Okay guys, here's the latest update. I went home and tore apart that 348 that I got with the 59. Turns out it's just a run-of-the-mill 250HP 348, not a Duntov motor. Sad for sure, but not a total disaster. I'm fairly certain that even though the motor isn't correct, the Biscayne is one of the Oregon State Interceptors. There are just too many similarities between my car and the only other existing example of the 59 Biscayne interceptor, which can be seen on R.K. Motorsports' website. I'm still searching for more clues to the cars past, and if anyone has any information or questions, feel free to speak up! Here's some photos of the similarities between my car and the restored example:
The cowl tag is the biggest clue as far as I'm concerned. Both cars are 1221 Business Coupes, both were manufactured in Oakland, Ca., and both share the same trim, paint and accessory codes.
Here you can see the original dark blue paint, and the hole in the quarter panel where it once had a large antenna. At one point someone was working on the car, which is why some areas are sanded down. Also, the passenger side fender and door were replaced, which was easy to spot since they're different colors than the rest of the car. I'm wondering if the car was involved in a collision, had the drivetrain pulled out, and the rest was sold at auction. Without a hopped-up 348 I couldn't imagine a bare-bones Biscayne would have cost much back in the day. My guess is someone hit the junkyard, found the body panels and a donor motor, and kept on driving. Eventually the car was pushed onto its side and stripped of its rear-end, transmission, suspension, fuel tank, and just about everything else. And that's how is sat for a long time... The newest penny I found on the floorboards was from 1964, which makes me think the car has been off the road since the mid-sixties.
Here's another view of the dark blue paint. It's pretty surprising that it can still be shined up... sort of. The clues continue on the inside, where the original light blue paint can be seen beneath a layer of rattle-can black, as someone had painted over the dash at one time. It has the same two-spoke wheel as the other interceptor and has holes beneath the dash where a radio might have been mounted. It was equipped with rubber floor covering from the factory, instead of carpet.
Another interesting point is the fact that the factory "chalk marks" remain intact on the firewall. I know that 1221 denotes the body style, but if anyone knows what the other marks mean then please speak up!
This marking is on the lower passenger side firewall behind the inner fender.
This marking is right in the middle of the firewall, above the trans tunnel opening. It's faded and hard to make out, but maybe someone has some insight?
This last marking is located on the drivers side firewall and is even harder to decipher. Anybody have any ideas?
It's obvious that the car is very rough and would need a TON of work to be road worthy again. But considering the cars possible history, I have no plans to scrap it or part it out. I intend to keep searching in order to figure out this cars complete story, and I thank all of you who have offered me advice and support along the way. Please let me know if there are any specific areas of the car you'd like to see, as I have a lot of photos. I'll leave you with one final photo of the car when we found it. Ask yourselves if you would have brought it home, or just let it rust in peace?
Possibly, if that is the original engine, it was number 13 of standard engined (250hp) cars and the other is number 30 of the 305hp cars. BTW, if you decide to restore the car, the F code block is ideal if you want to make it an FD code 305 hp.
. That was in a 57 pickup and they can deal you a fit !!!