Every once in a while, a muscle car surfaces that reminds you why originality still matters. This unrestored 1969 1/2 Dodge Coronet Super Bee A12 finished in unforgettable Butterscotch (EL5) is one of those cars. With just 23,477 original miles and an ownership story that reads like a best-case scenario for collectors, this Super Bee is headed across the auction block next month at Mecum Kissimmee, where it’s expected to bring serious attention—and serious money.
The A12 Super Bee occupies a special place in Mopar history. Introduced mid-year for 1969, the A12 package was Dodge’s answer for buyers who wanted more than a standard big-block, but didn’t want to step all the way up to the expensive HEMI®. Priced at just $463 when new, the A12 option transformed the Super Bee into a factory street brawler. It also changed the fifth digit of the VIN to “M,” earning these cars the well-known A12 M-code nickname.
Under the lift-off, flat-black fiberglass hood sits the legendary 7.2-liter (440 cubic-inch) SIX PACK V8, topped by three two-barrel Holley carburetors. From the factory, it was rated at 390 horsepower and 490 lb.-ft. of torque, and this example retains its original, matching-numbers engine. Power is sent through a Torqueflite three-speed automatic transmission to a bulletproof Dana 60 rear axle with 4.10 gears, one of the most desirable rear ends Dodge ever installed in a muscle car.
The A12 package went far beyond just engine upgrades. Dodge reinforced the internals, fitted heavy-duty suspension components, and added 11-inch drum brakes. Black steel wheels wrapped in period-correct G70x15 performance tires completed the no-nonsense look. This Super Bee still wears its factory original paint, drivetrain, interior, exhaust, wheels, and tires, along with all original markings, labels, and tags—details that are nearly impossible to replicate.
Butterscotch is one of those high-impact 1969 colors that instantly transports you back to the peak of the muscle car era. As the darker of Dodge’s two yellow offerings that year (the other being Top Banana), it pairs perfectly with the black bumblebee tail stripe, giving this car a bold yet classy presence. It’s a color you don’t forget—and one that looks even better when it’s untouched.
This Super Bee has spent over three decades stored in a garage and comes with documentation collectors dream of: the original broadcast sheet, original dealer invoice, owner’s manual, and inspection credentials from the Chrysler Registry. The car was professionally detailed by Level One Restorations, preserving its originality rather than restoring it. It was originally purchased new at Dodge City, adding another layer to its well-documented history.
With only 1,907 A12 Super Bees produced, examples like this simply don’t come along often—especially unrestored. Estimated to sell between $180,000 and $200,000, this Butterscotch A12 isn’t just a car; it’s a benchmark. For many, it may well be the finest unrestored Super Bee A12 in existence—and a reminder of how special these mid-year Mopars truly are.
1969 Dodge Coronet Super Bee A12 in Butterscotch:
