Debuting in 1958 (and continuing through 1972), the Biscayne was Chevrolet’s least expensive full-size automobile. With the barest of creature comforts, the Biscayne was popular with fleet purchases, such as for taxi cabs and police cars. That would explain why the seller says this 2-door 1962 sedan was once an Oregon State Patrol car. No visible heritage of that remains, but what we at least have here is a very nicely restored grocery getter with plenty of power under the hood. Located in Sarasota, Florida, this former finder of lawbreakers is available here on eBay, where the no-reserve auction has attracted bids up to $15,100. Mitchell G. once again scores with this tip.
Biscaynes were popular as police cars because they were lighter in weight and cheaper to buy than the fancier Impalas and could be had with any engine Chevrolet offered. We’re told that this 1962 example once served in the Oregon State Patrol, but no solid leftovers are seen, with no documentation. I would have thought a 4-door would have been more practical, and the apparent restoration here has no signs of a fender-mounted spotlight or exterior antenna for Officer “X” to contact HQ. But there is no AM radio to distract said do-gooder. Perhaps something in the VIN would help, but I had no luck.
The seller provides little information about his/her wares. The restoration looks well done, but we don’t know what or when about it, and before and after pics are always desired. The dark blue paint presents well, but it doesn’t seem to coincide with the cowl tag. The interior is tidy but sparse, with only a single aftermarket gauge for the driver to rely upon. The mileage is said to be 67,000, but wouldn’t a patrol on the highways have more miles?
There are questions about the engine, too. The seller is uncertain about it being a 327, but it was offered for the first time in ‘62. Numbers matching? Upgrades? Dunno. The seller says it runs great, and we assume the transmission is a 2-speed Powerglide automatic. The factory plain steel wheels are gone in a favor of 1970s-style “mags”. Finally, to add to the unknowns, the title is said to be “Rebuilt, Rebuildable & Reconstructed,” for which an explanation would have been nice. Good buy or goodbye?
You know, Russ, I’d have thought a 4 door too, but this link shows an Oregon trooper next to a very dirty ’62 Chevy 2 door. Apparently, 4 engines were offered for the police package, for local stuff, the 235/6 or the 283, 3 speed or Powerglide. For highway pursuit, 2 types of 327s were offered, I imagine 2 or 4 barrel, and boasted “Duty Designed Power”. ( just loved the 60s sayings). I believe most city cars were 4 doors, but many state police used 2 doors. https://oregonsp.pastperfectonline.com/photo/C5C99380-C418-4170-9A48-784211495117
Great write up Russ. And a great link too Howard. I never thought much about 2 doors for any State Trooper. But there you go, in black and white ( quite litterally total punn intended).
I would have thought at least a 348 or maybe even a 409 for pursuit work. I can imagine all the officers yelling…. MINE!!! MINE!!! MINE!!!! I know I would. This is great, I enjoyed it. And another great find too eagle eyed Mitchell G.
The last year for the 348 was 1961. I would have thought the ’09 would have been an available option in 1962, but that probably would depend on what the State spec was for that year.
Back then two door cars were used as “Pursuit Vehicles” by various state police. Similar to Mustangs used later on. I had a ’59 Plymouth 2 door ex Florida Highway patrol version.
Great link Howard Thank You. There is a photo link on that page that has some really great photos explaining each picture. A 1939 police ford 2 door 5 window coupe. Another with two officers firing Thompson exiting their cars also other pictures of police training in the 1930s. Along with bootlegging investigation pictures and many others. Thanks again Howard a ton more pictures of police pictures.
Nice car, but “only 1 gauge to rely on”? I see 6 gauges and a tachometer.
“aftermarket” was the quote.
Saw this on YouTube yesterday and the seller gave you very little in the way of extra photos or even
getting to hear the 327 run at all.
All you got was the rear view of the car and some interior shots and that was pretty much that.
Nice car overall to the point that
you don’t need all that fluff about
it being a former police 🚓 car.
The best thing he could’ve done
was to let the car sell itself on it’s
own merits– which I must say are
very impressive. Only things it needs from where I sit is A/C and
a decent stereo, and steel rims with dog dish hubcaps. Other than that, it’s a great car.
Biscayne was not the bottom of the line in 1958.
I think the Delray was the price leader in 1958.
Claims without any proof doesn’t make it more valuable, that and the title issue, rebuilt, etc… overall a nice car.
409 Dual Quads a 4 speed and a 273 posi would’ve been the “PERFECT” Hwy patrol combo in 1962 IMO, it would’ve caught anything on the road built in and up to 62! However in 62 they were still having cooling issues with the 409 and it couldn’t handle all the idle time required in police work. A 375 horse 327 would’ve done well too lol.
2.73 was not available in 1962, 3.08 would of been the tallest gear. 300 or 340 hp 327 would of been possible 375 hp didn’t come until 63 or 64.
Great link Howard Thank You. There is a photo link on that page that has some really great photos explaining each picture. A 1939 police ford 2 door 5 window coupe. Another with two officers firing Thompson exiting their cars also other pictures of police training in the 1930s. Along with bootlegging investigation pictures and many others. Thanks again Howard a ton more pictures of police pictures.
Best friend in HS worked his ass off every summer doing construction for uncle to save up for a new car. Had a ’55/265 ci thru high school, but finally in ’67 he bought a new Chevy 2 door Biscane. Black (of course), bear bones interior but 327/4bbl and 4 speed. Great looking sleeper w/the little hubcaps. Never got stopped(or caught) for speeding that I can remember. Passed about 5 years ago, it was still in his garage. Don’t know what happened to it but wish I would have been closer to him to find out.
I’m not sure if this is an early small block this looks like it may be a later model 350.
Looks like 350😂
It’s looks to be a 350 crate engine. This is a nice clean Chevy with no silly add ons like A/C. It is a has a clean look to it.The only thing I would change is the rims. The price is right too!
It looks like a Malcom Durham ex racer. I remember seeing him drive this car. That makes it worth much more than an ex cop car with NO documentation.
Race car for sure, that’s a Line-Loc on that front brake line.
The “1970s mags” are actually world-famous American Racing Torq-Thrust Ds that originated in the 1960s for the 1963 Corvette, with the curve added on the spokes in order to clear the disc brake calipers. I’m pretty certain those are more recent issue, but they aren’t some generic 5-spokes as alluded to in the description.
No matter the history, I don’t see how you could get a better Chevy driver for $15,100.
Ya just never know what you may come across…. In ’65 my home town tried out a car for the local police dept. It was a plain Jane 1961 Chevy two door post with a 327 and a stick and overdrive. But they didn’t come out with a 327 until ’62 you say. Yup, that’s correct, but this bright red ex-Fire Chiefs car had one and it was fast. The town passed on it but I got to ride in it several times with my friend Bill the night cop. A few years earlier in 1962 my sis had a white 1959 Ford base 2 door post with a 430 MEL engine and a 3 speed stick. Odd combination I know but it was an ex County Sheriff’s car and it also was a scary fast, especially with Janet behind the wheel. :-) Terry J
Lots of not original here including engine but since it isn’t a 409 I’m not sure why it would matter. IF the fender tags (V8 insignias) are correct it came with a 327. Big if. It’s also a power steering car. Quite unusual for a 62 Biscayne. If the back story is true was probably a Captain’s car or some such like.
17k with a few minutes to go and the reserve is off.
I have questions about the title but this really,looks like a great car at a good price.
Well, I tuned in at the 29 minute remaining mark. I decided to watch it this close to the end. It was at 17,000 and stayed there until the last under 30 seconds and someone bumped it right at the end. It sold for 20,211.
I would say, quite possibly, it was an Oregon State Police car, originally. It would have been a 380-horsepower 409 (RPO 580) with the single 4bbl. I owned a 1965 Ford 2-door Custom 390 Police Interceptor that was an old OSP car. It, too, was a special order Dark Metallic Blue. The paint code on this car is 884 which was a special-order color paint so, it all makes sense.
SOLD for $20,211.11 (?)
60 bids.