1961 Chevrolet Biscayne owned by Jonathan Smith

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Issue

May 2024

Owner

Jonathan Smith

Ride

Blue Dinero
(1961 Chevrolet Biscayne)

Meaning Behind the Name

Because it takes a lot of dinero to build a show car.

Photographer

Chris Gosda

Ride Details

Original Cost

This model cost $2,316.00 new in 1961

Build Cost

$$$

What was the inspiration?

This particular car was a project that the previous owner grew tired of. As soon as i seen the listing on marketplace, I knew I had to own it. My inspiration was to have a family ride to spend quality time with my family at shows with a car we can all enjoy. I hope to inspire my boys to be car enthusiast and keep that tradition alive.

How long did it take you to build?

I have owned Blue Dinero since 2021. This car is an ongoing project as most projects are never really finished. There is always something I find that I want to change or build further. I bought the car not long after covid became prevalent in the states. Many businesses were struggling to stay afloat and obtaining parts was increasingly difficult. Many of the parts were on back order. The car sat in the interior shop for nearly a year. The floor pans were installed while in the interior shop. The motor also took nearly a year to build. The machine shops were backed up and tracking down the parts to keep it as original as possible made it even more difficult. In regard to the paint work, Ronnie states " As far as how many hours I couldn't really say, but it really doesn't take as long as everyone thinks it does."

How long have you been building?

I've been building/working on vehicles since I was around 10 years old. My interest began with audio, and it expanded from there.

Club Affiliations

None

Your future plans?

My future plans include a full trunk and engine bay upgrade with bead rolled panels to match the car. I plan to upgrade the hydraulic suspension and reinforce the frame to make it three wheel and of course hop. I hope to add engraved handles, wheels and bumpers. These are a few of my ideas moving forward.

Vehicle history

The car started its journey into what it is today by Scott Lippard. Scott took the car to Ronnie Enriquez who exquisitely painted Blue Dinero using House Of Colors paint. Ronnie's attention to detail does not go unnoticed by anyone who even glances at the car momentarily. Including the door jams, dash, and the rear seat shelf. Three years later and I am still intrigued by this car. Each time I look at it I find another beautiful detail I didn't see before. Scott started the build and shortly after getting the car back together, the motor blew up. He said he was "tired of putting money into it and did not want it to sit;" he wanted to see it finished. After buying the car i began to track down interior parts form marketplace and Classic Industries. Then life happened and slowed down the process for a while. I was able to get the car to our mechanic, Cliff and into Keller's upholstery shop within the same week. After getting the car into Keller's upholstery shop they discovered the floor pans were rusted through and needed replaced before continuing. Nick with New Vintage Automotive repaired the floor pans within a day. The car spent the next few months at Keller's while the motor was waiting its turn at the machine shop. Cliff, my mechanic salvaged the original 235 inline six through his efforts to find a machine shop to assist with engine repairs such as cylinder overboaring and deck resurfacing. Within the same week of the cars return from Keller's the motor was reinstalled by Cliff. Blue Dinero was pieced back together just in time for Showdown in the Valley 2022. We have been enjoying the car since.

Thanks to

Special thanks to God, my family for all of their love and support, Ronnie Enriquez for paint, Keller's Kustom Upholstery, Cliff Church for the engine work, Nick Harvey with New Vintage Automotive for the floor pans and everyone else that's had a hand in the build. Thank you to all the car enthusiasts who have showed us so much love.

Previous Rides

I've always been into the mini truck scene and have had several over the years. My first truck was a 1989 Mazda B2200. I've had a 1992 square body Chevrolet S-10, a 1993 Chevrolet Blazer, 1992 and 1994 Toyota pickups, a 2004 Toyota Tacoma, a 2000 Chevrolet Sonoma, a 1999 Toyota forerunner, a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban. This is my first car.

Engine Details

Make

Chevrolet 1961

Cylinders

Displacement

235

Engine Mods

The engine is original to car. It has a three on the tree.

Chassis Details

Drop or lift inches

10-inch adjustable competition cylinder

Compressor Info

Two CCE hydraulic pumps run off of four deep cycle batteries

Chrome, Paint, or Polish

Chrome

Wheels Details

Front Wheel Type

Spokes

Rear Wheel Type

Spokes

Front Wheel Size

13x7

Rear Wheel Size

13x7

Front Tire Size

155/80/R13

Rear Tire Size

155/80/R13

Paint Details

Color

Cobalt Blue & Oriental Blue

Paint Type

House of Kolor

Graphics Description

Pictures of this car do not serve it justice. The graphics on this car include a silver base layered with cobalt and oriental blue with a pop of black. There is so much flake on this car that it glistens in the sun like a fat man taking a shit in a porta toilet in Florida in the middle of July. A mixture of elegant and bold lines attracts your attention to various sections of the car. It's really a perfect combination of old and new. There are details in this car that appeals to all ages. You really just have to see in in person!

Painted By

Ronnie Enriquez

Graphics By

Ronnie Enriquez

Interior Details

Dashboard

Custom painted

Upholstery Description

The upholstery consists of the original bench seats re-covered with black leather. The stitch work is blue to add a pop of color that matches the paint work. The stitching was designed to incorporate the linework of the paint work on the inside of the car without pulling your attention away from the aesthetic. The door panels were stitched to flow with the exterior lines of the paint work. The head liner is made from factory material original to the car.

Upholstery By

Sean Keller

“Blue Dinero”

Owned by: Jonathan Smith

Photos by: Chris Gosda

In the world of custom cars, every vehicle tells a story. The Blue Dinero, owned by Jonathan Smith, is no exception. From its humble beginnings as a project left by a previous owner to its stunning transformation into a family heirloom, this Chevrolet Biscayne embodies the spirit of dedication and passion for automotive craftsmanship.

Jonathan Smith christened his pride and joy, the Blue Dinero, with a name that reflects the hefty investment required to turn dreams into reality. As the saying goes, “It takes a lot of dinero to build a show car,” and the Blue Dinero stands as a testament to this truth.

For Jonathan, the inspiration behind the Blue Dinero was more than just creating a showpiece; it was about fostering a love for cars within his family. From the moment he laid eyes on it, he knew it was meant to be theirs—a vehicle for making memories and passing down a legacy of automotive enthusiasm to his boys.

The journey of building the Blue Dinero has been a labor of love spanning years. Despite facing challenges such as parts shortages and unexpected setbacks, Jonathan’s commitment to perfection never wavered. From sourcing interior parts to collaborating with skilled artisans like Ronnie Enriquez for the exquisite paintwork, every step of the process was a testament to his dedication.

While the Blue Dinero already commands attention wherever it goes, Jonathan’s vision for its future knows no bounds. With plans to upgrade the trunk and engine bay, reinforce the frame for hydraulic suspension, and add personalized touches like engraved handles and wheels, the journey of this classic car is far from over.

Jonathan extends his heartfelt gratitude to everyone who played a part in bringing the Blue Dinero to life. From the talented hands of Ronnie Enriquez for the mesmerizing paint job to the expertise of Cliff Church and Nick Harvey, each individual’s contribution has left an indelible mark on this automotive masterpiece.

In a world where cars are more than just machines, the Blue Dinero stands as a beacon of passion, perseverance, and family values. From its gleaming exterior to the roaring engine beneath the hood, this Chevrolet Biscayne is more than just a car—it’s a symbol of a lifelong journey fueled by love for the open road.