Cover Story  // November 2007

1967 Chevrolet Biscayne Imported From Canada

Story By Robert Martin, Palm Harbor, FL
 

I have always been a Chevrolet enthusiast because I grew up in Oshawa, Ontario,
Canada , which is where the headquarters and main manufacturing plant for General
Motors Canada is located.

 

My Grandfather was an employee of McLaughlin Buick in Oshawa in 1914 before the
Buick Motor Company was bought and incorporated into the General Motors family. My
Father carried on this tradition and worked for over 43 years in different capacities for
General Motors of Canada.

Over the years, I have owned many Chevys including 1955 models and later year’s;
Nomads, Corvettes, Monte Carlos, Impalas, Super Sports, Bel Airs and Biscaynes, The
1967 Biscayne, 396ci, V8, 4-speed that is being featured in this article was built in
Oshawa , Ontario and was sold at a local Chevrolet dealership that is still in operation
today. In 1968 my ’67 was one of many being driven around my hometown with factory
big block or high performance small block engines under their hoods. Two-door Chevy
post sedans with big block V8 motors have always been my favorites.
 
I found this car in 1996 in Northern Ontario through a friend of mine and purchased the
car without the original motor or transmission. Since I wanted the car to be as complete
as possible, the search was on for the original motor and transmission. After three years
and many phone calls, I found both items and bought them back from one of the previous
owners who had stored them in his garage. Years earlier he had spun a bearing, took the
motor out and replaced it with a built-up 350ci. I began a complete body-off restoration
of my Biscayne in 2002. I am pleased to say that I did over 70% of the restoration work
myself.
 
If you have a Canadian-built Chevy, General Motors of Canada can supply you with a
complete history of your car for a small fee. The information I received showed that my
Biscayne was one of 15 produced in 1967 with a 396ci 4-speed. This information allowed
me to restore the Biscayne with its exact color and options that it had when it left the
factory in 1967. The options include the 3961325hp engine with a Muncie M20 4-speed
and a 12-bolt Positraction rear end. It also has an AM radio with rear seat speaker and a
rear-mounted power antenna. The wheels are 14” station wagon with original white wall
tires. I also have the original Protect-O-Plate and Owner’s Manual that came with the car.
It seems that the color this Biscayne is painted, Tahoe Turquoise, is very uncommon, as
many Chevy enthusiasts have told me since I have shown the car.
 
The 2007 Classic Chevy Winter National in Kissimmee, Florida was the first show I had
taken the Biscayne to since its restoration was completed. I entered the car to be judged
in the Trailered Restored class. The car was awarded 1st Place in its class as well as a
Platinum Award receiving 996 points out of a possible 1000.
 
I would like to give mention to two dear friends, Harry Schildt, who did an extraordinary
job of painting the car, among many other helpful things he did and Ron Murdoch, who
helped me locate parts in the last few years and then came down to Florida from Canada
to help me prepare and show the car for the Winter National of 2007.
 
I am currently in the process of a body-off restoration of an original 1966 Biscayne
factory 427/425hp Madeira Maroon and Fawn car. My goal is to have it completed in 18
months.