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The 1970 Dodge 426ci Hemi Super Bee was a 425bhp, 0 to 60 in 5.3 seconds, 13.49 sec. quarter mile, ram-charged answer to the question, "Can Dodge make an affordable muscle car?" The answer was a resounding, "Yes!" Although the hemi package raised the $3,024 price tag nearly 33% over the 383ci and the 440ci versions, it also raised the base horse power and dropped the quarter mile times drastically.

First built in 1968, the Hemi Super Bee was based on a redesigned version of the Coronet coupe. It boasted a heavy-duty suspension with better shocks, larger brakes, and a modified hood. It was launched as a competitor for the Plymouth Road Runner. Sibling rivalry, so to speak, between Plymouth and Dodge for a corner on the street-rod market. But they were basically the same car. With identical engines and matching curb weight. The Road Runner was $150 less expensive to own. But unfortunately for Dodge , the Road Runner held more visual appeal for some muscle buyers.

In 1970, the Hemi Super Bee came out looking a little different. In the past it had to closely resembled the Coronet. Dodge thought that giving it a little more styling might increase it's demand. There were a few different striping options and the tail lamp were horizontally divided instead of the individually segmented ones of the past. There were also a number of wild colors to choose from such as Go-Mango and Plum Crazy. They also added a spoiler and a hood tachometer as optional equipment. The new front end consisted of a dual ovaled grille that was referred to by many as "bumblee bee" wings. This new look turned off many would-be buyers and sales began to plummet for the 1970 model.

There were only about 15,500 total Super Bees produced in 1970. Out of that there were approximately 28 hardtops and 4 pillared coupes that were Hemi powered. Of those 32 built with a Hemi, only 11 of them were automatic. They employed a 727 Torque Flight with a 4:10 Dana rear end. The remainder opted for the Mopar A-833 four-speed manual transmission. Unfortunately, Dodge was a late bloomer in the muscle super-car race. By the early 1970's changing laws and government regulations brought about a major decline in the manufacturing of high-performance vehicles.

Because so few of them were made, their value has increased dramatically in the last few years. They have finally become what they should have been all along. One of the most sought after muscle super-cars of it's era.

Learn more about this author, Wendy Lafond.
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