While Plymouth was getting all the "go fast on the cheap" sales with the Road Runner, Dodge was quietly plotting their revenge in the background. In 1968, that revenge appeared in the form of the Dodge Super Bee, their version of the low-priced high-performance muscle car. The formula stayed pretty much the same, and since most of the parts were coming out of the same bin, the Super Bees were every bit as potent as their Plymouth cousins. The base engine was a 383 cubic inch V8, and the only option was a big one: A $1000 Hemi. Because of the incongruity of low cost and an engine option that was more than 25% of the price of the entire car, only 125 were built, and of those only 31 were ordered with a 4-speed, making them quite rare today.

If you want to talk about investment-grade automobiles, this is a safe Hemi to buy—neither astoundingly expensive nor a fake. Like all Super Bees, it was more stripped-down street fighter than luxury cruiser (you could always get a Charger if you wanted luxury with your performance), and as a result the fender tag is short and to the point:

CAR: Dodge Coronet Super Bee 2-Door Pillar Coupe
ENGINE: 426 cubic inch Hemi 2x4-barrel V8
TRANSMISSION: 4-Speed manual floor shift
TIRES: F70x15 red sidewall, nylon belted
MODEL YEAR: 1968
BUILD DATE: May 22.
AXLE: 3.54 Rear axle ratio Dana 60, Sure Grip
INTERIOR: High trim grade, vinyl split bench seats. Black Interior.
PAINT: Monotone Burgundy Metallic paint.
OTHER: Black upper door frame color. White Bumble-Bee sport stripe.
25: Drip rail moldings
47: B-pillar moldings (for coupe)
78: Wheel lip moldings
A1: 26 inch radiator
P6: Rear seat speaker
R1: AM radio
T7: Tachometer
u1: Sold car when built (somebody ordered it)

All the important stuff is there, and someone obviously chose their options very carefully, adding things that would improve performance without going overboard on the other stuff that only made it heavier. It worked, because this is one heck of a fast, mean, fire-breathing street machine that was surely a formidable presence on the streets of 1968. The code RR1 Burgundy finish is subtle, which is what you want when you're trying to lure unsuspecting prey. There's just no way these cars looked this good when they were new, however, and the fit and finish of this Super Bee is definitely up to the standards you would expect of such a pedigreed vehicle. The two-stage urethane paint is dazzling in the sunlight, and the relative lack of flash--unusual for Chrysler of this era--says that the guy who originally bought this car intended to keep a low profile. The only giveaway is the white Bumble Bee stripe on the tail, but that would be hard to resist, especially if you dropped another $1000 on the Hemi engine, which got little more than a small badge on the front fender. All the chrome has been restored or replaced, and those cool round side marker lights are unique to the '68s and look just right on the car's flanks. Even the hood keeps a low profile, with a very simple power dome in the center, but no snorkels or scoops that give away what lives underneath.

The interior is virtually identical to the Road Runner, which means a basic black bench seat, no console, and a minimum of flash. But that wasn't the point, and you wouldn't be reading this if you wanted a car with A/C and power windows. No, the point was go fast with less cash, and at the same time, they created lightweight cars that were virtually unbeatable on the street. The dash is full of rebuilt gauges, and the original owner was wise to spec the Tick-Tock-Tach, a $38 option, and since he probably had to drive the car to work during the day, an AM radio with a rear speaker was a smart choice. Everything works as it should, giving you the true 1968 Mopar experience. The seat covers, carpets, door panels, and headliner are all new reproduction pieces from Legendary, whose quality is pretty much unquestioned. A separate Auto Meter temperature gauge has been discreetly tucked under the dash, just in case, but that's pretty much the only deviation from stock aside from the embroidered floor mats. The trunk compartment has been nicely restored as well, with a correct reproduction mat, full-sized bias-ply spare tire, and a full jack assembly. You'll also note in the photos that the inner quarters still carry the factory textured undercoating, suggesting that this car shows all its original sheetmetal.

However, you didn't read this far to hear about undercoating, you want to know what's under the hood. From the photos, it's obvious that it's got a Hemi, and this is restored to factory fresh condition. Extremely well detailed by some of the best guys in the business, this is a highly correct, albeit non-matching Hemi that runs as good as it looks. Look at the Hemi Orange paint on the block, the wrinkle-finish valve covers, and that big Hemi air cleaner, and you know there's no sneaking around in this car. Correct hoses and wire hose clamps have been used throughout, a proper ballast resistor lives on the firewall, and wherever possible, the correct markings were reproduced. It's backed by its original, numbers-matching 4-speed manual transmission (one of only 31 cars built with a 4-speed) and Dana 60 rear with 3.54 gears on a Sure Grip limited slip. Floors have been painted to match the body, and all the components have correct finishes. There are a few signs that the car has been driven sparingly, but a professional level detail should make it show-worthy in a few hours. The exhaust system features correct mufflers and resonators with polished tips, and it rides on a set of beautiful Magnum wheels wearing 225/75/15 Coker Classic redline radials.

Cars like this are also a lot of fun to drive, and this Govier-documented Super Bee has the right combination of quality, condition, and equipment to make it a blast on the street, so you shouldn't be afraid to drive it. If you've been looking for a Hemi, and perhaps something a little unusual, this one-of-31 Dodge Super Bee certainly fits the bill.