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Chevrolet Biscayne




The Chevrolet Biscayne was a series of Automobile produced by Chevrolet , a division of General Motors , in the United States for Model Year s 1958 through 1972. Save for 1958, the Biscayne was the least expensive model of the Chevrolet full-size car range, which included the Delray , Bel Air , Impala and the Caprice . The Biscayne name survived in Canada through the 1975 model year.

Biscaynes were produced primarily for the fleet market, though they were also available to the general public — particularly to those who wanted low-cost, No-frills transportation with the convenience and room of a full-size automobile. While most were sold with a six-cylinder engine through the late 1960s, nearly all Biscaynes sold in the early 1970s had a V8 engine 1 and Automatic Transmission ; Power Steering was made standard in 1971.

Throughout much of the 1960s , Biscaynes were available with optional high-output Big-block V8 engines and 4-speed Manual Transmission s with low-ratio final drives. Original examples of these high-performance cars are highly sought after by collectors today.


BISCAYNE FLEETMASTER

In 1960, a lower-priced, sparsely optioned version of the Biscayne called the Fleetmaster was produced. Aimed primarily at the fleet market, the Fleetmaster included a lower grade of upholstery than the standard Biscayne and deleted routine convenience items such as a Cigarette Lighter , door armrests, and passenger-side sun visor. In addition, many parts were painted rather than Chrome -plated. Both two- and four-door sedans were available.

A number of economy-minded options were available exclusive to the Fleetmaster model, although the performance-oriented engines and transmissions were also available (for police applications or customers who wanted the lightest car possible.) The Fleetmaster was never popular and was dropped after 1961.


FOOTNOTES

  • 1 A total of 76,800 Biscaynes were equipped with V8 engines compared to 16,700 six cylinder engiine models years 1970, 1971 and 1972. Biscayne engine distribution (V8/I6) 23,100/12,300 (1970); 34,700/2,900 (1971); and 19,000/1,500 (1972), or one six cylinder power Biscayne for every 4.5 V8 cars produced. (Gunnell)



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