Throughout 2022 you might have remembered a few articles covering events and upgrades on this editor’s Pro Touring 1970 Super Bee.This year we have much more planned, from upgrades like QA1 suspension to events like Optima Ultimate Streetcar Challenge. 

Before we dive in to what is next for the Super Bee, let us take a step back and take a look at how it got to where it is today. It all started 13 years ago when this editor purchased the Super Bee shortly after high school.

The Super Bee was bought in 2010 and this editor was only 19 years old. It was just dragged out of a 20-year slumber when stumbling across it. Originally the car was to be purchased as a parts car for a 1968 Super Bee that was being fixed up. 

The car was mostly complete and after priming the oil system and stuffing a gas can under the hood Project Marsha style, the car fired right up. At that moment it was decided that it was too nice to be parted out and a goal was set to get it running and driving. 

Once the car was back home and was able to take a closer look. After a few washes getting off the old barn dust, you could start to see yellow showing through the faded black paint job. The car also showed signs that it was wrecked at one point on the left front corner. 

The car was barely road worthy, but it hit the streets as soon as possible. The car looked like something from Joe Dirt. It poured radiator fluid everywhere it went. 

After a while, the rusty quarter panels started to become more of an issue and decided it was time to work on the body and paint. The first stop was a call to AMD for a trunk pan and some rear quarters. 

This editor and his wife, Liz, started on some of the body work. Then the car was shipped off to Modern Day Muscle Car Factory in Elkhart, Indiana. They finished what was started and got the car nice and straight.

The car was painted Pearl yellow, color code 5B0 from a 2012 Lexus LFA Supercar. As time went on hitting up the drag strip and cruise nights, the transmission started slipping and the old 440 motor was showing signs of wear. 

The wore out 440 was replaced by a 512 stroker with some help from 440 Source. Not only did the motor need replaced but the slipping transmission was not going to withstand the new 512 stroker. A call to A and A Transmission and Gear Vendors would cure our transmission issues. 

Scott Wahlstrom introduced this editor to the world of Pro Touring at the Motor State Challenge at Gingerman Raceway in South Haven, Michigan. Next thing you know the Super Bee received some more goodies. 

Starting with a QA1 complete front end handling kit with double adjustable shocks and a Borgeson quick-steer gearbox. Then some Wilwood Disc Brakes, bigger wheels and wide tires were added for for grip and stopping power.

Next thing you know, the Super Bee was out killing cones and learning how to go around corners. Then in 2020, the Super Bee ran its first road course event at the Motor State Challenge and won the QA1 #godriveit class and the Todd Gartshore Memorial Award. 

After constant spark plug wire replacements and heat related problems, the 512 cubic inch big block was ditched for a 392 Gen III Hemi and an 8HP70 8 speed transmission from a 2018 Scat Pack. Getting the motor running was fairly easy with parts from Holley Performance and Sound German Automotive.

Derale coolers were installed on everything to help with heat from road course abuse. Racing seats were added and a Holley Pro Dash was added to the interior. Even though the car weighs 3,700 lbs, it still pulled off an 11 second quarter mile with its factory 3.23 sure grip. 

With a new engine, transmission and few other updates, the Super Bee was back at it. It won its class at Motor State Challenge in 2021 and 2022. It was also at Holley Moparty both years competing in the Grand Champion class. 

The Super Bee is driven to almost every event. From small local SCCA Cam Challenges to bigger events like Roadkill Nights, Good Guys show, Street Rod Nationals, and more. It can also be seen picking up groceries at the store.

The Super Bee does not get much down time, as there was 20,000 miles put on the car in 2022. It helps that the 392 Hemi, 8-speed automatic and 3:23 geared combo gets 25-27 mpg cruising down the highway.  

2022 was a big year for this editor and the Super Bee. With an an invitation for Optima’s Search For The Ultimate Streetcar Invitational at SEMA and to have the car displayed at PRI were two huge achievements. 

There are no plans to slow down for 2023 and have a lot more plans for upgrading the Super Bee to become even more competitive. Follow along as we make more improvements and push the envelope of what this Mopar can do. 

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