This 1971 Dodge Super Bee is a pretty sad sight, and you must scrutinize the seller’s listing images to appreciate how stunning it would have been in its prime. However, once you delve below the surface, it is a surprisingly solid project candidate featuring a 383ci V8 under the hood. Adding to its appeal is the seller’s relatively affordable asking price. They have listed this promising project here on eBay in Arlington Heights, Illinois. They set their BIN at $6,500, and it appears that figure might be fairly firm.
The 1971 model year marked the end of the line for Dodge’s iconic Super Bee, as the company discontinued production at the end of the year. The badge would make a return, but enthusiasts had to wait until 2007 for that to happen. This final-year Super Bee would have been stunning in its prime, ordered by the first owner in Light Gunmetal with a Black vinyl top. It may be a muscle car, but that combination, the grille with the hidden headlights, and the Rally wheels would have given the car a classy, luxurious look. Those days might seem far behind it, with the factory paint hidden beneath Gray primer, visible rust and surface corrosion, and the panels sporting a few bumps and bruises. Given little more than a cursory glance, it would be easy to dismiss this classic as beyond salvation. However, the exterior penetrating rust is confined to the passenger-side lower rear quarter panel, while the interior shots confirm that apart from a couple of small repairable spots, the floors are solid. The cowl also requires attention, but its problems are also said to be quite minor.
The seller believes that this Super Bee is a numbers-matching classic. Its first owner combined a 383ci V8 with a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission and power brakes. The 383 fell around the middle of the available engine selection, producing 300hp and 409 ft/lbs of torque. Those figures confirm that the Super Bee could legitimately be considered a genuine muscle car. Sadly, the seller confirms the V8 is stuck, and it appears they haven’t tried to get it to turn over. It might respond to a dose of Mystery Oil, but I have also seen enthusiasts achieve surprising results by filling the cylinders with diesel. I was initially skeptical, but it actually makes perfect sense. Due to its lower viscosity, diesel will often seep into confined areas more readily than oil. It would cost nothing to try, and might prove to be a worthwhile strategy.
The color combination set by this Dodge’s exterior continued inside this classic, with the upholstered surfaces finished in Gunmetal vinyl. The first owner spent a bit extra on a few creature comforts. They ordered the car with air conditioning, a console, a six-way driver’s seat, and Rallye gauges. Someone has swapped the front seats, and the radio is missing. Otherwise, this interior is complete. It requires a total restoration, which won’t be cheap. However, a retrim represents an excellent long-term investment that should remain stunning for decades if treated respectfully.
We’ve recently seen a few relatively affordable project candidates cross our desks at Barn Finds, and this 1971 Dodge Super Bee continues that trend. Restoring the car to its former glory will require dedication, but it looks far from a lost cause. The seller is willing to provide additional photos, and I would ask for a few underside images to confirm that the rails and other structural areas are as solid as they suggest. If that proves the case, this Super Bee could be a winner.
409lb/ft was nice for 71′ 🏁