1960 Biscayne

[Secret Squirrel]

Originally Posted by Zoomin

Feel free to post all you want on this thread - maybe it will help the next guy that comes along.

Sweet, I am the next guy and it helped me. I bought a 1960 Biscayne Wagon converted into an El Camino. It has a 1990 Camaro sub frame married up to the x frame with a sbc 350 and 700r4 trans. New wires, gages, vintage air, power steering, tilt steering (new style) with grant steering wheel, Tahoe 40/60 electric bench seat. Wife liked it so much she took the car from me.

Trying to find parts for this old gal has been challenging for me. The learning curve is very steep. All the chain auto parts stores irritate the snott out of me when they know nothing about cars but work the parts counter and rely on the computer. Most records they have only go back to 1962. But sir that car did not come with a 350, does it have a/c? LOL

The guy who built it did an awesome job, then he sold it to a guy who knew little about cars. She was abused for a few years then I got her. I need to get polyurethane bushings, body mounts, and a u-joint style rag joint to eliminate the rubber one and she'll be handling like a dream.

If I have questions on what a certain part is called I'd love to ask you guys for advice. For example a 55 rear end looks simular to a ford 9 inch to a young guy like myself!

here is a pic

[BlazinC5]

I think ya messed up on loading the pic Squirrel. lol try again. Even though I know what she looks like... I wanna see more...

[Zoomin]

Welcome Squirrel!

Your Biscayne sounds like an interesting project, for sure. I'd love to see some picx when you get a chance.

I'm in the process of installing an Air Ride system in the Biscuit. I also got the strong arms for the front and went with Shockwaves. In the back I've replaced the trailing arms, panhard bar, and upper arm - suing the CoolRide set up back there.

I'm impressed with the quality of the pieces. My only gripe is the instructions are minimal. This is the kind of deal where the learning curve is steep on the first one and a breeze on the rest.

Anyway, the hope is to give this car a cool stance, great ride, and the ability to go around a corner better than a cruise ship.

[bmfm64]

Originally Posted by Zoomin

Welcome Squirrel!

Your Biscayne sounds like an interesting project, for sure. I'd love to see some picx when you get a chance.

I'm in the process of installing an Air Ride system in the Biscuit. I also got the strong arms for the front and went with Shockwaves. In the back I've replaced the trailing arms, panhard bar, and upper arm - suing the CoolRide set up back there.

I'm impressed with the quality of the pieces. My only gripe is the instructions are minimal. This is the kind of deal where the learning curve is steep on the first one and a breeze on the rest.

Anyway, the hope is to give this car a cool stance, great ride, and the ability to go around a corner better than a cruise ship.

Any pics of the install? I'm always interested in others interpritation of the directions!

[Zoomin]

I took a couple yesterday and it's so dark under there, they didn't turn out too well. I'll give it a other try with flash today.
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[Zoomin]

After scratching my head on how to mount the tank, compressors and valves, I decided to mount them on the shelf in the trunk. I also decided to mount them on a piece of plywood because I didn't want to drill a bunch of holes. Turns out the added benefit was getting everything arranged and set up like an AirPod system.



Before I screwed everything in place, I laid the truck mat that goes over the shelf in between the plywood and the components to clean up the look and maybe reduce vibration.



The only advice the instructions give is to do one side at a time. Well, I undid the left side trailing arm, shocks on both sides and the the upper arm so I could lower the axle enough to get the springs out. When I did this, the geometry got all hosed up and aligning things was a major PITA.



Here's the rear bag mount. The instructions never tell you to remove the bump stop, and the mounts aren't marked left and right.

[screaminchevypickup]

That thing is gonna be sweet!!!
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[mcbassin]

Nice work Steve! Can't wait to check it out in person some day.

[Zoomin]

Thanks Guys - I wish I had half your abilities, this would already be done and twice as nice, but I'm having fun, learning as I go. I'm about to order some wheels and then I'll be ready to cruise this summer.

Phase II starts this Fall - drivetrain.
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[screaminchevypickup]

Big billets maybe?
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[Zoomin]

Exactly. 18's and 20's. Haven't finalized which ones yet.
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[screaminchevypickup]

I bet salt flats or something along those lines would be bad a**!! Any nice billet you pick is gonna be cool tho...
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[Zoomin]

Originally Posted by screaminchevypickup

I bet salt flats or something along those lines would be bad a**!! Any nice billet you pick is gonna be cool tho...

The only thing harder than picking out paint might be wheels - for me any way.

Right now I'm thinking either these



or



Both Billet Specialties

or

these from Intro...

[mcbassin]

Any of those will look great I'm sure. I like the top one best myself, just a real clean design and I love machined and polished aluminum
Looking forward to updates.

[screaminchevypickup]

#2 or #3 for me but all 3 look good!!!
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[jb1016]

Wow that second one is KILLER...

[bmfm64]

Door number one for me!
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[Zoomin]

Originally Posted by bmfm64

Door number one for me!

This belongs to member Way2lo:

[Zoomin]

Originally Posted by jb1016

Wow that second one is KILLER...

You have good taste - it's also the most expensive.

[Zoomin]

And the Saltster's

[northern 85]

I like #1

[bmfm64]

Originally Posted by Zoomin

This belongs to member Way2lo:

Oh my, I need to go clean up now.... That is beautiful!
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[lolife99]

This is member crawdadfox's old '60 with Billet Specialties "hiboy" wheels.

[Zoomin]

Originally Posted by lolife99

This is member crawdadfox's old '60 with Billet Specialties "hiboy" wheels.

Yeah, that pic was definitely part of the inspiration. Sweet looking car.

[screaminchevypickup]

It's gonna be cool no matter what wheel you put on it!!!
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