Chevrolet redesigned its cars in 1958 and they became bigger and bulkier in appearance than the Tri-Fives (1955-57) that preceded them. Sales would be off that year, perhaps due to the new styling but also because of a U.S. economic recession. The Biscayne began an 18-year-run as the entry-level model (except for the one-year Del Ray, also in 1958), replacing the bland-sounding 150. This ’58 Biscayne is said to have been in a barn for 50 years, so it will likely need almost everything. Located in Hutchinson, Kansas, this Chevy is available here on craigslist for $6,000. Thanks for the tip, Sam A!
The 1958 Chevrolets would be a one-year body style as General Motors quickly went to work with yet another redesign. This was in response to the splash that Chrysler had made with its futuristic-looking Forward Look cars of 1957. Those vehicles made GM’s cars look bloated and dated even before they debuted. So, the ’59 Chevies gained “batwings” and “cat’s eye” taillights. If you wanted a no-frills Chevy in ’58, you ordered a Biscayne Coupe like the seller’s car, though this one was treated to optional two-tone paint. Beginning that year, Chevy stopped providing production numbers by model, so this car was one of 256,000 2-door sedans in total that the manufacturer built that year.
We don’t know a lot about the seller’s car. It was his/her first car, but that could have been more than five decades ago since it’s been in storage for so long. The body has several dents and dings, and rust appears to be mounting an attack in a few places. We’re told the chrome and glass are good (except for one window), but no photos of the interior or engine compartment are provided. It has a V8 engine, probably a 283, and an automatic transmission (Powerglide?), but the mechanical status of the car is otherwise unknown. Is this a Chevy you would restore at this price point?
Put it back in the barn for another 50 years and then it might be worth something.
For 1958 only, the Biscayne was the mid-level series among Chevrolets. The Del Ray was the true no-frills series.
He mentioned the Delray in the write up.
We had a 58 belair great model year prior to the fins of the 59s and 60s. Came stock and would still burn a little rubber even though it was an automatic.
Dad bought a ‘58 Biscayne in 1968 for my sister to drive. When she went away to college, I drove the car for two years of high school. The area above the headlights was prone to rust, something to check. Ours had the ‘Blue Flame’ six and Powerglide.
i live in hutch and have been trying to buy this car for a little over 5 yrs…..it was sitting next to there house not in a barn/garage/shop…..never would answer the door or respond to any notes left….wonder why all the sudden they want to sell it……but 6k is pretty steep imo…..
What’s not to like and the lack of horrendous rust is a giant plus on any 58.
Looks like a great candidate for a street mod build. Big V8, manual transmission, upgraded suspension, etc. and a repaint.
I just sold a 4 door biscuit for 5000 it was a lot better shape. 283 power 2 speed. It drove fine, but my 60 olds is a way better ride! These are beautiful looking bit ride like a wagon on a bumpy road. And as for excelloration it hasn’t any.
Acceleration
I had a 60 Olds bubble top as a teen,,best car I ever had
4 door for 5000 puts this 2 door around 9 G’s.
I like it but it’s too far away from me.
In a 1964 Impala, 327, power glide, my brother took it to 70 mph in first gear. Powerglides rule. So do 327’s.
For an unrestored 1958 Chevy this degree of rust at least on the body is manageable. But that’s all the seller shows you. My Dad bought one new and by1966 when I got my hands on it it was a total rust bucket. And his three kids roached the interior. But the old 283 ran well and the three speed manual did the job even with well over 100K on the clock. The top fronts of the fenders on these are almost guaranteed to start rusting after your first drive in a rainstorm because they are natural dirt and moisture traps. If the floors, frame and trunk are reasonably solid on this then you may have a starting point for a fun build. My Dad’s car had holes in the floors that you could put your foot through. The trunk, quarters and rockers were Swiss cheese. But the fact that the car for sale is a two door helps the cause as does the 283 in my book. But the Powerglide isn’t my cup of tea. I can’t understand why folks who want to sell something like this provide such paltry information. I could actually be interested in this car because of the nostalgia factor from my Dad’s old Belair. But without at least a few pictures of the interior and engine bay and heaven forbid the underside; well as far as I’m concerned, fergedaboudit. One can’t even hazard a guess whether it’s priced fairly or not with the information at hand. Too bad.
Geez, geezerglide 85, and Chris Cornetto. You guys need to take your beer goggles off, this thing is rusty all over.
I love the lower end of the model range. “Poverty packs” are my love. Never thought of a ’58 Chev but I’d have that one!
I would have it because I love the body design as opposed to the Impala. It looked heavier.
I had a black one years ago. Put a ’64 409 and a ’70 turbo 400 in it because I bought the body as a roller. Before I had the driveshaft problem ironed out I was offered a silly amount as profit. Ah well.
Drove one, same colors in 66 while in the army. It had 348 4bbl, 3 speed w/OD. of course gas was cheep and as a E3 I did not make much. wish I could do it again. There is a 348 in the add below the comments.
This is my favorite Chevy, love the look of the 58!
My dream build, silver/black, buckets (tuck & roll)
350/700 R4 on the floor & 3.42s out back …. ahhhhh