The owner of this 1963 Chevrolet Biscayne has had the car for more than 30-years, and he is honest enough to admit that he simply doesn’t have the time to restore it. As a result, he has decided to move the car on to someone who can do it justice. I have to take the opportunity to thank Barn Finder local_sheriff for referring the Biscayne through to us. It is located in Davenport, Iowa, and is listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN of $8,200 but is willing to consider offers.
Finished in Ermine White, the Biscayne is an attractive looking car. The external trim and chrome all appear to be present, and in quite good condition. The Rally wheels aren’t original, but they do wear a good set of tires. The owner doesn’t indicate the state of the floors or frame, but there is some external rust visible in the lower quarter panels. However, areas such as the lower fenders, rockers, and the lower corners of the doors, all look really solid. Couple that with the fact that the car is always kept indoors, and this does look to be quite promising.
The interior will need a bit of work, but some of the required tasks have already been completed by the owner. The floors have been fitted with new carpets, while the seats wear a nice new set of covers. The dash actually looks quite good, although the door is missing off the glove compartment. However, that appears to be the only item that is absent, with the original radio still fitted to the dash. The door trims could use some new upholstery, but there is no doubt that the interior could be used as it is without any problems.
This is as close as we are going to get to an engine photo, which is quite frustrating. I do know that this isn’t a numbers-matching car, as what lies under the hood is a 350ci V8, backed by a Powerglide transmission. It isn’t clear whether the engine has received any performance upgrades, but it does wear a dual exhaust, and the owner does say that the car runs and drives. It really looks like this might be the sort of project car that you could drive and enjoy immediately, and could then undertake the restoration work as time and circumstances allow.
There are quite a few unanswered questions with this 1963 Biscayne, such as whether there is any rust below the car’s surface, and how well it actually runs and drives. Under normal circumstances, this would be a frustration. But judging by the wording in the listing, it appears as though the owner is the sort of person who would be very approachable and willing to answer any queries. This is always a good thing and makes me want to ask whether any of our readers are thinking about taking on this project car.
The Rally wheels bring a plain jane up a notch. If it’s solid underneath this could be a great toy to play with.
Possibly good start for a street sleeper; overall integrity of frame & floors needs to be known however and the PG will need to go.
I’m on the fence with the price, seems a bit too high. The listing expires in a few hours so we’ll see it there were buyers at this price point.
BIN price has been lowered to $7,900, probably still about $1,500 too high. Hour and a half to go!
Restore? To what, a base ’63 Biscayne?
Nah, do the mechanicals, swap in a “mystery” motor and 5 speed and enjoy.
Wow! This is a huge memory for me. This is the twin to my first car I owned and leagally drove on the highway. Right down to the colors of the paint and interior, the 6 cylinder emblem on the fenders and the SBC under the hood. The only thing that seems out of place is that I believe that is a Chevy II steering wheel. I never thought that an identical twin would pop up. (It is not my old car, as I removed the engine to install in my ’55 convert and the guy that I sold the “roller” to painted it red. Thanks for the walk down memory lane!
Cool story. I’m pretty sure that’s the stock Biscayne steering wheel. We had a 64 Nova. Its wheel was similar to this one but with differences.
Right on with the steering wheel. My Dad had a ’63 Impala and the steering wheel here did not look right.
I had a ’62 Chevy11 300 and the steering wheel looked like the one in this photo.
Nice catch, I think you are right on both counts.
Those do look like 6 cylinder emblems on the front fenders, come to think of it. I would probably try to lose them. Those post sedans have a certain charm to them. Can’t go wrong with a 350.
Ruxvette and Bob C have the right idea. This beauty is delightfully stripped and plain jane. love it. I’m for a 327, 4 or 5 speed, and drive this ol’ girl just as it is now. Good luck to the new owner!
Cheers
GPC
Yup, those were my excact thoughts when I saw it – this Biscayne simply SCREAMS out to be built in 1 of 2 ways, just like the model kits!
Either as a period looking ‘mystery engine’ race car, or as a low-buck stripped sleeper with a bad-ass high-winding 327. PG tranny should definately make way for a 4/5 speed stick. I like Rallies, however in my world such a Biscayne will only look right with body-colored steelies with poverty caps.
Price is on the optimistic side however seller seems motivated. The rot in the rear fenders will scare many buyers off, but judging by the pics it seems damage can be mended without replacing the entire quarters. I think this is the kind of ad I’d put on my watch list, then after listing has expired and seller ripened I’d throw him a low-ball and await his response
I love this car!! Yet, I would make a few changes…. I like the idea of a 327, but, I would put in a 350TH, upgrade the suspension a bit, change brakes to 4 wheel discs and definitely replace the lap belt to 3 pointers. Much safer. Now, let me take a longer look at the write-up.
Ad ended. $7,900.00.
This reminds me of a trend at least in Chicago in the mid-later 60’s. I remember guys were buying low end models new then ordering cool options like heavy duty springs, shocks, cooling systems, big engines, 4-speeds, nice sound systems etc. Always left the cheap wheels and dog-dish hub caps on better bigger rubber. Remember this was pre-radial time. These were cool cars built for fun and you could order one at any Chevy dealer.
Great 409 clone candidate. Saw a stat once that there were more 409’s in existence then they built at the factory. Just sayin…
lol, there’s more Ford flatheads than Henry’s factory ever built. Same with H-D Knuckleheads and Panheads. You can still buy a ‘brand’ new FHF, Knuck or Pan. funny as hell. Nice to know 409s are still being made too. Maybe I’ll get one after all.
Ralph, add to that list 427/435 1967 Corvettes. I like this Biscuit and would just cherry out the body, put a Muncie or a B-W Super T-10 in it and drive, drive, drive .
Yeah Bing your right and there’s also more 1st Gen Z28 Camaros out there then the factory ever built i like this car if i had room I’d sure be interested if it were mine I’d build a healthy 409 with a 5 speed and 4.11 gears in a 9″ I know sbc’s, bbc’s or LS’s would be an easier route but I’m an old guy and there’s just something cool about the scalloped valve covers and an 09 that just does it for me and of course upgrade the brakes and suspension to modern standards there’s an old 409 racer down south Lamar Waldon that builds and sells all aluminum 09 engine blocks and heads all the way up to i think around 496 cu.in. that would be the trick setup although very expensive that’s my 2cents worth of old guy rambling 👴
Camaro guy. I am with you all the way. I came upon a 34 roller and went with the early 60’s west coast look. No fenders, Lake pipes, steel rims with period V8 hubcaps and cheater slicks in the back. 327, two 4’s fuelie heads, Muncie 4 speed and 4:11’s in a 9”. Only concession I made to modern was a mustang II front end with disc brakes. Something about the “old” way speaks to me. Yup, it’s the age thing.
make a nice sleeper.
probably needs new quarters
been relisted
price way to high by at least 50 %
Resto-mod sleeper pops up in my mind’s eye. Since it’s no longer numbers-matching, why not stroke the engine to 383 with a big 4-bbl and bolt a CR 4-speed to it. Price a few grand high, though.
Have come to like the Biscayne 2dr. sedans as much as the Impala dr. hardtops. Stay with the same color or similar, steel wheels with dog dish caps. 409 or a less expensive big block with four speed or built auto. Seems high for the condition it’s in but they are becoming quite rare.
I don’t comment much although I enjoy Barn Finds every day. This one I had to comment on. This reminded my so much of my first “hot rod”. I bought a 1963 Bel-Air in 1967 I was one year out of High School and just started college. Not much different than this Biscayne. Mine had a 327 Corvette engine with a Muncie four speed. 3.88 rear end, Craeger Mags. My friends used to say it was right from the Beach Boys “custom Machine” song. “Metal flake blue with a Corvette mill”…”and they say it looks better when it’s standing still”. Great car.
relisted….$7700 BIN…still too high…too much rust says I….
Real nice car!! My mother had a 62 convertible!! Love this car!!