Rick Buwalda is the owner of our June Feature Car. Rick originally wanted a '67 Chevelle but stumbled onto this '67 Beaumont. He decided on it instead and I'm sure we all can agree it was a wise decision! Rick tells us more:
"My Beaumont story begins in 1999, after searching for a 67 Chevelle for a while. I came across a 1967 Beaumont for sale in the local Bargain finder magazine. I went to look at it and it was in the middle of sheet metal replacement and a color change from Bolero red to black. I came back after it was completed and liked what I saw, so it came home with me in March 1999.
On the way home, I decided to stop for gas and filled it up with premium. After backing it into the garage and getting out, I noticed the smell of fuel and heard something dripping. I looked underneath and found the fuel tank leaking badly from the seam. I pushed it outside and began siphoning fuel to a jerry can. It was not a good start!
I replaced the tank and started on some modifications. I rebuilt front end and switched to disc brakes up front. After some issues with the power steering, I switched back to a manual box which what the car originally came with.
The 283 and powerglide had already been swapped for a mild 350 and TH350, but that wasn’t enough for me. So in went a ZZ4 shortblock with Edelbrock aluminum heads and Comp cam. The TH350 was swapped out for a built one after some issues (see pic below haha).
The rear end was swapped for a 12 bolt with an Eaton posi with 4.56 gears and c-clip eliminators.
That combination lasted for a quite a few years however soon it was time for some more changes. This time I wanted an LS. I settled on a GM performance parts LS376/515 with a Quick Fuel 780 and new convertor. The gears were changed to 3.73’s. Future plans call for a built 2004R and new headliner."
How did you break the transmission? I did that to one years ago but I've never seen another one like it.
Considering it happened at 6500 rpm in top gear with the 4.56's, I'm leaning towards a balance issue with the driveshaft. There was no previous vibrations up until that point, but who knows. It was one heck of a bang when it went, and the deserted road I was on got real narrow at that point haha.
How did you break the transmission? I did that to one years ago but I've never seen another one like it.
Considering it happened at 6500 rpm in top gear with the 4.56's, I'm leaning towards a balance issue with the driveshaft. There was no previous vibrations up until that point, but who knows. It was one heck of a bang when it went, and the deserted road I was on got real narrow at that point haha.
P.S. thanks for the compliments guys.
Did the driveshaft break? Funny thing is, mine happened in a 65 Acadian with 4.56 gears. Top end of the 1/4 mile drag strip, BANG and the driveshaft broke. The rear portion of the driveshaft swung around and I drove over it with the back tire snapping the pinion between the inner and outer pinion bearings. When we removed the TH350 all we had to do was take out the 2 mount bolts and it came out looking very much like your's! Oh that brings back memories seeing that! Thanks (I think.....)
__________________
1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
'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.
How did you break the transmission? I did that to one years ago but I've never seen another one like it.
Considering it happened at 6500 rpm in top gear with the 4.56's, I'm leaning towards a balance issue with the driveshaft. There was no previous vibrations up until that point, but who knows. It was one heck of a bang when it went, and the deserted road I was on got real narrow at that point haha.
P.S. thanks for the compliments guys.
Did the driveshaft break? Funny thing is, mine happened in a 65 Acadian with 4.56 gears. Top end of the 1/4 mile drag strip, BANG and the driveshaft broke. The rear portion of the driveshaft swung around and I drove over it with the back tire snapping the pinion between the inner and outer pinion bearings. When we removed the TH350 all we had to do was take out the 2 mount bolts and it came out looking very much like your's! Oh that brings back memories seeing that! Thanks (I think.....)
Driveshaft didn't break, but it bent slightly. Didn't find that out till the test drive with the new trans and new ZZ4.
Very nice! Congrats on being June's feature car! Look forward to seeing it at the top of the page all month, then on next year's calendar I'll get to enjoy it again! :)
Good luck with the 200 4R. I ran one for awhile and I really liked it, but it started to get pretty slushy and when I looked into it, making them really stout is possible but $$$$. So much so that I could likely go through a couple 700R4s and still be money ahead.
Let us know how you make out with it - Im hoping things have changed.
Yeah, unfortunately they are kinda pricey to do right, but I like the first gear to second ratio better than the 700R4 and the fact I wont have to shorten my new driveshaft.