No Reserve: 1971 Dodge Charger Super Bee
It was blindingly apparent by 1971 that the muscle car’s days were numbered. Evolving buyer tastes and pending emission and safety regulations combined to place these cars on the “threatened species” list. Some badges survived into The Malaise Era, but their presence and lack of performance were almost an insult to their heritage. Dodge made what many believe was the honorable choice, dropping the Super Bee from its model range at the end of 1971. Those final cars were based on the B-Body Charger rather than the predecessor’s Coronet roots. This Super Bee is a stunning survivor featuring a relatively rare drivetrain combination. If that isn’t attractive enough, the seller’s decision to offer it with No Reserve when they listed it here on eBay in Pompano Beach, Florida, might be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. It has undoubtedly sparked interest, with eighty-three bids pushing the price to $51,100. There is a week left on the auction, allowing interested readers to assess their financial state and decide whether they will pursue it further.
Taste is subjective, and what appeals to one person can leave another feeling cold and unemotional. I will raise my hand and admit that I have never liked the “fuselage” styling adopted by Chrysler for its Third Generation Charger range. I don’t believe it is downright ugly, but it lacks the muscular elegance of its predecessor. Views will differ on the subject, and I accept that. Having said that, I quite like this Super Bee. This may be a consequence of the original owner’s color choice. Many muscle cars feature vibrant, high-impact shades. However, this car rolled off the line in Light Gunmetal Metallic, adding a classy and almost “mature” air to its appearance. The car’s secret may rest in its ownership history because it was ordered by a Chrysler VIP Representative. People in that league typically prefer a vehicle whose appearance is in keeping with their station in life, which could explain the color. The Gunmetal paint is complemented by a Black vinyl top, matching stripes, and Rallye wheels. Finding anything to criticize about this Dodge’s appearance is almost impossible. The paint shines richly, the panels are laser-straight, the vinyl is in as-new condition, and the stripes are crisp and free from checking. One question that remains unanswered is whether this Super Bee is a genuine survivor or if its overall condition is courtesy of restoration work. Nothing is mentioned in the listing, but my instincts suggest it may have had a facelift. This garage-kept classic is rust-free, with the underside shots confirming no issues. The original owner had the car undercoated, and the winning bidder will benefit from that decision. The trim and chrome are as spotless as the rest of the exterior, and there are no visible glass issues.
A quick question for wiser heads to answer. This Super Bee is a fifty-two-year-old classic with 81,000 miles on the clock. With that thought in mind, do you believe the interior trim, upholstery, and carpet are original? I have doubts, but the thing about classic cars is that some possess almost mystical powers, allowing them to spring a surprise or two. I’m unwilling to make a call either way, leaving that for our readers to ponder. The presentation is stunning, with no visible flaws, issues, defects, or evidence of abuse. It has avoided the trauma of aftermarket additions, with the pushbutton AM radio occupying its rightful spot. The Rally gauge cluster features a factory tachometer, and there are no other factory options or creature comforts.
Okay, we’ve reached the point when we can peak below this Dodge’s skin and crunch a few numbers. The seller confirms this is a numbers-matching car with the glorious 440ci Six-Pack under the hood. It sends 385hp and 490 ft/lbs of torque to the rear wheels via the original three-speed A-727 automatic transmission. The two partial Build Sheets confirm these facts, also indicating this car rolled off the line with power assistance for the steering and brakes. Muscle car sales may have declined by 1971, but this car’s ability to storm the ¼-mile in 14.2 seconds and hit 132mph proclaimed to the world that they weren’t dead and buried yet. The seller indicates that in addition to being numbers-matching, this Super Bee is in excellent mechanical health. Dodge produced 5,054 examples of the Super Bee during this model year, but only ninety-nine buyers ticked the box beside the 440 Six-Pack. If that statistic doesn’t make it rare enough for your taste, it is 1-of-69 featuring the Six-Pack/A-727 drivetrain combination. That makes it something special, but it has one further ace hiding up its sleeve. The car is listed on the Super Bee Register and is the only known example wearing Light Gunmetal ordered with the Six-Pack. That could make this a genuine 1-of-1 classic. It would require more investigation to unearth the truth, but the information provided by several knowledgeable sources suggests this might be true. Potential buyers seeking a turnkey classic are about to learn there is nothing but positive vibes with this beast. The Super Bee runs and drives perfectly, the engine has excellent oil pressure, and the transmission shifts smoothly. It is ready to provide the winning bidder with years of classic motoring pleasure.
The bidding on this 1971 Dodge Charger Super Bee has been frantic, and the statistics help explain the enthusiasm. If the car can be verified as genuinely unique, its value should do nothing but increase. However, potential buyers may need to take a deep breath because history suggests this Dodge might climb into six-figure territory before the hammer falls. Would you consider joining the bidding war if it reaches that level, or is that a bit rich for you?
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Comments
Great write up, Adam! As the owner of a 1970 model Charger 500, like you, I too, wasn’t enamored of this body style at first. However, I came to appreciate it, especially after the 1975 degeneration into a thinly disguised Cordoba! My interior has not been redone, and it is in the same condition as this one, except for the driver’s seat, which has a couple of tiny tears due to the previous owners’ use of a ventilating seat cushion. This one’s a real beauty, and someone w/ deep pockets will get very nice example! GLWTA!! :-)
I’m also a big fan of the gen 2 Charger. Great car and well preserved. This was more “Coke bottle style”. The Fuselage styling was pretty much reserved for C body vehicles.
This is a gen 3. I think that the “coke bottle” style refers to the 68-70 models and “fuselage” is this gen 3 style.
Beautiful car. As a previous owner of a 69 R/T I too prefer Gen 2 but this is nice and I love the engine.
Am I right to be surprised at the split bench and column shift?
This is a gen 3. I think that the “coke bottle” style refers to the 68-70 models and “fuselage” is this gen 3 style.
I had a 72 Rallye this color, I have kicked myself many times over the past 30 years for getting mad and selling it. 400/auto
I prefer both the 1st and 3rd gens over the 2nd, I find the lines more artful. Nothing wrong with the 2nd gen though.
No matter your preferences, this one here looks like a winner.
Just wow, we like everything about it.
I love this car. Take my money. All of it! lol
Was light gunmetal also called Winchester gray?
Plymouth used Winchester gray, dodge used gunmetal gray.
Beautiful car, well care for and preserved. Imagine how this auction would go if this car had a console and 3 pedals.
When I was a kid I thought this was a slightly different body style then the ’73 for example, but after just comparing them online they are pretty much the same. I remember liking the ’71 and not liking the ’73. I guess they got it right the first time, the taillights and look of the rear end and the front grille and properly placed striping really work well on this car. Later re-styles including non hideaway headlights took away much of the attractiveness.
Stunning example of a Gen 3!
AWESOME! 👏👏👍👍💪💪
I prefer Gen 1 & 2 Chargers, but I admit the way this was built – PERFECTION.
I get it – a Mopar VIP ordered it the way he wanted. I like the color combo, split bench with seat backs that look like buckets, … surprised at column shift = probably necessary with split bench seat.
I admit, I am Mopar or no car, so I would have ordered the 4 speed if still available.
14.2 secs in the 1/4 – probably with 3.55 rear gear as this car probably is over 4,000 lbs, even 4,150. With 3.55 and those tires, maybe 24 mph/ 1,000 rpm in 3rd gear = 120 at 5,000 rpm (I think is redline, so this would be top speed), and 132 would be at 5,500.
Looks more luxury than musclecar too. Unique, yeah I wish I had the funds – and a huge garage!
My daily is a 2016 Charger Police Pursuit, rear drive, 5.7 Hemi 370 HP, 5 speed autom, full police spec. Super happy with it – might outrun the 1971 above in the 1/4, and does outrun it for top end – the top speed e-limiter from the factory is 150 – I don’t know if it was reset or deleted after it was put in service as an Arkansas state trooper car!
Just curious as to whether or not you have verified that top speed there, Joe! Sounds like you have a fun car to tool around in, and I’m sure it would spank the daylights out of the wonderful specimen for sale here, although I know that some of the old 440’s decked out in police livery would top out at around 160, surprised a lot of Porsche owners back in the day, hitting 140+ and thinking they had left smokey in the dust, only to check the rear view and see that big ol’ grille and the bubble gum machine going ‘blue blue blue’… And, like you, if I had deep pockets and a dry place to put her I’d be vying for this one!
Hey Robert !
I verified my 2016 Charger top speed only for what I did read: owner’s manual, window sticker, several YouTube channels – including 2 devoted to Arkansas State Trooper cases & chases: have seen the AST Chargers do 150 on videos, 1 was modified and did 165+! Yes high speed chases, typically on their interstates, with PIT maneuvers generally up to 80 or so. Yes they receive extensive training.
As far as my 2016: I want to completely rebuild the front suspension (everything!) & new tires (the BFG Goodrich are rated V = 149mph, BUT they mysteriously have no date codes. I have the steel 18×7.5″ or 8″ 5-spoke Police rims. Palm Beach Intl Raceway PBIR is closed April 2022 – sold to industrial development = sad 8-( If I remember, I had the honor of meeting Don Garlits there 2008. Maybe Bradenton 1/4 mile, and maybe another for a road course. FL list of tracks –
https://www.racingin.com/track/florida.aspx .
They also list other states.
PS when I went to look at it Nov 2022, I realized it was a Charger Police Pursuit when I saw the shift on column and 160 Certified Police speedo. I looked up the VIN on the Carfax app = Police Pursuit, 5.7 Hemi, 5 speed, and it illustrated 1 chase when it was an Arkansas State Trooper car – perp broadsided the RR door & quarter, tried to run! The car was dismantled & repaired.
… Idle hours were under 1,000 – very surprised!
Except for sloppy F struts, the car is excellent.
No Robert, no 440 Mopar (or any other cop car) broke out of the 140’s for top speed until the Hemi Chargers came along circa 2006. The ’94-’96 Caprice was the first cop car to even hit the 140’s since the very early ’70’s. Sorry to burst your bubble.
Absolutely stunning example of a Gen 3 ! Owner must be reeling to have to let it go. Should bring in an insane number before the hammer drops on this one.
I wish I lived closer, I might have thrown myself in the mix. Gorgeous…Love it !
I’m only 40 minutes away if anyone wants me to look in person.
Those are bucket seats btw.