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Garry1965


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Second chances
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I am new to this Forum and have finally found some time to make a post and get some help to get  information on locating some missing pieces for my newly acquired 65 SD. First a little history about my first encounter with a 1965 SD a little long but interesting for some enthusiasts. 
Here we go.
I was approximately fourteen years old and a gear head big time. Whether it was model cars, RC cars, chopping up bikes or dismantling smashed imports and selling parts in the bargain finder, I was hooked on all things mechanical in nature. One day I was  at an older friends' (Glenn & Joy) house who had a home based  RC hobby store in their  basement. I was one of his youngest best customers, lots of paper route money spent here Lol. Glenn was a big time Chevy guy with lots of now classic's parked around the house very popular with the neighborhood. While helping in the garage working on his 1970 El Camino 454 SS triple black beauty, one of many cool Chevy's in his collection, he asked me if I would like to go out to his family's farm at Arrowwood Alberta. He had to pick up some pieces that were needed for one of the projects on the go at the house. "Yes, lets go", was I all I said, and with that we were on the road. 
After what seemed like forever, we arrived at an unmarked cattle gate and drove down a winding trail into a meadow with lots of old grain trucks and  cars everywhere. Up on a large hill overlooking the meadow I spotted a neat looking old car, with quad headlights, and lots of chrome gleaming in the sunlight. I would find out later that this was a Pontiac version of the Malibu SS that I had built many a model car of. I exclaimed that it looked cool and Glenn replied I needed to see the side of the car as it was hit by a truck. Yes it was smashed and all but I loved it and had to have it, a very Christine moment, just like the movie. After lots of nagging and pleading Glenn told me that if my Dad said I could have it and I could get it running, and on the road  it was mine; but only on those conditions. Well three months later with lots of lawn mowing and newspapers delivered, my Dad gave in and said yes, so in the middle of a early prairie snow storm we unloaded the car in the back yard of our home in the new subdivision of Falcon Ridge. A 1965 Acadian Beaumont Sport Deluxe. Dark blue, light blue interior, 6 cylinder, automatic, all original and smashed by a truck on the drivers rear 1/4 behind the door. Complete and all original and a mouse house complete with mice!! 
My Dad being somewhat of a car guy didn't know what to think of the Pontiac Acadian Beaumont, and thought somebody must of added the script from another car sometime in the past. I had learned from Glenn that this car came that way from the factory and was somewhat of a rare car (798) and that was why he saved it from the scrap pile. Also if I didn't succeed in getting it running and on the road he would return it back to the hill on the farm. It was time to seal the deal on my part.
Well the motor wasn't seized. I found that out with my dad's help, but the cylinder head needed removing and 'some love' as dad called it. With a gift of a service manual and permission to use all the tools in the basement I was on my own. Dad was a oilfield truck driver and was not home regularly to help an impatient teenager. Later I realized that was his way of helping me be a better problem solver, and keeping me out of mischief. After several afternoons after school the head was in the basement waiting when dad got home. He taught me how to disassemble the head and lap valves the old school way with a rubber dart tool and some lapping compound, then we reassembled the head. After a trip to Bowness  Auto parts for some supplies, we had the head back on spark plugs and oil changed, some fresh gas and a battery and trying to start it. My next lesson was how to clean and adjust points. Done. Fire in the hole!! Woo hoo!  I win its mine :). 
"Not so fast" was my dads reply."What about the body? Can't get insurance on a smashed car." 
"No problem," was my reply, "I am going to a high school in the fall with a mechanic/auto body/welding shop, and taking all of those courses. I will do it there ha!" 
"We will see," he said.
Well my plans didn't go well. Little did I know that first year students didn't just bring their own cars in and work on them. You have to have some talent and a really good rapport with the instructors. I would have to wait a whole year, but that gave me time to find a donor car as aftermarket replacement parts didn't exist back then. After much searching the closest thing I could find was a smashed 1964 Malibu, Beaumont's were scarce even then. Well my Dad makes a deal with the owner to take the drivers quarter of the car for $25.00. A trip to the rental store for a gas powered metal cutting circular saw and we were in business with one exception. A fire extinguisher!! Always have one when using a gas axe making sparks in a dry, over grown back yard. After getting the small grass fire under control with a nearby garden hose we had the  much needed 1/4 panel to repair my car. You should have seen the guy's face when he saw that we had cut out a whole quarter of the car, glass, frame everything. Good thing it was pretty well stripped already especially the gas tank or I wouldn't be writing this story today. 
Well grade 11 starts, and after lots of chap stick and persistence my Auto Body instructor Mr.Watson and Mechanics instructor Mr.Coffee agree to let me work on my car in shop as long as it doesn't become a distraction. Hell ya!! Only one problem I started cutting my other classes to be in the shop working on my car. The other instructors didn't have to look far to find me. I was in shop all the time. A little more chap stick and quick talking and a deal was made that I would attend other classes and only work on my car during shop and spares. DEAL!!  In this time I got my license at the old motor vehicle branch out on memorial drive near Bowness. It was the only one open Saturday's back then. Crunch time. School summer break is fast approaching and its gotta be done or towed home. No exceptions. More chap stick and a few well placed car washes and I finally get the quarter welded on. Who needs paint. That's what spray cans are for and there is always next year. Let's cruise. Drive inn anyone? Sunset Drive Inn it is. Does anyone remember Octopussy ? The beginning of my first love affair and many lessons learned along the way, both the female and mechanical kind. After several engine swaps and starting a family I let my first true love slip away from me. 
Well, 34 years later and searching for a replacement ever since I sold my 65 SD, something made me look on Kijiji and I stumbled across and ad for a 1965 SD needing a new home and a restoration. With several positive conversations with my current wife and more chap stick and promises of a trip somewhere warm, it was agreed I would look at the car. After several text messages and an invitation to look at the car I decided to check it out. As it turns out, the car and its former owner only live about twenty blocks away from me. Now only laziness was stopping me. When I turned the corner and spotted the 65 sitting in the alley behind the garage it was déjà vue. Another Christine moment and there was no way I was letting this pass me by. Turning  50 years old on December 30  and being born in 1965, this was meant too be. Also there was a 1966 Malibu SS parked behind it and that happened to be my second love affair but that is a different story. Lol. After looking over the car, it was appearing to be Karma talking to me. Dark blue, light blue interior, V8 car, complete with some upgrades and complete less some small trim and needing a drivers quarter panel. Also this particular SD was the owners first car as was mine and it had been parked in the garage since 1984 around the same time as mine was  getting on the road. Shut the front door!!! Trying to contain my giddiness and keep my composure and not blow my poker face, a fair deal was struck and several weeks later the 1965 is sitting in my yard. A big thanks to Gord and yes I will bring it around when it's on the road again. A  DeLorean its not but a time machine none the less, who says you don't get second chances.
Thanks for letting put my story out there a little long but may be some encouragement for you reading this to rekindle a past love affair. 
Garry. 

 



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hawkeye5766


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Great read and story! Welcome to CP from the western Island!

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Beaumont4008


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Wow!!! That has to be the best first post yet. Great story. Welcome from Winnipeg.

 

Ian



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timbuk


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1827169?AWSAccessKeyId=1XXJBWHKN0QBQS6TGPG2&Expires=1452124800&Signature=1ld2hGKsrPePyWJ5uyMa7mXkU9w%3D

lets get you up for all to see! welcome!



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butterNUT SD rag


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Terrific story. I look forward to seeing you around these parts

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Canadian Poncho


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Welcome aboard Garry! I really enjoyed your story. I'm also looking forward to hearing more about your car!


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Pontiacanada


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Welcome from Canada's east coast ... good read!



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'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.

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dcneric


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Neat and well written bio. Welcome from Regina.

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Eric - Regina, SK

The Projects:

1935 Chev 3 Window Std Coupe

1957 Chev 2dr 

1967 Mustang Convertible

1969 Firebird 350HO Convertible

1969 Camaro X11-V8

1969 2+2 was a 396

1969 2+2 427

1980 Harley FXWG

1982 Chevy Silverado

1986 CJ7 Jeep

 
Beau 69


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Welcome from Winnipeg......... great anniversary/birthday story. Good luck with the 65.

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Magician40


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Great first post Garry. Welcome from Barrie Ontario.
Brian

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Urban_suburban


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Welcome and good luck with the project!

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427carl


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Congratulations!!    and Happy Birthday tomorrow......



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long stroke


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Garry, a hardy welcome aboard from Milton, Ontario. Thanks for sharing your story and i hope you enjoy your journey here on C.P. Cheers. George



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norontcan


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Welcome from Wasaga Beach, ON
Great story - and that is one fine car.

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Garry1965


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Thanks for warm welcome glad to be a part of this fine site and look forward to meeting you on the road this spring. I will be driving this work in progress every chance I get, to much lost time to make up for. Cheers.

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canso_SD


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Very well written intro Gary. welcome from the Okanagan



-- Edited by canso_SD on Sunday 3rd of January 2016 02:15:01 PM

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The Big Kahuna


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Awesome story - welcome!

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RogerB


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Welcome from Quebec city !


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rabbit64cs


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Great story ! 



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later...rog

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I'm a collector...not a builder!!Located in sunny central Saskatchewan at the lakehead!
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