1971 Super Bee Dodge Charger

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   William Vetsch - GK6 DARK BRONZE 383, AUTO

William Vetsch

I bought my 71 Super Bee, VIN # WM23N1A166331, in 1971, from Thompson Royal Dodge in Virginia Beach, VA, while assigned temporary duty at the Naval Weapons Officer School in Dam Neck, VA. I was a young single Naval officer at the time driving a 1969 Charger that I purchased new while attending the University of Louisville and getting my graduate degree in Chemical Engineering.

While at Dam Neck, I went to Thompson Royal Dodge to look at new Chargers. I saw this 71 Super Bee on the lot and liked the new body style, especially it being a Super Bee. I immediately traded my 69 Charger for it.

The Super Bee was a daily driver and speed car. About 1972, I met my bride to be and the Super Bee was our dating car. We were married in 1973 and the Super Bee became our honeymoon car. Later, it became our family car. We have been married for 33 years. My wife is very sentimental and the Super Bee holds a special place in her heart. Thus, one of the main reasons I kept the car for these many years. There were several occasions when I entertained selling the Super Bee, but my wife insisted that I keep it, thank goodness.

After about 15 years and 95,000 miles, the Super Bee was retired from routine driving and relegated to storage although it is still being driven occasionally.

The Super Bee was originally Brown and in 1984, I changed its color to red and replace the vinyl roof.

The 383 HP motor was freshen up to its original specifications about 15 years ago, mostly just to put in harden valve seats. I also replaced the difficult to maintain Holley 4160 carburetor with an Edelbroch Performance carburetor and replaced the intake manifold with a Weiland intake manifold. The car is essentially original except for that. Any parts removed from the Super Bee are stored in the attic of my garage. Since then, it has primarily been garage stored with a cover over it. The Super Bee now has 100,000 miles on it. Here are a few before repainting and after (current) pictures of the Super Bee.

The Super Bee is not alone. I bought a 68 Dodge Charger RT a few years ago and restored it. It is almost completely original except for the Viper Red paint job.

I also have a 1968 - 318 Dodge Charger that has been restored. It also a matching number car except for the paint and decals, the "General Lee" that is.

Another recent addition is this 69 - 383 4 Speed Road Runner purchased at this year All Chrysler Show at Carlisle, PA.

And since my son is a Naval Officer and is stationed overseas, I am babysitting his 70 - 440 Road Runner.

William

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