Vehicle Description
Vehicle to be offered for Auction sale January 19th - 22nd, 2017 at Russo and Steele's 17th Annual Scottsdale Arizona Auction at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Please contact us for more information.
Originally known as "Ennis' Menace" and later "Bisquick," this 1968 Chevrolet Biscayne is a factory 427/425 hp example with colorful history. Big-block Chevy Biscaynes of the late 1960s were the ultimate "sleeper" cars of their era. These stripper cars, devoid of any real options, sporting plain dog-dish hubcaps, and looking exactly as an entry-level sedan should, would roll up to their prey on skinny tires and bench seats. Introduced in 1966 as an RPO option, the L72 engine sported solid lifters and camshaft, 11:1 compression, 4-bolt mains, massive high-flowing rectangular-port heads and 425 advertised horsepower. Initial 1966 ads for this engine touted 450 horsepower, but power ratings were soon muted. According to owners who dynoed their cars actual hp exceeded even the 450 claim by about 10%.
Of the more than 1.2 million full-sized Chevys produced in 1968 only 568 were equipped with the L72 motor, making it one of the rarest options for any Chevrolet production year. While Chevrolet did not keep records by model, a number of websites claim that at most 124 1968 Biscaynes were equipped with the L72 motor. Looking at other available options only 12 1968 Biscaynes are said to have both the L72 motor and the 4.88 performance axle. A special interest Chevy group (chevytalk.org) claims to have identified six 1968 2-door L72 Biscaynes, with only three currently having an L72 installed.
This car is one of the three, and is the only one with "no stories" and fully-known ownership history. Its window sticker lists:
900 Butternut Yellow
M21 4-spd close-ratio transmission
G80/G98 Positraction 4.88:1 rear end
F41 Spec Pur suspension
N40 Power Steering
L72 425 HP Turbo-Jet V-8
U63 AM Radio
N34 Custom Steering Wheel
A01 Tinted Glass
B90 Door & Window Frame Moldings
A01 Tinted Glass
812 Black Vinyl Trim
These options make this car a Genuine One-of-One produced in 1968!
Many original buyers of drag cars set about to modify their cars for even better performance as soon as their cars were delivered. This car's initial owner, Ennis Lund, was typical. Although the factory red-line was 6,000 rpm, Ennis regularly shifted at 7,200 rpm. The 4.88:1 Positraction was a poor choice, as even with the uprated shifting, the car was slightly "short" for the 1/4 mile. Ennis internally retrofitted the 4.88 casing with a 4.56 Posi, retaining the original "DP" Code tag, to solve this problem. Many, if not all of the Biscayne drag cars, blew their original engines and were fitted with the upgraded "512" block as was this car in 1969 by second owner, Casey Marks.
Odometer shows slightly over 14,000 miles. In fact, it's about 30% less, as the sending unit wasn't changed when the 4.56 axle ratio was installed. All original paintwork except for repairs on doors and fenders when "Ennis' Menace" was removed by the second owner. 100% original interior except for added tach, oil pressure and temp gauges fitted in 1968 by Ennis. Engine compartment retains original hose clamps and battery terminals.
Original owner, 1968: Ennis Lund, Sioux Falls, SD. Raced as Ennis' Menace" in 1968. Best 1/4 mile time on slicks: 12.2 sec. Second owner, 1969-2008, Milan, MI. Raced in the F.A.S.T. series on redline street tires. Best 1/4 mile time 2004: 13.4. Subsequent ownership focused on preserving this absolutely unique example of American drag race/muscle car history. Since acquisition by the Consignor, the Biscayne has been regularly street driven and Oklahoma summer heat does not impact its drivability. No rarer or finer preserved (as opposed to museum piece) 1968 L72 Biscayne exists. Never wrecked, no dents or scratches. Rock-solid verified provenance. No restoration needed. A highly original car in stunning condition.
