Long-term storage is terrible for any classic if it happens in a wooden barn or under full exposure to the elements. A garage is a far better choice, but sometimes, it's not enough to prevent an old vehicle from rotting away. However, some rigs get lucky and survive through decades of neglect without significant issues, like this 1970 Dodge Super Bee.
Documented and rescued by YouTube's "Shade Tree Vintage Auto," this Mopar was last on the road in 1983 when a fugitive abandoned it. It's been sitting ever since, which means this Super Bee hasn't been driven in a whopping 40 years.
But unlike classics that have been sitting for this long, the Dodge is not yet a rust bucket. I guess it wasn't ignored entirely all these years, or at least that's what the repainted front fenders and hood suggest.
It's unclear whether these body parts are factory-spec or replacements, but the Super Bee is highly original, which is surprising for a car that spent four decades off the road. The coupe still wears the factory red paint from the A-pillars to the rear, and the black stripes are still visible.
The white interior hasn't been restored or replaced either. Sure, the seats are worn out, and rodents have damaged the floor carpets, but it looks like the cabin will clean up nicely. The white door panels are in excellent shape at first glance, and the dashboard isn't severely cracked at first glance.
There's even better news under the yellow hood, which hides a numbers-matching 383-cubic-inch (6.3-liter) V8 engine. Rated at 335 horsepower and 425 pound-feet (576 Nm) of torque when new, the 383 was the entry-level unit in the Super Bee. And it's not exactly rare either.
1970 was the nameplate's second most successful year on the market, with 15,506 examples sold. No fewer than 14,196 units left the assembly line with a 383. The four-speed manual probably makes it one of around 7,000 built like this, which is a lot. But while it may not be rare production-wise, this Super Bee is a rare find due to the original drivetrain components.
What's more, the red-over-white color combo is quite scarce. I don't have specific numbers to run by, but I haven't seen one sporting these colors in a very long time.
But it doesn't really matter how rare this Mopar is. Our host is crazy about it (the 1970 Super Bee is his dream rig), and he's determined to restore it and put it back on the road. In fact, he already got the V8 running again and took the car for a spin. It will take some more time and upgrades to make this Super Bee road-worthy, but a running barn find is a great start. Check it out in the video below.
Ask Ciprian about cars and he'll reveal an obsession with classics and an annoyance with modern design cues. Read his articles and you'll understand why his ideal SUV is the 1969 Chevrolet K5 Blazer. Full profile
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