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Colorized Mario's Tribute to 1955 Chevy Biscayne XP-37

See Separate Page on Restoration

1 1955 Chevy Biscayne XP-37 Concept Car developed by Harley Earl and Chuck Jordan, Harley Earl’s star designer at his design studio at GM.

2 Four passenger, pillar less four door hard top with suicide doors that later appeared on some 1957 and 1958 Cadillacs.

3 Unique headlights.

4 Front view Sales Brochure for 1955 Chevy Biscayne.

5 Rear view Sales Brochure for 1955 Chevy Biscayne.

6 Fact Sheet Sales Brochure for 1955 Chevy Biscayne.

7 Larry Faloon GM Designer under Harley Earl working on the Chevy Biscayne Full Size Rendering.

8 GM Designers working on a full-size rendering of the Biscayne interior.

9 Color ad introducing the 1955 Biscayne at the GM Motorama in 1955.

10 Biscayne factory photo from the 1955 Motorama where it made its debut.

11 Unique 4 door opening called “Loretta Young” doors.

12 Chevrolet’s Biscayne wowed show-goers at the 1955 General Motors Motorama.

13 Side coves on the Biscayne’s rear quarters appeared on the front fenders of the 1956 Corvette.

14 The car’s complex “three-way panoramic windshield” was seen on 1959–60 GM cars.

14 The car’s complex “three-way panoramic windshield” was seen on 1959–60 GM cars.

16 Conceived as an “exploration in elegance” the sleek Biscayne was a true hardtop sport sedan.

17 Its four-door body was made of reinforced fiberglass, the same material used for the Corvette.

18 The Biscayne was built on a 115″ wheelbase, with a frame custom built to support its fiberglass body.

19 Thin-shell, swiveling front seats (to aid entry and exit).

20 Opening from the center, the Biscayne’s front and rear doors locked into the rocker panels when closed — there was no latch pillar.

21 Very roomy door openings.

22 Lots of leg room for the driver.

23 Thin shell, swiveling front seats (to aid entry and exit).

24 Swivel front seats driver and passenger.

25 Wide opening doors for easy driver entry.

26 Ultra-modern instrument panel similar to the 1959 Chevy.

27 2010 Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance.

28 Long fairings for the headlamps.

29 Unique headlights built into the hood.

30 Close up view of the headlight mounted on the hood.

31 Both the 1960 Chevrolet Corvair and 1961–62 Corvette drew upon the Biscayne’s rear body design.

32 Distinctive side coves that wrapped around the rear. Chevy adopted the Biscayne’s round taillights for 1958.

33 Painted in brilliant Atlantic Green.

34 The Biscayne hinted at a few future Corvette styling nuances.

35 Chevy applied the Biscayne designation to a new series of models for 1958 that would carry through 1972.

36 “Suicide rear doors” and thin mustache bumpers.

37 2010 Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance. This car would influence future General Motors vehicles.

38 The 1955 Biscayne influenced the Corvette, Buick Riviera, Corvair, and Cadillac Eldorado well into the 1960s.

39 In 1955 Chevy introduced its 265ci Turbo-Fire V-8.

40 The Biscayne showcased the new engine with chrome accents, 4 barrel carb, high lift cam.

41 265 cubic-inch V8 engine with 215hp.

42 265 cubic-inch V8 engine with 215hp.

43 265 cubic-inch V8 engine with 215hp.

44 265 cubic-inch V8 engine with 215hp.

45 In 1958 it was cut up for scrap. The yard owner squirreled away the car’s chopped-up pieces.

46 Joe Bortz found the car, bought it in 1988 and took 22 years to restore it. This is his finished model.


Video and audio clips

Mystery Cars


Chevy Biscayne | One of a Kind


1955 Chevy Biscayne XP 37 at Petersen Museum


1955 Chevy Biscayne XP 37 at Petersen Museum


1955 GM Motorama



Related

More Cars of the 1950s
More Chevy Coverage

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Comments

Mario on Dec 24, 2022 said:

The 1955 Chevy Biscayne XP-37 Concept Car was developed by Harley Earl and Chuck Jordan of General Motors. It made its debut at the 1955 General Motors Motorama where it wowed the show-goers.

The Chevy Biscayne was a Four passenger, pillar less four door hard top with suicide doors that later appeared on some 1957 and 1958 Cadillacs.

The body was made of reinforced fiberglass like the new Corvette.

It had unique headlights built into the hood with long fairings for the headlamps and a complex “three-way panoramic windshield” which was later seen on 1959–60 GM models.

The 1955 Biscayne influenced the Corvette, Buick Riviera, Corvair, and Cadillac Eldorado well into the 1960s.

But unfortunately it was cut up for scrap in 1958 until a collector/restorer Joe Bortz found it in 1988 bought it and started a 22 year restoration.

Enjoy! Mario.

[Reply to this comment]

azmusclecar on Dec 24, 2022 said:

Uhmmmmmmmmmmm, it's midnight on Christmas Eve and I just ate Santa's cookies. I'm trying to help him lose weight. Yes, I took a bullet for the jolly ol St Nick.

Now I almost "ralphed" these cookies when my mouse fell on this........this........hmmmmm, what is the word I'm looking for????

I know and have been reminded the purpose of these concept cars. I get it. Like a trial and error exercise.

To me it looks like a very angry Corvair. And yes I see the side coves which found their way onto Corvettes.

I'm going to have to give this car time to grow on me. It's not something I hope to wake up Christmas morning and find in my garage.

I think this car takes a lot of explaining. This to me is not simple elegance.

God rest Loretta Young but let's not blame her for the doors.

The headlights look like they came from a Triumph Bugeye.

Maybe a different color other than KERMIT the frog GREEN. Ribbit ribbit....

My 1972 Camaro was that color, only because it was the only one on the lot I could afford to buy at that time.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a GOODNIGHT!!

[Reply to this comment]

Mario on Dec 25, 2022 said:

Well it's Green for Christmas and Merry Christmas Rob!

I enjoy your little ditties, so entertaining!

It does look like an angry Corvair but it has some charm to it too.

Cheers and Good Will to All. Mario

[Reply to this comment]

Mario on Dec 26, 2022 said:

Check out the new page of the Restoration of the 1955 Chevy Biscayne XP-37 I added.

[Reply to this comment]

Mario on Dec 31, 2022 said:

Hey Rob take a look at my separate Restoration Page on this car. Quite a feat that took 22 years to do!

http://www.americantorque.com/page/0/4070/ Mario

[Reply to this comment]

azmusclecar on Dec 31, 2022 said:

I'm not sure I have the patience to wait 22 years and have it turn out like this.....sorry Mario. I appreciate the restorer's dedication. I'm not enthralled with the outcome. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I guess I'm not the beholder in this instance.

[Reply to this comment]

Mario on Jan 1, 2023 said:

Have a Happy and Healthy New Year Rob to you and your family and thank you for all your contributions to my Pages throughout the year! They have been very colorful and entertaining! Cheers.

[Reply to this comment]

Mario on Apr 12, 2024 said:

I colorized the B/W pictures.

[Reply to this comment]

57timemachine on Apr 14, 2024 said:

I always thought this concept car was on the ugly fugly side and I still do. Just too out there and not in a good way. Well even Chevy can blow it once in a while. Cheers.

[Reply to this comment]

Mario on Apr 15, 2024 said:

It reminds me of the Chevy Corvair. Not a great car by Chevy.

[Reply to this comment]

57timemachine on Apr 15, 2024 said:

Mario, I beg to differ there. I have always loved the second generation of Corvair (1965-1969). A wonderful car on so many levels. When I own one it will be a 1965 or 1966 Corsa coupe with four speed stick. Cheers.

[Reply to this comment]


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