Pick Your Poison: A Pair Of Mopar 440 Six Packs Are Crossing The Hemmings Auctions Block!
Among the Mopar faithful, the 440 Six Pack holds sway as one of the most legendary engines to come from Chrysler.
Introduced in 1969 as part of the A12 package on the Dodge Super Bee and Plymouth Road Runner, the 440 Six Pack (Dodge nomenclature, as Plymouth gave it the “6-Barrel” moniker) was a beefed-up version of the 440-cu.in. big-block V8. The most notable difference from the standard 440 Magnum/Commando was the trio of Holley two-barrel carburetors mounted on an aluminum Edelbrock manifold.
But this high-performance mill had plenty of differences in the rolling assembly too, with stronger connecting rods, a revised camshaft, flat-faced hydraulic tappets, valve springs from the Hemi and more. A bump in compression also helped boost the output to 390 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque, the latter figure matching the mighty Hemi, but arrived at 800 rpm earlier. Bone stock, an A12 Road Runner (with a top pro at the wheel) was timed at 13-flat in the quarter-mile with a trap speed over 111 mph.
The A12 was such a success in 1969 that Chrysler offered the Six Pack in a wider range of vehicles as an option for 1970 and 1971, including the Charger, GTX and Superbird. It also found its way into the all new for 1970 ‘Cuda and Challenger.
That means buyers had choices on how they wanted their Six Pack served. And right now on Hemmings Auctions, bidders have options. Ending on Friday, September 1, are a pair of Six Pack-powered cars: a 1969 Dodge Super Bee A12 and a 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda. Both vehicles appear to be original 440-6 cars, but both have had replacement engines installed over the years. Both are also restored and equipped with a four-speed manual and three pedals.
This Bright Green 1969 Dodge Super Bee A12 displays the correct “M” code as the fifth character of the VIN for the “Special Order V8” that was part of the A12. Likewise, its fender tag also shows the right codes. The car was restored to original specs in the mid-2000s and seems to remain quite clean, with a spotless engine bay and an exceptionally clean undercarriage in the photos provided by the seller.
The notes from the seller indicate just 1,500 miles since the car was completed and a machine that starts, idles and runs well with nothing untoward happening with the operation of the car. In the late Sixties, the term “supercar” alluded to the stripped-down, quarter-mile dominating Super Bee with a 440 Six Pack like this one.
If your tastes are more E-body than B-body, this 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda 6-Barrel has also been restored and presents just as cleanly as the Super Bee, albeit in a more subtle Alpine White finish. That’s about where the subtlety ends with this ‘Cuda. A Shaker hood and a “hockey stick” graphic that calls out the “440” engine make sure that there are no questions about this car’s performance intentions.
This car has the proper “V” code in that fifth position in the VIN that indicated the 440-6 for 1970 Plymouth models. The seller notes that this one was delivered with the Super Track Pak, which included a Dana 60 rear end with 4.10 gears and the heavy-duty four-speed transmission. Other options noted on the fender tag include hood tie-down pins, chrome mirrors, center console and the black vinyl roof.
Both of these Mopar beauties look ready to tackle the drag strip or to leave a couple of smoky rubber strips on your favorite patch of asphalt. They also look equally ready for the show field.
Head on over to Hemmings Auctions and let us know what kind of sheet metal you prefer your Mopar 440 Six Pack wrapped in.
