With the Biscayne mostly serving as the entry-level offering in the Chevrolet full-size lineup, it typically didn’t have much trim attached or show excessive bling like some of the more expensive cars in the bowtie fleet, but the basic presentation certainly looks appealing all these decades later. Thankfully, beginning in 1962, the powers that be at Chevy also added a wagon in the third-generation lineup, such as this 1963 model here on Facebook Marketplace. This one’s in Anaconda, Montana, with the seller hoping to pocket $9,500 from the sale. Fun find, Zappenduster, and thanks for sending in the tip here!
Mechanically, this one seems to be in good condition, and quite a few new parts are said to be present. The seller reports the 283 engine as new, which I assume means rebuilt, though it’s not confirmed to be the original factory component. An inline-6 was the smallest powerplant available here in ’63, with the 283 being the smallest V8. The small block has an Edelbrock 4-barrel on top, with the manual transmission operated by a cool column shifter, so that should be a good conversation starter when your friends get inside for the first time. Hopefully, it’ll go through the gears easily, as there’s said to be a new clutch in place.
The age of the paint isn’t specified, but some patina is present, so if there’s been a respray, it certainly wasn’t recently. Other than a small dented area on the left quarter, the body appears to be in decent shape overall, with corrosion not being much of an issue. This is one of those cases where the broken-in finish will appeal to many, but it probably wouldn’t take much prep to get the sheet metal ready for a fresh coat of paint, should the next owner choose to take the exterior up a notch. The wheels and tires are stated as new, so these shouldn’t need attention anytime soon.
I’m speculating that much of the interior is original, with the cargo area in particular showing some wear. The front floor pans have been replaced, but all 4 door panels will need to be sourced and installed, along with new upholstery for the front bench, unless the buyer can live with the seat cover. The owner says this one is very solid and runs and drives as it should, so hopefully everything left to do here is strictly cosmetic. Is this 1963 Chevrolet Biscayne Wagon one you’d be interested in taking to the finish line?
Fix the door panels and leave it alone.
An old uncle of mine who was a carpenter used one of these as his work truck. It was white with a red interior. Held his lumber, ladders, tool boxes and lots of empty Schlitz cans. Lots of empty Schlitz cans. I think of him every time I see one of these.
Sounds like an experienced master carpenter to me!
He was actually quite talented as mainly a trim carpenter, but that devil drink did have a hold. I just remember visiting him as a kid and seeing those empty cans in the back of that old wagon. He liked his Winstons too.
Next door neighbor had a white over blue one of these, and I remember riding in the back with the window down.
Have not seen one of these wagons in a long time – The three-on-the-tree makes it even cooler!
Anaconda,Montana – a good place to be from,but not at.
However,they do have a cool tall smokestack.
The V on the front fender makes it a 283 car
If I was still living in Southern British Columbia Canada and had somewhere to keep it (and dared cross the border), I’d grab this in a minute, before someone changed it into an automatic. This would be a great around town or short trip vehicle in the summer, especially being a wagon. I actually miss driving 3 on the tree. unfortunately, living in the north where it can hit minus 50 in the winter, it would suffer badly without proper storage.
Chevy didn’t really add a station wagon to the Biscayne line in ‘62. They just dropped the separate names for wagons. For example, in ‘61 the Biscayne station wagon equivalent was a Brookwood.
We had 2-of these in Tucson, AZ years ago at a car show. Both were 62’s with 409’s and 3-speed column shifts. I think one had an over drive. They were really nice…
This was my first car back in high school in 73 bought it from a neighbor for 50 bucks great car to drive with that overdrive has no problem doing 100 mph Plus with plenty of gas pedal left
I was going to ask if anyone remembers that overdrive on these. I was on a road trip back in the 60s and the owner kept lifting the shifter and dropping it into overdrive from third gear. How did it actually work mechanically? It was a noticeable drop in rpms between third and OD. I always assumed it was inside the transmission. The owner bought the wagon because it had the feature. He wasn’t sure how it worked, he just knew it did.
Now this one checks all the boxes for me. 283, 3-speed with OD, who could ask for more. And as many of you folks out there know, I love my tunes, so a period
correct AM/FM/satellite radio combo would be just fine with me. I’d have the door cards custom made to accept a Jansen
6X9 3-way speaker in each door
along with 2 more in the way back plus one in the dash for a total of 7. Would also need an.
electric power steering unit so that Sis could drive it easily. And
Vintage Air for days when it’s over 100° here in Florida during the summer. Anytime other than
that, good old fashioned 5/60 AC
would be just fine. And maybe some power ports throughout the
car for charging electronics or running power tools. Other than that, she’s fine the way she is. Sounds like you could fly there and drive ‘er home with no muss, fuss, or bother. Would make a good Door Dash vehicle too.
My father in law had one too, gold with matching interior, 6 banger and three on the tree. It too was a carpenter’s work truck. Twice a year he would empty the tools out and hall the family to Maine for vacation. Drove it almost 200k then trade for a 68 in the same colors and equipment.
Appear’s to be a Three speed with overdrive Transmission. Has the T handle under the Dash.
Deal! Solid wagon that truly reflects the options and accessories of the day. Good engine, good amount of originality, solid body.