Super solid original car. Freshly built 427/400 with Tri-Power, 4-speed Muncie, new wheels and tires. Original paint means no rust or bondo underneath, amazing original interior. Fast and cool!
That's original code 912 Jewel Blue paint on the flanks of this Biscayne, and original paint means no rust, no bondo, and no surprises, and we like that a great deal. It's been intentionally flattened a bit so it looks like a satin finish, which is suddenly all the rage today, and while there are a few thin spots, we like the patina very much. It's remarkably consistent and achieving that must have taken some effort, because it is all just the same sheen. We also like the contrast of the shiny Ermine White top, which has been repainted in the not-too-distant past, adding some contrast without disrupting the overall look. All the original badges and emblems are still in place, the doors, fenders, hood, and deck lid are all just where the factory put them 56 years ago, and even the original dealer's emblem is still on the Nice chrome and stainless is a perk that you get from clean, original cars, and the whole car has an all-of-a-piece look that is incredibly appealing. Check out the laser-straight body alignment, the way the crease that runs through the car and around the trunk lines up from panel to panel, and even the solid THUNK of the doors closing—all that means a car that hasn't been messed with and as a result it isn't messed up. This car knocks it out of the park in the sheetmetal department.
We also have to love the all original interior, and its condition shows you that this really is a car that's been babied all its life. The funky gray checkered cloth works with blue door panels to provide a great driving environment that isn't overwhelming. Those door panels are in great shape and the carpets are so nice, we have to believe they're replacements—but then again, maybe they're not. Original gauges cover the basics, so at some point a "knee knocker" tachometer was added along with a more recent Auto Meter oil pressure gauge so you can keep an eye on the important stuff. This was originally a 3-speed manual car, so the floor shifter is legit, although it's now a Hurst unit and it's connected to a Muncie M21 4-speed gearbox lifted from a late-60s Corvette. This is an original V8 car as well, so you're probably thinking what I'm thinking when you see that there's no radio, no clock, no power steering, and no power brakes—this sucker was built for combat. Also check out the back seat, which looks almost new, the seat belts that were installed for safety, and the beautifully preserved trunk, which includes factory mats and what might just be the car's original spare tire assembly.
If we had to guess, we'd say that this car came from the factory with a 348, maybe a 283, but either way, it's long gone. In its place is a thumping LF-coded police-spec 427 cubic inch V8 now wearing three Holley 2-barrel carbs on top. From the factory, the L69 with Tri-Power was rated at a nice, round 400 horsepower, and in this Biscayne it's pretty apparent that every single one of them showed up ready to rock. That's a factory intake system, carbs and manifold, which is probably worth a few thousand bucks by itself, but it runs so well and the sound is so glorious that you probably won't really want to sell it (an original 4-barrel intake is included with the car if you do). The engine was recently rebuilt by the pros at Michaels, so it’s not some junkyard lump that was painted and tossed into the engine bay. No, it’s built for performance and runs like your daily driver. It's also nicely detailed with Chevy Orange paint, a correct triangular air cleaner with decals, and those cool wrinkle-finish valve covers. The supporting staff consists of a giant aluminum radiator, a high-output alternator, and a set of long-tube ceramic-coated headers that feed a cackling Flowmaster dual exhaust system. It runs great, idles well, and pulls with a ferocity that no engine in 1961 could have managed.
The matching Muncie M21 4-speed manual gearbox is more than up to the torque and it feeds what appears to be the original rear end, which has easy-cruising 3.23 gears inside. And as you'd expect, the underside of the car is in fantastic condition with exactly zero evidence that it has ever seen winter weather. No patches, no welds, no rust spots, just clean factory floors, a laser-straight frame, and a lightly lowered suspension that sits right. 17-inch Torque Thrust wheels are a traditional look and they carry modern 245/45/17 performance radials at all four corners.
The car is also documented with original title work from new, rebuild receipts, and other papers. A huge cache of spare parts, including a disc brake kit, are included.
It's not quite a sleeper, not in the traditional sense anyway, but there's way more blasting powder on tap than most people expect. We love the soft satin-finish paint and it would really be a crime to repaint this car and simply turn it into just another Biscayne. And boy does it run! Just a very well-built car with a good pile of money spent on making it right. How can you go wrong with that when it looks this good? Call today!
For more details and photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
