Projects Suppose It's 1965 and...

You just bought a used 63 base model Belair, 283 PG.
What would you do with it?
(Ignore the Rallys, picture steelies and dog dish caps for now. )

 

Drive it of course.

 

Throw some 13" wires on it, 2 pumps, 6 batteries, 8 switch hydraulics, maybe paint a mural of the Virgin Mary on it?

Ohh 1965 thought you said 1995

1965 is too far back for me to know what hop up tricks were popular. Beautiful Bel-Air tho!!

 

In 65 I actually had a 64 Impala convertible, and the only thing I did to it was add American Torque Thrust wheels and blackwalls. Changed the complexion of the whole car and gave it 100 HP more.

Don

 

Narrow whites and Astro Supremes, of course. And maybe some lace panels for the roof.

 

In my neighborhood, take the hubcaps off, put vinyl pillows in the rear window ( must match color ), and maybe duals with loud mufflers. Then raise as much Hell as that 283, PG would allow

 

Drop the car a front and rear, lower in front for a rake, put on some American Torque Thrusts, black tuck and roll, and hit the streets.

 

Hit the bone yards lookin' for an 09 and 4 speed. What else or if you were really a nice guy give to your mom.

 

Skinny whitewalls, black wheels, baby moons.

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Biscaynes are the same basic car and I have always wanted one.
The first thing I would do is convert it over to a four speed, regardless of engine.
I did this to a 64 Impala many years ago, quite a fun car.
I'm partial to the look of body color painted steel wheels and dog dish hubcaps on these cars, but you can never go wrong with American five spoke mag wheels, preferably the unpolished old style.

 

1965 where? Region heavily influenced style.

 

Coulda got some ralleys like that a couple years later but anyway...........

 

Good point...midwest/southeast. KY specifically.
Yes, I have all my teeth.
No, I never dated my cousin.
No, I don't live in a trailer
Yes, I wear shoes. (usually)

Great ideas...keep 'em comin'!

I should add that the 283 is a 2bb but does have dual exhaust.

I might keep the rally's, but they'd lose the rings and have the dog dish caps. Maybe black maybe body color...Can ya get Astros in 15x8?

 

Back in 65 I was poor so I would try to find some spinner hubcaps, a floor shift and some dumbass decals to put in the back side windows. After I saved up some money I would try to put a 4 barrel on it and exhaust cut outs to make it sound tougher than it really was.

 

Here it was all about the gasser look. Front end jacked up with spring spacers,white painted inner fenders and slotted or chrome wheels up front.
Tach on the dash, quarter windows tinted and the rear tires cheater slicks mounted on a wide steel wheel usually from a wagon.
The "big boys" had fender well headers, everyone else did the plumbers pipe dumps.
It was a great time to be into cars back then. Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!

 

Ain't no sixty five 63 yes. 09 with a four speed and cravats!

 

We used to rake our hoods. A piece of sheetmetal drilled top and bottom then bolted to the hood spring perch and hood. It puts a gap between the back of the hood and cowl usually about 2" depending on the length of metal you cut. You might have to readjust the hood latch too.
Lynspop - 409's until mid-year '65.

 

I have a soft spot for the ralleys but I would lose em altogether especially on that car, heres a biscayne with some torq thrust style wheels, might also look good with chrome reverse, slots (chrome steel or aluminum) or just factory type steel wheels body color or black etc.

........also dont be your own worst enemy with the ky jokes lotsa rednecks anywhere you go

 

Turn that 283 into a 301, bolt on some traction masters and cheaters out back, and hit the strip.

 

Yep, I knew of a couple of guys who did just that with similar cars. They were the "older guys" in the area that figured out how to build a quick street/strip car on a budget. The price on those salesman/old folks sedans bombed when they were a couple of years old and by mid 1965 409's were coming up for sale in wrecked Impalas on a regular basis.

 

'65?? 98% would have bought a brand new Corvette 425 horse 396 if they had the $$...Just look at the magazines...Every one of them had the new 396 motor on the cover at some point in the first few months of the year, it was THEEE biggest news in '65.
But that doesnt fit the HAMB fantasy, so...

 

in 1965?... keep it as it is! as it is right now it is a blast to the future as the rallys wouldn't make their factory appearance until 1967 model year and those caps 1968! baby moons? put the rally police caps 1967-1968 on it with no wheel rings. and when the powerglide packs it in then 'stick' it. and a 409 or hot 327 or 'small block' would be bad either. but if making it an 'accurate as in 1965' car... the wheels would be 14" station wagon wheels with 1963 dog dish caps.

 

Trade it for a B/G '55 Chevy

 

I agree! When the big-block was introduced, the 409 was NOT the performance engine of choice.

 

I'd put it in a barn and wait 50 years to pull her out.

 

in 66 i bought a 63 impala had a 283 and slush box pg. ditched them both, got 327 four speed and abused it till i went to vietnam.

 

Yep, I'll take a 409. But I didn't give as much for the car as what one would cost me.
And I'll take that Vette too. As soon as I find one for 5k.
'til then, that little 283 is fine with me. It's a 283. Coooool, man.
I've got some good friends who can help me heat it up quite a bit.

Mom ain't with us any longer. But she drove me around in a 62 Impala from diapers to High School, which is why I love the 62-63 Chevy. I'm sure wherever she is, she appreciates the thought. Bless you Mom.

Thanks for all of the ideas, I'm diggin' the steel wheels/dog dish/spinners and the hub caps suggestions.
I like the gasser idea, but two buds are rolling really cool ones now. I don't wanna hear the "aw, he wants to be like us" crap.
And I really appreciate the input from the guys that were there, that's what I'm looking for.

 

Those 62/3/4 2dr post Belairs & Biscaynes have been on my radar for a while now. If in '65, (or now for that matter) the first thing I'd do is ramhorns & duals. Chrome reverse or Torque Thrusts next. Longer term, stout solid lifter 327/4spd, 3.70 or 4.11 posi, cheaters on black steelies, & get the nose up just a bit.
I've got a serious fondness for those cars, the stars just haven't fully aligned yet. Cool ride, keep us updated.

 

Quickly trade it in for a newer Impala or Super Sport with a large x huge engine and a 4 speed.
If I was really buck up I'd be trading the little post sedan on a new '65 396" Corvette coupe.