1955 Chevrolet Biscayne Concept Car - Biscayne Reborn

Restoration Underway
Although some initial fiberglass work had been performed several years ago to reattach the roof, restoration work on the Biscayne began in 2005 with the reconstruction of the vehicle's frame.

The original frame had long ago rotted away in the Michigan mud at Warhoop's yard. Luckily, the Biscayne was essentially a fiberglass tub bolted to a conventional frame. With the body intact, fabricating a frame would be a relatively straightforward task-not necessarily an inexpensive one, but straightforward, nonetheless.

Building the frame fell to street rod builder Kerry Hopperstead. Having fabricated frames for countless hot rods during the last 30 years, creating the Biscayne's foundation was easily within his capabilities.

This is the point where Super Chevy caught up with the project. We visited Hopperstead's shop to get a look at the frame, and some background information from Bortz himself. In an amazing stroke of luck, he was able to obtain internal GM photos from the car's construction more than 50 years ago. They are detailed enough to give Hopperstead the reference information needed to produce an exact replica. And, the front section of frame was obviously from a '55 Chevy, so a frame was purchased and its front section lopped off and mated to the custom rearward section.

Obviously, there is still much more work to be done on the Biscayne. In addition to the frame, the body and interior require extensive work. The engine also has to be cleaned up and rebuilt. Bortz says the work should consume the next couple of years or so.

When finished, it promises to pull the spotlight back onto one of Chevy's most important concept cars.

In 1956, the extent of Warhoops'...        read full caption In 1956, the extent of Warhoops' dismantling was lopping off the roof, as well as removing the doors, hood, and trunk lid. About five years ago, the roof was bonded back onto the fiberglass body. The other panels were rehung, too.	The Biscyane's body is totally...        read full caption The Biscyane's body is totally weathered, but almost all the trim is intact. The front fender "vents" that also contain the turn signals are dead ringers for the taillight trim on early Corvettes.	While the paint and trim were...        read full caption While the paint and trim were completely baked during 30-plus years' exposure to the elements, the body is surprisingly solid. It should be; it was constructed of fiberglass that feels a quarter-inch thick.
If you don't see the Corvair's...        read full caption If you don't see the Corvair's future rear end styling in this photo, you're not squinting hard enough.	The interior of the Biscayne...        read full caption The interior of the Biscayne presents the toughest aspect of the restoration-it's trashed. Still, the original "floating" seat frames are there, as well as most trim pieces.	With the gauges missing, it's...        read full caption With the gauges missing, it's easy to see how much wasn't going on behind the scenes. The gauges were dummies and there was virtually no wiring in the show car.
Some of the only electrical...        read full caption Some of the only electrical equipment to be found in the car is in the doors, which seems odd because there are no windows to power up or down. The electric motors probably opened and closed the doors via remote control while on the show stand.	Like most concept vehicles,...        read full caption Like most concept vehicles, convincing details, like this power door lock switch, is fake. The Biscayne's trim pieces are an interesting mix of pot metal and, in some cases, brass! The wheel covers, for example, are brass and weigh about 10 pounds each.	Multi or OHM meters are handy...        read full caption Multi or OHM meters are handy gadgets, and they have saved me a lot of heartache and time when diagnosing problems or looking for short circuits.
Luckily, a GM insider who...        read full caption Luckily, a GM insider who was enthusiastic to Bortz's project dug up some vintage photos of the Biscayne during its original build 50 years ago. Photos of the frame provided the necessary references for Hopperstead to build the new frame.	When studying original GM...        read full caption When studying original GM photos of the frame, it was clear that it featured the front clip of a standard, 1955-production car. So, a donor frame was located and its front clip merged with the custom rear frame section.	Because the frontend is comprised...        read full caption Because the frontend is comprised of production-model components, setting up the front suspension was a snap.