1970 Super Bee Trim?

[GregL]

Hi Guys,
I've noticed that some of the '70's are painted body color between the front bumpers just below the Bee emblem, while others are chrome in this area. Is this a trim level difference?
Thanks, Greg

 

[BeeKool]

Welcome to FBBO, You have a 70 Bee, sweet! Show us some pics.
I can't answer your question, but I'm glad you asked cuz you saved me the trouble.
One of the more knowledgeable members will surely know

 

[GregL]

Thanks BeeKool, I am not yet an owner. I have been after a '70 Super Bee for quite a while. I am currently going back and forth between two I have found. Both 383 4 speed cars, both similarly priced. Both needing restoration, which is fine.
I put my first post up here for info on these cars but in the wrong forum. I put it under "General Discussion" Super Bee Codes? I guess it would have been better if I'd put it here.
Anyway, thanks for the welcome! Looking forward to sharing some good info.
Greg in Palm Springs

 

[Super Rob]

It's popular belief, that Super Bees came standard with the body colored panel attached to the bumper. But there's no special code for it.

 

[YY1]

This has been hotly debated for a few years.

I've been told the "official" answer is that all were covered in a chrome cap over a plan sheet metal part.

The 70 Bee I owned, while being far from unmolested, showed no signs whatsoever of any kind of covering for that part.

My personal theory is that it may have been a plant specific issue.

 

[Chilsam]

not a bee but my Coronet 440 is chrome...while the 70 Coronet 500 I lost in a fire had was chrome also ???????...

 

[BeeKool]

Mine is chrome also.
Although this car was originally a 500

 

[4mayhemi]

The center chrome is a separate piece, but considered as part of the bumper also (!?) as it is always there. Most 2 door models have the painted applique (bolted/riveted over the chrome piece) like R/T, Super Bee, 500, but 440 is inconsistent. No applique on taxis, police, wagons. Not part of a fender tag/broadcast sheet code option.

Yes, this has been debated as figuring out most Mopar ways is a clusterf@#%. But that contributes to the mystique, no?
There are threads on other sites that have pictures, where the current line of thought is deduced from many old marketing photos, engineering drawings, original-owner cars, etc. Rather than hijack those to here, check those out for the discussion.

There aren't as many 70s flooding the market, so good luck!

 

[GregL]

I see what you mean about inconsistency. All of the 1970 brochures I've looked at show the front bumper both ways. However, they do seem to show the higher end models (R/T and Super Bee) with the painted center only.

 

[BeeKool]

I have a calender on my wall with 2 different 70 Coronets. The Super Bee has chrome, the R/T has painted

 

[YY1]

Bee is not really a "higher end" model.

I could see R/T and 500.....

Or perhaps the Bee was supposed to look "monochromatic", or perhaps it was based on the color of the car.

Either of those, may account for extra effort and tooling an additional part to cover up a chrome piece.

 

[4mayhemi]

The same discussion about the painted center applique can be applied to the driver's side grill "DODGE" logo. I think reusing the word "most" applies, but there are examples of all scenarios claimed as original. Of course logic never has stuck to Mopar in the 60-70s.