[1] Biscaynes were produced primarily for the fleet market, though they were also available to the general public — particularly to those who wanted low-cost, no-frills transportation with the convenience, room and power of a full-size automobile.

[citation needed] Like the slightly upscale Bel Airs, Biscaynes are easily identified by the use of two taillights per side; the only exceptions to this were in 1959 and 1972.

Slight upgrades were made throughout the life of the series — for instance, the 1964 models came standard with deluxe steering wheels with horn rings, deep-twist carpeting and foam-cushioned front seats.

This was described, but not pictured, in the dealer brochure[citation needed].In 1959, the car was redesigned, and now sat on an inch-and-a-half (3.8 cm) longer wheelbase.

[5] In 1959 the two-door Utility Sedan appeared, a version lacking a rear seat and being intended as a delivery vehicle.

Aimed primarily at the fleet market, the Fleetmaster included a lower grade of upholstery than the standard Biscayne and deleted routine convenience items such as a cigarette lighter, door armrests, and passenger-side sun visor.

For 1963, the short-stroke Turbo-Thrift inline-six replaced the earlier "Stovebolt" 235, meaning lower weight and a slight gain in power.

As usual, the full range of GM's full-size engine and transmission options were available to the low priced Biscayne.

A very few of the brand-new, high-powered 409 V8s (of which only 142 were built in 1961) even found their way into the bargain-basement Biscayne Fleetmaster, with the direct intention of being used for drag racing.

For 1966 the top engine became the new Big-Block 427 ci V8, available in a high-powered, high-revving 425 hp (317 kW) version with solid lifters.

The Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission was made standard on all cars ordered with a V8 engine starting midway through the 1971 model year.

Production of the Biscayne for the United States market ended for 1972; it wasn't advertised that year in Chevrolet's brochure but was available for fleet buyers.

However, the Biscayne name was still used in Canada through the 1975 model year, with a 350 cubic-inch V8 engine and Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission made standard for 1974.