Every brand wanted a slice of the muscle car market of the mid-1960s. Over at Chrysler, Plymouth had its GTX at the high end and the Roadrunner as a budget option; Dodge boss Robert McCurry wanted a cheaper entry, too, since the Charger was a premium offering. A design contest was staged and the name “Super Bee” – possibly derived from the B-body platform underpinning the car – was chosen for the Coronet-based muscle car. Slightly longer and heavier than the competing Roadrunner, the Super Bee sported premium badging and accessories, making it more expensive than its peer. But only two engines (including the Hemi at a hefty price) and one body style were available. Sales lagged as a result. By 1969, engine choices included the 440 V8, and body styles were up to three if you counted the Ramcharger hood option. Sales picked up considerably. Here on eBay is a 1969 Dodge Super Bee, bid to $23,600 but including a “buy it now” option at $47,500. This example is located in West Richland, Washington. With one repaint in the original Bright Blue Poly some 35 years ago and minor changes under the hood, this Super Bee is described as “better than a survivor.”
This car retains its original drivetrain with only 52,500 miles on the odometer. The 383 ci Magnum V8 generates 335 hp from the factory; this kit has been enhanced with an Edelbrock intake manifold, Edelbrock carburetor, electronic ignition, a new water pump, new gas tank, new sending unit, and fuel pump. The original distributor and intake come with the car. The stock mufflers are still installed and should be replaced. The transmission is the venerable 727 Torqueflite three-speed automatic. The seller has had the car since 2018 and has driven it about 200 miles a year. He indicates that the car runs well, with no smoke on start-up, shifting as it should.
The bench-seat interior remains in fine condition despite being delivered in white. The dash and headliner are free of flaws. All the gauges work, including the clock. Power steering and power disc brakes were standard – good thing too, since this is a big car. The seller treated the car to new wheels and tires, but the original wheels come with the car.
Despite the photo above, which looks nasty and isn’t the only rust spot on the car, the seller says the tin worm got its start thanks to plugged drain holes, which have been fixed. Remediating a few rust patches isn’t the end of the world, but I would bid that job out, and adjust for the cost in the price. This example is a plain vanilla version of the Super Bee, but Mopar muscle is hot these days so my sense is the buy-it-now is close. Here on Mecum, this 383 V8 with a date-code correct four-speed sold for $69,300, but here’s an automatic that didn’t sell at $42k. Are any muscle car fans liking this Bee enough to bid?
“Better than a survivor”. I dunno about that-looks like some serious rust issues there, though not as extensive as some we’ve seen. $47k for a BIN? Gotta set your mark somewhere I suppose but Michelle, your research belies that IMHO.
I agree, and I also prefer “survivor” cars to be really stock. Not that this guy has done this, but it’s so common that an ad will read, “all original! new paint! new motor! new seats! new exhaust! new … (fill in blank)!” and I am left wondering, what exactly is original??
When a car receives a repaint, it loses survivor status. Keep that in mind.
It still has the valuable stock mufflers that need to be replaced.
Ya, lol, yet kind of amazing, even with only 52,500 on the clock, to retain original mufflers. Seems like mufflers back then started rusting at the first sight of a puddle.
could be buffed out!
West Texas. My cousin bought this exact car brand new. The only difference was that his had A/C. I asked him why he bought such a great muscle car with a bench seat instead of buckets and a floor shift. He replied, “for dating”.
I walked by a sister to this car in a salvage yard in Oklahoma for years back when I was still scrounging interesting mopar stuff. That one was a 4 spd though. I always thought the blue/white/white would be a really pretty car restored, but back then 383 cars were nothing to get excited about, so it eventually got scrapped.
Dodge’s competitor for the GTX was the Coronet R/T. While the Charger could be a formidable muscle car, it was also available with a six.
And that six was a solid, though, humble choice. The standard 318 V8 was what almost all of them had. Too much performance got you in trouble with the law, your wallet, your insurance agent, and often, your doctor..and now and then, your friendly local mortician.
I got into trouble quite a few times with a 318 Belvedere – its not the engine that causes the trouble , its what you do with the car. And you can get killed driving your ’78 Honda Cvcc if you do stupid things at least as easy as dying in a big block car. Just stay on your porch if youre afraid of the bad ol’ V8 cars
There’s always a “Debbie Downer” in every crowd …
Thank you, Captain Obvious, LOL!
Do the hats in the back seat come with it?
Yes they do! Maybe add a few stuffed animals for that ultra creepy and dumfounding trend that we used to see in the 70s -80s.
The typical Mopar premium for a 4 spped car is +10%. That said, cars that have had the auto swapped with a modern 5 speed Tremec usually are about the same $ as 4 speeds, as long as the numbers matching 727 auto is retained in a crate. I would never let an auto dissuade me as long as the car is great otherwise.
“1969, … and body styles were up to three if you counted the Ramcharger hood option.”
No. Body styles were up to three if you counted the coupe (b pillar), hardtop and convertible.
Sometimes I wonder if the writers are paid for each comment. Otherwise, why wouldn’t they do some research and get the details right? Reference materials are easy to find (and I’m not talking about Wikipedia). I’m not trying to be harsh, but if I published inaccurate information at work, I’d be fired. Speaking of which, there was no Super Bee convertible.
Good point CCFFisher, point I was making is ramcharger hood is not a bodystyle. The body style was available in convertible but as you said not a Super B option.
CCFisher, it’s really become laughable.
Yeah, frequently bitching about a free service always makes sense. It’s always the same few.
These writers volunteer their free time to write the articles, and almost all of us appreciate the effort. If you could do a better job, you could run a site and write as many facts and figures on your own time as you like.
Nothing is holding you here. Maybe you are better off spending your time looking for a better site. No one will miss your “insights”.
Respectfully observing: the master cylinder and power booster are for a drum setup. The disk master was deeper had a wire clip to hold the cap and the power booster had two diaphragms, so it stuck out from the firewall more, and was typically painted black from the factory. However, as a ‘Bee this car could have the 11×3 drums all around.
Disc brakes were an option.
But…according to the Barn Finds “journalist”, they were standard!
So back in the day I had one of these. A 70. Aside from ugly nose it was a super great car. Drum brakes non power…which meant you actually needed to press the brake pedal with some force…
Three speed 904 torquflite…. Surprisingly light and would really rip. But it could get squirrelly- especially on wet pavement with its rayon ply tires….that’s why on a rainy October day with a “passenger” sitting very close on the bench seat, I customized the grille I never liked with a phone pole.
I think that happened to a lot of these!
Oh, and so was poer steering…who knew?
Note:
Car Has a Rally Dash in it. Tack, Clock, All other gauges.
Not all B- Body’s have it.
Nice car for the year !
Had one without the white top. I tried to post a picture of it. I’m a member now but I can’t get my pictures to post. BTW…I’ve bid $35K and planning on keeping a close eye on this one.
Hey it posted!
Car looks good . Good Luck on your purchase !
Best color combo for a ’69 B-Body, in my opinion.
Definitely the best color combination!!