Chevrolet - Biscayne Utility Sedan - Brochure - 1959 - 1959

SPACE AGE STAR FEBRUARY 2016 IN THIS ISSUE: BISCAYNE HISTORY AND 197 MONZA 2+2 Editor’s Notes: Happy 2016 to all region Again, I’m not complaining. The purpose of this members and their families and friends. I hope region was to establish a place for 1955 and later we all have a good year. Chevrolet purists to discuss and enjoy these vehicles. I’m happy that we got off to a good We welcome Rich Gibbs from Topeka, Kansas start and attracted a fair number of members. I and Cort Stevens from Elgin, Illinois to the think we’ll do fine if we proceed as we have so region. Rich sent some nice pictures of his far. I’m only one member, however. If other Monte Carlo but asked me not to use them in the members have the interest and enthusiasm to newsletter just yet. Keep your eyes on Antique promote and grow the region, I won’t object. Automobile. Cort asked me to mention his web site www.oldcarsstronghearts.com. Please Please share your thoughts on this issue. The check this web site for some health and car more contributions and participation, the better related information. the region will be. Some members have expressed concern about publicizing the region and attracting more members. On one hand, two years ago this region didn’t exist, and we now have over 50 members. On the other hand, you could say that 50 members isn’t a lot for a region dedicated to some of the best-selling cars of all time. Our biggest problem regarding publicity is that we don’t have a treasury. No treasury means we don’t have region flyers to pass out (or a banner to display) at the Annual Meeting or other AACA national or regional meets. This isn’t a complaint; it’s much easier to run a region without a treasury. Usually, no one wants the job, and it’s time consuming. As we discussed in the last newsletter, we decided at the brief membership meeting at Hershey to keep the region as it is. This means no dues and no treasury. As president and newsletter editor, I can handle things the way they are. If we want to publicize the region and become better known in the AACA, I’ll need help from the members. If we want to create publicity material, we’ll need member donations. We’d need a volunteer to collect the donations and to design and distribute the publicity material. I hope everyone enjoys the newsletters. The little feedback I’ve received has been positive, and I appreciate that. Usually in a car club region, you only hear from the complainers. This month’s issue looks at the “plain-Jane” full-size Chevrolet, the Biscayne. The 1975 Monza 2+2 is also featured. During the Fall Meet, I found the information for the Monza article at the AACA Library in Hershey. I visited the library twice during the Fall Meet, on Tuesday for their garage sale and Friday morning to do some research for newsletter articles. Chris Ritter and the library staff were very helpful. I copied enough material for a few interesting (I hope) articles. As always, please send pictures and stories about your Chevrolets. It’s fun to learn about the cars we own as well as their care and feeding. Stay well, Russell Heim BISCAYNE HISTORY - BY RUSSELL HEIM When we think of Chevrolet’s Biscayne models, we remember plain, bare bones cars. Fleet cars, police cruisers and taxis come to mind. Chevrolet offered this Biscayne for 15 model years, 1958 through 1972, and initially the Biscayne wasn’t the least expensive full-size model. Chevrolet was “all-new” for 1958. The line-up featured longer, lower and wider cars and new engine choices. The division changed the series names; the low priced 150 became the Delray and the mid-priced 210 was now called Biscayne. Chevrolet carried over the Bel Air series as the premium car but added the sporty Impala sub-series to the line. In 1959 Chevrolet was “all-new” again, longer, lower and wider once more. Impala became the top-line series that year. They demoted Bel Air to the mid-range series and Biscayne to the bargain basement. Delray was deleted. offered as a two-door sedan and was designed for traveling salesmen. Instead of a rear seat, the Utility sedan featured a “handy rear compartment with an easy-loading flat floor” that offered 28.5 cubic feet of storage space. Utility sedans offered only a gray interior. The Fleetmaster was available as a two or four-door sedan and advertised as “easy to own and easier to operate - they’re money saving all the way.” The Fleetmaster was available for fleet or individual use and featured a gray and black interior. The Fleetmaster was only offered in 1960 and 1961. The Utility sedan became a Biscayne in 1959 and was discontinued after 1961. While the Biscayne’s appearance was plain, it could be a standout when it came to performance. In most years all power train options, including big block engines and fourspeed transmissions were available on the Biscayne. High performance Biscaynes are now Chevrolet often promoted the Biscayne as a fleet prized collector cars. and/or utility car. The 1958 Chevrolet taxi brochure depicts taxi equipment in both Delray As time went on, Chevrolet added more standard and Biscayne trim. Chevrolet issued police and features to the Biscayne: floor mats were taxi brochures usually included the Biscayne as replaced by carpet and small side trim was the basis for these specialty vehicles. added. Two things that remained constant were that Biscayne was only available in sedan and Biscayne was also promoted as a low-price station wagon body styles. Chevrolet dropped alternative for thrift-minded buyers. Despite the two-door sedans from the line after 1969. minimal exterior trim and plain interiors, Chevrolet’s ad copy-writers did their best to Biscayne’s best sales year was 1959 with make the cars sound good. 311,800 sold. Sales fluctuated between 1958 and 1966, but always broke 100,000. Biscayne Early versions of the Biscayne included the sales fell under 100,000 in 1967 and continued Utility Sedan and Biscayne Fleetmaster. declining until only 20,000 were sold in 1972. Fleetmaster was bargain priced and targeted at Biscayne didn’t appear in the 1973 Chevrolet fleet customers. To reduce the cost these cars line-up. were devoid of armrests and only had a driver’s side sun visor. The utility sedan was only Here are some brief samples of how Chevrolet 1968 - “Big-car looks and roominess, well promoted Biscayne: within your new-car budget.” 1958: “In Chevrolet’s new middle priced series, every flowing line says elegant things about you - from dual headlight styling to wing-fashioned rear fenders.” 1969 - “Just because Biscayne is our lowest priced, you thought it might look a little bit frumpy. Well, look again and ask yourself how we can do it for this kind of money. Or, for that matter, why no on else does it for this kind of 1959 - “Dollars go farther and spark more pride money.” in Chevrolet’s new budget Biscayne series for ‘59.” 1969 was the last model year that Chevrolet included Biscayne in the consumer brochures. 1960 ‘ “For the first time in a thrift-priced series, Biscayne appeared in the taxi brochure in 1970 you get extra luxury and convenience features and 1971. I haven’t seen Biscayne in any 1972 such as cigarette lighter, front arm rests, dual sun brochures. visors - all at no extra cost.” Someone tried to sell me a 1971 Biscayne 1961 - “ Introducing the ‘61 Chevrolet Biscayne four-door a few years ago. It didn’t look like a the lowest priced Chevy - offering full-size fleet car, so they may have been available to comfort at small-car prices!” individual customers if they pushed their local Chevrolet dealer hard enough. 1962 - “Big car beauty at a bargain price.” 1963 - “Sets the trend again in big car thrift. Here’s 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.” Biscayne was a big seller through 1966. Once Caprice was established as the top-priced series, sales of the lower-priced Biscayne and Bel Air declined. 1964 - “For 1964 Biscayne features front and rear foam-cushioned seats, front and rear armrests, a handsome new steering wheel and deep-twist carpeting.” Biscayne was gone in 1973. This left Bel Air as the “bargain” Chevrolet. Impala was now the mid-priced series and Caprice was the top of the line. 1965 - “Thrift takes a turn for the best. Budget buyers will find a generous share of Chevrolet’s freshness in the 1965 Biscaynes. Freshness abounds outside as well. New slim moldings give styling accents to sills and rear quarter panels.” 1966 - “Biscayne’s three budgeteers give buyers plenty to go for … without going out on a limb in price.” 1967 - “Family bank books bounce back fast when you give the go-ahead for any Biscayne sedan. They’re so economical to run.” 1958 Biscayne four-door sedan. 1959 Biscayne Utility Sedan 1961 Biscayne four-door sedan with two-door sedan in the background. 1962 Biscayne two-door sedan. Biscayne four-door sedan with write-up from 1963 sales brochure. 1964 Biscayne two-door sedan. Biscayne wore the new 1965 styling well. Chevrolet brochures often pictured Biscaynes in fancy settings. The family seems to be enjoying a nice day out with their new 1967 Biscayne four-door sedan. This 1968 Biscayne two-door sedan looks good on a country lane. 1969 was the last model year that Biscayne appeared in the consumer sale brochure. The series received a two-page spread showing both sedans. Cover photo from 1970 Chevrolet taxi brochure depicts a Biscayne four-door sedan. Heading to the airport in a 1971 Biscayne taxi. I didn’t find a 1972 brochure showing Biscayne. If anyone has a 1972 brochure, please let me know, and we can include it in a future newsletter. 1975 MONZA 2+2 - CHEVROLET’S COMPACT SPORTY CAR - BY RUSSELL HEIM Introduced for the 1975 model year, and wearing modern styling, the Monza 2+2 combined sporty looks with economical underpinnings. Despite its racy appearance, Monza 2+2 was based on the Vega, and the two vehicles shared many components. The base 2+2 engine was the two-barrel 140 cubic inch Vega four-cylinder. Other features shared with Vega were the instrument panel (Vega GT), front suspension components, and the 97-inch wheelbase. Chevrolet literature stated that the Monza 2+2 was “an all new vehicle developed to answer the growing demand for domestic, lightweight sport vehicles.” Monza 2+2’s only body style was a two-door, four passenger hatchback coupe. The front-end styling featured a soft plastic panel with a slotted grille and rectangular headlights. The parking lamps were recessed. The front bumper had integral impact strips and bumper guards. The rear styling also featured a plastic panel and the same type bumper as the front. While the 2+2 used Vega’s front suspension, the spring and shock absorber rates were different from Vega. Monza 2+2 came standard with a front stabilizer bar that was optional on Vega. The two cars had a similar rear axle, however, Monza 2+2 didn’t use rear upper control arms. Instead, a single torque arm was used. The torque arm handled all rear axle driving and braking forces, leaving the coil springs and shock absorbers free to cushion the ride. Monza 2+2’s standard engine was the two barrel 87 horsepower 140 cubic inch four cylinder used in Vega. A new 110 horsepower 262 cubic inch V8 was optional. A four-speed manual transmission was standard with a three-speed automatic optional. Apparently the 262 didn’t meet California emissions standards. California customers who ordered a V8 received a car equipped with a 125 horsepower 350 cubic inch V8. The 262 V8 featured an Early Fuel Evaporation system (EFE). This system routed exhaust gases to the carburetor base to aid in fuel evaporation. Chevrolet literature compared this system to the heat riser valve used in earlier cars. All 1975 Chevrolets featured catalytic converters. Federal law required that 1975 vehicles use unleaded gas. To comply with this requirement all new Chevrolets had a new fuel filler neck. The neck’s inside diameter only allowed insertion of the new smaller diameter unleaded fuel pump nozzles. Also new for 1975 and featured on both Monza 2+2 engines was High Energy Ignition (HEI). Chevrolet claimed that HEI delivered up to 85 percent hotter spark to the plugs than conventional ignition systems. HEI eliminated points and condensers and required less maintenance. Another new feature that Chevrolet seemed very proud of, was the optional five-speed manual transmission. They claimed it was “the first modern passenger-car five-speed manual massproduced in this country.” This transmission featured an integrated economy overdrive - two gears inside the overdrive created the fifth speed. Steel-belted radial tires were standard on Monza 2+2. Bias-ply tires were available as a “credit option.” There was a long option list for Monza 2+2: ● Stowaway spare tire ● Forged aluminum wheels ● Wire wheel covers ● White-stripe or white-lettered tires ● Four-season air conditioner ● Day/night mirror ● Remote control driver’s side rear-view mirror ● AM radio, AM/FM radio, AM/FM stereo ● Rear seat speaker ● Power brakes (standard on V8 cars) ● Auxiliary lighting group ● Tinted glass on all windows ● Body side molding ● Door edge guards ● Electric rear window defogger ● Deluxe color keyed seat belts ● Comfortilt steering wheel ● Positraction rear axle ● Highway axle ratio ● High altitude axle ration ● Heavy-duty radiator ● Heavy-duty battery ● Adjustable driver’s seat back ● Turbo Hydra-matic transmission ● Five-speed manual transmission ● Luxurious leather seat trim Monza 2+2’s base price was $3953. This was expensive compared to other compact Chevrolets. A Vega hatchback listed for $2899 and a V8 Nova hatchback cost $3422. Monza 2+2 was Motor Trend’s 1975 car of the year and sold 57,170 units. The Space Age Star is the official publication of the Space Age Chevrolet Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America. This is a non-geographic region dedicated to the enjoyment, restoration and history of 1955 and later AACA eligible Chevrolet cars and trucks. We publish the newsletter six times each year. Region Officers: President: Russell Heim Vice President: Ana Heim Secretary: John Mahoney, III Newsletter Editor: Russell Heim Webmaster: Bill Pritchett Please send all articles and classified ads to the editor at [email protected] Our Web Address is: http://njaaca.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=25&Itemid=44