here, where much of the attention focused on whether or not the NOM would fire after having been non-operational since sometime in the seventies. After determining it wasn’t frozen and oil was present, the big block finally ran for a few seconds after some primer fuel was poured inside the 4-barrel. Obviously, the intake and carb setup has been changed out to three 2-barrels since filming, with probably the best drivetrain news being that the 4-speed and 4.10 Dana 60 are both still present and the original components.
This one’s indeed a genuine Plum Crazy example and the outside is rockin’ a baked finish for those who dig that sort of appearance, but Mark uses the term dire straits on TV when describing the car’s overall condition, and while several of the exterior panels will probably be salvageable with some massaging I’m thinking at a minimum both quarters are going to need torching off and replacing.
Though the instrument cluster might be reusable, the pad is not and a better steering wheel will also need to be sourced, unless you can live with the cracking. But that pistol shifter is positive reinforcement of what a great Mopar this once was, and again I agree with Mark that despite all the issues this one faces it’s probably worth the restoration costs, which he’s willing to discuss if you’d rather drive it home than DIY.
From down below, things range from crust-coated to compromised, with the floors referred to as Fred Flinstone-style on GYC. But the Super Bee did survive the lift test, and although plenty of close inspections and necessary repairs will need to be made to the platform, just keep on staring at that Dana for inspiration if you get a bit frustrated during the restoration from the bottom side viewpoint. This one’s a major undertaking and far beyond my capabilities, but once all the hard work is completed by Mark or whoever I’d love to have this purple 1970 Super Bee sitting in my garage, how about you?
Man this makes my heart and wallet ache thinking about it. For one, seeing such a great American icon in this condition. I’m also guessing around $70K to get this machine standing tall again, then you’ll be kissing the 6 figure mark. If numbers matching…maybe, but you’ll have trouble just breaking even with this project. So many great cars were raced and abused. If we all knew back around 79 what we know now.
That’s the reason they’re not coveted. Most of them went to th boneyard years ago.
Or the local race track. Back in 69-71, I turned down probably a literal dozen RUNNING 56-57 Chevys and 64 Chevelle’s, all for $200 or less, because they were 4 doors.
This Bee deserves some love. Plum crazy and white is such a striking color combination. Without the original engine, not sure a full frame off resto makes the most financial sense. I’d hope to get the car safe, mechanically sorted and presentable and have fun with it. If you’ve got pockets deep enough, sure would be a pretty car all restored though.
Yes indeed Mike. Once again we see the reading comprehension of some is sorely lacking
These are really impressive cars. But the GC video of the underside shows just how rotted this is. I’m sort of surprised that you would take the chance of hurting the internals by starting the engine. It really doesn’t accomplish anything as no one would run this without a refresh after spending multi tens of thousands on the rebuild.
But it is TV… I think GC has a lifetime of restorations now and can cherry pick the ones to do without a deep pocket sponsor to back the lesser builds.
If it we’re the original six pack engine I could see your concern but it’s a 73 cast crank engine so the internals are scrap iron by most peoples standards.
I think with this one it may be best to put in floors, an interior, and make it mechanically sound the drive it. I don’t think a perfect OEM restoration is the way to come ahead on this car. I think you could have a nice none perfect driver for under 40 grand and a very desirable one at that. Would still definitely turn heads.
I’d rather transplant this 440 engine and trans into the 70 Super Bee you guys feature featured last week, whose body was in way better condition. That car had less rust and rot to contend with than this one does.
Too much for even Mark and his crew to revive. Couldn’t help noticing the old MI plate; this might’ve spent all of its time up there, and before going out west it succumbed to too much road salt exposure.
If Worman is selling this it only means a restoration is 2.5 times what it will be worth
Nasty. Can cars get COVID? I don’t see any past ownership respect for this vehicle. And that’s a shame. If you can’t take care of it, sell it. No, it’s too late now.
better get a gallon of Rust Mort JUNK
I had one in the 80s like this but a 383 and a 8 3/4 and a lot more rust than this one and this was in the 80s lol same color everything it was outside in the weather in a place called wahiawa on Oahu Island Hawaii and
This place always rains most of the year, this reminds me of that car a lot but this one is a whole lot better 🤙🤙🙏🏦🏦✈️💴💴💴
It also had the 5 star rims Instead of the rally’s shown here, sure miss that pistol 🔫 grip also 🥺😞
This will probably not sell like almost all of Worman’s EBay listings. He wants too much.
Yep….he’s passing so we should too…..hey and thanks Barn Finds for promoting his business – can we get a kick back on our membership fees ?
Clearcoat it and drive…
All the value in this mopar left with the original 440/6 pack. By 1973, the 440 was choked to death with smog equipment and pitifully low compression ratio pistons and heads. If it had a date correct 440 with the 6 pack carbs and intake I’d probably throw the necessary cash in to restore it, because any mopar with the 440/6 and 4 speed is worthy of restoring, just don’t expect to get anywhere near the amount you have in it when you decide to sell it.
It’s really a shame how far this plum crazy mopar has fallen, whoever let it get to this level of deterioration should punch themselves in the face until MY JAW hurts. Just shameful to let such a beautiful, legendary car rust away to almost nothing.
From past experience I’d never let myself get sucked into a car like this ever again! Mark is whoring out his brand passing off cars like this to the public with a sprinkling of his Pixie Dust.
Pull the good parts and create a graveyard for Graveyard Cars rejects. He could probably charge $20 admission to see the tombstones and offer $15 smoothies, with one flavor – Smooth Up In Ya!
Typical Chrysler “rot bucket”!
As opposed to? Let’s year your expert opinion of something that didn’t rot when subject to the harsh elements, eagerly awaiting your response.