Division Plymouth Road Runner had introduced the first and the car sold well, leading Dodge Division General Manager Robert McCurry Styling Dodge have the office to create a competitor. Since that time, both divisions were competing to be the "Chrysler Performance Division." The designers were assigned the task of creating a name and an identity for the Dodge version.
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| 1969 Super Bee-Yellow |
Senior designer Harvey J. Winn won the "contest" with the name Super Bee and a new logo design around the "Scat Pack" Bee Dodge medallion. The first Super Bee was based on a 1968 Coronet convertible. The show car was built in the Alexander Brothers Custom Shop under the direction of Winn and was introduced in the 1968 Auto Show in Detroit.
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| 1969 Super Bee-Dark Green |
The original Super Bee was from the Dodge Coronet. It was a model two-door coupe and was only produced in 1969. It was the cheap muscle car company, cousin of the Plymouth Road Runner, and was priced at $ 3,027. The name "Super Bee" was derived from the Body "B" given midsize cars for Chrysler, which included the Coronet (like the Roadrunner, Charger, etc.).
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| 1969 Super Bee Green |
Despite of very similar in external appearance, the Super Bee was slightly heavier (about 65 lb (29 kg)) and mounted on a 117-inch wheelbase (3,000 mm) compared with 116 on Road Runner (290 cm) wheelbase. Besides the slight aesthetic external differences, such as the openness of the rear wheel, the bee and tailstripe most extravagant ornamentation grille and taillights, the Super Bee also used real diecast chrome "Bee" medallions. These medallions were featured three-dimensional mounted on an elevated position in the grid / hood and trunklid area / taillight of the car during the first three years of production, and added a touch of class and panache.
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| 1969 Super Bee GreenLight |
The interior of the Super Bee borrow the car racing inspired gauge cluster and more sophisticated and the Dodge Charger dash speedometer, while the cars received a four-speed manual Hurst Competition-Plus real connection with Hurst shifter, compared with the budget-minded road Inland shifter corridor less expensive and articulation. All of these subtleties added to the higher purchase price compared to the Super Bee Plymouth cousin, and ultimately affect their sales figures over the years it was produced.
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| 1969 Super Bee-Front Right |
The Super Bee included a heavy suspension, an optional Mopar A-833 four-speed manual transmission and high performance tires. Outside, a band (with the bee logo) was wrapped around the tail.
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| 1969 Super Bee-Red |
The Super Bee, like almost all Chrysler musclecars of that era, was available with the Hemi engine, however this option raised the price by 33% and only 125 were sold. The 1968 model only came as a two-door coupe and two engine options, the base 335 hp (250 kW) 383 Magnum and the 426 Hemi rated at 425 hp (317 kW).
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| 1969 Super Bee-Front Left |
A hardtop version joined the existing pillars coupe body for 1969, and a new optional twin-scooped hood air induction was now available and has become known as the "Ramcharger". This option has been coded in particular N-96 and was the counterpart of the Plymouth Road Runner "Coyote Duster" air induction hood. Of particular interest is that the Super Bee "Ramcharger" hood featured forward spoons that were much more efficient.
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| 1969 Super Bee Blue |
From the Road Runner "dual outputs" which simply put the plan on the cover, not forcing the air to the carburetor (s) as did the Super Bee. Regardless of whether it was a Road Runner or Super Bee, N-96 option commands respect, immediately went on an extra light or the ever-present, modern day collector car auctions, since this option will increase the selling price over not an N-96 equipped car.
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| 1969 Super Bee-Front |
The "six-pack" (three two-barrel carburetors) version of Dodge 440 cubic inch engine was added to the list of offering mid-year. This option fell half way between standard motor and the Hemi as an option for $ 463. The 1969 model year gave Chrysler customers several engines from which to choose - the base 383 hp (high performance), 440 Six Pack and 426 Hemi. The Magnum 440 (4bbl) was not an available option, and was reserved for the Coronet R / T.
For 1970, the Super Bee was given a cosmetic redesign and was given a new front end consisting of a front bumper, twin loop that Dodge PR referred to as "bee's wings". This new look turned off many buyers And sales have plummeted for the year, but, ironically, this design change that makes it special is the year's most popular Super Bee has today.
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| 1969 Super Bee-Yellow Painted |
Despite the new look, the engine choices and the "Ramcharger" hood carried over from 1969 to 1970 Dodge cars were filled with new and improved options. For example, a "C stripe" variant of the band was offered bumble, and new high-back bucket seats, steering column mounted ignition and a "pistol" four-speed Hurst shifter models.
Rumors abound of many of the concept and show vehicles Chrysler produced during the musclecar era, including convertible concept producing four Super Bee. The whereabouts of these four cars are unknown.
Rumors abound of many of the concept and show vehicles Chrysler produced during the musclecar era, including convertible concept producing four Super Bee. The whereabouts of these four cars are unknown.
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