When you look at this 1970 Dodge Super Bee’s visual condition, you won’t be surprised to learn that it has spent many years exposed to the desert sun. The current owner has revived the car after decades of inactivity and has decided to send it off to a new home. It is located in Salt Lake City, Utah, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. With bidding sitting at $11,099, the reserve hasn’t been met. However, the owner does say that the reserve has been set on the modest side.
The Light Green Metallic paint on the Dodge is original, although it is now pretty baked. The panels are straight, and the gaps are consistent, but some rust issues are to be addressed. It appears that none of this is structural, although it is in all of the usual locations for a Super Bee. That means we’re talking about the front floors, trunk pan, lower rear quarter panels, and some rust around the rear window. However, the frame rails and torsion bar areas are clean and sound. The trim is all present, and anything that is beyond simple polishing remains restorable. The passenger side door and rear quarter glass are missing, but the remaining glass looks like it might be okay.
The Super Bee had been sitting since 1984 when the owner purchased it. What he found was a classic that was numbers-matching, and it has managed to remain that way. What you get is a 383ci V8, a 4-speed manual transmission, and what is believed to be the original 3.91 rear end. At 3,615lbs, the Super Bee was not the lightest car on the block. That didn’t seem to have a massive impact on performance, because, with 335hp on tap, it was capable of galloping through the ¼ mile in a very impressive 14.6 seconds. Give it enough room and it could potentially wind its way to 137mph. Getting the Dodge mobile again has taken some work, but it does appear that it is ready to be driven and enjoyed. The 383 has been treated to a rebuild and has only been run for about one hour since the work was completed. The braking system has been rebuilt using a new master cylinder, new wheel cylinders, and all new rubber brake lines. The carburetor appears to have been replaced, as have the fuel tank and sending unit. A new TTi dual exhaust has been bolted on, but the original exhaust manifolds are present. The owner states that the Super Bee runs and drives. He doesn’t specify whether it is roadworthy. If it isn’t, then I suspect that it won’t take a lot of work to get it to that point.
After sitting exposed to the desert sun for decades, it’s no surprise to find that the interior of the Super Bee is baked. There will be plenty of work required to whip it into shape, but the owner does provide a sound starting point for this process. There are some new interior trim pieces included, and these are still in their boxes. The parts include front and rear seat covers, new door trims, new rear seat trims, a new headliner, new kick panels, and a rear package tray. The buyer will need to source a carpet set and restore the dash, but the parts that come with the car will provide a head start. Other items that will need to be located are an original radio, steering wheel, armrests, and many small trim items that will elevate the interior from being nicely restored to perfect. Thankfully, the original pistol grip shifter is still in place.
This 1970 Dodge Super Bee has the potential to be a stunning and potent car when it is restored. The process of getting it to that point would seem to be reasonably straightforward, and depending on where the reserve has been set, it could be well worth the effort from a financial perspective. Good numbers-matching examples equipped with the 383ci V8 have no real problems achieving prices of $35,000, although higher figures are not out of the question. If the restoration on this one is completed to the highest level, then a potential value of $45,000 is possible. Regardless of what its ultimate value might be, this Super Bee should be restored. After sitting for so many years sitting in the desert, it has earned the right to a bit of TLC.
Sun-fried, but ready for restoration! A new trunk pan, and maybe some patch panels on the quarters. 383/pistol grip/’C’ stripe…what’s not to like??
GLWTA!! :-)
Yeah, the interior is pretty much baked – that is until your eyes come to rest on that defiant and impending pistol grip shifter, rising up and beckoning of better days ahead.
the pistol grip shifter cough my attention immediately, then i noticed this is a bench seat car, man i would hate to me sitting in the middle, i love the floor shift car form the 50´s and before untill i’m the one in the middle most kids will never have the joy of hit the knee caps of who ever sits in the middle or the pain when your brother who you just made mad does it really hard,(been there done that) i will because we got ford trucks from the 40’s but other’s won’t, kinda feel bad for em lol so much fun to be the one doing it
This is one of those cars that’s appears to look considerably worse than it actually is. It has a lot going for it, factory 4spd, deep gearing, rebuilt engine, lots of quality new (in the box) and freshly installed parts on top of a desirable color combination. The bidding has been justifiably strong. Hopefully it finds a good home.
Steve R
So far at $13,099 Wow!! Ok it’s a True Super Bee WM23N0C but it will cost a easy $20,000 to make it right. And it still has 3days left. Still that trunk and what else will you find under it. Also how good is the metal on the body when you sand it down? The interior oh boy what fun that’s going to be… like said before Mopars are going up in price even the ones that needs plenty of love. ☺️🇺🇸
looks like a total toilet to me. much rather have a 70 goat.
Opinions, meh.
Thought you died of aids?
That front end is just plain wicked.
Would love to have it but wow MOPARs are just to darned sought after/expensive and agreed with a few of the comments and like that Demon, the ask is so bigh and the cost to make it right still looming large, this bee will beee a money and time sap and an obvious labor of love.
Kinda looks like the car from “Wheels of Terror.” Only thing is, though, this is a ’70. the Wheels of Terror car is a ’73.
I remember seeing these lined up, in a lot, across the street from Boch Olds/Dodge, in Norwood, MA. My father was looking to buy a new Coronet wagon, but the salesman looked like a mob hit-man, about 6’6″, and a long scar down his left cheek. I said “Dad, let’s get out of here.” He bought a Belvedere, at Central Motors, instead.
The rust is pretty intimidating. Not not be much left after it goes to the Stripper. Still most of what it needs is available in the aftermarket. This one would need to be a labor of love from an ROI standpoint but I hope someone will save it.