2024 Canadian Poncho Calendars are Now Available! CLICK HERE

 

 

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: November 2020 Feature Car


A Poncho Legend!

Status: Offline
Posts: 26765
Date:
November 2020 Feature Car


Many of us have experienced this scenario: We buy an old car fully expecting to do some "minor" work, perhaps even a quick paint job and nice wheels and leave it at that. Then, as we dig into the project we find out it needs just a "little more" than what we were expecting. Mike Giampaolo ran into this situation when he bought this 1969 Beaumont convertible. What did Mike do? Let's find out:

oldframe.JPG

I owned a Lime Green 69 Beaumont hardtop with a black vinyl roof in the late 80’s.  Like many of us starting a family took priority, and I reluctantly sold the hardtop but kept the 327 sbc that I had built for it in hopes of someday finding another classic that I could drop the 327 in.

In November of 2005 I found a 69 Beaumont convertible for sale. It was Lime Green with black top. It must be fate right?  I made the deal and had the car shipped back to my place.  The original plan was to drop the 327 in it, freshen up the paint, put some rally’s on her and enjoy...

As I started to dismantle the car to “freshen up the paint” I realized she needed way more than just a paint job and some rally’s (like that’s never happened before lol).  I had to make a decision to cut my losses and sell the car or go down the path of a full restoration.

newframe.JPG

I began searching for parts that I would need to get the body back into shape and stumbled on to a 68-72 convertible frame for sale.  It was a southern frame and was already powder coated so the decision for a full frame off restoration was made.

IMG_0494.JPG

IMG_1415.JPG

 

I knew that I would never have an “original” classic so the game changed. My friend Louie (a mechanic who also guided and encouraged me throughout the whole process) and yes, even my wife Michele “forced” me to put a big block and buckets in the car. ”If you are going to go through all that trouble you might as well build what you want”. The new motto was “Do it once and do it right the first time”. I decided to build a 69 convertible SD tribute even though GM never produced one in ‘69.

photos 09.14.2020 039.JPG

IMG_1944.JPG

The “2-3 year” project turned into a 10 year blissful journey.  I wanted to keep the car as original as possible (many said unnecessarily).  I used genuine GM parts or good used originals.  The front fenders are GM (and as you may know needed minor modification for the grill corners to fit).  The SS hood, doors, and floors are southern sheet metal with some coming from as far away as Arizona. The only aftermarket metal on this car is the rear inner/outer wheel wells and lower rear quarters.

IMG_2094.JPG

IMG_1137.JPG

 

IMG_1338.JPG

IMG_1346.JPG

IMG_2156.JPG

new 09.13 001.JPG

 

The rolling chassis was completed and I ended up powder coating the control arms and rear end to match the frame.  Next, stainless brake and fuel lines along with a 12 bolt posi with 3:73’s were installed.  I purchased a 396 and had it bored .30 over, put roller rockers and a mild cam in it, and topped it off with an Edelbrock intake topped with a Holley 750 double pumper.

IMG_0742.JPG

IMG_1336.JPG

IMG_1405.JPG

 

Rick (a master of his trade) who agreed to do the metal work applied the primer and gave it back to me so I could install the motor and tranny as well as do the mechanical work before final paint. “Skinny” Dave built the 396 and let me use his shop to finish off the mechanicals over the next several months.  I then installed the motor, headers, stainless exhaust, dashboard, and top etc.  Once the mechanical work was done it was back to Rick for final body work and paint.

finals 09.14.2020 001.JPG

IMG_2155.JPG

 

The colour choice was a topic of discussion many times. I took a lot of grief when I told people I was painting it white with black SD stripes.”White?” they said. “It should be red or black. No one paints a muscle car white!”

IMG_2176.JPG

IMG_2177.JPG

 

Many thanks to the members on this site who helped with hard to find parts and invaluable information during the restoration process.  I made a lot of new friends and relationships during the process.

frontds.JPG

 

Too many people to thank when taking on a daunting project like this! However special thanks to Louie/Skinny Dave and Rick, and most of all my wife Michele who never questioned parts that would show up at the front door or that I purchased on one of my many trips to Carlisle. She would smile and ask “What are those?”  I would smile back and say “Beaumont gold! These are 69 only chrome headlight bezels!” THANKS Michele.

new 09.14.2020 006.JPG

 

 



Attachments
__________________

Todd
Site Founder

Like us on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/CanadianPoncho

Canadian Poncho World Headquarters - Prince Edward Island

 



A Poncho Legend!

Status: Offline
Posts: 48633
Date:

Wow! I hope all the people who told you not to paint it white aren't your friends any more! Funny thing is, as I was reading your story I was thinking "this car is gorgeous in white with the black stripes" and they I read that people gave you grief about doing that... They are WRONG.

Beautiful job you did.

__________________

1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars



Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 40
Date:

Super nice car and restoration....love the Beaumonts !



__________________

1970 Pontiac 2+2 covertible 400 cubic inch

U.S. Embassy car when new - in the family since 1973



Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Status: Offline
Posts: 4285
Date:

Awesome car,  and yes i love the color combo.



__________________

Beaumontguru

MY BEAUMONT HAS 4 STUDDED TIRES AND 2 BLOCKHEATERS......AND LOTS OF OIL UNDERNEATH.  The other one has a longer roof.



Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Status: Offline
Posts: 4508
Date:

Very nice, I love your color choice. 



__________________

62 Catalina 2 dr post project

69 Parisienne 2 dr ht 427

55 Bel Air 2 dr post 265PP/PG

68 Bel Air 2 dr post BB project

 



Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 626
Date:

You can probably tell by my avatar Im a fan of the 68-69s but regardless a stunning car and cool story too! Ive always like white on muscle cars so great choice in my opinion! Congrats!!!

__________________


Poncho Master!

Status: Offline
Posts: 1411
Date:

Beautiful car.



__________________

pontiax- (canadian pontiac X frame)1964 Parisienne 2dr. Hardtop ,lagoon aqua metallic (Q) ,421 cid Dart Industries block and heads. 550 hp. 575 ft lb  of torque.

 



Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Status: Offline
Posts: 4686
Date:

Very tasteful and congrats on the ten year journey! It takes some dedication not to just chuck it in after a while.



__________________

ken from northern Alberta

38 Willys pickup electric

39 Buick (327 with 700 r4)

66 Beaumont 4 door hardtop

69 Chevy CST pickup

1976 GMC 23'  motorhome

1994 Impala SS (temporary, according to my wife)



Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 764
Date:

Great looking car!



__________________


Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Status: Offline
Posts: 10063
Date:

Nice to say the least,

/download.spark?id=2361868&aBID=118110



__________________
65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT. 
 


Addicted!

Status: Offline
Posts: 394
Date:

Great job , great story on rebuilding a classic

__________________


A Poncho Legend!

Status: Offline
Posts: 20051
Date:

That is an outstanding car. Personally I have had two white muscle cars and always receievd high compliments on them both. White always shows the design details and elements so well and so often with a muscle car the black out trim and bright chrome often with red inserted in emblems is outstanding. Love your choice of colour. Love your car.

PS: Has anyone seen a new Corvette in White? My next Corvette is going to be white!



-- Edited by 73SC on Saturday 31st of October 2020 10:45:38 PM

__________________

Ray White, Toronto ON

1973 LeMans 454 "Astro-Jet"

Built March 9, 1973 - Oshawa ON

1993 Corvette Convertible LT 1

Built January 10, 1993 - Bowling Green Kentucky 

 




Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Status: Offline
Posts: 8149
Date:

white looks great car looks great thanks for sharing that thumbs up!

__________________

http://canadianponcho.activeboard.com/t51640378/timbuks-first-invader/ http://canadianponcho.activeboard.com/t63146560/timbuks-second-invader/  vancouver island



A Poncho Legend!

Status: Offline
Posts: 20744
Date:

Nice clean car! smile



__________________

Prince Edward Island

'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.



Uber Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 3986
Date:

Nice Pontiac !


__________________

Remember Fun,

 Remember Laughter ?



Poncho Master!

Status: Offline
Posts: 1833
Date:

Very Nice!!

__________________

1968 Beaumont 2dr Custom

1968 Beaumont 4dr Custom (sold)

1968 Beaumont 4dr (Parts Car)

1949 GMC (Slow Project)

1986 Buick T-Type (Rosewood Car)

 



Addicted!

Status: Offline
Posts: 308
Date:

Mike, perseverance does pay off, awesome job, congrats on many counts, you got one hell of a nice classic deserving top page honors.



__________________

New Brunswick , 1950 Pontiac Silver Streak 2 Dr Sedan, 1967 Beaumont, 1985 Sierra 1500 One Owner



Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Status: Offline
Posts: 7418
Date:

Very nice car, and congratulations on all your hard work.

__________________
70 2+2 convertible
70 2+2 hardtop
70 Parisienne hardtop
72 GMC Sierra

 

 



Poncho Master!

Status: Offline
Posts: 1833
Date:

Thank you for preserving one of these iconic pieces of Canadiana. It may not be bolt-and-nut stock, but I think you absolutely nailed the spirit.
The putting it together phase was my favourite part. It sounds like you enjoyed that part too. I wish you years of happy cruising!!

__________________

_______________________________________
==|====|----B-E-A-U-M-O-N-T----|====|==

\__________________|________|____________________/

__\____O__________________|66BEAU|___________________O____/



Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Status: Offline
Posts: 6749
Date:

Beautiful car, thanks for sharing.

__________________
Jerel


Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Status: Offline
Posts: 5278
Date:

Perfect.

__________________

63 Parisienne sport coupe (The Big GTO), black, maroon interior, 409 4 speed; former owner of a 59 El Camino, 63 Corvette SWC, 62 Chev Bel Air SC.
1963- Pontiac top selling car in Canada

Mahone Bay, NS Still not old enough to need an automatic



Poncho Master!

Status: Online
Posts: 1836
Date:

Love it! My Dream car! Great story, you are a lucky guy.

__________________

Stony Mountain, MB

65 Impala SS 2dr HT
65 Impala convert.
59 Impala 2dr HT
67 Acadian Canso 2dr HT

 

 

 



Addicted!

Status: Offline
Posts: 199
Date:

Beautiful car!!!

__________________


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 17
Date:

Perfectly executed project and inspiring dedication to your car.

__________________

1967 Parisienne 327/glide 2 door sport coupe. In high school saved this from being crushed, restoration in 2010.

1960 Laurentian 4 door vista hard top.



Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 18
Date:

B
U
T
Full!!!!!

__________________
1 2  >  Last»  | Page of 2  sorted by
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.

Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us
.
Support Canadian Poncho!
Select Amount:
<
.
.
.