Sometimes it can be fascinating to look at a classic car and speculate what could have been if the manufacturer had followed a particular path. That is the case with the 1970 Dodge Super Bee. The company never produced a convertible version, but our feature car may provide some insight into what such a vehicle would have been like. This 1970 Coronet Convertible presents nicely, although it isn’t perfect. However, the Hemi under the hood should make this a potent package. The owner has sunk a considerable amount of cash into creating this classic but feels it needs to go to a new home. Located in Mullica Hill, New Jersey, you will find the Coronet listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has reached $40,100 in a No Reserve auction. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Larry D for spotting this beauty for us.

This Coronet rolled off the line wearing Code Y3 Cream paint. As part of the build process, the owner performed a color change to attractive Dark Burnt Orange. It presents well at first glance, although a closer inspection reveals a few flaws and nicks. None are particularly bad, and if considered purely as a driver-quality classic, they would be pretty acceptable. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and the owner has made considerable effort to ensure that the Convertible is rust-free. He replaced both rear quarter panels, also adding new floors and a new trunk pan. The White soft-top is new and is in excellent condition. The iconic stripes are one interesting aspect of the exterior. They prove the seller’s attention to detail because they are painted rather than reproduction vinyl decals. The Super Bee logos are also hand-painted, featuring “Hemi 426” lettering. They are worth a closer look because the quality is excellent. He describes the trim and chrome as being of show quality, and it is hard to disagree with that assessment. Overall, the first impression is pretty positive.

If you intend to create a classic of this caliber, there’s no point selling yourself short on the drivetrain. Therefore, lifting the hood of this Convertible reveals a Mopar Performance 426ci Hemi pumping out an impressive 465hp. The power feeds from the Hemi through a five-speed Tremec transmission to a 3.55 Dana 40 rear end. Power steering should make light work of the driving experience while the owner upgraded the braking system to Wilwood four-wheel discs. Additional upgrades include a Mustang II rack and pinion steering system and an RMS Altercation coil-over shock front suspension. The owner is candid about the Coronet’s mechanical state, indicating that the buyer should not expect to fly in and drive this classic home. He has reservations about the brakes, stating that they aren’t strong in an emergency stop situation. He is unsure why, leaving it to the buyer to investigate further. The Hemi’s rear main seal leaks, but he believes this is due to lack of use. Critically, the car suffered a recent brief engine fire. A leaking fuel pump was the culprit, although it did little more than scorch the paint on the hood’s underside. The buyer will have a few tasks to tackle returning the car to a roadworthy state, but none appear to be complicated or expensive.

The Coronet’s interior presents as nicely as the rest of the vehicle, although there are a few small tasks for the buyer to tackle. This Convertible is a factory A/C car, although the system doesn’t currently operate. The buyer will need to install the condenser and lines. The rest of the interior is intact, with no upholstery or trim defects. The White vinyl makes a bold statement against the exterior paint and is guaranteed to command attention thanks to its color and condition. The wood-rim wheel adds a classy touch, as does the pistol-grip shifter for the five-speed. Apart from air conditioning, the interior features a few desirable luxury appointments. These include power windows and a Rally gauge cluster with the cool Tic-Toc-Tach. The owner installed a new odometer during the build process. It now shows a genuine 1,000 miles, suggesting that this classic is barely broken in.

Okay, it is a no-brainer that this 1970 Coronet isn’t a genuine Super Bee, but that makes it no less interesting. The company produced the Bee as a low-cost muscle car and probably couldn’t see any benefit in creating a version on the more expensive Convertible platform. Studying the photos confirms that the seller has spent a considerable sum of money building this classic, and the buyer looks set to reap the benefit. Do you wish that Dodge had created a Convertible Super Bee? If so, do you think this car is a fitting tribute?