Even with autumn finally here, I still long for the beach. As it’s several hours away, I have to make do by imagining I’m driving along the PCH at sunset in a gorgeous classic car with the Beach Boys’ “409” streaming from my phone. Though the song is about a 1962 Chevrolet, our Pick of the Day may serve as a suitable replacement or, dare I say, an upgrade. This frame-off restored 1963 Chevrolet Biscayne two-door sedan is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Lenexa, Kansas.
Named after Biscayne Bay — a 40-mile lagoon near downtown Miami — the Chevrolet Biscayne served as an entry-level model in the brand’s car range. A sales brochure touts it as “a car that’s priced to please even the most particular budget. Yet it doesn’t skimp one jot on full-size beauty and convenience.”
Available as a two- or 4-door sedan plus a station wagon, the Biscayne was characterized as “full-size beauty at its thriftiest” yet came standard with electric windshield wipers, crank-operated vent windows, and dual sun visors. Under the hood, any Chevrolet engine was available, including three 409ci V-8s ranging from 340 to 425 horsepower.
From the factory, this Biscayne was painted Ermine White; today, it presents with a brown metallic paint job. With shaved brightwork, tinted windows, dual chrome side mirrors, and three-tail lights on either side (a la Impala) instead of the two that came stock on the Biscayne and Bel Air, the exterior shows well in the sun with “minimal imperfections,” according to the seller.
Despite undergoing a frame-off restoration that included a full custom interior, the previous owners decided to keep the (code 876) bench seat configuration that the vehicle had from the factory. The upholstery has changed from the original Red cloth and vinyl to a subtle-but-welcoming Saddle vinyl interior. Ahead of the bench seat is a custom steering wheel with a tilt-column, refinished dash housing Dakota Digital gauges, and a floor-mounted T-handle Hurst manual shifter. For a more comfortable driving experience, this Biscayne is equipped with a Classic Performance Products (CPP) power steering kit for better maneuverability at car shows.
Even though there’s no radio installed, the dulcet tones of the rebuilt Turbo-Fire 409 will provide a decent soundtrack. With two four-barrel Carter carburetors, Chevrolet aluminum intake, Offenhauser valve covers, Sanderson Street Rod headers, large aluminum radiator with electric fans, and Holley electric fuel pump, something tells me this beast might put out a little more performance than the stock 230ci inline-six this car had when new. In fact, with dual-quads, this 409 was rated at 425 horsepower but, with the modifications this car has, it likely has more. The engine is mated to a four-speed Muncie manual transmission equipped with SFI-certified bell housing.
Directly underneath the painted undercarriage and X-frame are even more upgrades like Performance Outline tubular upper and lower control arms, CPP four-wheel disc brakes with slotted and cross-drilled rotors, and a custom Magnaflow dual exhaust system with dash-controlled electric cutouts.
Driven less than 200 miles since the completion of a frame-off restoration and currently offered at $39,900, this 409-powered 1963 Chevrolet Biscayne two-door sedan sure is a fine way to head to the shore.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
