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No Reserve: 1969 Dodge Super Bee

While owning a 100% original classic car is good, sometimes one that has undergone some changes will be an attractive proposition. That is what we find with this 1969 Dodge Super Bee because while its original engine might be gone, it doesn’t detract from the vehicle’s character and performance potential. It still has the ability to pin you back in the seat and to attract plenty of attention wherever it goes. This Super Bee offers all of this without the stress that can come with maintaining a pristine classic muscle car in completely original and spotless condition. It now needs to go to a new home, so it has been advertised for sale here on eBay. The Dodge is located in McHenry, Illinois, and bidding sits at $23,200 in a No Reserve auction.

I have said it before, but it does bear repeating. One of the great attractions to classic cars from this era is that manufacturers were bold and daring with their color choices. Code Y2 Yellow is by no means a subtle color and means that this is not a vehicle that will blend like a chameleon into the background. This Dodge is a car with an attitude, one that makes a statement. The color on this Dodge is original, although the vehicle did undergo a repaint in the 1980s. It has held up quite well and still possesses a good shine. The correct stripes and badges are intact, with the chrome and glass appearing to be in good order. The Magnum 500 wheels aren’t original, but I like their look and would be inclined to leave them on if I were to buy the Super Bee. One original (and desirable) item that remains intact is the Ramcharger hood. This appears to be in excellent condition.

It isn’t unusual to find Dodge offerings of this age riddled with rust, but this one packs a pleasant surprise. What you see here is the worst of it, and it has only impacted the outer rocker on the passenger side. The inner rocker is sound, while the frame rails and the floors look perfect. There are some small bubbles in the rear quarter panels, but patches would address these without resorting to panel replacement. There is surface rust in the trunk pan, but treating this would be dead easy.

When it comes to the question of changes, the most significant one to this Super Bee has occurred under the hood. The original 383ci V8 has gone, and in its place is another 383 with a 1970 date code. Bolted to the back of this is an A-727 automatic transmission. The 383 was the smallest engine offered in the Super Bee, but that doesn’t make it a wimp. With 335hp available under the right foot, the Dodge should be capable of storming the ¼ mile in 14.6 seconds. The engine bay is presentable, with no signs of any long-term fluid leaks or problems. The listing refers to the car as driveable, with the owner mainly using it on the weekends. Spending a sunny Saturday behind the wheel of this classic does sound like a tempting proposition.

The interior of the Super Bee continues the theme of being tidy but not 100% original. The high back bucket seats aren’t original, but I’m not sure whether the car originally featured buckets or a bench. The rest of the upholstered surfaces are in good condition and have no apparent problems. The headliner is said to be wrinkled, and the owner recommends replacing this. The original radio is missing, so this is another item that will need to be sourced. The only other thing that I can spot is some minor wear and fading on the carpet. This isn’t bad, and it might respond well to some dye. If this prospect doesn’t tickle your fancy, then a high-quality replacement carpet set can be found for around $220.

The Dodge Super Bee’s desirability can never be questioned, and even modified or non-original examples will generate plenty of interest when they appear on the market. That is the case with this 1969 example because there have already been 33 bids submitted. That indicates that there are a few people out there who like what they see. Do you agree with them? The bigger question is whether you agree enough to join the bidding war.

Comments

  1. Avatar Stephen Miklos

    Very nice Bee. Like you said buckets most likely replace the bench seat. I rarely seen a column shift with buckets and no center console. But it can happen. Great looking some rust not a big deal. Yellow and black is a nice combo. I would replace the carpet get a factor am/fm radio fix the head liner and have fun in the new year!! Good luck to the next owner!! 🐻🇺🇲

    Like 7
  2. Avatar Snotty

    Black Steelies, would go better with this paint scheme.

    Like 1
  3. Avatar Stephen Miklos

    Snotty.. I could see that with red walls and chrome lug nuts no hub caps aka dog bowl.. 😄

    Like 1
  4. Avatar William

    Not my kind of car. But I am curious as to why if it is not the original engine, why replace it with another 383? A 440 looks and fits pretty much the same, so why not? I bet the price of the two engines on the open market is not too much different.

    Like 4
  5. Avatar Troy s

    Looks like a dangerous yellow jacket all ready to sting, very nice ride. The 383 was the standard engine in these, the 426 Hemi was a costly option, the 440 six pack came later that year so the 383 was thee engine for most of these. Like William states, a 440 swap would have really energized this car.
    Nice high back bucket seats add to the street vibe dont know why but I’d rather have a Road Runner, there’s just a different look.

    Like 4
  6. Avatar Paul

    Best looking Bee I’ve seen in a while. Used to own 1. Wish I still did. Maybe someday

    Like 3
  7. Avatar EPO3

    It looks like it had a vinyl top because of the chrome trim on the roof.it just looks goofy am I wrong

    Like 5
  8. Avatar rod

    Don’t usually go this route but that’s not y2 yellow. Much lighter and called sunfire. Looks more like y1 top banana for 1970. This WAS a vinyl car with that trim and the ramcharger box isn’t correct for 69, That’s a 70 unit.

    Like 1
  9. Avatar rod

    Not original y2 repaint. Evidence of the light shade “sunfire” in the trunk. This looks to be y1 “top banana” for 1970. Ramcharger box isn’t 69 either. That’s a 70 unit. IS a ramcharger car n96, but also see it was a vinyl car too at birth.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Bruce

    I’ve seen a Bee at mopars in the park or Mn. Fair grounds that was green with that chrome strip yur talkin about. Look like vinal top till I got close. Black paint! From factory! Owner said , only one with those collars. Looked really nice

    Like 0

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