One of the best things about forming Canadian Poncho is the amount of rare cars that have surfaced since we began. Kelly Coe's 65 Acadian Beaumont Sport Deluxe is one such beast. Yet despite it's rarity, Kelly wasn't afraid to do some upgrades that enhanced the driveability and appearance of the car. Kelly fills us in further:
This 65 Acadian Beaumont Sport Deluxe was delivered to sullivan motors in Kimberly BC. The car came with a 283 ci engine and Muncie M-20 transmission, and no other real options. The car made it's way to Calgary at some point, and seemed to make it's rounds in the neighborhood I grew up in. At some point someone tried to put a vinyl top on it, and changed the color to black.. The engine at some point was replaced with a souped up 402 big block that would tear the seats out pretty much anything. Even being a tired big block you could "churp" the tires wihtout effort. By the time the car made it's way to me, it had been owned by a friends brother, then my best friend, then to his brother.. Then, one day, I get a call asking me if I would like the car.. for FREE!!! Either I take it, or it goes to the crusher!! So.. I jumped into the restoration pool with my boots on and started the project.
I replaced the 402 with a 250 HP 327 from another 65 acadian that was supposed to be stock bore (turned out to be 040 over). It is now .060 over with 350 hp 327 cam and stock rebuild items for the rest. The transmission was freshened up, and the differential was replaced with a 10 bolt posi from a 65 El Camino.
After almost 4 years of working on the car, and setbacks of working in a different province, the car was finished.
The majority of the work was done by Heighton Restorations in Beiseker Alberta. Fantastic job done by Chris Heighton and his crew.
Upgraded items - 327 ci engine, tilt column, rear speaker, rear mount antenna, front disc brakes, under stock cap electronic ignition, retractable seat belts, 15" american racing torque thrust wheels.
If the car ever comes up for sale, I have to give the first right of refusal to David Wallace, the previous owner and brother of my best friend Shawn.
I have see this car in person and the pictures come close to the quality. It even has that smell. Just a little partial to the colour as my other car (64 Chevelle SS ) is the same.
Thanks everyone.. it's been a journey for sure. I'm sorry I didnt clean the windows before I took the photos of the interior.. LOL.. looks like streaky mud on the windshield.. it's been fun to drive so far, and I'll post a question on the lounge about finding a speedo place to correct my "out to lunch" speedo.
Gorgeous. Great choice for feature car. (And I like the black dual snorkle air cleaner assembly!)
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"So when you spot violence, or bigotry, or intolerance or fear or just garden-variety hatred or ignorance, just look it in the eye and think... The good outnumber you, and we always will." Patton Oswalt
'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.