The Dodge Super Bee

The Super Bee is a muscle car marketed by Dodge, that was produced for the 1968 to 1971 model years.

Super Bee
Overview
Manufacturer	Chrysler Corporation (1968–1980) DaimlerChrysler (2007) Chrysler LLC (2008–09)
Production	1968–1971 1970–1980 (Mexico only) 2007–2009 2012–2013
Body and chassis
Class	Muscle car
Layout	FR layout

1968–1970 Super Bee

1968–1970
Overview
Production	1968–1970
Assembly	Newark, Delaware, United States
Body and chassis
Platform	B-body
Related	Dodge Coronet Plymouth Satellite Dodge Charger Plymouth Road Runner Plymouth GTX Plymouth Belvedere
Powertrain
Engine	383 cu in (6.3 L) V8 426 cu in (7.0 L) V8 440 cu in (7.2 L) V8
Transmission	4-speed manual 3-speed Torqueflite automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	117.0 in (2,972 mm)

The Dodge Super Bee was based on the Dodge Coronet two-door coupe, and was produced from 1968 until 1970. It was Dodge’s low-priced powerful muscle car and a rebadged version of the Plymouth Road Runner.

Plymouth’s Road Runner sales were enough to have Dodge Division General Manager, Robert McCurry, request a similar model from the Dodge Styling office. Senior designer, Harvey J. Winn, won a “contest” with the name “Super Bee” and a new logo design based on the Dodge “Scat Pack” Bee medallion. The design of the first Super Bee was influenced by the 1968 Coronet convertible and the show car’s interior was built by the Alexander Brothers.

Although the two cars are similar in external appearance, the Super Bee was slightly heavier (approx. 65 lb (29 kg)) and rode on a 117-inch (3,000 mm) wheelbase compared to the Road Runner’s 116 in (290 cm) wheelbase. In addition to minor external differences, such as larger rear wheel openings, the bumblebee tailstripe and fancier grille, and the taillight ornamentation, the Super Bee also used actual diecast chrome-plated “Bee” medallions. These three-dimensional medallions were prominently mounted in a raised position in the grille/hood area and the trunklid/taillight area of the car throughout the first three years of production.

The Super Bee used dash from the Dodge Charger, while the four-speed manual cars received a Hurst Competition-Plus shifter; this shifter compared to the Road Runner’s less expensive Inland shifter and linkage.  Due to the higher-quality accessories attached to the Super Bee, the car was sold at a higher price in comparison to the Plymouth version and this had a negative effect on sales.

The Super Bee was available with the Hemi engine. This option raised the price by 33%, and only 125 were sold. The 1968 model was only sold as a two-door coupe, with two engine options, the base 335 hp (250 kW) 383 Magnum, and the 426 Hemi, rated at 425 hp (317 kW).

The Super Bee included a heavy-duty suspension, an optional Mopar A-833 four-speed manual transmission, and high-performance tires. Outside, a stripe (with the bee logo) was wrapped around the tail.

A hardtop version joined the existing pillared coupe body in 1969 and a new optional twin-scooped air induction hood, the “Ramcharger”, became available. This particular option was coded N-96 and was the counterpart to the Plymouth Road Runner’s “Coyote Duster” air induction hood. The “Ramcharger” hood featured forward-facing scoops.

A “six-pack”  version of Dodge’s 440 cubic-inch engine was added to the offering list mid-year. The option code for this was A12, which changed the 5th digit of the VIN to M. These special order 1969 1/2 Dodge Super Bees are known as A12 M-code cars. The A12 package also equipped the cars with a Dana 60 axle with a 4:10 gear ratio, heavy duty automatic or a 4-speed transmission, and a ‘lift off’ flat black scooped hood. Other components to the A12 package included heavy duty internal engine parts, black steel rims with high performance G-70 15″ tires, and heavy duty 11″ drum brakes. Only 1,907 A12 M-code 440 Six Pack 1969 1/2 Dodge Super Bees were produced. This option fell half-way between the standard engine and the Hemi as a USD463 option. The 1969 model year included the base 383 Magnum, 440 Six Pack, and the 426 Hemi. The 440 Magnum (4bbl) was reserved for the Coronet R/T.

For the 1970 model, the Super Bee received a redesign and a new front-end that consisted of a twin-looped front bumper that Dodge Public Relations referred to as “bumble bee wings”. Sales fell for the year from 15,506 in 1970 to 5,054 in 1971—because of, or in spite of, this new look, with another sales pressure coming from higher insurance rates for performance cars; the similar Plymouth Road Runner and Plymouth Duster both experienced similar sales issues.^[18] In addition to the new looks, engine choices and “ramcharger” hood carried over from 1969, the 1970 cars from Dodge featured several new or improved options. For example, a “C- stripe” variant of the bumble stripe was offered, in addition to new high-back bucket seats, a steering column-mounted ignition and a “pistol-grip” Hurst shifter on four-speed models.

Engines:

• 1968–1970: 383 in³ (6.3 L) Big-Block V8, 335 hp (250 kW)
• 1968–1970: 426 in³ (7.0 L) Hemi V8, 425 hp (317 kW)
• 1969–1970: 440 in³ (7.2 L) Big-Block V8, 390 hp (291 kW)

Production:

1968: 7,842–7,717 (383), 125 (426 Hemi)

1969: 27,800–25,727 (383), 1,907 (440 Six Pack), 166 (426 Hemi)

1970: 15,506

1971 Super Bee

1971
Overview
Production	1970–1971
Assembly	United States: Detroit, Michigan Hamtramck, Michigan Los Angeles, California St. Louis, Missouri
Body and chassis
Platform	B-body
Related	Dodge Coronet Plymouth Satellite Dodge Charger Plymouth Road Runner Plymouth GTX
Powertrain
Engine	340 cu in (5.6 L) V8 383 cu in (6.3 L) V8 426 cu in (7.0 L) V8 440 cu in (7.2 L) V8
Transmission	4-speed manual Torqueflite automatic

The 1971 Coronet line were built in four-door sedan and station wagon body versions, the Super Bee model was moved to the platform used by the Charger. Since an R/T muscle car version of the Charger already existed, the Super Bee was promoted as the low-priced model in the line, selling at USD$3,271. Production numbers of the Super Bee reached 5,054, including 22 with the Hemi engine. The moniker was discontinued until the 2007 Super Bee, a Charger SRT-8.

1971 was the first and only year that a small block engine (340 4-bbl) became available in the Super Bee.

Engines:

• 1971: 340 in³ (5.6 L) Small-Block V8, 275 hp (205 kW)
• 1971: 383 in³ (6.3 L) Big-Block V8, 300 hp (224 kW)
• 1971: 440 in³ (7.2 L) Big-Block V8, 370 hp (275 kW)
• 1971: 440 in³ (7.2 L) Big-Block V8, 385 hp (287 kW)
• 1971: 426 in³ (7.0 L) Hemi V8, 425 hp (317 kW)
• 1972: 400 in³ (6.6 L) Big-Block V8, 320 HP (4,800rpm,410 ft-lbs torque 3,200 rpm)

2007-2012

Dodge Charger (LX) versions
Overview
Production	2007–2009
Assembly	Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Body and chassis
Class	Full size
Body style	4-door sedan
Platform	Chrysler LX platform
Related	Dodge Charger Chrysler 300 Dodge Magnum Dodge Challenger
Powertrain
Engine	6.1 L V8
Transmission	5-speed W5A580 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	304.8 cm (120.0 in)
Length	508.3 cm (200.1 in)
Width	189 cm (74.5 in)
Height	148 cm (58.2 in)

A new 2007 Super Bee model was introduced at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. This model is based on the Dodge Charger SRT-8 and its exterior consists of special “Detonator Yellow” paint, a “Flat Black” hood and fender “decals”. The production version consisted of a hood decal, rather than an entirely black hood, and the “hockey stick” stripe on the side was changed from solid black to a dashed black stripe positioned at the bottom of the exterior. The wheels are fully polished and do not contain the silver painted areas of the “stock” SRT8 Charger. The interior is completely black, with yellow accent stitching on the seats and shift knob; this is unlike the “two-tone” interior of the standard SRT8 Charger which consists of red stitching (this is the only model that contains such an interior, as the Charger interior changed in 2008). The appearance of the shifter “bezel” and center console resemble that of carbon fibre, and the Super Bee logo appears in the instrument cluster during “power up”, instead of the SRT logo.

It is a limited edition car, with only 1000 built for model year 2007, with build dates as early as August 2006. Each car is built in Brampton Assembly Plant, then shipped to Windsor to have decals applied and unique number plaque applied to the passenger side of the dash. Number sequence on dash, does not necessarily follow build order, as multiple “Bees” were shipped to Windsor by car carrier and order was not retained. It uses the same 425 bhp (317 kW; 431 PS) HEMI 6.1 Liter engine as the SRT8 versions of the Dodge Charger, Dodge Magnum, Dodge Challenger and Chrysler 300C.

2008

For the 2008 model year, the Super Bee was only made in “B5 Blue Pearl Coat” (sometimes listed as “Surf Blue Pearl”), reminiscent of the blue used by Chrysler vehicles in the 1960s and 1970s. Instead of fully polished SRT8 Charger wheels, the “pockets” are painted black on the ALCOA rims. Blue accent stitching inside replaces the yellow found on the seats and steering wheel, but the Charger’s interior was changed for 2008, so the dash and console are different than the 2007 version interior.This year also Introduced Touch Screen Navigation and In Dash DVD player. Again, it was based on the SRT-8 model and used the 6.1L engine, and had a limited production run of 1000.

2009

For the 2009 model year, the Super Bee was only made in “Hemi Orange Pearl Coat”, and was based on the SRT-8 model. The Super Bee used the 6.1L engine, and had a limited production run of only 425. This year also introduced touch screen navigation and in dash DVD player with hardrive. ALCOA rims were standard this year only.

2012-2014

In 2011, the Super Bee SRT-8 returned as a 2012 model on the redesigned Dodge Charger with the 392 HEMI engine (6.4L) in “Stinger Yellow” and “Pitch Black” colors, with additional colors being added for 2013 and 2014. This version of the Super Bee returned to the name’s roots as a “budget” muscle car, devoid of most luxury items yet maintaining high performance in the form of a less expensive SRT model.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Super Bee Registry