Dodge Super Bee 440 Six Pack
The Dodge Super Bee was introduced in 1968 as Dodge's direct competitor to the Plymouth Road Runner. Like the Road Runner, the Super Bee was based on the intermediate B-body platform but stripped of unnecessary luxury items to keep the price low and the performance high. The Super Bee nameplate was chosen to evoke speed and aggression, and the cartoon bee character that adorned the car's flanks became one of the most recognizable muscle car mascots of the era.
The standard Super Bee came with the 383 cubic inch Magnum V8, but serious performance buyers could option up to the 440 Magnum or the ultra-rare 426 Hemi. For 1969 and 1970, Dodge offered the 440 Six Pack option, which featured three Holley two-barrel carburetors on an Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold. The Six Pack setup produced 390 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque, making it one of the most potent engines available in any muscle car and far more affordable than the Hemi.
The Six Pack's progressive carburetor setup meant that normal driving was handled by the single center carburetor, providing reasonable fuel economy and docile street manners. But when the throttle was opened wide, the progressive linkage brought all three carburetors online, flooding the engine with fuel and air and transforming the Super Bee into a tire-shredding monster. The transition was accompanied by a distinctive intake howl that became legendary among Mopar enthusiasts.
Period road tests of the 440 Six Pack Super Bee consistently recorded quarter-mile times in the low-to-mid 13-second range, making it one of the quickest cars of the era. Car and Driver famously tested a 1969 440 Six Pack Super Bee to a 13.44-second quarter mile at 108 mph, which was quicker than many Hemi cars of the period. The combination of light weight (thanks to the stripped interior) and massive torque made the Six Pack Super Bee nearly unbeatable on the street.
The Super Bee's exterior styling was aggressive and purposeful. The bumblebee stripes that wrapped around the tail, the distinctive grille, and the performance hood with functional scoops all announced the car's performance intentions. Inside, the Super Bee was spartan by design, with basic bench seating and minimal trim, though buyers could option up to bucket seats and a center console if desired.
For 1970, the Super Bee received revised styling with a more aggressive front end and the option of the 'ramcharger' hood with exposed air cleaners poking through the hood. This look became iconic and is highly sought after by collectors today. The 1970 model year also saw the introduction of the Super Bee based on the Coronet two-door hardtop body, replacing the original pillared coupe.
Production of 440 Six Pack Super Bees was limited, with approximately 1,907 built across the 1969-1970 model years. This relative rarity, combined with the car's devastating performance and its status as one of the last true budget muscle cars, has made the Six Pack Super Bee highly collectible. Four-speed manual cars are significantly rarer than automatics and command premium prices.
Verify Six Pack authenticity through fender tag (N96 code) and broadcast sheet. The Six Pack intake manifold and carburetors should have correct casting numbers and date codes. Many standard 383 or 440 4V Super Bees have been converted to Six Pack specification. Check for typical B-body rust: floors, trunk, quarters, trunk extensions. Four-speed manual cars are rarer and more valuable. Ramcharger hood (1970) is highly desirable. Documentation is critical at this value level.
Super Bee production 1968-1971. 440 Six Pack available 1969-1970. 1969 Six Pack production: approximately 697. 1970 Six Pack production: approximately 1,210. Total Six Pack Super Bees: approximately 1,907. The Super Bee was Dodge's answer to the Plymouth Road Runner, sharing the B-body platform.