Some project cars tick more of the right boxes than others, and finding the correct candidate to suit your needs can take time and patience. If you have been searching for a rock-solid classic American muscle car, this 1970 Dodge Super Bee may be the vehicle. Its rust problems are minimal, and returning it to a cosmetically factory fresh state should not be difficult. Adding to its appeal, its engine bay houses a freshly built V8. It has been sitting for years and needs somebody to return it to its rightful place on our roads. Located in Oakley, California, you will find the Super Bee listed for sale here on eBay. Intense bidding has pushed the price beyond the reserve to $21,000.

The seller is this Dodge’s third owner, and he goes to some lengths to emphasize its originality. This includes the factory Hemi Orange paint, and although it shows its age, it still shines surprisingly well. The buyer will undoubtedly undertake a cosmetic refresh, but this classic’s lack of rust means that their welder and grinder won’t be working overtime. There is a small section of rust below the back window, which is common in these vehicles. Since the buyer will probably remove the glass to perform their repaint, that would present the perfect opportunity to address this issue properly. Apart from that spot, the rest of the car seems rock-solid. The seller indicates that the underside is rust-free, including the floors, trunk pan, and prone rear frame rails. The car has spent most of its life stored indoors in California, so its solid state is no surprise. The distinctive Super Bee badges are present, while the remaining trim appears restorable. The tinted glass is crystal clear, and as we can see, this Super Bee should represent a straightforward cosmetic restoration.

One of the great attractions of cars like the Super Bee is that there was no weak drivetrain combination within the range, and this car demonstrates that. Its engine bay houses the entry-level 383ci V8, and with 335hp on tap, it was no automotive wimp. The original owner also chose a four-speed manual transmission and power brakes. In its prime, the Dodge would have demolished the ¼ mile in 14.6 seconds, which wasn’t too shabby. The news for potential buyers looks pretty positive. The seller is unsure whether the engine is numbers-matching, but he has confirmed the originality of the four-speed. The previous owner treated both the motor and transmission to a rebuild, and the car hasn’t roared into life since. The 383 received internal upgrades, including ported and polished cylinder heads and a complete blueprint. That type of attention should have liberated a few more ponies, which never goes astray. The seller has only bolted the drivetrain back into place, but some of the ancillary components await installation. Completing this work will fall to the new owner, and they will also have the pleasure of coaxing that beautiful V8 back to life.

The owner believes that the Black vinyl interior trim is original, with no evidence of prior restoration work. While it appears in the supplied shots that a few pieces are missing, the seller indicates he holds all parts to reassemble the car. If that’s accurate, it seems that it should take more time than money to return it to its former glory. A few rough edges will need to be addressed, including the “weathered” finish of the steering column. Someone has also fitted an aftermarket Sun Tach into the gauge cluster, but removing this and reinstating the factory appearance should not be difficult.

It is not unusual for Mopar products from this era to suffer substantial rust issues, making this 1970 Super Bee a refreshing prospect. The thought of spending countless hours cutting and welding to return a bodyshell to a structurally sound state can deter some enthusiasts. That is not the case here, and this project shows a lot of promise. Have you been looking for a candidate like this Super Bee? If so, are you tempted to join the bidding war?