This 1958 Chevrolet Biscayne is a tidy, driver-grade classic with a few cosmetic imperfections. It could be enjoyed immediately while its new owner ponders whether a motor transplant is in order. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting this Biscayne, and for raising the possibility of a V8 upgrade. The seller has listed this classic here on eBay in Morgantown, Pennsylvania. They set their BIN at $23,900 with the option to make an offer.
Chevrolet introduced the Biscayne in 1958 as a one-year-only body style. It offered the Sedan in two and four-door variants, with our feature car the former. It presents nicely at first glance, finished in a stunning combination of Tropic Turquoise and Arctic White. The seller confirms that this beauty has undergone a repaint, during which the Turquoise shade was applied over the original Glen Green. Close inspection reveals a few cosmetic marks and blemishes, and evidence of a small area of developing rust above one wheel arch. Of greater concern is the passenger-side lower rear quarter panel. I may be missing the mark, but its appearance suggests the possible presence of fiberglass. I am happy to be corrected if I’m wrong, but if there is fiberglass, I wonder what it might be hiding. Only an in-person inspection will reveal the truth, which is something I would negotiate before proceeding any further with this old Chevy. The underside shots reveal frame surface corrosion, but no evidence of penetrating rust or other issues. Some trim pieces require polishing or restoration, the glass is clear, and the Cragar wheels are period-correct for this classic.
Biscayne buyers in 1958 could choose from a pretty comprehensive selection of engines, including the legendary 283ci “Fuelie” V8. Powering this Biscayne is a 235ci six-cylinder engine, which produced 145hp and 215 ft/lbs of torque when this classic was shiny and new. The six is teamed with a three-speed manual transmission, and the combination would have provided respectable performance by 1958 standards. The seller indicates that this Chevy runs and drives well, making it a turnkey proposition. However, Mitchell G. raises the tantalizing prospect of an engine upgrade. Locating a period-correct powerplant would be reasonably straightforward, or the new owner could throw caution to the wind with a more modern motor that would retain the car’s inherent character while providing a more user-friendly driving experience.
The seller reports some functional issues with this Biscayne’s interior, including the radio, horn, and heater blower being inoperative. The buyer could address these shortcomings as time and circumstances allow, because none would prevent them from enjoying the car immediately. They won’t need to address any trim problems because the inside of this Biscayne looks extremely nice. The upholstered surfaces and carpet are excellent, the paint is consistent, and the wheel is crack-free. This aspect of the Biscayne would receive positive comments wherever the new owner goes.
This 1958 Chevrolet Biscayne seems to offer a lot to its new owner, and its presentable nature means that it can be enjoyed immediately. I am slightly concerned about the lower rear quarter panel, as it appears there may be hidden issues that should be addressed promptly to prevent deterioration. Some readers might find the idea of bolting a V8 under the hood irresistible, since it would undoubtedly unlock significant performance gains. Does this Biscayne tempt you, or doesn’t it tick the boxes for you?
I’m partial to ’58 Chevys but this car is a little confusing. The VIN starts with C indicating it’s a 6 cylinder 1500 series aka Biscayne. The cowl tag shows the series as 1641 which denotes an 8 cylinder Biscayne. Eh, assembly line errors can happen.
The car’s cosmetic refurbishment looks nice but that’s it. Underneath the fresh paint is an unknown. The spray-bomb rebuild of the engine is a warning. The consigner notes the horn, radio and blower motor along with the blower control are all non-functional. Also noted is vague steering. The freshly treated underside makes me wonder what is between it and the new carpet. What there is of an exhaust system ends right about the cowl.
All I see a quick and dirty flip worth no where near $24K.
The V on the trunk lid indicates a V-8 also confusing the engine designation.
Could be, but it could also just be an older restoration that hasn’t aged well. My grandpa’s ’57 Ford looks fairly similar, with a few dings and rust spots and whatnot, even having been completely restored in the ’90s and driven sparingly since.
Still, I have to agree that the overspray on the engine, the missing air filter, and various other odds and ends aren’t a good sign. The values on these ’50s cars (with few exceptions) are really only dropping as the people who remember them are all getting well into their retirement years, so that $24k price tag better have an awful lot of wiggle room.
Depending on the assembly plant and year, some Fisher Body facilities coded ALL the trim tags as V8’s including on 6-cylinder cars. On cars from those plants, only the VIN would tell you which engine type the car came with.
Decklid was probably replaced with one from a V8 car. Hood is emblem is for a 6-cylinder.
Sharp looking rig. Looks ready to go. I believe Chevies and Pontiacs sold well due to market placement and having great names. Places you wanted to be. At least you could imagine your alternate life with the keys in your hand.
@A.G. I have heard of and seen one car from this era to have both the 6 and 8 cylinder codes somewhere on the body. That leaves others to be the experts.
Needs a 348 with 3 deuces.
The dealership guy or gal who wrote the discription must get paid by the word.
Looks like an aersol overhaul, AKA rattle can restoration under the hood and the underside. Whoops, missed the frame and the suspension. Speaking of missing there is no tail pipe. The shocks look original. Missing a lug nut.
Outward apperance looks decent, might be ok, if I were interested I would show up in person with my eyes open, my ears shut (or at least filtered with the BS detector on high) and a paint thickness gauge or some such device.
This looks like one of those cars you see on one of the restoration shows on TV. The proud new owner shows up to have a few minor issues addressed. Once the shop guys start poking and prodding, the can of worms gets opened and your are in deep.Just saying.
Lovely to look at! Backup lights were optional back then for the more basic models, and it looks like this one has them. If I were to do anything, (aside from the noted issues), i’d replace the vacuum-powered wipers for motorized (assuming this is a 12-volt system), upgrade the front brake drums to discs, and tighten the steering.
LOSE THOSE CUSTOM WHEELS!!! This deserves having the original steel wheels and hubcaps. Typical 1958 Chevy colour-combo. If you can’t afford the BelAir Impala, then this makes a nice alternative. At least it’s not a Del Ray.Too bad that it’s a “quickie” refurbishment on the cheap, and not a true restoration. The six-banger doesn’t bother me: I’m not interested in “performance”, and the better fuel economy would be a nice touch. This is a school-teacher’s car, with that six. But who wants to pay this much for a car which they will then have to totally restore the RIGHT way? DREAM ON at THIS price!! (unless P.T. Barnum was right, that there’s a sucker born every minute)
Can you get any more boring than original wheels and hubcaps? I doubt it.are you gonna complain about not having the original air in the tires too???
To David Michael Carroll: I like things as they came from the factory, and as I remember them when they were new. I do not find that “boring”. This Chevy would have been typical for a school-teacher back then: economical six cylinder, but just enough “flash” to look better than a totally base model, such as the Del Ray (formerly, the One-Fifty). Plenty of people chose the Two-Ten instead of the Bel Air, and this Biscayne is like a Two-Ten. I myself would prefer it with a 283 V-8, a two-barrel carburator, and a Powerglide automatic, but that’s me. I see a car as something comfortable to drive, to GET me someplace and back, and I don’t even like “muscle” in a car, just adequate power to take me onto any road or highway I might choose, and that’s enough. You can KEEP the custom wheels and white letter “performance” tyres: for 1958, a decent set of white-wall bias-ply rubber will do just fine; thank you.
I remember my Dad bought a brand new 58 Chevy wagon when we lived in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. In 2 years the quarter panels under the quarter glass was rusted thru…you could stick your hand thru it.
My best friend in HS had a ’58 Del Ray. 348 engine with an automatic. He’d drop that puppy down to low & he could run it to 60 mph before he pushed it up to drive. Good times!!!!!