good job i did the same back in the early 80tees..alot of work it was fun fun..i was young when i did it so it was know big deal ..frame is still as good as when i did it ..paints are better now.supplyers are better.it will be alot of work ahead of you but you seem to enjoy what you are doing ...okay how did a beaumont.....end up in Chile...wow..just getting parts sent to you ..all the best to you ,keep it up send us pictures..wow that is crasy a Beaumont......in Chile....way to go.. a wee bit ...of Candian...waaaaayyyyyyyy....south of us...good luck..and have fun..keep your stick on the ice......
Acadian and Beaumont made in Chile According to the publicity, was "the most advanced car of Chile." We can only agree: The Acadian was a fine American car with a sporty, very reliable, built in Chile between 1962 and 1971. At the time, the Acadian was unbeatable in comfort, smoothness and reliability. Never fails.
Brand The Acadians were the descendants of French colonists who settled in the region of Acadia in Canada. And so was the Canadian flag, the emblem chosen was the maple leaf red that appears on the flag of that country. Several models were built, but in Chile were armed only two, in their different evolutions over a period of ten years and Acadian Acadian Beaumont Canso. The brand was a creation of General Motors of Canada against the taxes on imported vehicles. Thus was created by marketing. Acadian was one of the few brands created by General Motors
Understanding the formation of the mark and the logic of their models is not simple, but can be summarized by noting that compared to the preference of Canadians for the Pontiac brand, when, for tax problems leading to higher price, it was decided not to sell the Tempest in Canada again, it was thought on how to fill that niche. Thus arises the idea of creating a clone of the Chevy II, linking their terminations in the design of Pontiac.
For sales were possible along all GM dealers both Pontiac and Buick, Pontiac decided not to call this new model, which comes to light in 1962 a new brand: Acadian, which is offered with Invader models as the most basic 100 Series Canso as an intermediate model equivalent to the 300 series and Beaumont, more luxurious.
Faced with the launch of Ford Fairlane, GM react with Chevelle, so in 1966 it was decided to separate the Beaumont as a separate brand, using the body of Chevelle but as always with designs that relate to the most luxurious Pontiac. As someone wrote: we should thank Ford Fairlane because of her made it possible to have Beaumonts.
The base engine in all cases was a 6-cylinder, (although some models Invader took the 4-cylinder GM), with a wide range reaching a 5.4-liter V8. Moreover, there was the Beaumont SD carrying a 350 hp V8 engine. Of these none came to Chile. Today the brand does not exist, but among the fans in Canada is a trademark of worship: a vehicle is described as superior to all other cars of its time, or how General Motors Chevrolet dressed in a costume gala
Production in Chile In the late '50s and throughout the 60s, Chile as well as other South American nations trying to be self-sufficient in the new industries. And so we had motorcycle factories and cars. Some with little success. Most managed to find their market niches and for this reason the list of armored vehicles in Chile can be impressive for a small country. These brands were Acadian with the two models mentioned above. Caused a sensation and it was not for nothing. After the Studebaker and the Chevy II, was the first car of American origin, with a sleek and modern design to be assembled in Chile.
Vehicles arriving at the port of Arica, were brought in boxes from Canada unarmed initially from the GM plant in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada and since 1967 from the GM Willow Run plant in Michigan, USA to be assembled in a very careful TECNA plant in Arica. The integration of national parts was relatively low, making these cars had a long life despite the passage of time. National origin were some windshield and side glass, some plastic parts, mica, carpets, tires, batteries ... At the launch of 1965 models joined (Chilean building this car) hood and trunk lid fiberglass. This initiative was important in the discredit suffered the brand here in Chile.
The Acadian was an expensive car, between its representatives had ATAL Cars, a company which is always fine vehicles. The Beaumont on the other hand were made only in two-door version. Clearly there was a utility vehicle. In fact, according to U.S. nomenclature of those years were classified in the category of personal sport. Therefore, the Acadian original purchasers were sophisticated and did not like having a car with body parts "plastic" as it was then.
Only in the last units produced, in 1971 he returned to the metal hood, original Canadian. It was probably elements for the parent stock were surplus to complete the manufacture of the brand in that market.
How many models are there? In Chile Acadian and Beaumont never separated as different brands. Until 1965, the vehicles were both emblems: Acadian and Beaumont, and although since 1967 no longer appeared Acadian name anywhere, and continued to be marketed legally registering the mark.
In Chile, to our knowledge, five models were assembled Acadian. It was only equipped with the 230 engine of 140hp and apparently Econoflame some, since 1967, with version 250.
The first one in 1962, called Canso. I used the body of the Chevy II 300 series four-door, with some accessories not very distinctive and that differed notably by some chrome. In Chile this is the Acadian simple and basic of all.
The Acadian coupe 1963 car was a beautiful clean lines and elegant sport. Only 1,500 were built
n 1965 he assembled in Chile that would be the most elegant Acadian. Large and formal aspect, it was like a small two-door limousine. The body was already the Chevelle but his appearance was modified with special accessories for the Acadian, and inside the mask and very similar to the Pontiac Tempest. Very smart and very soft ride, incorporating semi-articulated chassis rear section where each was independently connected to the main chassis.
In 1967 changes the style, using the very muscle of Chevelle body 67. Was characterized by the rear window in a tunnel, since the roof is joined to the trunk through two small fins.
A highly desirable car for those who enjoy truly sporty looking car. It is offered with the same 6-cylinder engine of 140 HP. Its light body and good runner made it very aerodynamic.
The 1967 model was only manufactured for two years. However, it is the more muscular-looking Beaumont, increased sensation to be a very clean, almost without chrome.
In 1969 Chile reached the most typical and Beaumont recalled and which were built most of the Chilean specimens: The GTA, based on the body of the Chevelle Malibu-back almost fast. Two versions were produced: Luxe and Custom, Custom model being deprived of some ornaments and radio.
For unknown reasons, some of them were armed with a rapid differential crown (my father had one of them. This vehicle was a formidable chopper. Already in those years exceed 100 mph in one of Beaumont was very easy. And Worse, the driver did not realize it). Such was the level of smoothness of these vehicles, which was due to the design of the suspension and chassis articulated his classic.
Chile was perhaps the country that sold the past Beaumont in 1971. It was exactly the model 1969 but with the housing and two beautiful fake air intakes.
The color range of the Acadian was huge. It is offered in white, light yellow (Yellow Croccus), metallic green, metallic blue (Blue Mist), red and burgundy some in 1969-71. The upholstery colors were combined with the bodywork. Models 1963 and 1967 to 71 included, among the optional vinyl roof
-- Edited by 68sd on Thursday 8th of April 2010 11:25:13 PM
How is sold in Chile? The Acadian were a product of General Motors and so he gave some GM dealers. (The others were busy selling Chevy II and Nova). TECNA sell it directly and in some independent dealers, reporting that "Beaumont original parts were sold by General Motors Chile dealers throughout the country." It also said that "this vehicle has been designed by General Motors and assembled and integrated in Chile Limitada TECNA vehicle industry in line with the policy of gradual improvement of factory vehicles, industry reserves the right to change any details on their production or completion "
Many owners were going to get directly to the factory Arica. They were the envy of everyone, especially the 1969 model due to its "aggressive sporty look without pillars." Among the features announced for this model include:
"Fascinating sporty without pillars - Powerful 140 hp engine and transmission legitimate General Motors of Canada - All speeds synchronized Fisher Body-Body-on-frame - telescopic Address Security - Anatomical seats do not get tired on long trips - Brakes Auto - Other refinements: Radio - Heating - Parking lights side " It is estimated that the country took up arms in total about 1,500 cars of this brand in the ten years he was in production.
Epilogue: Restore an Acadian This is not a comprehensive history of the Acadian and Beaumont in Chile, but a logical conclusion is to prevent the few vehicles that still mark disappear. They were much more sophisticated and fine than it would normally be expected and also represented a breakthrough in the industry in Chile because the country was assembled in a high-tech car, by a company of high standard and quality as was Tecna with the same characteristics it had in its home market.
They are not difficult to restore, because its engine is the GM universal 6-cylinder. All the mechanics are very easy and is very rare that the bodywork for rust steel because they were anti-corrosion treatments of high quality, appropriate for the Canadian market. The weaknesses of the body, in terms of corrosion, are at the edges of the rear window and trunk. Already some 1969 models and 71 who entered the circuit of the restoration.
Has also been retained at least one copy of the 1965 Six SD model, which in Canada were built only 381 units.
We recommend you find a 1967 model, clean lines and looking brute force. His fate would be too if you find a 1963 coupe. Only 1,500 copies were produced around the world and mine ... I sold it in 1978!!
Much more could be written of Acadian, but you discover the incomparable sweetness, the calm that comes your way and the modern sense of comfort, restoring and driving one. Words are
-- Edited by 68sd on Thursday 8th of April 2010 11:27:00 PM
Look at how dry and clean that shell is...my goodness, clearly not a salt infested Southern Ontario car! Great job, keep us posted on the rest of the build.
