From 1959-75, the Biscayne was Chevrolet’s entry-level full-size automobile. The car lacked the level of trim (exterior and interior) that the Bel Air, Impalas, and (later) Caprice wore. It was named after Biscayne Bay, near Miami, Florida, following a then-trend by Chevrolet to name cars after coastal cities or beaches. This Plain Jane Biscayne 2-door sedan has all the qualities of a sleeper, except for the Cragar wheels, but has some untapped power resting under the hood. Thanks to Pat L. for locating this Chevy in South Austin, Texas, where it’s available here on craigslist for $6,000.
Fourth generation of the Biscayne was built between 1965-70 and could be ordered with any drivetrain that Chevrolet offered. We don’t know how this ’66 edition left the factory, but it later received some serious hardware upgrades in the engine compartment. That includes a 454 cubic inch V8 with Chevelle SS 396 heads, Hooker Headers, Edelbrock intake, 750 CFM Holley carburetor, a bigger camshaft, and several other performance items.
For reasons unknown, the car was never started after all this was done. So, a decade has passed and it does not currently run. If the seller can get it going again, he’ll raise the asking price by $5,000! A 3-on-the-tree manual transmission is still in place, an odd combo with the 454. From the limited photos, we see a lot of faded paint and a bent front bumper, but the seller says there is rust in the “obvious places” but we wish he/she would be a bit more specific. This is a project where the amount of work needed is an unknown.
He’ll be wanting 11k if he starts it because he knows he’ll be pulling the engine out for a rebuild if it does fire off. No other logical reason he wouldn’t start it other than he knows it’s probably a high mileage oil burning shortblock with some performance goodies tossed on it. Typical hand grenade.
Homemade Bisquick.
😂😂 Good one Bob!!!! 🐻🇺🇸
3 on a tree 454 !
I like it. affordable muscle project. I almost got one very similar to this when in high school in the early 80’s being offered for $800 then, strait 6 with 3 on tree but came with a newish 1 ton truck 350 to drop in.
Went to an estate sale back in the 90’s. There was a ’65 Belair, 283 3 speed manual, column shift with 40,000 miles. Needed brake lines and exhaust from sitting in a garage for a couple of decades. Thought I wouldn’t pay over $500 bucks…sold for $700.00. Still kicking myself on that one.
Could be a neat car, but an awful lot of RED flags.
Whatzup w/that front bumper?….looks like it took matching R & L wallops!
BTW…..the Biscayne’s life cycle was ’58 thru ’72.
Hahahaha. 600.00. Final offer. He can keep the junky 396 heads
How long will a 3 spd last with that 454? It sounds fun, but expensive. I’d rather pay the $11k after going over it with a magnet and crawling underneath after taking it for a test drive…
3 on the tree behind a 454? Can you say “grenade”? Another example of folks who have NO clue!
No doubt a serious engine build with the coveted 396 heads. 🙄
I have seen a few cars in rural areas with a big block engine hooked up to a 3 on the tree. An older friend of mine who sold new cars starting in the late 1960’s told me “the farmers would buy them like that for trailer towing purposes, & they didn’t trust automatic transmissions back then”.
I know full well they didn’t put 454’s in these back then, but a 396 is very possible. Let me belive it was the case for this car.