Dodge Charger Super Bee

Michael and Crystal Manning of Odessa, Texas share a passion for Mopar muscle cars and the Star Wars film franchise. Their 2008 Dodge Charger Super Bee number 777 of 1000--which they affectionately refer to as Darth Bee--combine these interests perfectly.

The Super Bee is an iconic model that distinguished the Coronet-model Charger from its budget musclecar rival, the Plymouth Road Runner. It featured hideaway headlights and Rallye package features like bulging hood pins, sport wheels, and an interior Rally instrument cluster.

Engine

As emission regulations, rising insurance costs, and overall interest in muscle cars began to decrease, Dodge began to restrict their performance offerings on their flagship B-body model - Super Bee was no longer available and only one Mopar V8 model could still get its way inside - the Rallye model.

Though discontinued for 1970, the 1972 Dodge Charger Super Bee still packed plenty of power. Indeed, its 440-ci Magnum engine - used both by itself and Plymouth Road Runner (another competitor that had also been discontinued) - produced an impressive 280hp from four-barrel carburetion.

As well as its engine, several upgrades were available that gave the Super Bee its distinctive look and feel. A three-speed column shift manual transmission was standard while an A-833 four-speed with Hurst pistol grip shifter and TorqueFlite automatic could also be chosen as an upgrade option. A spread-bore Carter Thermo-Quad carburetor replaced earlier points-style units to maximize both mileage efficiency and big power when required; an air grabber cold air induction system from Rallye made breathing easier while improving engine efficiency even further.

The Super Bee distinguished itself further through a custom instrument cluster, seat back emblems, and its own two-piece black two-part scoop that distinguished it from other Charger models. Furthermore, this vehicle featured a heavy-duty Dana 60 front axle equipped with a 4:10 gear ratio, and included Mopar's optional steel wheels as part of its package.

The 1972 Dodge Charger Super Bee was an ideal blend of performance, value, and classic design, earning its place among American sports coupes. Even today it remains rare to find another muscle car offering such value at such an affordable price point - making restoration one of the ideal ways to invest your hard-earned cash! If you're searching for ways to invest in something worthwhile this rare collectible beauty may just be it!

Transmission

Since 1971, Dodge no longer offered its Super Bee package as an OEM option on the Charger; instead they renamed it Rallye to reflect its more performance-oriented equipment - including four-barrel carburetors, larger exhaust tips, special front fascia and engine cover, unique grille and rear spoiler, high back bucket seats with Hurst shifters on four speed models, high back bucket seats with head rests. Furthermore it was available with an exclusive promotional order Topper X package featuring spring green paint with green vinyl roof covering, instrument cluster, front bumper guards, as well as hideaway headlights.

The Rallye was notable for its interior, featuring a two-tone black/black two-tone color scheme with yellow accent stitching on seats and steering wheel - something exclusive for this model year. Additionally, this was the first year Hemi engines were available for Charger SRT-8s; each produced 425 horsepower.

1972 also brought with it two additional engine options - a 440-ci six-cylinder and 340-ci big-block V8 using a new net horsepower rating system due to tighter emissions standards, yet these new ratings still exceeded gross horsepower of 1969's 440-ci Super Bee.

As the Super Bee's successor, the Rallye was an immensely popular option due to its higher power output - its 340ci six cylinder provided 245hp while its 440ci eight cylinder could produce 375 hp.

Dodge offered its Rallye as the sole model year with an optional deluxe automatic transmission featuring both floor-mounted shifter and pistol grip Hurst shifters for greater convenience than their TorqueFlite automatic with pushbutton ignition. This was an upgrade over their standard TorqueFlite automatic with pushbutton ignition system.

This example was constructed at Brampton Assembly Plant before being shipped to Windsor for final decals and badge placement on the passenger-side dash panel. According to its build sheet, this particular vehicle is Car Number One out of 1000 produced in 2007. Specifically, this Hemi 6.1 L engine offers improved performance with reduced ride height, ALCOA wheels, and has its own unique color code called B5 Citron Yella.

Body

In 1971, Dodge decided to make a dramatic shift in its performance midsized coupe market with the launch of the Charger 500. Gone were Super Bee and R/T models in favor of this new car; its name signified an important new chapter for Chrysler B-body offerings; this car featured many similar options but its new moniker also marked its arrival with Hemi engines for rear-wheel drive models!

The Charger was intended primarily for use on NASCAR tracks; however, its tunneled rear windows and deep-recessed grille design created difficulties with high-speed aerodynamics. As Ford began dominating on race tracks with its Torino Talladega model, Dodge became determined to turn things around.

As a result, this was the inaugural year that the Charger offered with a "sleek-style" body option, featuring low front fender lines similar to those found on 1970 Coronet Super Bee and tape side treatments that imitate vents on its doors. Meanwhile, its Six-Pack model continued being available, while Super Bee received a special "Ramcharger" air induction hood featuring forward facing scoops.

Interior upgrades were generally standard across models and included bench seats with chrome strips across the top of their dashes, along with no longer upswept rear windows and replacing Rallye's bee-cutout with a subtle 500 badge cutout; finally a sleek striped "500" logo appeared on the driver door backs.

Though these changes were welcome, they weren't enough to restore the Charger to its former status in the performance coupe market. Ford and Chevy products continued their march forward until it was too late for Mopar to defend itself against such competition.

The Gerlitzkis first purchased their Charger in August 2012, immediately falling in love with its Hemi orange paint job. Since then, there have been no hits or damages, no signs of rust anywhere on its body and restoration was completed to factory specs by Lancaster Race Krafters; while its interior was renovated by Auto Interior Plus of Holtwood. Finally, Custom Classics in Conestoga Pennsylvania applied PPG Guards Red to all cold-rolled sheetmetal pieces before applying PPG Guards Red paint as a final touch.

Interior

Dodge's budget musclecar, the Super Bee, sought to compete with Plymouth's Road Runner. For 1972 model year sales it was repositioned as a stand-alone Charger coupe and given formal roof treatment that set it apart from two-door models of Charger family. Furthermore, for the first time it featured an engine of 440 cubic inches ("Six Pack") as opposed to being simply modified Coronet with extra sheet metal and minimal additional equipment options prior to this change.

This car is an outstanding example of the third-generation Super Bee with a lime-green exterior finish and minimal rust issues, featuring excellent gloss without any dings or scratches on its paintwork and graphics such as its Super Bee logo on the hood, tape stripes, front and rear bumpers, center impact bar as well as black Mopar hood pin kit as well as door handle sets and front/rear spoilers.

Inside is a very comfortable car featuring an upholstered black bench seat and black-faced dash cluster. Additionally, this car boasts an 8.4 inch Uconnect 4C NAV with Apple Carplay/Android Auto support, parkview rear backup camera, remote start feature, power driver's seat adjustment feature as well as Mopar carbon/suede interior package plus group equipment options - total mileage readout stands at an extremely conservative under-1600 miles-per-year average since new. It currently sits on an odometer reading of 77,620 miles; representing an extremely conservative sub-1600 average since new!

The 1971 Charger was completely revamped and enlarged, and this particular example is one of its larger specimens. It boasts a 115-inch wheelbase compared to Coronet sedans and wagons' 118-inch base; and has a sporty semi-fastback profile with hidden headlights, round taillights, undivided grille and hidden headlights; this was also its last year as these models were replaced by Rallye option which allowed installing of 440 Six Pack engines in two door coupes; its top model SE continued with features like four spoke steering wheel, woodgrain console and HVAC controls that slide out from under its dashboard - all these luxury models made it available last year as part of this decade-long run-up.