Some restoration projects can be really straightforward and need little in the way of rust repairs. Others come along like this 1971 Super Bee, and the first question that pops into your head is, “Where do I start?” This is going to be a major project, and it will be interesting to see whether our Barn Finders consider it to be viable. The Dodge is located in Loxahatchee, Florida, and is listed for sale here on eBay.
Before we tackle the visible, let’s discuss what we can’t see. There are no photos of the floors, the trunk, or the frame, and the seller doesn’t mention those in the listing. Therefore, we’re in the dark there. What we aren’t in the dark about is the amount of visible rust. I’m not going to try to describe it, as the photos speak for themselves. The owner is including a rust-free trunk lid in the sale, so that’s one small ray of sunshine in an otherwise bleak sky.
Under the hood is a 440ci V8, but this is not a numbers-matching car. The engine is date-coded for 1966, but the engine does run, and the car does drive. It isn’t fit to drive, as it doesn’t have any brakes, but both the engine and automatic transmission appear to be in reasonable order. While the engine bay looks pretty clean at first glance, there is more of the dreaded tin-worm visible on the firewall in several places.
You know, this really has been a very nice car at some point. Unfortunately, that seems like it was ever so long ago. With the door open we can see more rust visible in the front pillar, and a quick check reveals that there is a matching lot in the passenger side pillar. The interior will also require a complete restoration, but at least it does appear to be complete.
This Super Bee is being sold in a No Reserve auction, and at the time of writing, 8 people have bid, and the price has reached $1,925. If someone chooses to take on this car as a restoration project, then the list of work required isn’t just going to be as long as their arm, but the arms of several of their friends as well. Now that you’ve taken a good look, is this a viable restoration project, or is it a parts car?
There’s hopeless- then there’s this car
I wish someone would make a restoration show for cars that are too-far-gone and bring them back with metalwork and new parts. It would take some intense metal fabrication, but it would be fun to watch.
AMXBrian: I’m watching a You Tube series where a guy in the UK is doing just that.
To a Morris Marina [Austin Marina here in the US]. He’s chuffed for them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eun82ektDI0
And it’s in almost as bad shape as this Dodge.
graveyard carz look it up funny informative show. they do some amazing stuff.
decals look nice….
This is a sad sight for a classic Mopar.Looks like a flood car!
More like a swam car. The Dukes dropped that one into the local swamp and left it there. What a waste.
Every Mopar deserves a second chance in my book
This not a restoration project, unless this is THE first car you ever owned, or has some similar emotional attachments. These aren’t worth much unless a hemi and four speed are involved, so it’s just a bunch of junk connected by rust to a few useful parts for another car.
There’s just no sensible reason I can see to attempt to make this driveable.
Good candidate for a High School welding/body shop project.
They’d come away with some superior skills.
Fix the brakes a few other things,make it barely legal and enjoy it.
There are no photos of the floor and the trunk, because there is no floor or trunk.
Can we all say RUST WOW!!! What floor where!?!?
It is sad to lose a loved one, and as my father told me more than once, she has given up the ghost. I had the experience of dying about 3 years ago, when they tell you , she was dead before she hit the floor, believe it. I like the 71-74 Chargers in this body style, and it was a sharp car. But if the rust looks this bad from afar, it’s time to part ways. I know we all say this, but why did the owner wait so long. Have a friend take her to a undisclosed junkyard. Say good bye and walk away.
This doesn’t look to me like a flood car, it’s been lost on the bottom of the ocean for a few years, or at least washed at the Florida beach in salt water every day for the first 10 years. The 440, probably a 727 TF and maybe an 8 3/4″ rear end MIGHT be worth something.
I restored my decent, solid, 65 Plymouth Belvedere that had never seen much if any winter about 15 years ago. My body man found rust in places that you would never expect if you don’t know these cars. I know Chevys, so I paid the Mopar expert to do it right. If you can see this much rust from the outside, it’s time to RUN.
BTW Adam – there’s no reason to show a trunk picture. If you were able to lift the trunk lid without if falling apart or folding in half . . . . . you would likely see the driveway.
Looks like $2700 is the going rate for a super bee vin #
He probably had the car sitting, when a passer bye would stop and ask to buy it and told them, “Nope, not for sale, I am going to fix it up some day” now it’s way too far gone. Saw it happen too many times.
I’d love to see what’s left of the body (if anything) after media blasting!
Body panels are hard to find for the 3rd gen. They make the rocker panels, rear quarters and a few other pieces. I haven’t found anyone currently making the front fenders (71 only) or doors. I have a 71 500 that’s spent it’s life in SD. I have a bit of rust on the bottom of fenders and quarters, nothing like this!
Pull the engine, tranny and drivetrain, and crush the rest. It’s a lost cause. You might as well flush your money down the can than attempt to restore this hopeless rust bucket.
Any one know where much of Florida is – and next to ?
I agree with Ken.
Maybe some other parts too but the body is melba Toast
I know rust well , anything can be fixed with time, money and creative work. On the other hand this car is best used for the vin tags , drivetrain and what ever parts worth saving for a plane jane car in better shape or a good running field car !
I believe 440’s were available starting 1967. With that being said, if it’s an HP with a 727 and probably an 83/4 rear. The car is worth the asking price. Just find another body!