Why Dodge’s Overlooked Muscle Car Is So Cheap Compared To A Charger

The V8 muscle car sector is in the middle of its final roar, with American brands having rushed to axe them in recent years as environmental considerations begin to take over. Dodge discontinued the V8-powered Charger and Challenger models at the end of 2023, while Chevrolet waved goodbye to the legendary Camaro nameplate in 2024. Ford is pushing ahead with its V8 Mustang, though there is no telling when the V8 will finally be pushed out of viability.

Even then, most modern muscle cars lack the rawness and energy that early 1960s golden age models exuded, which were designed purely to make loud noises and go fast, and that was it. For those looking to get one of the most commanding examples of the time, one stands out as excellent value, especially alongside its more famous sibling.

The Coronet Super Bee Was Dodge’s Budget-Minded Muscle Car

Like its Ford and General Motors rivals, the Chrysler Group invested heavily in its portfolio of muscle cars during the rabid 1960s golden age of the US performance car market. Many of its models were sold through the Dodge brand, with arguably the most legendary being the Charger. The sleek coupe became a movie star in its own right, most prolifically as the main baddie car that chased Steve McQueen’s Mustang in the 1968 film Bullitt, thanks to its tire-bursting performance and good looks. For those interested in performance, the Charger R/T was the one you wanted, as it could be had with either a 6.9-liter Hemi or 7.5-liter Magnum V8 under the hood.

This came at a cost though, and for those who wanted these powerplants but without the outlay needed for the Charger R/T, Dodge offered the Coronet Super Bee. The better-known first-generation 1968 Super Bee cost a little over $450 less than the Charger in period, which translates to around $4,200 in today’s money.

The Super Bee Shared The Same Underpinnings As The Charger

While the two looked very different externally, with the Coronet coming with a less striking and more conventional sedan-styled two-door body in comparison to the flowing fastback silhouette of the Charger, they shared many similarities underneath. Both were built upon Chrysler’s B-Body foundations, and the duo featured the same powertrain options and technical components. The Charger was essentially the sexier version for those who wanted to stand out.

The Charger Has Held Its Value Much Better Than The Super Bee

While there was a sizable but not huge difference in value between the cars when they were new, the gulf has increased considerably in the six decades since. According to Hagerty’s Valuation Tool, a 1969 Coronet Super Bee equipped with the 7.5-liter Magnum V8 will set you back around $60k in good condition, while a Charger R/T with the same engine will cost closer to $70k. This price difference grows even further when you look at the same models with rarer 6.9-liter Hemi’s under the hood. While a 1969 Super Bee in this configuration will set you back around $70k, its Charger counterpart demands north of $100k from your wallet.

This price difference continues across a range of vehicle conditions, with mint Charger R/T Hemis fetching around $200,000, while Coronet Super Bees go under the hammer for closer to $160k.

This Is Illustrated In Auction Listings Between The Two Models

While value estimates are one thing, what they’ll actually sell for in the real world is another question. The difference in value between the Coronet Super Bee and Charger R/T remains considerable in this metric too, with Classic.com reporting that the average auction sale price of a Super Bee currently stands at $78,141. The Charger goes for an average of $112,823, meaning you could buy a Super Bee alongside a brand-new Volkswagen Tiguan to use as a daily for the same price as a Charger.

The Charger’s Legacy Has Led To Its Higher Modern-Day Worth

Given that the two muscle cars are so similar underneath, it may seem odd that the Charger is worth so much more than the Coronet Super Bee. A large part of this comes down to the fact that the Charger is more historically appealing than the Super Bee, primarily due to its fastback styling compared to the Coronet’s less inspired look. While styling is subjective, the more stand-out and expensive Charger was also more aspirational, which is a golden ticket to a vehicle being more collectible in the future.

The Charger was also equipped with a slightly more upmarket cabin to complement its higher price tag and more striking design, further adding to its appeal. Add in the Charger’s tendency to be cast in much-loved movies and TV shows, like Bullitt and The Dukes of Hazzard, and it’s clear to see why the values of the model are so much higher than the equivalent Super Bees.

The Gap Has Started To Narrow

Things are starting to change though, and the value difference between the two muscle cars has started to close in recent times. While the Super Bees’ worth has remained consistent over the past couple of years, the Chargers have started to slip towards it. While the value of Charger Hemi has fallen by around 6% across the board over the last 12 months, those of the Magnum-equipped variants have come down by 8%. As a rough guide, that means the price difference is around $5k less between good-condition versions of the cars, and around $10k on concours-level machines.

The Charger needs to drop a fair amount to reach Super Bee levels, though the gap is shrinking.

The Coronet Super Bee And Charger R/T Are Well-Matched Athletically

Due to the Super Bee and Charger being equipped with the same engine options, as well as weighing very similar amounts because of their identical underpinnings, there is little to choose between them from a performance standpoint. The dual four-barrel carburetor-equipped 6.9-liter Hemi was the most powerful engine choice available, with the powerplant able to kick out 425 hp and 490 lb-ft of torque. The 7.5-liter Magnum wasn’t far behind in terms of torque, though it was a full 50 hp down. In the more cost-effective Magnum guise, both vehicles could sprint to 60 mph in under 6.5 seconds, while Hemi-equipped specimens can reach the benchmark in under six seconds.

Both vehicles were also treated to heavy-duty suspension systems that featured stiffer shocks, which ensured the sporty variants felt more responsive than their softer siblings. Front stabilizer and rear sway bars were employed to stiffen up their respective chassis, while enlarged drum braking setups were also brought along to help get the heavy beasts slowed down for the following corner. Their respective mechanical similarities mean that for gearheads who don’t care about the looks, extra luxury, and legacy of the Charger, the Coronet Super Bee represents fantastic value. If Charger values keep decreasing the way they currently are though, perhaps this could change.