• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

69 Superbee Hemi Orange white tail stripe

Rustymopar

Well-Known Member
Local time
5:35 AM
Joined
Jul 30, 2012
Messages
807
Reaction score
167
Location
Stevensville, Maryland
Let me start out by saying, I've been a Mopar fan since I was 17 years old when I was introduced to a 69 Roadrunner in pieces in my bosses apartment living room back in 1982.

So I really disliked this guy. He worked me like a mule (Residential construction) as a kid right out of high school. He probably fired me or I had quite atleast a dozen times in 3 years. Mostly to get away from him and out of my Mom's house, I joined the USAF. Had various Camaro's, Mustangs and all of the mainstream Ford or GM's but never really could afford a decent Mopar.

I got out of the USAF in 1988, stopped by my old bosses new house to say hello and next thing I know I'm helping him build a 66 Ford Cobra kit car and a new friendship was born (plus I was all grown up and out on my own now). He ended up selling the black RR, you remember the one in pieces on his Glen Burnie MD apartment floor. He wanted to build a car from scratch, which he did 3x until he got it right (in his head).

Several visits later I see a primered B body in his shop covered with crap. He went on to tell me he found it in a garage directly across the street from his house and that it had been garaged for 20 years. I liked it..... it was a Superbee.
A decade and a half passes with Warren (thats his name) and I always looking back and laughing at my youthful working mule days. I'd stop by monthly, sometimes a couple times a month to say hello and STS (shoot the stuff). I'd always poke at him to sell me the Superbee (for 15 years). Warren never married and never had kids. Working with his hands was his gift. Whether it was building a Cobra or a $1m custom home which he lived in, in Annapolis, MD.
Now picture this guy, pulling into his $million dollar house in his 1977 3/4 ton Dodge work van. Or his 1977 Chrysler Cordoba. In 2001, I talked him into buying a new Chrysler 300m, yet he still drove the Van daily (no a/c) to work out of.
This is the same guy that kept a skill saw plugged in, in his living room and would cut the days scrap wood from a job, in his living room to feed the wood stove..or the guy who ran electric to the bird feeder to give the squirles a little shock therapy (or as he said to educate them) to stay out of his bird feeders. He would sit and wait for them and then hit the switch with a little 110v kick to the rear. I digress, but wanted to paint a picture of the flannel shirt wearing, eccentric guy who turned out to be a mentor and one of my best friends.
Warren was riding a jet ski 2 years ago July 25 on a Sunday. A storm rolled down the Severn River and Warren was caught in the storm although still trying to out run it and get back to the boat ramp. Warren was struck by lightening on a jet ski and killed near Sandy Point in Annapois, MD. Warren had another buddy with him who dragged is soaked lifless body back to the boat ramp slumped over the buddy's jet ski.

Warren had 3 close friends. Another friend of his and myself helped his Sister and brother inlaw, clean out the estate and prepare it for sale in the across the next 6 months. I told Maris and Dave (sis and bro inlaw) I wanted nothing of Warrens excpet his old Estwing hammer, his wooden folding tape measure and a crack at buying the Superbee. Well they sold it to me about 6 months later.

The more I dug into it, the more rare of a color combination then I originally thought. Orignal 383 motor gone, it had a 440HP in it which was a 1970. I sold it and bought a totally rebuilt in the crate, date correct 383.

As most of you know, I considered selling it recently. Thank goodness I sold my 69 RR instead. I probably would have lived with much regret.

So Ive decided to blog or thread this process. I started on it about 1.5 years ago, havent touched it in 9 months until last weekend. Soooo here we go. This forum has relit the fire in me.
 

Attachments

  • WD's Cobra.jpg
    53.8 KB · Views: 2,316
Pictures across the last year... Not much done

This was the SB in Warrens shop.......
 

Attachments

  • SuperBee at WD's.jpg
    101.1 KB · Views: 2,298
Arrival home

Brought the Bee home
 

Attachments

  • Build sheet.jpg
    109.1 KB · Views: 2,227
  • Arrival home.jpg
    94.8 KB · Views: 2,226
Starting into it

Pulled the motor and got it on the rotisseire - I scraped undercaoting last fall for 40 hours with a propane torch and a 1" putty knife.
 

Attachments

  • solid SB1.jpg
    65.2 KB · Views: 2,262
  • SB sideways.jpg
    56.7 KB · Views: 2,194
  • SB sideways2.jpg
    50.7 KB · Views: 2,195
  • SB motor out.jpg
    78.2 KB · Views: 2,255
Nice and clean

So this was this past weekend. 9/6/2012
 

Attachments

  • SB Ready for media blasting Sept 5-6 2012.jpg
    99.5 KB · Views: 2,211
  • SB Clean bottom.jpg
    46.3 KB · Views: 2,204
  • Sb clean bottom1.jpg
    61.6 KB · Views: 2,174
  • SB1.jpg
    58.8 KB · Views: 2,228
Donor car

So I bought this 69 Coronet 440 this Sunday for $500 no motor or trans, basically for the K frame and rear end. I have the original K frame and rear end for the Bee.
Once the Bee is primed and cut in, I will put the Donor K frame and rear axle beneath the Bee to make it a roller. They can then hang the fenders and doors as a roller. Thats the plan.
I also figure if I need any smalls, I can just go pluck it off the Coronet...
There's alot of rust on this car and don't think I will need a lot. I plan on taking the dash and guage plastic out to put on my other Coroent 440 which is getting a paint job.
 

Attachments

  • 69 Coronet 440 donor car.jpg
    72 KB · Views: 2,181
This Saturday 9/15/12, the Hood, trunk lid doors and fenders are going to the body shop to get a coat of epoxy primer. I will take him the body on the rotisserrie the following weekend.
I will be treating them with holdtight102 the evening before.
 
So I bought this 69 Coronet 440 this Sunday for $500 no motor or trans, basically for the K frame and rear end. I have the original K frame and rear end for the Bee.
Once the Bee is primed and cut in, I will put the Donor K frame and rear axle beneath the Bee to make it a roller. They can then hang the fenders and doors as a roller. Thats the plan.
I also figure if I need any smalls, I can just go pluck it off the Coronet...
There's alot of rust on this car and don't think I will need a lot. I plan on taking the dash and guage plastic out to put on my other Coroent 440 which is getting a paint job.


Let me elaborate.... The Bee Kframe is better then new. Blasted , prepped, primed and painted satin black.... as will the rear very soon. I don't want body shop dust, over spray or any other stuff on the K and rear. Hence the donor.
 
A great decision to keep this car! It will be stunning when finished! I will watch this thread for updates.
KID
 
You definatley made the right decision when you sold the RR and started restoring this car. This car will be stunning when done not to mention all the original sheetmetal it will retain, and the sentimental attachment. I am looking forward to watching the progress.
 
Yes sir, I agree great decision, It looks solid as can be.. Id love to live where you do.. to buy a Coronet like that for the price, That would never happen around here.. I wish you luck so far things sure are looking real good!!
 
Yes sir, I agree great decision, It looks solid as can be.. Id love to live where you do.. to buy a Coronet like that for the price, That would never happen around here.. I wish you luck so far things sure are looking real good!!


Believe me when I say.. that there isnt a "hole" lot good on the Coronet 440. The frame from the axle back is just about gone. quarters and floors gone.. It's a roach.. BUT - it has some decent parts..
The front grill and head light bezels are perfect and just needs cleaned and fresh flat black paint. The stuff I need and care about is is good shape.
Picked up the holdtight102 today. I will pwerwash the doors fenders, hood and trunk on Friday.. Every day, I need tp try to do something to keep progress moving.
It will be tough though when Mid Nove gets here. I coach a wrestling team. SO I'm hoping to have in in a body shop by then. At least there will be forward progress.
Peace~~~~
 
Glad to hear you didn't have to sell the bee.I don't think i would've been able to sell it either.I had a friend sell me his ramcharger just b4 he died from cancer, so i don't think i will ever sell that.Nice job on cleaning the bee.
 
I first spotted my 69 Coronet R/T at a Sunoco station in 1988. Orange with a white butt stripe. Stunning. Three thousand four hundred and fifty dollars later it was mine. Still have it. It has been a journey.

When going to the stable, I choose to drive the 69 over the 06 and 09 muscle Mopars. Every time. Thank God there were people with vision at ma Mopar. 43 years later, these cars are timeless. :headbang:
 
Believe me when I say.. that there isnt a "hole" lot good on the Coronet 440. The frame from the axle back is just about gone. quarters and floors gone.. It's a roach.. BUT - it has some decent parts..
The front grill and head light bezels are perfect and just needs cleaned and fresh flat black paint. The stuff I need and care about is is good shape.
Picked up the holdtight102 today. I will pwerwash the doors fenders, hood and trunk on Friday.. Every day, I need tp try to do something to keep progress moving.
It will be tough though when Mid Nove gets here. I coach a wrestling team. SO I'm hoping to have in in a body shop by then. At least there will be forward progress.
Peace~~~~

I see, well as long as you get some parts you need and the front grill alone probably a good piece of money by itself. Ill be watching please keep us posted, be a great car when your done but ill be honest Rusty or i am being honest when i say that hear, We would be paying a lot more then 500 for that car as bad as your calling it.. Ive seen it hear many, many times. The thing is there are some who would pay the higher price to get it around hear. I hope this isn't sounding like im arguing your point because im not, but Mopars hear are hard to find and if you do, they want your first born to sell it. I guess here it comes down to just how bad one wants one is willing to pay and then put into it. Good luck to ya!
 
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top