When the full line of Chevrolet cars was redesigned for 1958, the Biscayne was introduced as the successor to the mid-range 210 model. From 1959-on, it would be the entry-level car in the Bow-Tie line-up. This one looks like an ordinary sedan with one exception: it has a factory 348 cubic inch V8 under the hood with the Tri-Power set-up, i.e., 3×2-barrel carburetors. Located in Gibson City, Illinois, this 2-door post coupe is described as a barn find, which suggests it may have been sitting for a while. It’s available here on Facebook Marketplace for $14,500.
Named after Biscayne Bay near Miami, Florida, the Biscayne would remain in Chevy’s sales brochures through 1975. The Biscayne was usually devoid of most fancy trim or creature comforts, so it was considered basic transportation for buyers focused on the budget. With an all-new set of cars for 1958, Chevy was able to recapture the top sales position from Ford, but it was a recession year and automobile production was down in general. Despite that, some 377,000 Biscayne’s were built in 1958 compared to the upscale Bel Air’s 532,000.
A Biscayne could be ordered with any powerplant that Chevrolet offered, so the original buyer of this black car went all out by getting it fitted with the company’s biggest motor, the new 348, and this one has six barrels of carburetion. Output for the engine was a minimum of 280 hp, considered hot for the day. This car is being offered by its second owner who has the original title. A 3-speed manual transmission helps deliver power to the rear wheels.
We’re told that everything connected with this car stills works, but the body is far from perfect with evidence of rust on the sheet metal as well as the front bumper. Our views of the exterior of the car are limited, so it’s hard to tell how much work will need to be done once everything is sanded down. There are no photos provided of the interior, and the trunk might have some rust in it, and it looks to contain quite a few parts, including an extra transmission, this one a 4-speed manual.
No trim devoiding here. The whole package should put it on the top of the rare list. There can’t be a lot of ’58s with that trim package and the 348 to boot. Nice find.
I never cared for the looks of the ’58 Chevy. Compared with the ’57 and ’59, it can’t hold a candle. But, then again, ’58 was a low water mark for all the US makes. The 4 headlights ruined a lot of nice designs from ’58.
I can appreciate anyone’s opinion on what they consider pretty or whatever, but I have to disagree with you. To me personally the 58 was a much better looking car than the 59, which I thought was just hideous. The 57 on the other hand, I think is one of the most beautiful cars ever built.
Pretty rare combination. Not a huge fan of the 58. Except for that American Graffiti one, lol. I hope someone saves this “sleeper”.
I expect that 3 speed is factory located on the tree. But anyway it’s quite the rare bird Biscayne with the 348 tri-power and standard transmission. Be interesting to know if the original purchaser went one final step and checked off the limited slip box.
Grease,
I’m betting this was a dealer-ordered car, and the person who ordered it ticked the wrong V8 box, and instead of getting a small block V8, they got this beast!
This car has a fender mounted accessory antenna, located in the wrong place. That leads me to conclude this car was ordered with only 2 options: the 348 V8 and a heater. No radio, No power steering or power brakes.
As there is no mention of a tachometer or other race-related items, I doubt it was raced at sanctioned tracks. That said, the dealer probably found a buyer who wanted the car for towing a travel trailer or boat.
Since this car has a standard 3 speed manual transmission it may also have the 348 cu.in.,315hp,solid lifter,3×2 engine !! A real sleeper indeed.With that set up this would certainly have one of the fastest and most admired cars of 1958. I turned 18 in 1958 and would have sold my soul to have this car with the 315 engine.
Pretty sure the 315 HP solid lifter motor wasn’t available until 59 or 60 think 250 4bbl and 280 3×2’s both hydraulic lifters
The 315 hp engine was available mid-year 1958. I was a freshman university student and my roommate owned something called a DelRay 58 post coupe equipped with the 315 hp engine and three on tree transmission. I thought it was the fastest car on the planet . The owner could shift the three speed lightning fast. The lumpy idle was great !
Nope, could get the 315 HP solid lifter motor in ’58! Shirley Muldowney and Jack owned one!
58 is the best out of all those years. 567 are so common that I hardly look at them any more.
The Old Cars Price Guide (remember them?) would call this a solid “4” on condition, with a 50% premium for the tri-power. Meaning they’d suggest value at about 1/2 the seller’s ask. At that price I’d be tempted, does Danchuk have all the interior stuff & weatherstripping to at least make the interior new? I’d keep the external cosmetics as is. NIce car (and I am a 45-year ’57 owner)
Love these 58 fat bottom girls!
Illinois?
Bone-stock sleeper with a monster under the hood?
No other options?
I’m guessing this was ordered & used for running ‘shine.
Had a friend that bought one just like this example from a guy who loved it so much that he washed and waxed it every day until he actually wore the paint down on the rear fenders to the primer. We would go thru a whole tank of gas on a Friday/Saturday nights going up and down the main drags (Riverside north/ Central Avenue south) w/o ever getting out of second gear. 50’s/60’s, good times, .
The ’58 models of everyone’s brand did not sell that great, consequently they are very collectible now. I like this car..my buddy had a light blue one..348/glide. I had a 58 Imp ragtop with this powertrain. Great cruiser, not that quick.
I bought this car. My family and I love it.
Everything works, drives nice.
Troy, is the car a 280hp or the 315 hp ??