1961 Chevrolet Biscayne

In 1961 Chevrolets full-sized lineup received a complete redesign. With revisions from design chief Bill Mitchell, the new lineup offered a more cleaner look that shaved 1.5 inches from the body, that still rode on a 119 inch wheelbase. The big news for performance seekers was the optional 409 cubic inch V8 engine that propelled American auto manufacturers into the race for horsepower. The "Turbo-Fire" 409-Cubic-Inch V8 debuted with a 4bbl carburetor and was rated at 360 horsepower, although rumored to be much more! Chevy hadn’t officially entered the drag strip ring yet in 1961, so the 409 became known as the backdoor King in ’61 as Chevy kept aiding racers with it’s heavy duty parts. The big block 409 cost a whopping $425.00 extra, and only 142 were built for that model year. The Impala remained the leader as it was still offered as the top of the line offering and the Biscayne remained the lower more affordable model just below the Bel Air.

1961 Chevrolet Biscayne Specifications

Model Number	Body/Style Number	Body Type & Seating	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Total Production
Biscayne Series 1100 - Six-Cyl
11	69	4 dr Sedan - 6P	$2,316	3,530 lbs	Note 1
11	11	2 dr Sedan - 6P	$2,262	3,415 lbs
11	21	2 dr Utility Sedan- 3P	$2,175	3,390 lbs
Brookwood Station Wagon Series 1100 - Six-Cyl
11	45	4 dr - 9P	$2,756	3,900 lbs	Note 1
11	35	4 dr - 6P	$2,643	3,850 lbs
Biscayne Deluxe Series 1200 - V-8
12	69	4 dr Sedan - 6P	$2,423	3,505 lbs	Note 1
12	11	2 dr Sedan - 6P	$2,369	3,425 lbs
12	21	2 dr Utility Sedan- 3P	$2,282	3,395 lbs
Brookwood Station Wagon Series 1200 - V-8
12	45	4 dr - 9P	$2,863	3,895 lbs	Note 1
12	35	4 dr - 6P	$2,760	3,845 lbs
Brookwood Fleetmaster Series 1300 - Six-Cyl
1369	1469	4 dr Sedan - 6P	$2,284	3,495 lbs	Note 1
1311	1411	2 dr Sedan- 6P	$2,230	3,410 lbs
Brookwood Fleetmaster Series 1400 - V-8
1369	1469	4 dr Sedan - 6P	$2,391	3,500 lbs	Note 1
1311	1411	2 dr Sedan- 6P	$2,337	3,415 lbs

Notes: 1. Production was recorded by body style only: 4dr Sedan = 452,251, Sport Coupe = 177,969, Sport Sedan = 174,141, 4dr Station Wagon = 168,935, 2dr Sedan = 153,988, Convertible = 64,624. There were 142 Super Sport models. No further breakout of models was recorded by Chevrolet.

Chassis Data

Model	Wheelbase	Overall Length	Width	Height	Front Tread	Rear Tread	Tires
Chevrolet	119 in	209.3 in	78.4 in	55.5 in	60.3 in	59.3 in	7.50 x 14
Chevrolet Station Wagon	119 in	209.3 in	78.4 in	55.5 in	60.3 in	59.3 in	8.00 x 14

 

1961 Chevrolet Engine Options

Location Of Engine Code: 6-Cyl - stamped on a pad behind the distributor on right side of block. V-8 - stamped on the block in front of the right hand cylinder head. Notes: * High Lift Cam + High Performance # Special High Performance