Jeff Wickstrom and his '71 Charger/Superbee have seen and done it all--together.
Fast Facts
'71 Dodge Superbee
Owned by: Jeff Wickstrom; Mesa, Arizona
Mopar Power
- Engine: Originally, Jeff's 'Bee came with a 383 and a four speed transmission. When he rebuilt the car the last time, he added a 440 with a Six Pack, and an overdrive four speed. It's not a race car, it racks up street miles, and the overdrive is great for that. Other than the addition of a Crane hydraulic roller camshaft with .488/.509-inch lift, and 214/222-degrees of duration at .050-inch, it a basic rebuild with a cylinder cleaning, new bearings, rings, and gaskets.
- Transmission: One mileage-aiding 833 overdrive is mounted behind the 440. With 325,000 miles on the car, the overdrive has earned its keep.
- Rear: the 8-3/4 features 3.23 gears, and is bone stock.
Sure Grip
- Suspension: If it came from the factory with it, it's been rebuilt and put back in place.
- Brakes: Manual drums. Apparently after 325,000 miles, they work just fine.
- Wheels/Tires: A very old set of American Racing 200 S wheels measuring 15 x 8-inches on all four corners hold the Goodyear 255/60/15 radials.
High Impact
- Paint/Body: Originally, the 'Bee was a Green Go car, but during its last rebuild, Jeff had a shop in Mesa, paint the car Plum Crazy. The shop is gone, but the paint is still on the car. The deck-lid spoiler is actually the original one for the car. It leaks a little, but only when you open the trunk after a long hard rain. According to Jeff, "I've made a lot of sandwiches on it over the years. It's also a good place to rest beers when standing around BSing with the guys".
- Interior: Jeff has replaced the carpet, headliner, front seat skins, and the top of back seat. Jeff lived in it for 8 months in 1986-87 after graduating from college and driving around the country. Jeff tells us, "It's actually fairly comfortable, and fortunately had a bench seat".