A Chevrolet what-now?
You’d be forgiven for not being familiar with this extremely rare Chevrolet, the 1966 Biscayne. It’s just one of 183 ever produced by the factory, and just 1 out of 11 believed to exist today.
This Tuxedo Black-on-Red example was ordered with the top engine available, the L72 427 cubic-inch, 425 hp Big-Block V8 with transistorized ignition, a Muncie M21 four-speed transmission, a 12-bolt 4.56 Postraction rear end and F41 Special Suspension. L72-specific dual upper trailing arms were also thrown into the mix.
The original owner was called to fight for his country in 1967 and sold the car to a 20-year-old who soon blew the Biscayne’s engine at the drag strip. Luckily, he found a replacement block and managed to rebuild the factory engine. He then restored the car using NOS parts and sold it in 1986, where it was then detailed it to factory-original condition using lots of dated components.
The owner showed it regularly at Super Chevy and other venues, eventually accumulating a collection of awards over the next quarter-century. In 2013, the car was then sold to its current owner, who reportedly spent thousands of dollars refreshing its all-original bodywork and paint.
With undeniable rarity, a collection of awards, original documentation, and just 29,000 miles on the odometer, this 1966 Chevrolet Biscayne went without sale during this past weekend’s Mecum Harrisburg auction, with the top offer being just $65,000 for the unicorn of a muscle car.
Comments
why did it not sell?
Rare does not mean terribly exciting or in high demand.
Today many people want the more highly sought models and more popular LS7 Chevelles and such.
Cars like this are great for the large collector who wants rare but also a good buy.
Also cars like this history means much. I have a car near buy that was raced by Dave Stricker and tuned buy Grumpy Jenkins as Old Reliable. It won the US Nationals in the 60’s and is a subject of many photo’s and history books. This is what many are looking for when paying out large sums of money.
While this car is nice there are just other options in the market that people are more willing to pay more for.
It is not always how few there are but how many that want it too that determine price. The people have spoken here at this time. It could change later but time will tell.
Try putting it in the next auction and it could go for more then you thought it would. Maybe not the right people at the right time. Yes not as popular as othersso, probably not going to get as much money as the others. I would of took that 65k and been happy! Well, unless I payed 100k for it 🤪
I think buyers want impala 2 door hardtop with this drive line
lots of Impalas for sale not the belair or biscayne I have a 1967 biscayne 396-4speed was restored 100% like mr. chevrolet made it. old mans car with get up and go !!!!!
Saw one of these today at a car show in Tacoma Washington! Never heard of it or seen it before today but I think I’m in love! Absolutely GORGEOUS and super cool history.