The Dodge Super Bee
The Dodge Super Bee was a limited-production muscle car
from Chrysler's Dodge division produced from 1968 through
1971.The Super Bee mascot was resurrected for the 2004
Dodge Ram Rumble Bee model, and the 2007 and 2008
Dodge Charger Super Bee.
1968-1970
The original Super Bee was based on the Dodge Coronet. It
was a 2-door coupe model only and was produced from 1968
through 1970. It was the company's low-priced muscle car, the
equivalent of the Plymouth Road Runner, and was priced at
$3,027. Although the two cars are very similar in external
appearance, the Super Bee was slightly heavier (approx 65 lbs)
and rode on a 117 inch wheelbase compared to the Road Runner's 116 inch wheelbase.
In addition to the slight aesthetic external differences, such as larger rear wheel openings,
the bumble bee tailstripe and fancier grille and taillight ornamentation, the Super Bee also
used actual diecast chrome plated "Bee" medallions. These 3-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 3 years of production and added a
touch of class and panache the Road Runner lacked with its flat, 2-dimensional cartoon
birds that faded and peeled over time. The interior of the Super Bee borrowed the
racecar-inspired and more sophisticated gauge and speedometer dash cluster from the
Dodge Charger while the 4 speed cars received an actual Hurst Competition-Plus shifter
with Hurst linkage, compared to the budget-minded Road Runner's inferior Inland shifter
and linkage. All these niceties did add to the higher purchase cost of the Super Bee
compared to its Plymouth cousin and ultimately affected its sales numbers over the years
it was produced. The Super Bee, like nearly 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 2-door coupe and 2 engine options, the base
335 hp 383 Magnum, and the 426 Hemi rated at 425 hp.
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 for 1969, and a new optional
twin-scooped air induction hood was now available and became known as the
"Ramcharger". This particular option was coded N-96 and was the counterpart to the
Plymouth Road Runner's "Coyote Duster" air induction hood. Of particular interest is that
the Super Bee's "Ramcharger" hood featured forward-facing scoops which were far more
efficient than the Road Runner's "twin vents" which merely laid flat on the hood, not
forcing air in to the carburetor(s) as the Super Bee's did. Regardless of whether it was a
Road Runner or Super Bee, the N-96 option commands immediate, extra respect whether
it was at a stoplight or at the ever-present, modern day collector car auctions, as this
option will drive up the selling price over a non N-96 equipped car. A "six-pack" (three new
and improved options, for example: a "double hockey stick stripe" variant of the bumble
stripe was offered in addition to new high-back bucket seats, steering column mounted
ignition as well as a "pistol-grip" Hurst shifter on four speed models. Rumors abound of
the many concept and show vehicles Chrysler produced during the musclecar era,
including producing 4 concept Superbee convertibles. The where-abouts of these 4 cars
are unknown.
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
Since the 1971 Coronet was only available in sedan and station wagon versions, the
Super Bee model was moved to the Charger platform. Since the Charger already had an
R/T muscle car version, the Super Bee was slotted in as the low-priced entry in the line at
US$3,271. 5,054 were produced which includes the 22 with the Hemi engine.
The moniker was discontinued until the 2007 Super Bee, which was a Charger SRT-8.
1971 was the first and only year the a small block engine (340 4-bbl) became available in
the Super Bee.
Although the 440 Magnum (4-bbl) was not an available option on the Super Bee for 1971,
26 are known to have been built. With that option of the 440 the Super Bee could walk all
over any Ford, Chevy, or GM product on the market
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)
Mexican Super Bees
Around 1970, the Mexican-market Dodge Dart had a Super Bee package; Super Bees
were based on the Demon/Dart Sport semi-fastback Mopar A platform until 1976, and the
F platform (based on the Dodge Aspen coupe) between 1977-79 (sold in Mexico as part
of the Dodge Valiant Volare series).
1968 Dodge Super Bee
GM divisions had practiced it for years, but it took the competitive fervor of the muscle car
years to spark a sibling rivalry between Dodge and Plymouth. The 1968 Dodge Super
Bee carried the colors for Mopar's Scat Pack division.Plymouth had struck first, with the
fall-1967 introduction of the budget-muscle 1968 Road Runner. Dodge -- already irked
that it had coined the "road runner" name in a '67 Coronet R/T advertisement --
scrambled to respond. Its answer was a bang-for-the-buck stripper based on the
redesigned Coronet pillared coupe. The inspiration -- and the drivetrain -- were pure
Road Runner. For the name, however, Dodge looked to its Scat Pack symbol and
released its new model in the spring of '68 as the Super Bee.
The $3,027 base price was $131 over that of the Road Runner, which used the same
basic chassis. Curb weight was nearly identical, so performance was a wash. Base engine
for both was the 335-bhp four-barrel 383-cid V-8 that borrowed cylinder heads, camshaft,
and induction system from the 440 Magnum V-8.
The 426 Hemi was the only engine option, but at nearly $1,000, it clashed with the Super
Bee's budget appeal and only 125 were ordered. A Hurst-shifted four-speed manual was
standard, with the three-speed TorqueFlite automatic optional.
Holding the price meant minimizing amenities, and while Super Bee borrowed the
Charger's Rallye gauge layout to edge the Road Runner in instrumentation, a tachometer
still cost $38 extra. Heavy-duty suspension and brakes and red-line wide-oval tires were
standard, though.
Low priced didn't mean low profile. Bumblebee racing strips circled the tail, and a big
Super Bee emblem hovered on the rear fenders. The grille was finished in black matte,
and the hood held a decorative power bulge.
Super Bee Fender Badge
Dodge was proud enough to name names in Super Bee advertising: "It's the super car for
the guy who doesn't want to shy away from GTOs...only their high prices." But finishing far
behind the Road Runner in sales surely must have stung.
The Dodge Super Bee was a limited-production muscle car
from Chrysler's Dodge division produced from 1968 through
1971.The Super Bee mascot was resurrected for the 2004
Dodge Ram Rumble Bee model, and the 2007 and 2008
Dodge Charger Super Bee.
1968-1970
The original Super Bee was based on the Dodge Coronet. It
was a 2-door coupe model only and was produced from 1968
through 1970. It was the company's low-priced muscle car, the
equivalent of the Plymouth Road Runner, and was priced at
$3,027. Although the two cars are very similar in external
appearance, the Super Bee was slightly heavier (approx 65 lbs)
and rode on a 117 inch wheelbase compared to the Road Runner's 116 inch wheelbase.
In addition to the slight aesthetic external differences, such as larger rear wheel openings,
the bumble bee tailstripe and fancier grille and taillight ornamentation, the Super Bee also
used actual diecast chrome plated "Bee" medallions. These 3-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 3 years of production and added a
touch of class and panache the Road Runner lacked with its flat, 2-dimensional cartoon
birds that faded and peeled over time. The interior of the Super Bee borrowed the
racecar-inspired and more sophisticated gauge and speedometer dash cluster from the
Dodge Charger while the 4 speed cars received an actual Hurst Competition-Plus shifter
with Hurst linkage, compared to the budget-minded Road Runner's inferior Inland shifter
and linkage. All these niceties did add to the higher purchase cost of the Super Bee
compared to its Plymouth cousin and ultimately affected its sales numbers over the years
it was produced. The Super Bee, like nearly 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 2-door coupe and 2 engine options, the base
335 hp 383 Magnum, and the 426 Hemi rated at 425 hp.
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 for 1969, and a new optional
twin-scooped air induction hood was now available and became known as the
"Ramcharger". This particular option was coded N-96 and was the counterpart to the
Plymouth Road Runner's "Coyote Duster" air induction hood. Of particular interest is that
the Super Bee's "Ramcharger" hood featured forward-facing scoops which were far more
efficient than the Road Runner's "twin vents" which merely laid flat on the hood, not
forcing air in to the carburetor(s) as the Super Bee's did. Regardless of whether it was a
Road Runner or Super Bee, the N-96 option commands immediate, extra respect whether
it was at a stoplight or at the ever-present, modern day collector car auctions, as this
option will drive up the selling price over a non N-96 equipped car. A "six-pack" (three new
and improved options, for example: a "double hockey stick stripe" variant of the bumble
stripe was offered in addition to new high-back bucket seats, steering column mounted
ignition as well as a "pistol-grip" Hurst shifter on four speed models. Rumors abound of
the many concept and show vehicles Chrysler produced during the musclecar era,
including producing 4 concept Superbee convertibles. The where-abouts of these 4 cars
are unknown.
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
Since the 1971 Coronet was only available in sedan and station wagon versions, the
Super Bee model was moved to the Charger platform. Since the Charger already had an
R/T muscle car version, the Super Bee was slotted in as the low-priced entry in the line at
US$3,271. 5,054 were produced which includes the 22 with the Hemi engine.
The moniker was discontinued until the 2007 Super Bee, which was a Charger SRT-8.
1971 was the first and only year the a small block engine (340 4-bbl) became available in
the Super Bee.
Although the 440 Magnum (4-bbl) was not an available option on the Super Bee for 1971,
26 are known to have been built. With that option of the 440 the Super Bee could walk all
over any Ford, Chevy, or GM product on the market
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)
Mexican Super Bees
Around 1970, the Mexican-market Dodge Dart had a Super Bee package; Super Bees
were based on the Demon/Dart Sport semi-fastback Mopar A platform until 1976, and the
F platform (based on the Dodge Aspen coupe) between 1977-79 (sold in Mexico as part
of the Dodge Valiant Volare series).
1968 Dodge Super Bee
GM divisions had practiced it for years, but it took the competitive fervor of the muscle car
years to spark a sibling rivalry between Dodge and Plymouth. The 1968 Dodge Super
Bee carried the colors for Mopar's Scat Pack division.Plymouth had struck first, with the
fall-1967 introduction of the budget-muscle 1968 Road Runner. Dodge -- already irked
that it had coined the "road runner" name in a '67 Coronet R/T advertisement --
scrambled to respond. Its answer was a bang-for-the-buck stripper based on the
redesigned Coronet pillared coupe. The inspiration -- and the drivetrain -- were pure
Road Runner. For the name, however, Dodge looked to its Scat Pack symbol and
released its new model in the spring of '68 as the Super Bee.
The $3,027 base price was $131 over that of the Road Runner, which used the same
basic chassis. Curb weight was nearly identical, so performance was a wash. Base engine
for both was the 335-bhp four-barrel 383-cid V-8 that borrowed cylinder heads, camshaft,
and induction system from the 440 Magnum V-8.
The 426 Hemi was the only engine option, but at nearly $1,000, it clashed with the Super
Bee's budget appeal and only 125 were ordered. A Hurst-shifted four-speed manual was
standard, with the three-speed TorqueFlite automatic optional.
Holding the price meant minimizing amenities, and while Super Bee borrowed the
Charger's Rallye gauge layout to edge the Road Runner in instrumentation, a tachometer
still cost $38 extra. Heavy-duty suspension and brakes and red-line wide-oval tires were
standard, though.
Low priced didn't mean low profile. Bumblebee racing strips circled the tail, and a big
Super Bee emblem hovered on the rear fenders. The grille was finished in black matte,
and the hood held a decorative power bulge.
Super Bee Fender Badge
Dodge was proud enough to name names in Super Bee advertising: "It's the super car for
the guy who doesn't want to shy away from GTOs...only their high prices." But finishing far
behind the Road Runner in sales surely must have stung.
Available Dodge Charger Super Bees' |
Available Dodge Coronet Super Bees' |
Super Bee Data
Home
Chronology
Production Data
Shop Manuals
426 HEMI
Home
Chronology
Production Data
Shop Manuals
426 HEMI
Option Codes
| _______________________________________________________________________ |
| _______________________________________________________________________ |
| _______________________________________________________________________ |
| The Super Bee was a "stripper" pillared coupe and included its its low base price a 335-bhp 383-cid four-barrel, four-speed with Hurst Competition-Plus shifter, and heavy-duty suspension. |
| The Super Bee was the Scat Pack's response to Plymouth's Road Runner. |
Specifications
Wheelbase, inches: 119.0
Weight, lbs: 3,395
Number built: 7,842
Base price: $3,027
Representative
Performance
0-60 mph, sec: 7.1 - 1/4 mile, sec. @ mph: 15.0 @ 96
Wheelbase, inches: 119.0
Weight, lbs: 3,395
Number built: 7,842
Base price: $3,027
Representative
Performance
0-60 mph, sec: 7.1 - 1/4 mile, sec. @ mph: 15.0 @ 96
Super Bee Badges/Emblems
Differences of the 4 "BEE" emblems. The only actual BEE emblems are on the front and
back of the 69 and 70 Super Bees. All 4 are different. The 68 and 71 Super Bees only
used BEE decals.
All 4 of these look the same from the front. It's the back of them where the difference is.
They all measure about 3.75" wide.
1969 Grille BEE - Chrysler Part Number 2949303. This has the largest pins of them all,
and also has 3 edges, or "fins" if you will on the lower section to hold the emblem into the
vertical rows of the 69 Coronet grille. The back is flat so it is a fair choice for custom
application also.
1969 Rear BEE - Chrysler Part Number 2964635. This has 2 shorter pins on the back.
Either this one or the 1970 rear BEE is the best to use on custom applications like the
tailgate of the Rumble Bee truck due to being flat on the back and having small standard
pins.
1970 Hood BEE - Chrysler Part Number 2998065. This has 2 pins on the back, and is
contoured for the hood of the 70 Coronet. It is thicker on both ends and angles in towards
the middle from both ends.
1970 Rear BEE - Chrysler Part Number 3444654. This has 2 pins on the back, and is
also flat. Either this one or the 1969 rear BEE is the best to use on custom applications
like the tailgate of the Rumble Bee truck due to being flat on the back and having small
standard pins.
| _______________________________________________________________________ |
Dodge Ram Rumble Bee
The Dodge Ram Rumble Bee is the truck remake of the Dodge Super Bee. It bears the in
2004 and 2005 (Second Swarm).
Performance
The Dodge Ram Rumble Bee uses the 5.7 Liter Hemi V-8 Engine producing 345
horsepower at the crank. There were only approximately 5000 made per year (04 and 05)
Exterior
The exterior of the Dodge Ram Rumble Bee only comes in two colors: black or yellow. It
bears the symbol of a Bee that can be found on past Dodge Bee edition cars. The stripe
that runs down the back end of the bed side has a logo in the middle depicting a Bee on
wheels. The hood is decorated with a non-functional hood scoop, and "Sport" fascia.
The Dodge Ram Rumble Bee is the truck remake of the Dodge Super Bee. It bears the in
2004 and 2005 (Second Swarm).
Performance
The Dodge Ram Rumble Bee uses the 5.7 Liter Hemi V-8 Engine producing 345
horsepower at the crank. There were only approximately 5000 made per year (04 and 05)
Exterior
The exterior of the Dodge Ram Rumble Bee only comes in two colors: black or yellow. It
bears the symbol of a Bee that can be found on past Dodge Bee edition cars. The stripe
that runs down the back end of the bed side has a logo in the middle depicting a Bee on
wheels. The hood is decorated with a non-functional hood scoop, and "Sport" fascia.
More Super Bee Emblems More Rumble Bee Decals |
| _______________________________________________________________________ |
Standard Engine
Type: ohv V-8
Displacement, cid: 383
Fuel system: 1 x 4bbl.
Compression ratio: 10.0:1
Horsepower @ rpm: 335 @ 5200
Torque @ rpm: 425 @ 3400
Type: ohv V-8
Displacement, cid: 383
Fuel system: 1 x 4bbl.
Compression ratio: 10.0:1
Horsepower @ rpm: 335 @ 5200
Torque @ rpm: 425 @ 3400
| The 1968 Dodge Super Bee Specifications |
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