On the August long weekend I was fortunate to have some the time to take my 69 SD-396 to The All Pontiac Weekend in Illinois. This was the Cruisin' Tigers GTO Club's 20th annual show taking place 40 minutes west of Chicago in the suburbs. This show is one of the largest all Pontiac shows worldwide and this year was no exception having more than 400 cars in attendance. A busy two day schedule was hampered by rain and overcast skies cancelling the drag racing and other events on Saturday but the weather co-operated for the show on Sunday. The majority of voting was done by the show paricipants with each person selecting thier favorite 40 cars. What a tough decision with so many nice cars. Four celebrity pick awards and 5 club pick cars were also handed out.
The highlight of the weekend for me was meeting Jim Wangers, the Godfather of the GTO. I picked up one of his books Glory Days and had him sign it for me.
I also had Mr. Wangers sign my Beaumont brochure. I had it sitting upside down on the table and asked him if her would mind signing it for me. He saw it sitting on the table and asked "Do you have an Acadian Beaumont?" I told him I did and that most people refer to them as a Canadian Chevelle. I shared with him my thinking that they were a "Canadian GTO". He went on to share the story from his days in Detroit on Woodward Avenue when "the Canadian boys would come across from Windsor with these big block Chev powered Beaumonts and on occasion clean our clocks." Here is how he signed my brochure:
Jim Wangers will even sign your car. He is getting ready to sign the shroud on this low mile 69 Judge that was originally sold in Ottawa.
Between voting for my top 40 cars and answering lots of questions about the Beaumonts and Canadian Pontiacs I did get a few pictures. Not a lot by a means. When you are at an all Pontiac Show there are a lot of nice cars.
I have some friends in the Chicagoland area. My good friend Chuck took his 70 GTO and I was parked with him and all his GTO club buddies. Check out the banner on their tent.
One Beaumont surrounded by Goats.
Chuck's 1970 GTO.
The new GeeTO Tiger
Barn Fresh. All original 65 GTO
An LT1 Turbocharged Fiero.
59 Bonneville convertible
The tigers were out in full force
Last years best of show cars chosen by the club have preferred parking
A real nice 65 2+2. 421 4 speed. I love yellow cars.
Triple black Judge convertible.
with such a big show and not much time to get pictures of every car I found a link to another site with more pictures from the show. MORE PICS CLICK HERE
Needless to say I already have this show on my calender for next year.
When I said earlier that the highlight of the weekend for me was meeting Jim Wangers I need to add to the story. Mr. Wangers was one of the celebrities that had the difficult task of choosing "his pick" from all the great Pontiacs. When he came over to look at my car a couple people said he was there and I should get over there. For a guy in his mid 80's he sure moves fast. I finally caught up to him.
You can't imagine how shocked I was when Jim Wangers got up to present his award and started to share the same story he told me earlier about the Beaumonts from Windsor and his pick this year was entry number 118, 1969 Beaumont SD-396. I almost fell off my chair! What an honor! To have a Beaumont recognized by the Pontiac Icon Jim Wangers.
-- Edited by SD 396 on Monday 9th of August 2010 12:07:05 PM
That is a great story Brad and congratulations on having Jim Wangers pick your car. It truly is an honour and I would say an honour for all Beaumont owners too to have that recognition bestowed on the car.
Personally I would say that your car is one of the nicest cars I have ever seen, so your award is very deserving and reflects the work and effort you have put into restoring a Canadian Icon!
-- Edited by 73SC on Monday 9th of August 2010 04:13:52 PM
That is a great story Brad and congratulations on having Jim Wangers pick your car. It truly is an honour and I would say an honour for all Beaumont owners too to have that recognition bestowed on the car.
Personally I would say that your car is one of the nicest cars I have ever seen, so your award is very deserving and reflects the work and effort you have put into restoring a Canadian Icon!
Thanks Ray. You are being too kind.
I had the same feeling as you, what an honour for the Beaumont. Little by little with all the beautiful Beaumonts, Acadians and full size Canadian Pontiacs many more people are understanding our unique cars.
correcting spelling in quote
-- Edited by 73SC on Monday 9th of August 2010 07:20:45 PM
Congratulations Brad! What an honor! It must have been a real thrill to both meet Jim and have him pick your car. I've read Glory Days three times. It's a definite must have if you are a musclecar freak.
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
Way to go Brad!!! Congratulations. How was the feedback from the Pontiac crowd at the show?
Thanks guys. You have no idea how happy I was.
Bill. The feedback from the Pontiac crowd that I spoke with was unbelievable. I have never had so many people genuinely interested in the Beaumont.......anywhere!
First let me tell you about my good friend Chuck. I used to work with him in the St. Charles office and I am in Chicagoland at least once a year for a visit. He has been one of the greatest advocates for my car with all of the people in his GTO club so they knew my car was going to be there. He has every picture of my car that I have taken and shares them regularily with his GTO buddies.
When I got to Illinois on Thursday I already hade plans to attend a local cruise night on Thursday night at the Geneva courthouse. The interest at this local cruise night was overwhelming as well. One of the people at the cruise that I spoke to for 45 minutes told me when he pulled in he saw my car. He told his wife that there was a Beaumont here and barely got the car parked and he was out the door to come over and see the car. What a nice guy to speak with. He and his wife have 4 big block Camaros and Chevelles and he said he would love to have a 67 Sport Deluxe.
Congrats!!! Well Deserved for Sure!!!And to Have it picked by "The Man" himself, well thats Awesome!!!! OH, And Thanks, for the Great Pics!!!
-- Edited by sixtywagon on Monday 9th of August 2010 08:58:16 PM
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1960 Pontiac Strato Chief Safari 1960 Laurentian Safari 1960 Laurentian 4door(scrapped) 2001 Grand Am Traded on a '96 Suburban 2WD 2002 Hyundai Accent(SOLD) 1968 Grand Parisienne Scrapped and SOLD
Congratulations. Looks like a very good show. Wide selecction of cars. I saw a few of these at the car show in Norwalk this past weekend, but not many. Looks like yet another diverse collection of cars coming out to a major event.
brad way to go you deserve it with all your hard work it sure is paying off!!!thank god you have a cool shop for your awards on that sexy 96er...i think over the years the awards will be pouring in....bill
