1970
Dodge Super Bee: Pure Muscle with a Sting in Its Tail
"A car that wasn’t just built to drive
but built to conquer."
The
1970 Dodge Super Bee is a legend from an era when cars were raw, untamed beasts
designed to dominate the streets. More than just a vehicle, it represented pure
American muscle with a rebellious spirit. With its aggressive styling,
thundering V8 engines, and racing stripes that felt like war paint, the Super
Bee did not just roar.
Born
in the golden age of muscle cars, the Dodge Super Bee was Dodge’s answer to the
rapidly growing demand for high-performance, non-nonsense machines. It was not
fancy, but it was bold. It did not apologize for being loud, and it certainly was
not shy about showing off its power.
The Super
Bee Identity
The
Super Bee first buzzed onto the scene in 1968, and by 1970, it had truly come
into its own. With its signature "bumblebee stripe" wrapping around
the tail, it earned its name by being fast, aggressive, and ready to sting any
rival that dared to challenge it. Designed under the eye of Chrysler's
performance team, the Super Bee was crafted for those who wanted serious
performance without the price tag of a luxury muscle car.
Dodge
had always been about power, but the Super Bee took it to another level.
Available with a 383 Magnum engine as standard, and even a mighty 426 Hemi for
those who craved more, this car could hit 0 to 60 mph in just under 6 seconds.
It was raw muscle on four wheels—a statement of power and defiance.
It is the kind of car that does not ask
for attention—it demands it. And if you are not careful, it will take your
lunch money too.
The Secret
to Its Success
The
secret behind Super Bee’s success lay in its affordability. While it shared
much of its DNA with the Plymouth Road Runner, it was slightly more upscale yet
still offered a bang-for-the-buck performance. Originally priced at just over
$3,000, the 1970 Dodge Super Bee was the muscle car for the worker—a ride that
could hold its own on the street or strip without breaking the bank. In 1970,
Dodge sold over 15,000 Super Bees, a respectable number for a model aimed at a
niche market of car enthusiasts who prized performance more than anything else.
This
year also marked the introduction of the Super Bee's "coke bottle"
body style—a design that gave the car an aggressive, streamlined appearance,
perfect for slicing through the air at high speeds.
A True Icon
But
the Super Bee was not just about straight-line speed. It also became iconic
thanks to its bold design and loud personality. You could not mistake the Super
Bee’s snarling front end, twin-scooped hood, and wide rear stance for anything
else on the road. And the colors? Oh, the colors! From "Plum Crazy
Purple" to "Go Mango Orange" and "Hemi Orange," these
were shades designed to turn heads and make a statement. The most iconic color?
"Top Banana Yellow," a hue that perfectly captured the Super Bee’s
aggressive, in-your-face attitude.
Dodge
wanted the Super Bee to stand out in every way possible. From the engine’s
growl to the unmistakable bumblebee stripe, everything about this car screamed,
“Look at me!” But it was not all show—this car could back it up on track too.
Highlights
and Milestones
Some
of the most memorable moments in the Super Bee’s history are rooted in its
performance on the drag strip. It was a favorite among racers who sought
affordable speed and reliability.
And
who can forget the buzz around the Super Bee's epic showdown with Ford’s Torino
and Chevy’s Chevelle?
In
the muscle car wars of the late '60s and early '70s, the Super Bee held its
own, with its torque-heavy engines and a reputation for leaving rivals in its
rearview mirror.
The Peak of
the Bee
The
1970 model year was the pinnacle for the Super Bee. Dodge introduced a special
"Six Pack" version equipped with a 440 cubic inch V8 engine that came
with three two-barrel carburetors, delivering a monstrous 390 horsepower. This
setup gave the Super Bee one of the best power-to-price ratios of any muscle
car of its time.
By
1971, the muscle car era was beginning to wane due to rising insurance costs
and tighter emissions regulations, but the 1970 Super Bee remains one of the
last great expressions of the pure, unfiltered muscle car.
Sales and Value Over Time
When
the first 1970 Dodge Super Bee rolled off the assembly line, it carried a base
price of around $3,200. Today, a well-preserved Super Bee in solid condition
can fetch anywhere from $40,000 to $100,000 depending on its originality,
engine configuration, and rarity. Below is a comparison of the pricing
evolution:
|
Year |
Original
Price |
Current
Market Value (Solid Condition) |
|
1970 |
$3,200 |
$40,000 - $100,000 |
The Masterminds
Behind the Machine
The
Super Bee was the brainchild of Dodge's engineering and design teams under the
leadership of Chrysler's performance division. Its creation involved people
like John Herlitz, the legendary designer behind many of Chrysler’s muscle
cars, who infused the Super Bee with its bold, aggressive design. The car was
produced at Chrysler’s Lynch Road plant in Detroit, a factory known for its
no-nonsense, efficient production of high-performance vehicles.
The
Competition
In
the muscle car world, the Super Bee had stiff competition from other legends
like the Plymouth Road Runner, Chevrolet Chevelle SS, and Ford Torino Cobra.
However, thanks to its blend of affordability, power, and style, the Super Bee
carved out a niche of loyal enthusiasts who still hold it in high regard today.
Engine
Specifications
|
Engine Type |
Size (Cubic Inches) |
Carburetor |
Horsepower |
Torque |
|
383 Magnum V8 |
383 |
Four-barrel |
335 hp |
425 lb.-ft |
|
440 Six Pack V8 |
440 |
Three two-barrel |
390 hp |
490 lb.-ft |
|
426 Hemi V8 |
426 |
Dual four-barrel |
425 hp |
490 lb.-ft |
Performance
Stats
|
0
to 60 mph |
Quarter
Mile |
Engine |
Source |
|
5.6 seconds |
13.8 seconds |
440 Six Pack V8 |
Chrysler |
|
5.4 seconds |
13.5 seconds |
426 Hemi V8 |
Chrysler |
A Legendary
Legacy
"The 1970 Dodge Super Bee was not
just a car; it was a statement. It said that power and performance did not have
to be exclusive to the elite—it was for anyone with the heart to manage
it."
In
the end, the Super Bee remains a symbol of a bygone era, when cars were built
to thrill, challenge, and command respect. It is a legacy that continues to
resonate with car enthusiasts who still feel the sting of its tail today.