The Super Bee was Dodge’s corporate response to the Plymouth Road Runner. Launched in 1968, it was based on the mid-size Coronet. But it had a shorter life than its Plymouth’s cousin, being on the roster for only four years (through 1971). The seller has a final-year Super Bee that’s a project roller at this stage. It’s rare in that it’s one of just 200 built with a 3-speed manual transmission (per the seller). Located in Talladega, Alabama, this interesting Mopar is available here on craigslist for $12,500. I wonder if this car ever did any laps at the famed NASCAR track that’s nearby?
Both the Road Runner and Super Bee had cartoon characters in their logos. But the Road Runner was based on the famous Warner Brothers pairing of the Road Runner and Coyote, while the Super Bee used a studio-drawn bumblebee and the name was derived from the car’s platform (B-body). The Super Bee sold in far fewer numbers, starting with 7,842 in 1968, a peak of 27,800 in 1969, a drop to 15,506 in 1970, and just 5,054 with the fuselage-shaped redesign in 1971. The name would return 36 years later on the Dodge Charger.
According to the seller, this car is a bit of a unicorn. We’re told that only a couple of hundred were built with the standard 383 cubic inch V8 and a 3-speed manual transmission (the 4-speed was usually ordered), and this car is one of them. The V8 is long gone, and the transmission currently lives in the trunk. The factory red paint is badly faded, and the black front bench seat comes and goes. The original owner opted for air conditioning, but not power steering. So, it was an odd duck sitting on the showroom floor.
The seller says this car has been verified with the Super Bee registry. But it’s going to need a complete restoration, and it won’t be numbers-matching when you get done. The floors and trunk pan have holes, and the Dodge needs a hood and right front fender. But the two fender tags have survived, and the title (if there was one) is MIA. A bill of sale will have to prove you now own the car. Thanks for the cool tip, Rocco B.!
This is a neat car with a tall asking price. Plus, say, another 50 grand for a resto? That may be a conservative number without an engine.
I see a bench seat in several pictures – it’s just out to show floor pans – or the lack of.
I know several guys that will hoard certain years and models of their favorite cars. Maybe a ’71 Charger aficionado will buy this and use their parts stash…
If you’re racing, 3 is really all you need. But 4th and possibly 5th would make it a little better driving car. These fuselage bodies are cool imo. I hope it gets restored. And for Gods sake, please don’t paint it “plumb crazy”. It’s been done to death.
It has a different passenger-side front fender & a ’73 – ’74 front bumper, so it has probably been in an accident at some point in it’s time. Closer inspection highly recommended before purchasing. GLWTS.