Today, the Brown family enjoys taking the car to events and shows (we shot it at the Monster Mopar event in St. Louis), where it never fails to draw an audience. Built the way that the Browns like it, this is one project that will be in the family hive for a long time to come.
A/C-The Way It Was Supposed To Be
In 1978, Jerry wanted to add air conditioning to this Super Bee, and he was able to do so by using parts from a similar 383 engine. The layout, the pulleys, and everything he needed was right there, and he was able to get a power steering unit that made that part of the driving experience more pleasurable as well.
"It's not concours," he says. "The '69 version has different hose routings. However, it looks correct, and we get a lot of questions because A/C and Super Bees don't go together very often. We thought this was a great way to do a change-over and still look stock."
Classic Auto Air in Florida rebuilt the systems to work with modern R134 refrigeration materials. the only major change from stock was altering the valving and setting up a cycle switch for the compressor, which Jerry tucked up out of view under the dash.
Fast Facts: '68 Dodge Super Bee
Jerry and Linda Brown * Florissant, MO
Mopar Power
Engine: The factory-installed 383 still powers the B-Body, and the addition of a Pertronix distributor conversion makes sure the Browns never have to mess with points again. An air-conditioning unit and power steering from a '69 Charger were added in the late-'70s.
Transmission: the durable 727 was rebuilt and still motivates the Bee.
Rearend: A Chrysler 831/44 Sure Grip with street-friendly 3.55 gears rotates the rubber.
Horsepower & Performance: From the factory with its rated 335hp 383, Dodge's Super Bee (according to published results) garnered a 15-second quarter-mile e.t. at 96 mph and 0-60 times of 7.1 seconds.
Sure Grip
Suspension: Just like 98-percent of Mopar cars, this one utilizes factory parallel front torsion bars. It was completely rebuilt with parts from Just Suspension.
Brakes: Drums at all four corners, which given the vehicle's bulk, make short-response stopping a little dicey.
Wheels: Factory, 14-inch, steel, Road Wheel rims.
Tires: Goodyear F70-14 rubber with plenty of room under the large wheelwells. This car was meant to cruise the miracle mile, not hit the slaloms.
High ImpactBody: 1968: the first year of production for the Bee.
Paint: Rod Arnold straightened the metal and then applied the painted LL1 Turquoise Metallic hue.
Interior: YearOne, The Paddock, Just Dashes, and Legendary supplied most of the required pieces and parts to bring the Bee back to better-than-new status. the '69 B-body A/C and hidden CD player connected to the eight-track make for some helpful upgrades.