I do have a tendency to migrate towards old full-size domestic cars. Even though they were a mainstay of American motoring for many years, and there were so many non-descript versions made, they have rapidly disappeared from our landscape. Even more rapidly with the exponentially growing, insatiable appetite for SUVs, CUVs, and pickup trucks – there are few offered by any manufacturer anymore. That said, it can be hard to get excited about a Chevrolet Biscayne (1958-1972). Most were fleet cars in dowdy four-door trim with boat anchor six-cylinder engines. But not today’s 1966 example, this one is something special! It is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and is available, here on craigslist for $29,000. Thanks to MattR for this tip!
Occupying the bottom-rung model position for its fifteen-year run, the Chevrolet Biscayne was usually offered in two and four-door sedan body styles with an accompanying station wagon. There were two-door wagons offered from ’58 to ’60, designated as the Yoeman in ’58, and then the Brookwood for ’59 and ’60. And by ’70, the two-door sedan had been discontinued which is unfortunate, but understandable. It’s unfortunate because that model possessed the lightest curb weight for a full-size car, while still having a taught, B-pillar structure. They performed admirably on the strip (or street) when properly outfitted. As to what was proper outfitting, the world was your oyster and you could go with the largest available engine, a four-speed manual transmission, and steep final, limited-slip gearing. It all made sense until about 1966 when the Chevelle, and then later, the Camaro/Nova SS twins occupied the performance slot and rendered over-powered versions of the Biscayne obsolete.
This ’66 Biscayne is exactly what I had in mind when I referenced a street/strip performer, it has a 427 CI V8 engine and four-speed manual transmission. The seller claims it as a new for 1966, 425 HP, RPO L72, version but I have my doubts as the engine looks like it’s topped with a cast-iron Quadrajet or Holly intake manifold and not the requisite Winters aluminum piece necessary for L72 authentication. Also, there is no belt idler which is another L72 trait. The seller additionally claims this to be a “factory A/C” car but A/C was not available with the L72 motor. But then again, it’s not a factory A/C unit, it is an aftermarket version with a Sanden compressor and under-dash evaporator. This is important because “issues” like this call into question the overall veracity and accuracy of the listing. Assuming that this is a legitimate 427 CI engine, only identifiable by its non-revealed alpha code, it’s probably a 390 gross HP “L36” version. Buck further advises that “Everything is original except it has been repainted one time“. It seems that claiming “Everything is original” would cover a whole lot of territory, for example, would that include the exhaust system? If so, it’s incorrect, the tailpipes should extend to the rear corners of the car, not exit behind the rear wheels. I may sound pedantic, but when you spot one inaccuracy with a car in this price range, you want to be sure that you are getting what you are paying for and asking probing questions should be standard operating procedure.
The exterior looks fantastic and while this era B-Body has a pretty renowned tendency to rust, there’s no indication of a single spot of corrosion anywhere. As previously mentioned, this undocumented 62K mile sedan has had one repaint but all of the chrome, trim, shunt lines and body panels look perfect and new. The rally wheels are a later addition but the seller states that he has the original wheels which should be 14″ steelies. Most of the trim for a ’66 Impala is being reproduced, and at a high quality, but in the case of a Biscayne, there really isn’t any other than the “Biscayne” badge so that’s one less thing with which to contend in the event that replacement parts are required.
The interior is as nice as the exterior, it’s a typical Biscayne vinyl and cloth environment, with a minimum of adornment – and in this case, no observable wear. It’s actually a pretty welcoming space for a budget-level car and is certainly enhanced by its bright red hue. The only thing noted that may not be original is the gear shift lever. It’s hard to get a thorough look at it but it should have a reverse lockout cross-piece and it’s not apparent in the image. Of course, the original being a Muncie shifter, it could have required a necessary swap for something more efficient.
Of the almost 1.5 M full-size (B-Body) Chevrolets produced in ’66, only 1,856 had the 425 HP, 427 CI L72 engine, according to Detroit Automotive Restoration – they’re pretty rare. And if this were one, in a car in this stellar condition, I could see it going for more than $29,000. Moral of the story? Trust but verify, right?
66 did not have a dual master cyl from the factory either. A worthy add on but not original.
Verification? Who the hell cares? I don’t. It’s perfect in my view, I’d drive it everyday even on my God forbid, gravel road. None of that garage queen city slicker BS. This fantastic piece of automotive history was built to be driven.
I agree,”other Kevin”,if you got em,drive em!
Wheels off
Nice ride with all the right stuff. I wonder how many of these L72 powered full size Chevys had the engine pulled for a lighter weight car?
Most of them
You don’t need to look any further than the price to see that it’s not an original L72. For that matter, it’s not an original anything. These cars had the cheapest materials Chevy could get, so there’s no way the interior is going to survive 55 years and 62K miles in such perfect condition.
Reminds me of one the HS secretary drove, close by not exact to this one. She and her husband were a few years older than me and theirs was a green 66 Biscayne with a 396 and 4 speed and it was the family car. She could chirp the tires pretty much any time she wanted, though we were never truly sure if she did it on purpose or not. This one reminds me a lot of that one just a little more muscular. It impressed me as a kid and I’m sure this one would also.
This is I bet a 396 car but until that motor is torn down the seller can claim anything he wants. Buyer beware.
Just curious how much you would bet.
Buyer beware, really?
Likely an L36 given the presence of the dual snorkel air cleaner and cast iron intake. 325 hp 396s came with the single snorkel only. As for the exhaust exiting just behind the rear wheels, that is correct. This is a good looking car, but as Indicated by another poster, I might bid cautiously.
“As for the exhaust exiting just behind the rear wheels, that is correct”
That’s only correct for a station wagon or a passenger car with a 283 engine and a single exhaust system. The dual systems all exited at the rear corners; I know, I owned a ’66 big block Impala for many years.
Note the attached image of a ’66 Impala showing the correct rear exit for the dual tailpipes.
JO
I’ve actually seen both. Wondering if it was a mid-year change or different suppliers.
https://www.americanmusclecarmuseum.com/chevrolet-vehicles/28-1966-chevrolet-biscayne-l72.html
I have never seen an original that way and I was around and “car aware” in ’66. The dual systems had resonators included in the tailpipe and muffler shops would sell a “resonator eliminator” pipe to help contain the cost at replacement time. Leaded gasoline ate through exhaust systems back in those days like nobody’s business and system replacement was a common, and expensive undertaking.
Here’s an image of the resonator outfitted pipes: https://www.impalas.net/threads/nos-tailpipe-with-resonators.6497/
I have seen behind-the-wheel exits, like the station wagon, on cars that have been restored such as the example that you presented. Actually, I have seen quite a few finished that way lately. My assumption has always been that the replacement systems, whether purchased or custom manufactured, were just incorrect.
JO
I’m almost positive the L72 came without the resonators and the tailpipe diameter was 2.25 in.
https://www.musclecarexhaustsystems.com/1966-fullsizechevy-exhaust-system.html
This link shows the shorter pipe and these are supposedly made from the originals. That kind of makes sense given no person in their right mind would order resonators on an L72, LOL.
On the other hand, one of my friends had a 1966 Caprice coupe with a CNG converted L35. It was so quiet, I was disappointed. IIRC, it was stone stock with resonators.
My sister bought a 66 Biscayne, for 400 bucks in 1970, it had an am radio, and that was it. It was Emerald green with a tan vinyl interior, not a mark on it. My Father and I waxed it and changed the oil, she had just put 4 new tires on it, and it had less than 30k miles on the odometer. It was about as perfect as you could get. My Father hated GM, but he liked this car, and would occasionally drive it. You could buy a nice ride for 400 bucks, that still blows me away.
Even a 396/4spd is bad a..! Had a ’68 SS El Camino with that and it was about as much fun as you could have with yer clothes on!
L72 had like 450 plus HP never came with A/C
Very nice, but,,,again, never saw one. ’65 and ’66 Chevy’s were the most popular Chevy’s of all time, but they rarely were like this. Maybe in California 4 speed land, but in the midwest, it was the tried and true 283, powerglide, that adorned 99% of these. In case you’ve never been, a drivetrain like this, in a car like this, is practically suicide. It will never hook up,( as is) and unless something was done, like disc brakes and suspension upgrades, going to be some tense rides. Someone bit, so good luck to them.
gone.
Love this car! but if we’re dreaming up how I would of ordered it…not all red and bucket seats for sure.
The tell-tale sign that it is a half-assed car (or, at least, that the present seller does half-assed stuff to cars) are the Cooper Cobra tires. Those things make any nice car look like a cheap, K-Mart Auto Center special. I expect to see those on a ratty, trailer-park trash hooptie, 1987 Camaro with a V6, not a 427 Biscayne.
Stop hating on the coopers Don!
Just callin’ ’em like I see ’em, Kev.
The ad has been deleted so, I assume it’s been sold. All you who’ve put it down are missing the point. Who the hell cares if it’s not 100% correct? How often do you find a 427? Rare is what that engine is and the whole package to me is just plain perfect. It’s a ‘sleeper’ car if the opponent doesn’t notice the fender badges. It’d be a blast!