Dodge Super Bee

Dodge Super Bee 1970 Red Dodge Coronet Super Bee at Arkhangelskoye Estate (Moscow Region, Russia) The Dodge Super Bee is a mid-sized muscle car marketed by Dodge, which was produced for the 1968 through 1971 model years. In Mexico, the Super Bee model was based on a compact Chrysler platform and was marketed from 1970 until 1980. The Super Bee model name returned on versions of the Dodge Charger (LX) four-door sedans. The original 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 muscle car and rebranded and mildly distinguished from the Plymouth Road Runner. The origin of the name, “Super Bee”, has its basis in the “B” Body designation pertinent to Chrysler’s mid-sized cars. History The Dodge Super Bee was created in response to the success of Plymouth’s Road Runner, with Dodge General Manager Robert McCurry requesting a similar muscle car. Designed by Harvey J. Winn and introduced as a show car at the 1968 Detroit Auto Show, the Super Bee featured unique styling elements such as larger rear wheel openings, a distinctive bumblebee tail stripe, chrome “Bee” medallions, and upgraded trim. Available only as a two-door coupé, it came standard with a 335-HP 383 Magnum V8. The car also featured heavy-duty suspension, performance tires, and optional 4-speed manual transmission. For 1969, Dodge expanded the Super Bee lineup by adding a hardtop model alongside the existing pillared coupe and updated the front and rear styling with a more aggressive appearance and new taillights. A new Ramcharger air-induction hood with forward-facing scoops became available as an option. Midway through the year, Dodge introduced the high-performance 440 Six Pack engine, featuring three two-barrel carburetors and producing 390 HP and 490 lb-ft of torque. Engine choices for 1969 included the 383 Magnum, 440 Six Pack, and the top-tier 426 Hemi. The 1970 Super Bee received a major redesign, highlighted by a distinctive twin-loop front bumper that Dodge nicknamed “bumble bee wings.” While the car retained the previous year’s engine lineup and Ramcharger hood option, it also introduced several new and improved features. Despite the styling changes, sales declined sharply as muscle cars faced rising insurance costs and shifting market conditions. The 1971 Coronet line was 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. Mexican Valiant Super Bee First generation (1970–1976) In 1970, Chrysler of Mexico introduced the new Dodge Super Bee as a replacement for the company’s previous sports car product, the Plymouth Barracuda. As the production and sale costs of the third-generation Barracuda in Mexico were too high, Dodge adapted the semi-fastback A-Body platform and introduced the Super Bee at the beginning. The Super Bee was only available with the V8 318 engine (270 HP) and either a four-speed or three-speed manual transmission. In 1971, Dodge differentiated the Super Bee from the Duster, by using the grille from the American Dodge Demon. The model’s body was modified on one further occasion, in 1972, and, by 1973, the front of the Dodge Dart became the standard design for the entire A Body line-up. Second generation (1977–1980) Chrysler de México continued to use old model names after they were dropped in the U.S. marketplace. The Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volare were sold in Mexico as the Dodge Dart and the Valiant Volare, and the sports version was named the Valiant Super Bee. The Mexican Dodge Dart consisted of the front of the US Plymouth Volare and the rear of the Dodge Aspen, while the Mexican Valiant Volare and the Dodge Super Bee consisted of the front of the Dodge Aspen and the rear of the US Plymouth Volare. A new sports version of the 1981 Dodge Dart replaced the Valiant Super Bee and is now called the Dodge Magnum—the version consisted of the 360 V8 engine and 270 HP, with variations in transmissions: three-speed automatic or four-speed manual. Characteristics Manufacturer: Dodge (Chrysler Corporation) Assembly: Newark / Detroit / Los Angeles / St. Louis (USA) / Toluca (Mexico) Years of production: 1968—1971 (USA) / 1970—1980 (Mexico) Length: 5326 mm Width: 1948 mm Height: 1346 mm Engine: 8 cylinders; 6277–7187 cc Power: 300–425 HP Max speed: 220 km/h Fuel consumption: 21 l/100 km Weight: 1620 kg See also Transport blog See also Cars blog See also Motorcycles blog See also Buses blog See also Shipbuilding blog See also Motors and Engines blog See also Trains and railways blog See also Trucks and Cargo Vehicles blog See also Tractors and Special Equipment blog See also Tanks and Armored Vehicles See also Airplanes blog See also Helicopters blog See also Artillery, Missiles and Rockets blog See also Bicycles blogThe post Dodge Super Bee first appeared on All PYRENEES.