It’s never too late for someone to be reunited with a memorable car from their past. Zachary, a friend from Ohio, recently shared a story on Facebook about how he found, restored and presented a 1958 Chevrolet to his 86-year-old great-grandfather. The special occasion is something I wanted to share with our audience at The Journal.
Zachary gives some backstory: “Poppie (Michael) is my great-grandfather, born in 1939. He married Gram in July 1958, and she passed away from cancer on January 4, 2011. Poppie is my best friend and biggest inspiration in life. He took me in full-time when I was 14. He’s always gone above and beyond for everyone around him – making sacrifice after sacrifice and going out of his way for others. He’s the reason I’m the man I am today and why I’ve been able to succeed in my short 25 years.”
Biscayne Backstory
Regarding the Biscayne, it was a full-sized car produced from 1958 through 1972. Throughout its lifespan of five generations, it shared engineering at one time or another with cars like the Bel Air, Caprice, Del Ray, and Impala. The Biscayne was slotted toward the lower end of the price bracket – especially when it came to full-sized cars. Advertisements for the 1958 Chevrolets said, “You’ll like being looked at in your ’58 Chevrolet. There’s a special kind of glow that goes with owning a new Chevrolet. Behind the wheel, you feel like you’re right where you belong.”
A Man on a Mission
And, as it turns out, the driver’s seat of a Biscayne is exactly where Poppie belongs. The green four-door Biscayne that Zachary fixed up for his great-grandfather went through a comprehensive mechanical and cosmetic overhaul within the last couple of months, and on Wednesday, July 23, the car was presented as a surprise to Poppie.
Zachary narrates: “July 23, 2025, will go down as the happiest day of my life. On what would have been Gram and Poppie’s 67th anniversary, we got to make his dream of owning another 1958 Chevrolet Biscayne come true. In 25 years, this is only the fourth time I’ve ever seen the old man cry. The words ‘This is my favorite ever car,’ couldn’t be truer.”
He continues, “Poppie speaks often about his ‘58 that he loved so dearly. Even in his times of darkness, talks of the ‘58 always brought smiles and laughter. For 10 years I’ve dreamed of making this day a reality, and here it is. We have broken our bodies over the last two months, restoring this Biscayne and getting her running again. She fought us hard, begging to remain in a state of rest; but we had other plans for her. The 283ci V8 got a full overhaul with new valves, lifters and a bigger cam. She got fresh paint and a bundle of love.”
Dreams Come True
Zachary talks about Honda’s famous slogan, “The Power of Dreams.” Being able to give Poppie a 1958 Biscayne was the fulfillment of a long-time dream. He says, “To the memories going forward, the car shows and the Sunday cruises. My heart is full, and my love is absolute.”
Congratulations, Poppie!
