For July we are featuring something a little different. In fact, I believe this is the first time (ed: second time) we've featured a Canadian Poncho race car! Brent Fulmek has owned this 1965 Acadian for 36 years! What started out as just a shell has been transformed into this terror you see here. Brent gives us the details:
"The story:
It was 1982. I was looking for a project car to build just as the Prostreet movement was well under way. I had a 1967 Mustang prior to this car.
A friend told me there was a car for sale that would make a good candidate for a prostreet conversion as the only thing left was the outer shell.
The car was a 1965 Pontiac Acadian. Originally sold in Lethbridge Alberta, the car somehow made its way into a farmers field just south of Foremost Alberta. The car didn’t have an engine or trans, and the interior was completely gutted. The body was in reasonably good shape given where it was.
I paid $400 for the car, hauled it home and started what turned out to be a 3 year project.
Here is a photo of some of the parts I had acquired in anticipation of transforming this car into a big block, big tire car:
I took the car to a friend of mine, Ted Allen, if Allen Automotive. Ted cut out the entire floor plan and installed a new frame and a narrowed 9” rear end.
Here is a 1966 Pontiac Parisienne:
This car was owned by a friend of my fathers. It had the original 427/390 hp BBC. I ended up buying the car with the intention of taking the motor and putting it in the Acadian. I replaced the original motor with a 396. Back then that’s just what you did!!!
Here is the rebuilt motor going into the car. Increased the compression to 11:1, added a solid lifter cam and tunnel ram:
I had the rear wheel wells lengthen to accommodate the larger tires:
In for bodywork and painting:
Painted and ready to go. A few years go by and I decide to upgrade the engine. How about a 6-71 supercharger and parts on the dining room table.
I rebuilt a 454 with all the goodies for a blower setup. The motor made just over 800hp. The trans was a super T10.
Next I added a 250 nitrous kit:
It was a good driver!
Fast forward to 2010/11. After 15 years of driving the car on the streets of calgary, I decided to upgrade the motor, transmission and front suspension. The motor is an all aluminum 598, 10-71 supercharger with dual dominator carbs. The front end is a Alston Chassis works bolt on subframe.
The driveline transformation was complete:
The transmission: A Lenco 5 speed, designed to run on the street:
In April 2016 I decided to freshen up the paint and straighten the body out. The guys at a Triple K Autobody in HighRiver did an excellent job. They blew the entire car apart to block sand and paint:
Colour change!!!
Out for a cruise:
Engine and shifter:
I added wheelie bars over the winter:
I now race the car in the Pro class. The best time to date is an 8.605 in the quarter mile.
For those wondering whatever happened to the 427/390 motor, approximately 5 years ago I tracked the current owner down with the help of the message board on Canadian Poncho.
What’s next?
I just enjoy the car and race it 4-6 times per year and take it to the odd car show.
That is a lot of power for a compact car. I'll bet it is scary-fast. The shifter looks like the Lightning Rod deal made by Hurst. A Lenco transmission was an expensive proposition as well. You sure didn't cheap out on any of the parts.
Congrats on making Feature Car this month.
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67 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe, Oshawa-built 250 PG never disturbed.
In garage, 296 cid inline six & TH350...
Cam, Toronto.
I don't judge a man by how far he's fallen, but by how far back he bounces - Patton
Wow,wow,wow.....did I say WOW!! That is one Nasty feature car! luv the re colour/re power! Have you been sued?..... Must be lots getting whiplash from watching it go by! Great feature car!
-- Edited by hawkeye5766 on Sunday 1st of July 2018 02:36:06 PM
Brent is a good buddy of mine, and I've had the experience of riding in the car many times, though only with the supercharged 454. Yes, it was fast!!! I can only imagine riding along for a quick 1/4 mile!!!
Wow is right! Are you sure you are not related to Stevenson ? seems to be some similarities, pulling 427's from Canadian Ponchos and stuffing them in 65 Acadians.......
WOW!!!
What a cool car! Great story too! 8.60 is seriously fast!!!
It's one thing to make that much horsepower but I'm even more impressed by how well the car gets down the down the track.
I like everything about that car!
WOW!!! What a cool car! Great story too! 8.60 is seriously fast!!! It's one thing to make that much horsepower but I'm even more impressed by how well the car gets down the down the track. I like everything about that car!
.........what Jim said.......we raced for many years and can really appreciate your efforts here......very well done.
Beautiful car and what a ride that must be......the Lenco is absolutely COOL!........so much nicer that the usual P/glide
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......big block, 4 speed, bench seat, it doesn't get much better