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. 

Brent"