Finally found a Super Bee, South Carolina to San Diego...

[Cheapsunglasses]

Congratulations on getting such a beautiful Bee, and a successful road trip!

 

[PlymCrazy]

The cast iron transmissions from the early days had rear pumps along with front pumps. You had to get going faster than a manual car, but it would roll start.

My old ‘59 Ford would start this way too. Had a 2 speed auto in. About 20-25mph is when it would engage and roll over. Telling people this story over the years they would say I was nuts, and that it’s not possible. I may be nuts, but it’s true.

 

[The Rebel]

Glad you made it back safe & sound. A trip to remember for sure! Bet you got a lot of thumbs up along the way.

 

[Dave6T4]

Later cable shift aluminium transmissions also had rear pumps and would push start. Rear pump was removed for 1966. 4- speed Hydramatics also had this feature. With the rear pump, the rotating drive shaft will allow this pump to pressurize the hydraulic circuits. With enough speed, by shifting into "Drive", front and rear clutch packs engage, and will roll the engine over.

 

[Speedbird]

That is a car I would serious want.
But I'm glad you got it.
(Really).
And yes, there is NO reason these cars if maintained can't go cross county.
Ask me how I know.
People have understandably come to expect more comfort and economy in cars.
My one caveat in that car and said trip, is the non original items.
After a 72 Challenger 20 something years ago, I said I would never again buy someone else's hot rod.
If I build them myself I know what to expect.
But I'm sure you knew whether you could trust the seller or not.
Happy Moparing.

 

[ct71rr]

This is awesome! Congrats on the car and the trip!!

 

[fesser]

I am extremely jealous! My back won't let me sit right now, and I don't own a Bee, but I would so love to do what you just did. Great car, and a great beginning to your ownership of an icon.

 

[72redbird]

congratulations on the trip and the car! 4 days and that kind of mileage with no issues, I'm not sure if I would even do a thing to that car!

 

[70Fish]

Congrats on the long haul and the new Bee! Any more pics of the cross country trek would be great!

 

[andrewwoz]

Congrats on the long haul and the new Bee! Any more pics of the cross country trek would be great!

We were really just focused on crushing miles everyday, wake up, get on the road, eat at gas stations, drive till a little after dark then find dinner and a hotel. I'd like to do another cross country trip and take my time a little more. I did a cross country trip on a rigid harley before over the course of 3 weeks and it was awesome. I think before I do it again in the Bee I will get a gear vendors setup haha

 

[Billccm]

I drove Cincinnati to San Jose in a Duster back in the late 1980s and loved the trip. I took three days, got a ticket in Oklahoma for 20 over (while traveling 30 over), and loved every minute of the trip. I was alone and listened to local hillbilly AM stations across the country. This was actually really entertaining.

Car gave no problems whatsoever.

Willing to do this again, but not alone!

 

[Kern Dog]

Trip recap! Ended up making it in 4 days and spent juust under $1000 in fuel haha.

You made this distance....

....In 4 days ? Really? THAT is impressive.

That is a 575 mile per day average. Each year, the wife and I go to Arizona around Christmas. That is 780 miles and 12 hours one way. We start early and get to Scottsdale in the evening. It isn't the most fun but isn't too bad in a comfortable car. Heater/defoster is what matters then, A/C is a non issue.

 

[Sixpactogo]

So I have been searching for a 69 super bee for a while now, ended up finding one in the town over from my parents in South Carolina. I flew out yesterday, saw the car last night and purchased it this morning. Me and a friend are going to drive it back to San Diego, 2300 miles, 50 yr old car, what could go wrong? We're going to leave Sunday and hopefully make it to CA Wednesday. The current plan is to take 20 to 22 and get on to i40. Google said i20/i10 was the fastest route but I have read that there are some really long stretches and people seem to prefer i40, only bumps us up an hour to 34hrs total. Hoping not to run into too many issues but if anyone is along that route and has spare parts/tools/a lift, I'll have cash/beer/pizza ready.


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I recognize that interior. Same as the Bee I had in 69. The only pic's I have of it were from a shitty instamatic camera back then. I'm proud of you for making the purchase and the trip. I would have done the same as you. Hope you had a great trip and good luck with your Bee. My car had 3.55 gears as well. A little hard on fuel and keeping up with the Jap crap on I 40 but you will be fine.

 

[Coelacanth]

How many thumbs up did you get on that cross-country trip? Very nice Bee.