Vehicle Sighting - 1959 Chevy Biscayne 2-door sedan

[Number_35]

A rare beast indeed. I hoped the transmission would be a 3-on-the-tree, but no.

I suspect the original engine was a 230-inch inline-6, and would bet on it having been replaced by an SBC at some point.

 

[drtyler]

wouldn’t it have been 235 in ‘59? Seems like the 230 was later.

Nice find though.

 

[PimTac]

That generation was unique in its styling. Those fins at the rear and the way they splayed outwards defined that car.

 

[PontiacHO]

Junior Johnson said that those side fins made the arse end unstable over 125mph. I bet it was handful. Two V8s offered for that year were the 283 and 348. I like the 2 door “post” cars of that era.

 

[Fitter30]

348 badging would be a v with cross flags front of hood

 

[KGMtech]

Looks only a mother could love, not my favorite at all. I respect that the world is a better place because we all have different opinions.

 

[CR94]

wouldn’t it have been 235 in ‘59? Seems like the 230 was later. ...

That's right. The 230 in³ (and its larger and smaller variants) Six didn't appear until about '63.

 

[meep]

Unstable at over 125? Man. we owned a 57… skinny tires on 14” wheels with crude drum brakes all around, no aero to speak of, no sway bars, and 6” of slop in the steering wheel - people used to talk about getting these things up to 100 and I’m like… why? Today, 100 is easy in just about anything… in those… anything over 60 started to feel “unstable,” especially if you had interest in stopping!

but yes, the tail fins and body lines were elegant, absolutely.

 

[Malo83]

Can't even get to 85 in my 83 Silverado before she starts to feel likes she's floating on her own and the roar of that poor 305, I know it's time to back off when I can see my life starting to flash before my eyes.

 

[Nayov]

Too bad they wrecked it by lowering, slapping those wheels on it and of course I'm sure it's LS swapped, or will be.

 

[64bawagon]

Unstable at over 125? Man. we owned a 57… skinny tires on 14” wheels with crude drum brakes all around, no aero to speak of, no sway bars, and 6” of slop in the steering wheel - people used to talk about getting these things up to 100 and I’m like… why? Today, 100 is easy in just about anything… in those… anything over 60 started to feel “unstable,” especially if you had interest in stopping!

but yes, the tail fins and body lines were elegant, absolutely.

That was back when you had to actually drive the car.
I have always loved the 59's. Kind of like the way only a Mother could love a homely child.

 

[Kira]

1) When did you learn the value of competently selected wheels?

2) With the thicker metal of the era, that vehicle would be heavy, no?

3) A Chevy car design film featured 2 guys at the rear of that car.
One made a scooping gesture in the hollow beneath the fin and above the tail light.
T'was the stupidest, most contrived inclusion I've ever seen in any film.

 

[jkasch]

That generation was unique in its styling. Those fins at the rear and the way they splayed outwards defined that car.

As a then seven-year-old, I thought those fins were the coolest thing. When traveling in the back seat of my parents' car, I'd count the '59 Chevys that I saw.

 

[loneryder]

Looks like it has a hydraulic suspension and can jump up and down.

 

[Chris142]

The base v8 would have been the 283 as the 327 didn't come out til 62. The W engine the 348 was an option with a 4 bbl or a 6 pack available.

 

[PontiacHO]

In the Biscayne I’m almost sure the base engine was the 6 cylinder. The V8s were options.

 

[JHZR2]

Looks only a mother could love, not my favorite at all. I respect that the world is a better place because we all have different opinions.

I think that’s part of the novelty of the ‘59 - it was unique and stood out.

 

[jimbrewer]

Looks only a mother could love, not my favorite at all. I respect that the world is a better place because we all have different opinions.

Pfft. Another woke advocate of these newfangled finless cars.

 

[64bawagon]

In the Biscayne I’m almost sure the base engine was the 6 cylinder. The V8s were options.

That was also true of the Belair and the Impala. There are some SS models from that era with straight 6 engines.

 

[TheLastWord]

1.5 million sold in 1959. Also optional 283 with Fuel injection 2 choices.

Those were the days!

That big trunk was good for hiding 2-3 teenagers. Both drive in movies and the Great Lakes Dragaway. That is still operating today - the oldest continuously operating dragstrip in the world. Union Grove, WI.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=Great+Lakes+Dragaway&FORM=SSPRAC&PC=U531&lightschemeovr=1