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Original 440/Six-Pack: 1970 Dodge Super Bee

Walking into a Dodge dealership in 1970 to order a shiny new Super Bee could have been a traumatic experience. The reality was that there wasn’t a bad motor in their range, with every version of the Super Bee capable of producing a sub-15-second ¼-mile ET. So, what to choose? Most buyers found that budget dictated their choice, while others threw caution to the wind. It seems that the original owner of this Super Bee decided to tread the middle ground because its engine bay houses the legendary 400ci Six-Pack. It presents well for its age and should offer no shortage of power if the driver buries their right foot. It is a classic that needs a new home, so the owner has listed it for sale here on Craigslist. Located in Lido Beach, New York, the owner has set his sale price at $67,500. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Pat L for spotting this classic muscle car for us.

Finished in Bright Red with a Black vinyl top, the overall presentation of this Super Bee is difficult to fault. The paint holds a good shine, with no significant issues. The seller indicates that some of the paint is original, but it isn’t clear how much. The vinyl top is also excellent, with no fading and no bubbling that might indicate that it hides nasty surprises. The owner doesn’t mention problems with rust, and while there is some surface corrosion visible on the inside of the trunk, the floors look rock-solid. The same is true of the frame rails, with the prone rear rails looking particularly clean. The stripes and decals look crisp, the exterior trim is in excellent condition for a survivor, and the glass appears flawless.

If some questions are hanging over the originality of this Super Bee’s paint, no such confusion exists with its interior. The Black vinyl upholstery is original, and it appears excellent for its age. The same is true of the carpet and the faux woodgrain trim on the dash and console. The pad is crack-free, and there are no aftermarket additions. The original AM radio is intact, and the oh-so-cool pistol grip shifter pokes purposefully from the console. The interior needs nothing and should draw favorable comments wherever this classic goes.

As previously mentioned, Dodge didn’t include a bad engine in the Super Bee’s armory. If money was no object, buyers could select a 426ci Hemi. The more conservative route was the 383ci Magnum, but the original owner of this Dodge walked the middle ground. Lifting the hood reveals the legendary 440ci Six-Pack that churns out 390hp. The original owner kept ticking boxes on the Order Form because this is a Super Track Pak that includes a four-speed manual transmission, a 4.10 Dana rear end, power steering, and power front disc brakes. There’s no questioning the performance credentials of this Dodge because it should blaze through the ¼ mile in a neat 14 seconds. The seller purchased the car in 2014, and apart from regular maintenance, it has required little attention. He replaced a noisy throw-out bearing for the clutch, but otherwise, it remains untouched. It is a numbers-matching survivor, with the seller indicating that its glorious 440 has never been out of the engine bay. For serious collectors, there’s plenty of good news. It has a known ownership history that dates back to the day it drove off the showroom floor. The Super Bee has 93,000 genuine miles on the clock, and I suspect that the owner holds verifying evidence. He has the original Window Sticker and two Build Sheets and includes these in the sale.

At $67,500, I would struggle to convince you that this 1970 Super Bee is a cheap car. Values have taken a slight hit recently, but they show evidence of rebounding. There is no disputing the desirability of the Super Bee, and the originality of this vehicle would seem to justify the sale price. It has only been on the market for a few days, and I suspect that a buyer will arrive on the scene pretty quickly.

Comments

  1. Avatar Moparman Member

    The only thing missing on this “red rider” is the Tic-Toc-Tac! Really nice, GLWTA!! :-)

    Like 8
    • Avatar Melton Mooney

      No tach necessary. 440s have two built in rev limiters. They’re called cylinder heads.
      That said, this is 100% my kind of car. Only drag radials on body color steelies could make it better.

      Like 8
  2. Avatar Gunner

    This is what you want when making an expensive purchase on a Classic Car of any denomination. Full documentation, numbers matching, optioned well, and a good body. Metal work is very expensive. Inspection is a must. In addition to the numbers on the engine and transmission, I would also check the radiator support and the left rear quarter panel. Verification of matching data with the build sheet and fender tag as well. Super nice example of a one year only look for the Super Bee. Of note: correction on the initial description of the engine reference needs updated from 400 to 440. As many of us know, the 400 was not introduced until ‘72 when it replaced the 383.

    Like 11
  3. Avatar Bruce

    From a styling stand point one of the most pissed off front end designs ever made. That car in the rear view mirror always looked angry. A couple of times one tried to catch my Lotus Europa thru some twisty bits and got a huge shock but in the end the owner and I became friends. Lots of fun in the straight line and I shocked him in the Europa as to what turn in could be and what speeds you could take corners. Different horses for different courses. I do miss those days.

    Like 11
  4. Avatar mick

    Should have kept my 1970 Coronet 440-4bbl, 4spd same color. Most comfortable shifter I’ve ever used was that deer’s foot. A comfortable, stable ride that got decent gas mileage if you didn’t open it up. I took it several times to Indy 500 and back on one tank of gas, from Chicago back in the 70’s. A firm, stable ride that sat a little high but gave a great view of the road ahead. And, that 440, when call on, would slap a smile on anyone’s face, especially on the highway. Miss that car . . .

    Like 7
  5. Avatar Mark P

    I’d rather have the 440. Hemi , meh. The four cylinder in a Sonata my wife had years ago was a hemi. It’s a technology, not a God.

    Like 4
  6. Avatar Howie Mueler

    How cool!! Needs a good detail job.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar RMac

    Love the angry BEE front end on these looks angry standing still much less commonly seen the road runner GTX or chargers of the same year
    Nice car

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Chasbro

    OK, yeah. Kick ass mopar. Killer powertrain, with 4 speed, survivor condition: excellent, at least from the photos. No holes in the body big enough to stick your head through to inspect the inner panels, what’s not to love! Just try to restore a car like this and be in under 70k, I don’t think so. Should get scooped up quickly. And that front end!!!

    Like 4
  9. Avatar Stan

    Awesome mopar. 14 sec quarter w that pkg and gear ? Should be in the 13s easy

    Like 3
    • Avatar Melton Mooney

      I agree, my four-gear 69 A12 bee ran a low 13 on it’s first pass after restoration. No mods except slicks.

      Like 2
  10. Avatar Troy s

    A legitimate factory built street machine, quick thriller with plenty of curbside wow, nice ride!

    Like 1
  11. Avatar Tom

    Only thing missing is me behind the wheel LOL!!!

    Like 3
  12. Avatar George Mattar

    In light of speculators asking $35,000 for rotted out and engineless 69 Chargers, this beauty is a bargain. I drove a 440 Six Pack 70 Bee once. What a thrill.

    Like 2
  13. Avatar wuzjeepnowsaab

    Wow the SuperBee (to me) was as good as it got with MOPAR. It looks angry just sitting still and seeing one closing in on you in the rearview mirror leaves no doubt you betta get yo dog azz over.

    440-6, pistol grip…if I was going to be nitpicky I’d say that I always liked the trunk wrap striping better than the open fork look…but man this is a top gem find

    Like 1
  14. Avatar trav66

    I used to think these front ends were fugly! But now that I’m older, I appreciate the uniqueness of it. This is one stout looking ground-pounder and with prices of Mopars (and all muscle cars) increasing daily, the asking price seems fair especially with it being a survivor. The factory 440 six-pack and pistol-grip sells it!

    Like 2

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