How rare are Dodge Super Bees?
Dodge Super Bees are relatively rare, especially the 426 Hemi-powered versions. Most examples were built with the more common 383 or 440 V8s, and today only a subset survives in usable condition. Across 1968–1970, production was limited, making the highest-performance variants particularly sought after by collectors.
Origins and model context
The Super Bee began as a performance package—branding borrowed from Mopar’s bee motif—for the Dodge Coronet/B-body lineup in 1968. It offered a blend of mid-sized muscle with aggressive appearance and available high-performance powertrains, including the iconic 426 Hemi in some configurations. The package continued through 1969 and 1970, evolving in styling and options while remaining a relatively low-volume offering compared with standard Coronet models.
Rarity by year and engine
Rarity varies by year and engine; the following overview captures the general trend among Dodge's B-body performance lineup in the late-1960s.
- 1968: The debut year for the Super Bee; most cars were equipped with the standard big-blocks (383 or 440), while the 426 Hemi remained a rare, highly sought-after option.
- 1969: Continued availability of the same engine options, with the Hemi still scarce but present; production levels were modest compared with non-performance Coronets, contributing to overall rarity.
- 1970: The final year of the initial generation; production declined further as market conditions and emissions controls reduced high-performance output, keeping the number of high-performance Super Bees low.
These patterns indicate that base-model Super Bees were relatively more common than their Hemi-equipped counterparts, but all examples from this era remain scarce compared with everyday 1960s Dodge models.
What makes a Super Bee valuable today
Several factors drive rarity and value in today’s market. The following points explain why some Super Bees are rarer and more collectible than others.
- Numbers-matching drivetrains (original engine and transmission) significantly boost rarity and value.
- The 426 Hemi option is the most coveted and therefore the rarest variant, especially in combination with a manual transmission and a desirable color, trim, or options package.
- Factory documentation, build sheets, door codes, and complete ownership history improve authenticity and collector appeal.
- Survivor condition (unrestored original condition) is highly prized, though well-executed, documented restorations can also command strong prices.
In practice, the rarest Super Bees are those with original, numbers-matching drivetrains, especially 426 Hemi cars from 1968–1969, accompanied by solid provenance.
Summary
Across 1968–1970, Dodge produced a limited run of Super Bees, with the base models being scarce relative to standard Dodge cars and the 426 Hemi versions even rarer. Today, rarity is driven by engine choice (notably the Hemi), transmission type, documentation, and condition. For collectors, the most valuable examples tend to be Hemi-equipped, numbers-matching cars with thorough provenance and well-documented histories.
