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Super Bee of Mexico

The Super Bee was a performance package available to the Mexican market in the 1970's and early 1980's. It was first available on the A-body platform, and later on the F-body platform. Stripe treatments were changed almost yearly. Most of these pictures were provided by Gil Pablo Sentíes Beverido of Córdoba, Veracruz, Mexico.

1970 Valiant Super Bee

This Super Bee was found in this condition in the United States. The factory 270HP 318 4bbl and A-833 4 speed were still present at the time of these photographs. A careful eye will notice the woodgrain inserts in the door panels and, despite the fact that the front seat is missing, it can be observed that the floorpan is drilled for a bench seat, not buckets. It is also still wearing at least one of its Kelsey Hayes Mexico-only steel rims (front passenger side). When it was photographed here, it was equipped with a 3462848 intake manifold which was, in the USA, a 1970 340 4bbl unit. This is strong evidence to suggest that it was this manifold that was used on the 270hp 4bbl 318's in Mexico.

• front 3/4 view
• side view
• front view
• 270HP hood emblem
• interior

1971-1973 Super Bee

1971 Valiant Super Bees were equivalent to the US model Dusters and used US "Shark-tooth" grilles (as did the six cylinder Valiant Dusters). The 270hp 318cid V8 was the only engine available.

For 1972, Chrysler de Mexico began using the US Demon body and trim for the Mexican Valiants. This happened because after 1969, Chrysler de Mexico consolidated its A-body line up to Darts and eliminated the separate Valiant two door and four door sedans. Production was simplified by making the "Valiant" a Demon so all A-bodies could share the same front clip. So 1972 Valiant Super Bees were, of course, based on the Chrysler de Mexico's 1972 Valiant which was the equivalent of the US domestic 1972 Demon. (no pictures)

1974 Super Bee

1974 was the last year of the 270HP 4bbl 318 for all Chrysler de Mexico automobiles, it was replaced with a similar, more powerful 360 for 1975. This beautiful Brown/ white top Super Bee is a four speed car and it is owned by Freddy Reyero. It was photographed at a car show held by the Club De Coleccionistas de Autos Jaguar. A.C.

• 1974 Super Bee

1975 1976 Super Bee

The 1975 and 1976 Super Bees were the last two years that the model was based on the A-body Valiant two door. In 1975, a 300HP 4bbl 360 replaced the 270HP 318 that was used from 1968-74. The red 1975 Valiant Super Bee belongs to Jorge Santana and is considered to be a reference restoration. It was photographed at a car show held by Asuciacion Mexicana Del Automovil Antiguo.

The blue 1975 Super Bee is a 300HP 360cid v8 equipped with an automatic transmission. It is also equipped with Kelsey Hayes Mexico-only steel wheels, trim rings and center caps. It is owned by the brothers Ramon and Demetrio Espinosa Navarro. It was photographed at a car show held by the Club De Coleccionistas de Autos Jaguar. A.C.

• Red 1975 Super Bee front view
• Red 1975 Super Bee stripe and lettering
• Red 1975 Super Bee rear view
• Blue 1975 Super Bee

1977-1980 Valiant Super Bee

For 1977, the Super Bee was available on the F-body platform. They were available with either a standard non-overdrive four speed or an automatic. The Carter Thermoquad equipped 360cid V8 was rated at 300HP.

Carlos Alberto Oliver Aceves owns the restored blue 1977 Super Bee that is featured in the following three pictures.

• 1977 Super Bee.
• Interior.
• 360cid v8 engine.

Gil Pablo Sentíes Beverido owns the orange 1977 Super Bee featured below. This Super Bee is powered by a Carter Thermoquad equipped 360, four speed, and a 3.55:1. This type of aluminum wheel was available through a dealership accessory catalog.

• rear view
• side view
• interior, note floor shift 4-speed
• 360 cid V8.

 

The following is a photograph from a 1979 sales broshure for the Super Bee.

• 1979 Super Bee