In the U.S., Chevrolet introduced the Chevelle mid-size car in 1964, which would be an immediate sales success. But north of the border, there was a Canadian derivative of the Chevelle, the Acadian Beaumont. Thought of as a Pontiac, the Beaumont was built in smaller numbers, like this Sport Deluxe convertible of which just 128 were produced in ’64. This automobile is in excellent condition but has been partially restored and treated to a V8 engine in place of its original I-6. Located in Ontario, Canada, this Chevelle look-alike is available here on eBay. While offers will be considered, the Buy It Now price is about $32,948 U.S. Thanks for the unusual tip, Barn Finder Gary!
The Beaumont came about as a result of the actions of the Auto Pact (APTA) that wanted to see more cars built in Canada rather than imported from the U.S. The Acadian Beaumont was built by General Motors of Canada from 1964 to 1969. In ’64, it differed little physically from the Chevelle, with a different grille, a small adjustment to the taillights, and a use of the Pontiac LeMans dashboard. The Sport Deluxe may have been the Canadian version of the Super Sport.
This vehicle is being offered by what appears to be its fourth owner. A verification of its manufacture in early 1964 indicates it was built with a 194 cubic inch inline-6, the basic engine offered in the Beaumont. We’re told that the 327 V8 that produces 300 hp most likely came out of a 1965 Chevy Corvette and it’s mated to the auto’s original (and rebuilt) 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. The car sports new American Racing Torque Thrust wheels wearing newer tires and the front end has disk brakes to help with the job of stopping. Overall, it’s said to be a well-performing vehicle.
The Silver Blue Metallic paint has been redone as has some of the sheet metal, and we’re told the work was performed well. The interior is original except for replacement seat covers and maybe the carpeting. For cruising pleasure, the electric top functions properly, and an aftermarket stereo system has been added. You’ll probably find a ’64 Chevelle at a car show near you, but turning up a Canadian version of the automobile would be as rare as finding a two-headed nickel.
Rare indeed. 327/300 is a great engine, but is it wrong for me to wish that the 6 banger had still been in place? Don’t need mountains of torque to enjoy this car.
WOW talk about rare. I used to see some Beaumonts when traveling to my Grandparents in upstate New York. Seems like they always flew by us going about 80 mph. Canadian convertibles seem kind of unusual, don’t really have enough time to enjoy them, and they sure took a beating in the winter. With only 124 made not too many left. Canada got some unusual cars back in the 50’s and 60’s, like 6cyl. Pontiacs on Chevy frames, with Chevy motors and interiors. If you want one this is the time to grab it, who knows when you will see another.
Kind of weird seeing a tag on the valve cover that says Pontiac 327 300 hp when Pontiac didn’t make a 327, but instead made a 326, especially when the engine in this car is supposedly out of a 1965 Corvette.
I had the pleasure of seeing one like this at a car show in Arizona 2 years ago. Very neat vehicles! The one I saw was a convertible too, but more of a Burgundy color. The grill looked really sharp in the contrast with the vehicle color too. Nice car! Someone will bite I’m sure!
Saw a red on red Canso Deluxe 327 4 spd at a show in Michigan, rotisserie restored and perfect! Looked like a 66 Pontiac Nova SS
Pontiac never made a Nova. That was Chevrolet. I think this car looks closest to an old Pontiac GTO. This is a beautiful car!
Take 5 minutes. Look up IRONY and FACETIOUS in Webster’s Dictionary.
The Canadian Pontiac version of the Nova was called the Acadia. It had minor grill and trim changes compared to the US Chevrolet Novas. In the early 1980s several friends and I attended the NHRA nationals in Brainerd Minnesota. Every year we rented a lake cabin adjacent to the track, within easy walking (and earshot!) distance from the dragstrip. During several of those years a nearby cabin was rented by some Canadian guys who drove a yellow 67 Beaumont convertible. They definitely knew how to party, often parading the campground area with the top down hoisting a Canadian flag. Many, many adult beverages were shared with them. A good time was had by all.
Sorry, the Canadian Pontiac Nova was the Acadian. The “n” fell off in the above post.
Hey, 427 Turbojet…then why does this Acadian Beaumont (Malibu) say Acadian on it??? You are incorrect, unfortunately.
Canadian sold Novas were called Acadian from 1962 to 1969. Beaumont was an Acadian trim level, one of 4. In 1964 and 1965 Acadian Beaumont was Chevelle based. From 1966 on the Canadian Chevelle was just called Beaumont. Clear as mud, right?
Heres a later Beaumont burning it up, and a great cover 🎸 of a classic🍁🤘🎵
https://youtu.be/Md_a7_7_w6w?si=2P6jZ28raxXagg1L
What a beauty, I had a 65 Chevelle Malibu SS with a 300hp 327 and a 4-speed back in the mid 80’s, and I loved that car ! This is beyond sweet, if I was looking, I’d jump all over this super rare Beaumont/Chevelle !
Hugh Beaumont. Was Beavers dad on tv. Great man
I always wondered if Canadians felt like we did. Did the kids say, “hey look, I got a US nickel”. Growing up, particularly in the 60s as kids, cars were our fascination. Dreams of having one and making plastic models until the real one could be had. We were experts at them, so when one came along that was not quite right, it gained attention. We didn’t see many Canadian cars in Beer City, but being a northern state, a few passed through. It was “our” Chevelle alright, but goofy names and odd trim on an otherwise familiar car didn’t cut it. Little did we know, there was an entire car culture in other countries too, but for what ever reason, we rarely heard of them.
Such a rare car,they should have left it alone. If you wanted a V-8 you should have bought a Chevy.
Lovely looking car. I’ve heard of the Acadian car. Looking at this car, I find the front end more attractive than our version, the Chevelle.
Canada had both Chevelle & Beaumont available in 1964! Chevelle was sold by Chevrolet dealers AND Beaumont was sold by Pontiac dealers. Like the majority of Canadian Pontiacs in those days, they shared many parts with Chevrolet. They used the same engines with just a few styling changes usually front grilles and tail lights and interior trim. Since Beaumont was sold as a Pontiac product, they usually cost a few dollars more.
What caught my attention with this car was how much detail went into making the swap to a V8 engine appear as if it was built this way from the factory. Without prior disclosure, or checking the VIN, it would be difficult to know visually that such a swap had been made. One detail in particular can’t be seen with the pictures provided is whether the 2-speed powerglide is air cooled or water cooled by the radiator. In my earlier years I owned a 65 Malibu SS with a ‘glide’ & 6 cylinder, and a 64 Chevelle 300 Deluxe configured the same way, and both had an air cooled powerglide. There is plenty of info on the web detailing GM’s use of air cooled powerglides for anyone not knowing these details.
These were sold by Pontiac dealers in Canada, but they were not Pontiacs. There is no “Pontiac” anywhere on the cars, just Acadian (the Chevy II clones) or Beaumont (the Chevelle knock-offs). The association with Pontiac is enhanced by the fact that the US Pontiac Tempest, LeMans series was not marketed in Canada, instead being replaced by the Acadian/Beaumont in Pontiac showrooms. This was necessary so that the Canadian Pontiac dealers had a compact or mid-size car to market. In Canada, Pontiacs were manufactured as basically a Chevy with Pontiac bodies (this is a simplification). US Pontiacs WERE available, but they were imported from the US, hence more expensive than the CDN-built Pontiacs. In Canada. the Pontiacs were priced more in Chevrolet territory, so they were basically competitors. In some years, Pontiac outsold the similar-under-the-skin-Chevrolets and were the top-selling marque in Canada. Along with the similar Dodge/Plymouth “Plodges”, and the CDN-market Meteor and Monarch lines from Ford Canada, these CDN-only vehicles were the result of Canada’s smaller population hence lower sales numbers AND import duties for vehicles built in other countries (except UK).
I lived on a street where many of the dads got company cars. Mostly Galaxie 500s & Pontiac Parisiennes. My friend across the street dad got a new job and the Beaumont.
Tongues waged as he dropped down to a mid size.