Vehicle Description
1961 Chevrolet Biscayne Coupe 409 The Old Reliable Tribute Car!
Honduras Maroon Paint with White/Gray Interior!
1961 Chevrolet Biscayne Coupe The Old Reliable 409 Tribute Car!
Honduras Maroon Paint with White and Gray Interior! Built under the
supervision of Bill Grumpy Jenkins himself, this 1961 Chevrolet
Biscayne recreates Jenkins first Old Reliable racer, which driver
Dave Strickler drove to the very first NHRA Optional/Super Stock
class record with an elapsed time of 13.24 seconds at 106.64 MPH at
his home strip in York, Pennsylvania, in October 1961. Valley
Forge, Pennsylvania, businessman and veteran drag-racer Terry
Brennan got the ball rolling on the project after Jenkins, an old
friend and regular dinner guest, once told Brennan that of all the
cars hed raced, the one he most wanted to have was that
record-setting first Old Reliable. Brennan purchased a suitable
donor car and began scouring the country for NOS parts, while
award-winning Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania, builder Ronnie Evans
prepared and painted the body and frame. Before painting the car in
the correct Honduras Maroon, Evans was advised by Jenkins to spray
it as it was delivered from the factory; in other words, with lots
of orange peel. The originals white hand-painted Ammon R.
Smith-Dave Strickler-Bill Jenkins exterior lettering was faithfully
recreated, and the hood was also authentically finished with white
paint and a fabricated hood scoop replicating the original,
complete with Original Scooper Stocker lettering. Once the body was
painted and detailedincluding all the correct factory markings in
the engine compartment and undercarriagework proceeded on
installing the original 409 CI big-block, which was the engine that
Jenkins himself built for the car. Included on the engine are a set
of gas-welded reproduction Tri-Y headers by the semi-retired Jerry
Jardine, who had fabricated the originals for the car in 1961.
Jenkins tuned the completed 409 on his own dyno, extracting 429 HP.
The car was finally assembled with the correct 4-speed manual and
shifter, period-correct NOS Ansen scatter shield and driveshaft, a
rare 4.56:1 10-bolt Positraction third member, oversized drum
brakes and station wagon wheels contributed by Jenkins and fitted
with Goodyear wide whitewall tires. The white, black and gray
interior is an accurate reproduction right down to the
column-mounted tach, floor shifter and radio/heater delete. This
faithful recreation of the original Old Reliable Super Stock
Chevrolet received Jenkins enthusiastic approval and bears his
personal signature as lasting testament to its superb quality. This
nicely restored, stunning classic car is a perfect addition to any
car collectors repertoire! Own a piece of history with this
showroom kept 1961 Chevrolet Biscayne Old Reliable Tribute Car!
This classic automobile is currently in our in-door showroom and
ready for immediate delivery! Please feel free to contact our
showroom with any questions at 561-845-3838. Driving Emotions.
