If you’re ever in need of a diversion in automotive history, you may want to devote a year or two to the study of those fascinating vehicles from Canada, our friendly neighbors to the north. One example of their just-a-little-different model range is this 1965 Acadian Beaumont, which looks a lot like an American Chevelle, but is a bit of a mix between a Chevrolet and a Pontiac, like many Canadian GMs were (full-size models are sometimes called Cheviacs by aficionados). This is a great example of a 70,700-mile survivor with some (dare I say) patina, and although it hasn’t moved much in the last 40 years, it’s had a lot of work done, and it’s received a lot of NOS parts. Originally sold in Vancouver, it has found its way to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where it is being sold by its third owners as a no-reserve auction here on eBay. The current high bid is a measly $250.
While Beaumont buyers could order beefy 327s with up to 350 horsepower (just like the American Chevelle), this car has the step-up six-cylinder, the 140-horsepower 230 mated to a Powerglide. Over the course of the last 40 years, the car has been treated to a completely new/rebuilt fuel system, a completely new/rebuilt braking system, and a completely new/rebuilt suspension system (including new powder coated control arms). Even the rims are new (and powdercoated), and the exhaust system has been replaced. Apparently, a previous owner was fanatical about working on the car, yet they never drove it. Hey, we all enjoy the hobby in different ways.
The interior looks great, and you may notice that the instrument cluster looks more like what you’d find in a GTO or a Lemans than what you’d find in a Chevelle. Once again, the Acadian lines were an interesting mixture of Chevrolet and Pontiac, with some unique exterior features that you wouldn’t find in either.
The seller includes several pictures of the undercarriage (close ups) and the trunk, and they verify the seller’s claim that this is a rust-free car.
It does have some scratches, scuffs, and nicks, in addition to some prior touch ups here and there, so it’s not perfect, but it looks like the perfect car to drive and enjoy after giving everything a thorough looking over. Although the seller stops just short of calling it a barn find or a garage find, that’s basically what it is, a car that’s been sitting forever and waiting to be resurrected and put back on the road. If you end up bringing to the States, you’ll have a guaranteed conversation starter, too. It would be fun to park it at a car show just to listen to the tales of people who stop for a look. That alone would be worth the price, and let’s hope the seller can get a little more than the current high bid.
Very cool Beaumont!! Unmolested!! Give it a nice street restoration and drive it!!
Remarkable car and back story. It’d definitely be one you’d probably never see a duplicate of on this side of the border, or perhaps even anywhere.
Noticed that though the original radio is removed, something that almost looks like one of the old car-style record players is under the glove box, but it’s wearing the GM logo on it.Any ideas? Just curious.
GLWTA
I always enjoy seeing Canadian versions of cars sold here in the US. The Pontiac dash, Chevy steering wheel with a Pontiac badge is neat. Its a great color and great solid looking car too. I’m good with the 6 and a Powerglide too, will make a nice cruiser for someone. Normally I’m a shiny paint guy but I like how this one looks. It’s definitely had some love and care over the years. I like it.
@Nevadahalfrack…
Looks like a old school tissue dispenser.
😆guess I’m showing my age thinking it was a record player! And a closer look possibly reveals a small trash can next to it.
Thanks, Dennis.
Quite interesting. Having lived my youth here in Montreal our next door neighbor had a 66 Beaumont. The dashboard was identical to this one and had the 230/powerglide combo with manual steering and brakes. He kept it until about 92 when it finally died of wear with over 200000 miles. Of all things he got an 83 Celebrity
My uncle in the same Swedish Lapland village where I grew up had a -64 version of this model. 6 cylinder and 3-speed column shifter. It was white with a red interior and with 4 kids it was definitely an upgrade over the Auto Union AU1000 they had before. They had the Acadian up until 1979 when it had racked up around 700,000 miles. The oldest son had an accident going off the road and hitting a light pole. The car felled the light pole but it hit just at the left front frame rail. The left front wheel was pushed back some 3 inches and the steering wheel protruded an equal distance but the car remained fully driveable. My uncle chained the car to a large tree and kept reversing time and again until he eyeballed it that the car was straight enough. He also had to fix the cracked steering box with bondo and baling wire because he couldn’t find a replacement. Apparently the Chevelle used a different steering and parts were not interchangeable. But eventually they gave up on the Acadian and got a most boring brown Opel Rekord. The only claim to fame for that Opel was that shortly after the Uncle had got it he got attacked by a charging Reindeer who ran straight into the front of the stopped car, crushing the grill and puncturing the radiator with its antlers and then died by a broken neck!