1970 Dodge Super Bee grill chrome?

[scalenut]

I notice most model builds posted of the 70 super bee (with the horse collar grill openings) display the lower center section of the grill chromed , yet when I look at original cars online ... most originals are color keyed to the body color.

can the mopar crowd enlighten us on how common or historically appropriate each option was?

thanks in advance

[Casey]

There will never be agreement on how this was done at the factory. There is no proof that chrome or body color is correct in all cases, so using either one is acceptable, unless you are building a replica of one specific car and have proof that car was equipped with one or the other.

[SteveG]

I've built two of them and left the center sections chrome for one reason. It's too difficult to prep, mask and paint such a small area body color on a chromed part without possibly damaging the surrounding areas. Maybe some enterprising resin caster will offer a multi-piece replacement. If that happens I'm sure you'll see more of them painted. As far as the 1:1 versions I'll second Casey's answer.

[1972coronet]

Assembly plant variations ? Besides Lynch Road (Detroit-area) , I'm pretty sure that Los Angeles (City of Commerce) and possibly St. Louis built 1970 Dodge B-bodies . Some plants received these panels in 'raw' stamped steel , whereas others received them in chrome plating ; guess that's a probable explanation ...

[tubbs]

this was a body color section between the 2 raised portions of the grille. this was on all super bees, as far as I know. here is a snip from an article about the design.....

One neat finishing touch on most of the two-door Coronets was a body-color vinyl appliqué that covered the bumper’s recessed center section, cleverly making the twin loops look like freestanding units. (Sedans and wagons lacked this appliqué because preproduction surveys indicated that their buyers preferred more chrome.)

here is the link to the whole article on the 68 thru 70 super bee's.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1968-1970-dodge-coronet-r-t4.htm

the 1970's are on page 5.

[KevinMoparFord]

I have owned both, a 70 Super Bee and currently a 70 RT. Both have the body color between the bumper sections. The piece that is painted is a sheet metal piece over the chrome bumper. I am sure if cars were ever in an accident this was not replaced. From everything I ever researched, all Super Bee and RT had this, all literature shows it. When you talk to people with one of these cars that does not have it is when you hear about it being optional. There is no fender tag code for this so I really doubt it was an option. To go along with this, the bottom of the front valance is supposed to have a trim piece, missing on many of these cars and most if not all have wheel lip moldings. Dodge line was more upscale then Plymouth. Road Runners do not have wheel lip moldings or chrome marker lights, Dodges do.

Interesting fact, notice a 70 Superbird marker lights next time you look at one. The front fenders on Superbirds are actually Dodge Coronet fenders. The marker lights for Dodges are chrome, so the front marker light housings on Superbirds are chrome and the back ones are painted like a Road Runner. This makes it more difficult to buy some parts for my RT as you very rarely ever see front fenders or marker lights listed as Coronet items for 70, they are always Superbird so the $ go up.

[tubbs]

I have owned both, a 70 Super Bee and currently a 70 RT. Both have the body color between the bumper sections. The piece that is painted is a sheet metal piece over the chrome bumper. I am sure if cars were ever in an accident this was not replaced. From everything I ever researched, all Super Bee and RT had this, all literature shows it. When you talk to people with one of these cars that does not have it is when you hear about it being optional. There is no fender tag code for this so I really doubt it was an option. To go along with this, the bottom of the front valance is supposed to have a trim piece, missing on many of these cars and most if not all have wheel lip moldings. Dodge line was more upscale then Plymouth. Road Runners do not have wheel lip moldings or chrome marker lights, Dodges do.

Interesting fact, notice a 70 Superbird marker lights next time you look at one. The front fenders on Superbirds are actually Dodge Coronet fenders. The marker lights for Dodges are chrome, so the front marker light housings on Superbirds are chrome and the back ones are painted like a Road Runner. This makes it more difficult to buy some parts for my RT as you very rarely ever see front fenders or marker lights listed as Coronet items for 70, they are always Superbird so the $ go up.

hey Kevin, (congrats on the award at the show), i thought it was a metal piece, that is the way i started my post. but when i read the article, i switched it up. should have stuck to my guns. knew it was not a stick on thing. thanks for the imput, even though Plymouth cars rule!! just sayin.

Edited November 6, 2013 by tubbs