The 1969 Dodge Super Bee might've started as a smart idea on paper. Build a no-nonsense muscle car that regular guys could afford and drive like they meant it. But what Dodge unleashed was something a lot more serious than just a good deal. It was a street brawler with factory backing and a chip on its shoulder. Most rolled off the line with the reliable 383 Magnum, which was more than enough to hold its own on the street. A smaller group stepped up to the 440 Six-Pack, bringing even more firepower and street cred. But for a rare handful of buyers, Dodge offered the biggest stick in the box. The 426 Hemi, backed by a 4-speed manual and a Dana 60 Sure-Grip rear axle, turned the Super Bee into something else entirely. Finished in Code Y2 Yellow with a black bumblebee stripe across the rear, this car didn't just hint at performance. It delivered it in full.
Dodge built just 166 Hemi-powered Super Bees for 1969, spread across coupe and hardtop body styles. Only a small fraction of those were WM21-coded coupes equipped with the 4-speed manual transmission. From there, the records get fuzzy. A lot of these cars were used exactly as intended-raced, wrecked, or parted out long before anyone thought about saving them. How many survived with their factory-installed drivetrains is unknown, but the number is low enough to matter. This example sits squarely in that top tier of rarity and authenticity, fully verified by Mopar expert David Wise. Every number, stamping, and casting has been confirmed. The VIN derivatives on the radiator support, trunk lip, engine, and transmission all match the original dash tag. This isn't a tribute or a recreation of what Dodge built...It IS what Dodge built.
The car's documented history begins in the early 2000s, when it was part of a private Mopar collection. At that point, it underwent a light cosmetic restoration to correct wear while preserving its original character. Around the same time, David Wise inspected the car and verified its major stampings and components as original. Between 2014 and 2017, the Super Bee received a full frame-off restoration performed by Frank Badalson of American Performance LLC in Richmond, Virginia. Badalson is one of the most trusted names in the Chrysler world, and this car benefitted from that experience. The body needed no rust repair or structural work, and it retains all original sheetmetal. It was refinished in its original Code Y2 Yellow with correct black bumblebee graphics and restored brightwork. The undercarriage was finished in low-gloss black with restored suspension, a rebuilt driveline, and replicated factory markings applied in their correct locations.
Under the hood is the car's original 426-cubic-inch Hemi V8, factory-rated at 425 horsepower and 490 pound-feet of torque. Twin Carter AFB four-barrel carburetors breathe through the functional Ramcharger hood. The engine bay has been restored to concours standards, from the Hemi Orange block and wrinkle-finish valve covers to the correctly routed wiring, clamps, and reproduction tags. The car features the A34 Super Track Pack, which was only available when paired with the A833 4-speed. That package included a 4.10 geared Dana 60 Sure-Grip rear axle, upgraded cooling, and power front disc brakes. The setup was designed to handle brute force and put it to the ground. The result is a car that can lay down parallel stripes of rubber on command and never break a sweat doing it.
Inside, the Super Bee stays true to its original mission. The interior was restored in correct black vinyl and remains clean, focused, and all business. The Rallye gauge cluster is equipped with the correct factory dials, trimmed in bright silver with sharp markings. The three-spoke steering wheel centers on the embossed Fratzog emblem, a symbol of Dodge's muscle car peak. A wood ball shifter rises from the tunnel and links directly to the 4-speed gearbox. No gimmicks. No frills. Just the controls you need to do the job right.
Supporting documentation includes a full verification report by David Wise confirming the car's matching numbers and original components. A copy of the factory broadcast sheet is included, tying the build to Chrysler's original records. Restoration photos and receipts from American Performance are organized in a bound binder. This Super Bee is not just a piece of muscle car history. It's an authentic example of what Dodge built at the height of the horsepower wars.
It's more than period correct. It's more than date-code accurate. This car is the genuine article, documented, verified, and restored with respect for every detail. Among the small group of 1969 Hemi 4-speed Super Bee coupes ever built, very few remain in this condition with their original drivetrains and factory sheetmetal. This one stands out as a benchmark. It doesn't need to convince anyone of what it is. It already has.
Key Highlights
Rare, Numbers-matching, expertly restored 1969 HEMI Super Bee 4 speed
Frame-off restoration by marque expert, Frank Badalson of American Performance
1 of approximately 166 built for 1969
Believed to be 1 of only a few retaining its original drivetrain
David Wise inspected
Matching secondary VINs on sheetmetal
Original 426ci HEMI V8
Original A833 4-speed manual transmission
A34 Super Track Pack
Dana 60 rear axle with 4.10 gearing
Sure-Grip differential
Power front disc brakes
Correct dual Carter AFB 4-barrel carburetors
Functional Ramcharger hood
Correct Black vinyl interior
Rallye Instrument Cluster Package
