Monday, June 9, 2014

Pleasanton Street Sighting - 1967 Chevrolet Biscayne

The concept of building a performance car from a base model vehicle isn't a new one. The most basic trim level typically is the lightest. Today we expect even the cheapest new vehicles to have a complement of features. The base versions of older cars tend to be free of air conditioning, sound deadening and even a radio in some cases. All of that contributes to weight. Muscle cars are all fine and good, but those who want a fast big car would want something like a Chevy Biscayne two-door sedan with a four-speed and the biggest V8 they could order or build.


The Chevrolet Biscayne was always a fleet special, destined for rental companies and police departments and never very well equipped, but they could be had with the full complement of engine and transmission options and some factory "delete" options to save money and/or weight. Drag racers loved the Biscayne, and some even turned them into wild-looking altered-wheelbase, big-block dragstrip specials. This one is a bit less extreme than that, but its cowl induction hood and wide radial tires with rally wheels tell you that this is not your aunt's '67 Biscayne.

This Biscayne was found parked down the block from Specialty Sales Classics in Pleasanton. At first I expected it must have been part of their inventory but after checking their current and sold listings, I figure it was a private seller trying to get some extra exposure by parking the car on busy First Street. It was late in the day, so the Butternut Yellow paint almost looks bluish in these pictures. That was the brightest yellow available on the full-size car line that year, and indeed the brightest factory color unless you ordered Bolero Red. The cowl induction hood isn't stock; it covers what the for sale sign described as a 355 cubic inch V8 producing 450 horsepower, and a Turbo-Hydro 400 automatic transmission with 3.73 Posi-Traction rear end. It appears to be a factory V8 car judging by the fender badges, but the lack of a displacement number on the badge implies a small block, probably a 283 originally. I believe a 327 car would have had a separate "327" number badge affixed above the V shape. It doesn't appear to me that this is a drag car, just a cruiser that someone built to go faster and maybe handle and stop better than stock. I don't see many Biscayne builds, as most people want the fancy Impala hardtops, and that got my attention.

8 comments:

  1. I'm not a big Chevy fan, but this is one bad ass Biscayne. I owned, at one time, a '67 Impala two door H/T. It was nothing but a head ache at the time, but perhaps i should have been a little more patient with it and just kept it for a while. Might have turned out really nice. This sedan is just no nonsense muscle. I like it. A lot. Am I the only one who bothers to leave a comment around here? Does anyone ever even read these things?

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    1. Believe me, I appreciate your comments. Thank you for stopping by; I'd probably keep posting even if nobody commented but it's encouraging to see that someone took the time to react.

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  2. Well Jay, I want you to know I appreciate your pictures and comments about the cars you see on the street in sunny California. I wish we could get the other visitors to say something too. I know there's a lot of folks that visit this blog, and I love to have friendly banter with them. Please, keep up the great work. ;)

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  3. Jay, after stumbling upon this article, I was compelled to post an update for anyone that may be interested. I am the current owner of this 67 Biscayne. It now sports a flat stock hood. The reason it had the fiberglass hood was because of a 2" carburetor spacer. The Carburetor has since been changed out to a Quick Fuel Holley, the phenolic spacer has been removed and the car now has a lowered stock sleeper appearance. You just can't beat a native California car for a solid no rust car. Everything is new, including the interior.The drive train currently consists of a 355 ci Vortec Head SBC with 450HP by Davis Engine and Machine in Livermore CA, TCI Turbo 400 with a TCI 3200 stall converter and an Aluminum Billet Driveshaft. The third member consists of the stock 10 Bolt housing with an upgraded 3:73 Posi and a girdle cover. Currently I have plans to install a 540 ci or larger BBC and a 12 Bolt with a 4:10 Posi. This car is an original Black plate, Los Angeles built California car that came with a 283 V8 and a Powerglide. The original color was Nantucket Blue.
    Years ago I was the proud owner of a1966 L72 427 Biscayne that I have since been trying to replace. It's possible that if I find a 66 Biscayne 2DR Sedan in the near future with the proper set up, I may choose to pass this on to someone else before I get into it much more. After spending a short time and only 400 miles in Ontario, Canada, the Biscayne is now alive in Alberta, Canada.

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    1. Hi Robert, thanks for stopping by and sharing the info about your car!

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  4. Yeah, how about the phone number, its not visible enough.. Want to know if its still up for sale? Email me ..luperodriguez269@gmail.com. Coos pic..I'd seen one in blue in a Hot Rod magazine a few years back. It was at the drag strip making a run down the 1/4 mile. Was blue in color and had the same large cowl hood too !

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    1. This car is now living in Canada according to the current owner who posted a comment above. Thanks for stopping by!

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  5. This incredible Biscayne looks totally different now. It's a local car to me. It has a Marina Blue exterior with body color painted steel wheels and dog dish caps. It sports a 650+ HP 489 ci BBC and is absolutely beautiful. If anyone is interested you can see it on Youtube under chevyguy4ever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr12TbPGanc

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