It took a while, but Chevrolet finally managed to overtake Ford and steal its king crown in 1958, re-becoming the number one carmaker in the United States after many years.
The company’s full-size lineup played an integral role, with models like the Bel Air, the newly-launch Impala, and the Biscayne catching everybody’s attention.
The full-size Chevy portfolio had many things in common, starting with the looks and ending with the engines. The difference was made mostly by the equipment available on these cars – for example, the Impala was the top-of-the-line Bel Air version, so it sported goodies you couldn’t find elsewhere.
A 1958 Biscayne is now fighting for survival, fresh out of the barn where it spent approximately five decades. The owner explains on Craigslist that this was their first car, so they parked it in storage 50 years ago. Despite spending half a century in hiding, the Biscayne still comes with good metal, though I think every interested buyer should check out everything in person.
A car sitting for so long comes with massive rust problems, so I’d start with the typical suspects – the floors and the trunk. The owner says the car has never been wrecked, so I expect a straight body, likely with some issues on the undersides. All glass is good, the seller says, and the buyer will also receive the full chrome lineup, something that’s pretty hard to find today on a car this old.
The owner doesn’t provide us with a look at the cabin and under the hood, and this could make many people walk away. They claim the vehicle has a V8 engine, though it’s unclear if this engine is still in the car or if it was the unit that came with the Biscayne when it left the factory in 1958.
The 1958 Biscayne was available with one six-cylinder and two V8s. The base choice was the 283, also available on the Impala and the Bel Air, while the top option was the 348.
The interior is another mystery, so I can’t tell if this car has a good cabin or not. If the interior aligns with the exterior’s quality, I expect the typical problems, including ripped seats, a damaged headliner, and dust and dirt. However, without opening the door and looking inside, it’s impossible to tell if this Biscayne still has a good interior.
The vehicle is currently parked in Hutchinson.