Hi! I'm new to this forum and I'm looking to buy a 1966 Chevrolet Biscayne/Bel Air/Impala/Caprice. I'm currently looking at one in Duluth, MN. They're asking $19,995 for '66 Biscayne. It has original paint and interior, but was a 6 cylinder, 3 on the tree. It was converted, at some time, to a 454 4 speed. I'm thinking that $20000 is a little too high. Looking at the NADA Guide website, http://www.nadaguides.com, pricing for an original 6 cylinder would go from a low of $2155 to a high of $7043. If it was a 427 4 speed, value shows a low of $4910 to a high of $14345. Any comments as to what a fair price would be? It's being sold at a classic car dealer. They say they bought it like this at an auction and have had it for a year. The car was from North Dakota and was build in Janesville, WI.

Teamchevy, for that price I could get a 100% better car then that Chevy Biscayne. I say way to much money...Oscar

Hey Team Chevy,

Welcome aboard! Always fun to be in the chase for a 'new' car. In a way, these cars are sort of like art. You need to see 'em up close and personal and look 'em over pretty good and so on. (At least I do.) You want to think about the whole idea of the car and then the particulars like body, paint, interior, mechanicals and so on.

I'm thinking $20 big ones is a lot of money for a 'heart transplant' and a four speed. Maybe especially in a Biscayne. It sounds like a sort of 'typical' situation from a car dealer, even a classic car dealer.

I suppose I'd be thinking about half of what the asking price is. There's a lot more I could say but frankly, I think I'd keep looking.....

Bill.

Team Chevy, Bill is 100% correct...Oscar

Bill,

Thanks for the information. My biggest decision right now is whether or not to buy something complete (I don't have room or the skillset to build my own). I have thought of still looking for something that is a diamond in the rough, something drivable that could be worked on over time. I ready don't think I'd pay $20000 for something like this, unless your're talking an "original" Impala in very good condition. I guess I'll take your advice & keep looking!

Dave

Dave, have you ever restored a car or truck? It is a lot cheaper to buy one already restored then build one.Thats my story and I'm sticking to it...Oscar

Team Chevy,
I disagree with all these opinions! Biscayne production was very low and even lower as far as survivor's. If it was a solid car it is even rarer! True while it might not be original a solid shell is worth a few bucks just by itself. You could not build the car for $20,000. There are no interior kits, a lot of the parts are one off items that are very hard to find and when you do they cost big bucks. What does a paint job cost? What does a solid shell cost? What does a scratch interior cost? What does a 454 cost? what does a rebuild cost? What does a four speed cost? If it is done correct you are well over $20,000, which is not a lot of money in this hobby.

They are rare cars, I just restored a 62 Biscayne and have pretty close to double that in it, and I did most of the work myself. I was offered more than I have invested in it a few months ago and turned it down, because I could not replace it, but if it was an Impala I would have my choice of colors. THERE ARE JUST NOT ANY BISCAYNES OUT THERE!
If you like it and looks straight and solid you can't go wrong

John

John,

That's been my take. Originally when I heard about the 2009 Camaro coming out, I wanted to buy it. But the way I see it, if I can get something I really like for $20000, I can bank the other $30000. I figure I'd have to hold the Camaro for quite awhile to recover any depreciation off the lot. Meanwhile, I could drive a 66 Chev during the summer, take care of it, and hopefully not loose money on it.

Dave

I would look at it this way...could you sell it for $20,000 next year? I would doubt it.

Team Chevy,

I'm now reading two different 'ideas' as to why you're thinking about buying this '66 Biscayne.

1. One seems to be "buy it for 'fun' and keep it for a while and so on."

2. The other seems to be "buy it as a 'short term' (summer) investment."

IMHO those are two completely different buying motives.

The first idea is often filled with emotion. Altho that can cost the buyer a lot, it's more-or-less OK. Especially if the car is the buyer's 'dream car.' Always wanted one. Filled with memories about a car like that. Etc. Etc. Regardless of all this, I would still try to temper that with some logic. You know, some cold hard facts. For whatever reason, most guys eventually get around to selling the so-called dream car. And then what?? Now the buyer-turned-seller must find someone who shares those former 'emotions.' Or price the car low enough (maybe less than $20 big ones ??) to attract a buyer. Or both.

The second idea, has no room for emotion. It's purely a fact-based decision. Here's a few facts on why not to buy the car. It isn't a 427. But, as far as I know it couldn't be anyway. 427's weren't available in full sized cars until the following year, 1967. And the V-8 heart transplant was likely the worst possible choice. Who really wants a 454?? ANY other V-8 would have been a better choice. If it just had to have a BB, how about a 'correct' 396?? Or better yet (in terms of re-sale) a small block, for instance a 327. In terms of re-sale, I'd think even a 283 would have been better than a 454. Further (and these are questions only someone who has checked out the car up close and personal can answer), how is the sheet metal, paint, interior, chrome, brightwork, overall condition and so on. How does it really look under the hood. Does it look nice under there? Or, does it look like a couple of North Dakota farmers yanked the 454 out of a broke down farm truck and stuffed it in the Biscayne. (If that sounds negative to ND's, I figure having been born in ND I can get way with saying it.)

Something you said about the car and the classic car dealer situation is very telling to me. I believe you said the car had been there for a year. That screams at me that nobody is interested in the car. Or it is seriously over-priced. Or both.

I agree with John that the car is (somewhat) rare. I do not agree with his example comparing his 62 Biscayne to the 66 you're talking about. I don't think you can even begin to compare a 62 and a 66. 62 Biscayne's are considerably more desirable than 66's. And "desirability" is a really big consideration when you're thinking about buying the car as an investment. The 'wider' your market, the more likely - and easier - it will be to sell the car.

Unfortunately all this writing says more-or-less the same thing Gene said in just a sentence or two. I guess I just thought you might be interested in hearing what a 30-35 year hobby guy might be able to say in between the (his) lines.

Now to get full circle, remember it's your deal. It's your money. It's gonna be your car, if you buy it. If it's all emotion, you just gotta have it, etc, etc.... well, go for it. But even then I hope you try to sprinkle a little logic in the decision.

However, if it's an investment type of situation, run. In the opposite direction. As fast as you can.

And the obligatory disclaimer, all this is just my not so humble thinking.....

Bill.

In this hobby if you think you paid too much you just bought it too soon!

Bill those 65-68 Biscaynes are pretty desirable, while true it is not the same as a 62, but that was not where I was going with that statement. I know the owner of the 68 427 SS that was in Grand Junction was searching for a few years for a 65 Biscayne before he found one. Like I said 20 grand for a big block four speed toy is not a lot of money as long as it it not cobbed together. I like a 454 and with a 4 speed and hopfully a nice rear that could be a lot of tire smokin fun. There are many fun advantages to a NOM big block. If this were an original big block car you would never think of beating on it, and it would be 50K if not more.

John

Here's the car:
Airport Autos

Dave,if that car is $20,000 how much do they want for the yellow 57 in the background?.thanks...Oscar

I say go for it

Before you buy it in my opinion you should have an expert body man and motor man check it out for you before spending your money. Paying to have the car checked out is money well spent, IMHO.

There might be some car clubs members where you live that could help check the car out for you too.

Didn't the car live in a state where salt is used on the roads ("The car was from North Dakota...")?

A lot of bad 'stuff' can be hidden under a pretty skin. IMHO

Hey Dave,

With John's 'love' of high HP Chevrolets, who'd have thought he wouldn't like the car - at least in general.

And with my disdain for 454's and my more-or-less terror of buying a car from a 'classic car dealer,' who'd have thought that I'd like the car. Altho I do like it better (after seeing the pix) than I thought I would.

I'll stick with what I said. And suggest you do your best to get as much ice water in your veins as possible - in an effort to cool down your hot emotions. Also, I hope you'll be able to get up close and personal with the car before you go any further.

Good luck. Have fun with the chase. And, keep us posted.....

Bill.

Great to have some questions and related discussion on the 60's cars. We need more of the same. 42Bill and others have much knowledge of those years and I for one am interested. And his advice on the last post is also great.

Hey Team Chevy,

It's been a week or so.

Any news?!?!?!?!?

Bill.

42bill

Sorry, but I lost the link to this site and just found it again tonight. I never did buy that car, but I have learned some new skills and did buy a project that I've been working on, just to get the taste. I've posted a link to the site and the project thread.

Dave's 76 LT Project

I'd still like to get a '66 but haven't found anything suitable. Still looking...

Dave

Dave,

Good to see ya on the chat site again. Looks like you've been busy during your 2 yr absence. The 76 Camaro looks pretty nice. Some of the usual problems in your part of the world. One of the nicest "drivers" I ever had was a 74 Camaro. Just a 350 4 barrel; but it must have been built on a good day. That car was like a rocket ship. Maybe the fastest stock 350 I've ever had.

Well, have fun and stop by this chat deal from time to time. Always good to hear how guys are doing....

Bill.

Thanks Bill,

Hopefully I won't lose the site again, bookmarked and emailed to myself, lol.

Dave

Sounds good Dave. Check back as often as you can ---- would like.

Many guys find it interesting just to read the different Q and A's. Even if they don't have any problems, questions, etc. See ya later. And, good luck with the 76 LT.

Bill.