1971 Dodge Super Bee

Description

If you like your cars with pedigrees, few can match the details that accompany this potent 1971 Super Bee. Build sheets, MSO, Owner Card, and the original invoice are all part of the package, and that's in addition to one heck of a nice numbers-matching big block 'Bee.

All-new fuselage styling made the 1971 Super Bee one of the sleekest cars of the early '70s, and you could still stuff a big block under the hood. The recipe remained the same: big performance, small price, but with the all-new car, you got big gains in handling, braking, and comfort, too. Given that this is a relatively desirable car with docs and a matching-numbers drivetrain, they obviously spent big on the bodywork, exactly duplicating the factory B5 Blue, which was one of the all-time great colors on Mopars of the era. The blacked-out hood treatment with Super Bee logo and the interesting hood inserts with '383 Magnum' callouts certainly give it the aggressive look you'd expect and it's all extremely well done. Out back, the virtually unobtainable taillight panel is finished in correct argent silver with gorgeous taillight lenses that are almost too nice to be believed. A black vinyl roof gives it a sleek look, too, tying in neatly with both the blacked-out hood and the stripes running the length of the swoopy body.

Quite interestingly, this 'Bee carries a blue bench seat interior, which is exactly how it was ordered. It also carries factory A/C, but little else in the way of options. On the one hand, it was obviously built to be a street fighter, but perhaps someplace really hot, and the structure bears out the idea that it came from a dry climate. At any rate, the all-new interior looks fantastic, with correct patterns and materials used throughout to create a factory-fresh feel. Basic gauges and a column shifter mean that you can focus on the road more easily, and there's a bit of faux wood, presumably simply for fashion's sake. The original Music Master AM radio still lives in the dash, complete with its unusual knob configuration that makes replacements problematic. New carpets are protected by matching floor mats, and the trunk is expertly finished for show with a correct mat, full-sized spare, and a full jack assembly.

The numbers-matching 383 cubic inch V8 still delivers the kind of oomph that you'd expect from one of the nastiest machines of 1971. The restoration is still quite fresh, so the detailing is excellent throughout, including Hemi Orange on the block, black wrinkle paint on the air cleaner, and reproduction decals. Correct hoses and clamps reinforce the idea that someone did this one right, and the way it runs is proof that the internals are quite sound. A reproduction dual exhaust system gives it a period-perfect burble that doesn't ever get annoying, and it's framed by a super sanitary undercarriage with lots and lots of new components. A heavy-duty D32 3-speed automatic and 8.75-inch rear end make for a reliable powertrain, and classic Rallyes with reproduction F60-15 Goodyear Polyglas bias-ply tires complete the show-ready look.

With wonderful documentation and a very accurate restoration, this is an investment-grade Super Bee. It won't be long before the '71s are on the hot list, so pick up a great one before the prices start to move. Call today!