Muscle cars were all the rage in the late 1960s. They essentially were high-powered sports machines in simple, classically rugged packages. Few bells and whistles adorned these vehicles as they were all about the performance.
While most muscle cars made a name for themselves and to this day remains a classic that vintage car connoisseurs continually seek out, there was one in particular that just didn’t seem to appeal to the masses as much as others did: The 1970 Dodge Super Bee.
The History of the Dodge Super Bee
The original Super Bee came in the form of a stripped-down Dodge Coronet coupe in 1968, with a blacked-out grille, a “power bulge” hood, and dual wraparound tail stripes. The original Super Bee name came from the “B” body designation most associated with Dodge midsize cars and the bumblebee-like stripes on the tail of the vehicle. When it came to power, buyers had a choice of either a four-barrel 383-cu.in. V-8 with 335 hp and 425 lb.-ft. of torque, or a 426 Hemi with 425 hp and 490 lb.-ft. of torque.
In 1969, the new Super Bee was released with a few minor visual upgrades. It was now available as a coupe or a hardtop with an updated grille and tail lamp design, as well as a single, wider wraparound tail stripe. Additionally, the single “power bulge” hood design was swapped out for two side-by-side hood scoops and an under-hood air plenum that pumped fresh air into the carburetor.
The most notable upgrade to the 1969 Super Bee was the addition of the 440 Six Pack with 390 hp and 490 lb.-ft. of torque. Buyers also still had the option of the 383 and the 426 Hemi.
The 1970 Dodge Super Bee
In 1970, the Super Bee got its third upgrade with twin looping chrome bumpers surrounding the grille, referred to as “bumble bee wings.” Buyers also had the choice to keep the dual wraparound tail stripes or go for a longitudinal performance stripe at no additional cost. The 440 Six Pack carried over to the 1970 model, as did the 383 and the 426 Hemi, and buyers continued to have the option of a coupe or a hardtop.
Unfortunately, sales plummeted for the Super Bee from $27,800 in 1969 to $15,506 in 1970. While some blame the redesign for the decline, others believe it was due to other unforeseeable circumstances. The government, for example, started tightening restrictions on fuel emissions which made owning a muscle car more of a challenge. Additionally, insurance companies began charging obscene rates for high-powered sports vehicles. These situations combined with the recession due to excessive federal spending that same year meant high-dollar power cars took a backseat, and eventually, muscle cars became a thing of the past.
Protect Your Vintage Vehicle with Classic Auto Insurance
Whether you drive a 1960s muscle car or are a collector of other classic vehicles, you’ll need the right kind of insurance to protect your piece of history. At Classic Auto Insurance, we offer excellent coverage on classic, vintage, sport, and luxury cars and work with each client individually to determine the worth of their particular vehicle to find a plan best suited to their needs.
If you need insurance for your classic car, you can request a quote here today. We are also available by phone at 888-901-1338. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about our policies and are ready to help you take the next steps towards preserving your prized vehicle.
