I feel a Carnac the Magnificent moment coming on – you know the gig where Carnac (Johnny Carson) places a sealed envelop to his forehead, states an answer, opens the envelope, and reads the question that the answer supposedly answers. In this case, he would state, “This six-cylinder equipped, ’64 Chevrolet Biscayne“, he would then open the envelope, and proclaim, “What’s about to receive a full-on resto-mod treatment?” If there were ever a candidate for such an undertaking, this ’64 Chevy would be it, but let’s look it over first before we pass judgment. This ’64 Biscayne, two-door sedan is located in Pottsboro, Texas and is available, here on eBay for a BIN price of $16,500. There is a make an offer option too. Thanks to Tommy T-Tops for this tip!
Auto manufacturers, over the years, have shown a proclivity to name their cars after desirable places where people would like to visit, or maybe even live. In this Chevy’s case, it is a reference to South Florida’s Key Biscayne but Chevrolet also used “BelAir” and still uses, for now, “Malibu”. Over at Pontiac, it was the “Catalina”. Some seem to be more of a stretch like GMC’s “Yukon”, Kia’s “Telluride”, and Hyundai’s, “Tuscon”. The Biscayne, though, was more of the Rodney Dangerfield of auto trim lines as it got no respect, occupying the bottom rung of Chevrolet’s hierarchy from 1959 through 1972. Only in 1958, did the Biscayne have a smaller brother to push around and that was the Delray, supposedly named after a Detroit neighborhood.
This 69K mile claimed ’64 Chevy is as stripped as a Biscayne could get as it harbors the traits of a fleet ordered car with its 140 HP, 230 CI in-line six-cylinder engine, doggie bowl hubcaps, lack of power steering and brakes, and its two-door sedan body style. The Powerglide, two-speed automatic transmission, would seem to be the only box checked on the order sheet. The seller has been busy with his Chevy by taking care of the following, “installed new spark plugs; a new vacuum advance unit; installed a Pertronix electronic ignition kit; installed new plug wires (still has the originals); added a new distributor cap and rotor; installed a carburetor kit and new fuel filter; replaced the rubber fuel lines including the 1-1/2″ fuel fill hose; changed the engine oil, filter, transmission fluid, and filter; replaced the transmission modulator valve, the battery, cables, tray and hold down; flushed out the radiator and replaced both the radiator cap and thermostat”. He states that this Biscayne “runs and drives excellent“. He also mentions that this Biscayne has undergone a complete brake makeover.
This Chevy shows beautifully! Not in a restored way but in a carefully kept and maintained survivor way. It is referenced as having been repainted once, and while not in possession of a mile deep, thorough shine, it presents itself very well. As with so many cars of this era, they can be real rust buckets but there is no sign of that problem here. The chrome is still strong and the minimal amount of trim, owing to its Biscayne status, is all in place. The understated appearance, IMHO, is a draw!
The interior pretty well matches the exterior’s vibe. It is clean and original in appearance with no sign of ripped, stained, or worn upholstery. There was a time when a Biscayne was synonymous with “rubber mat floor covering” but that must have changed by ’64 as there is nylon loop carpeting in place. The instrument panel is as simple as it gets and still has legible numbering and a clear lens. The huge expanse of the unpainted metal dashboard looks to be unscratched. Growing up, we had a ’64 BelAir in my household, one with no radio, no less, and by the time it was five years old, it was considerably worse looking. Nice to see are the seatbelts.
So now you see the dilemma. I seriously hope that Carnac the Magnificent got his wires crossed on this topic because I would hate to see such an original and lovingly cared for car kitbashed into a high-powered monstrosity. At this price point, which I must say is a bit rich, hot rodders with visions of torches, welders, and wrenches will hopefully be deterred from making a play for this Biscayne. What do you think will happen to this Chevy, maintain its 1964 era civility or go for broke and blow it out?
I wouldn’t change a single thing.
I’d probably add vintage air.
That’s what windows are for.
Good write-up Jim. I agree, keep it as is. I enjoy seeing the basic and stripper models, and this one is VERY basic. Even the color scheme screams “unexciting.”
I liked the Carnac reference, Johnny Carson was entertaining and funny….
Agreed. Johnny was a class act. Although he most likely never owned a 64 Biscayne.
I didn’t know strippers preferred certain models!
This looks like the car that old eccentric,cheap guy
down the street would buy new.
This car reminds me of Granny’s carr that she only drove to church on Sunday.
Part of me wants to keep it as is and the other part of me wants to drop a 425 horse 409 and a four speed in this beauty
I was gonna post the same idea ! Up grade the brakes and go for it.
I always assumed the Delray got its name from Delray Beach in Florida.
Similar to the Biscayne name being named after Key Biscayne, FL.
Let’s not forget Malibu Beach
Any one no for sure?
I always assumed the Delray got its name from Delray Beach in Florida.
Similar to the Biscayne being named after Key Biscayne, FL.
Let’s not forget Malibu Beach
Any one no for sure?
I tend to believe that it was after Del Ray Beach. Who names anything after a suburb of Detroit, lol?
That was my thought too, maybe it’s just an urban legend, but I have read it in two different places. The flip side of the argument is why would you name your bottom of the line model after a non-bottom of the line kind of place like Del Ray Beach?
JO
Cranbrook & Fairlane are the only two named after Detroit locales I can think of off hand!
I’m kinda with Mitchell on this one. I’d either do the 409 thing, or, as seem the current trend, LS it.
Yes ! A LS swap ,would make a great sleeper !
My parents had this as their first new car.
It was same color and model except they sprung for the 283 with no air of course. That didn’t happen til their 73 baby blue LTD. They drove cars and maintained till they died.
Yes they were very tight on spending. 😮😎 They both grew up from depression era parents that survived from having just enough to get by on… His dad was railroad worker to laid off to farm tenant.
Dad got out through leaving small town for 23 years USAF. Then GI bill to MBA and post master in small town USA.
Those tight values stuck to save and take care of items to last.
I like the car very much and even the color but theirs also had tan interior and vinyl floor mats.
It seems like everyone’s dad finally decided to spring for AC sometime in the early 70’s – I know mine did. Before that, you didn’t see it that often on anything less than a Caddy or Lincoln.
Where’s that? I grew up in the ’80s around non-AC cars in northern New England (and only old folks bought full-size) and didn’t spring for it myself until 2008.
Wow, the listing ended last night. I didn’t think it would last long, but that was quick.
To see the PG was a disappointment as I was hoping such a stripper would have the 3spd OD or the regular 3 spd at least. Apart from that I simply LOVE it, such a cheapy stripped down ’64 – note that a Biscayne didn’t even have the chrome trim in the taillight centers and the upper rear chrome strip only.
IMO if any engine should be necessary in the future the only righteous way to upgrade this one is with a 292, PLEASE NO LS! OK you’d need to relocate the engine mounts but other than that it’s the same gen as the 230 and would still look OE for the untrained eye
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ri1R_gacWg
The 292 is a taller motor & i’m surprosed there are no hood clearance issues with these big chevies. Tho there WOULD be sure for sure if you tried to put a 292 into a 1st gen camaro with a flat hood. lol
& maybe in a Nova too.
Plus i quote …
“On a ’63 impala – most amazing is that Turbo-Thrift 230 six engine really does provide sufficient power, be it from a standstill or at speed, and really isn’t that noticeably less powerful than the base 283-cu.in. V-8″ !”
ha ha
I would sooner install a flex fan, taller air filter & turbo muffler(if muffler leaks) – than a 292!
Good idea where the addt’l fuel filter was added, tho how durable are those see thru plastic ones, especially if exposed to 4 distinct seasons?
Well I happen to have a 292 sitting around for a ‘someday project’ so yes I’m fully aware of its differences from the 250/230/194 sixes. I was too expecting hood clearance issues when installed in a non-truck application.
What many folks don’t seem to recognize is that this gen I-6 is considerably lighter than even a SBC and these torquey sixes powered notably heavier vehicles than a ’64 Chev(which is not a heavy car for its size). There are MANY ways to improve the performance of even the 230 here, of course not to the level of traditional S/BBC or LS builds but I honestly think this Biscayne deserves to retain an I-6 and it’d shine with some performance upgrades
Leave it be! No need to power up everything that comes through here.
Look at the side shot. We have become used to larger rims, the 14’s look pathetic on this car! I would do 15″ rally wheels with either ’67 or disc brake caps, but I agree, drive it and love it. A 305 or 350 with Tuned port injection would be an easy budget swap and get great mileage. What a nice car!
Leave it as is. There’s enough 64 Chevy hotrods and lowriders out there. This one is original and unmolested and should stay that way
Listing is gone and presumed SOLD.
Hate to say it, but i wouldn’t be surprised if the new owners already pulled the motor & trans out of the car.
Car perhaps should have instead been in the GM heritage center after some sprucing up.
Pretty neat! I’d buy this 10 times before an overplayed ’68-72 Chevelle or ’67-69 Camaro. The temptation to put a strong V-8 in it would be too much though, even as original as it is.
Great car to put a high performance big block Chevy under the hood and go racing. Saying that it is really too original and perfect to do a thing to it. A very nice survivor that should stay that way!
I had a ’62 Biscayne with the 327/300 package and three-speed manual. Never owned a sweeter car.
I had a 62 Biscayne too, except it was more like this Version -Same gold paint color ,bone stock except for a powerglide ! That was in the late 70s , and by then the New England winters had taken its toll ; even the paint was worn and the roof, hood and trunk wore a nice patina of rust .As tired as it was , I still thought it looked great
I sure hope the new owner keeps this beauty just as it is. Original cars like this are getting very scarce. It’s nice to see cars that look the way I remember them as a kid many moons ago.
My first car was a 63 Biscayne. White 4 door with red plaid interior. It had a 283 with a three speed manual and overdrive. I hated it when I was a teenager but I sure wish I had it back now !
My first car was like this maroon colored and 283 options. Nice reminiscing. Leave as is!
Recently A friend of mine bought 55 Belair 2dr
Unmolested all options available including air and drive it from Oklahoma to Florida pulled into shop and literally while engine was still warm pulled motor and Trany to customize it. I nearly died. A sad day for me personally 🙄🤪👎
I like the effect blacking out the entire area of radiator support and slam panel behind the shiny (soft) metal grille has…nice detail. Jim Odonnell I think the word you meant to use with Carnac The Magnificent was “gag” not gig.
The seats don’t look original, because they had a striped pattern. Still all in all, it’s a beautiful car, and lately I’m preferring a Biscayne or Bel Air from this era than an Impala. But that’s me !