It's always a treat to see another great Poncho that has risen from the dead. Our September Feature Car is Kevin Toohey's outstanding 1966 Beaumont Sport Deluxe. The car was pretty much a basket case when Kevin found it. Now it's freshly restored and will undoubtedly be a show winner. Here's are all the details:
Long time back I took an interest in a Beaumont that was for sale in a driveway for $100. I worked on it over the years replacing sheet metal and collecting parts.
My brother took an interest in the car and they ended up selling it to him.
I next purchased a 1970 Acadian and that's when I joined the Canadian Poncho site.
Being on the site I then began to take an interest in the Beaumonts seen on there and had a friend tell me that he had found a 66 396 four-speed black black car and so I bought it. I shot it with black paint just on a whim and it actually looked pretty good!
Before I could get very far, as things go, I was offered a lot of money for it just the way it was and I ended up selling it.
After the "paint" job,
Shortly after that episode I was contacted by Ken Leblanc. He told me he had seen a 66 that he found for sale which was a four-speed, but just a 327. Interesting...
A little while later Ken and I then negotiated a deal which ended up with him taking a bunch of bicycles I had for his son to sell, and him sending free appraisals my way.
With the extra money I got from the 396 car I started work on this car. It needed a lot of work. Most everything needed replaced... and it was just a part-time job for the body guy.
At a point where the car had most of its metal on it in near finished condition. The bottom was painted along with the floors inside, firewall and trunk,
Prep,
...then the body spray,
It looked so nice coming out in the sun!
My body Guy then got real busy and couldn't get back to it. I then took it to another guy to finish it up.
After that the car sat for a while at my home and I slowly assembled it as I could find the time.. I then had an offer from my friend to finish putting it together for me so away it went again...
Off to another shop...
Rebuilt L79 installed,
To say this guy is meticulous is an understatement....
The genuine "soft Curve" F41 bar,
Interior,
In 1966 they dropped the horsepower in the 327 to 275 hp backed by a Saginaw four-speed in a 10 bolt rear end.
Being that this is just Bolt on stuff I upgraded to a 1965 true L79 327 350 horse with a Muncie four-speed with a Hurst shifter, and a 12 bolt rear end...Why not?
This year also had the most boring (to me) looking hubcap on an SD through all the years of Beaumont. That was also was upgraded to torque thrust and redline tires...which has ended up becoming my signature!
The 275 327 the Saginaw four-speed and the 10 bolt rear plus the hubcaps all sit on the shelf to this day which is fine by me...
And the final result- Another one saved!
As a final word; I could never have finished this 66 without the help from the members on this great site, providing parts, knowledge and the constant support to make it happen.
And a big shout out to Dave Mattina helping with the final assembly.
Mint, perfect, awesome work. Congratulations on the car of the month Kevin.
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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
That has to be one of the best looking intermediates of the era, and being a Canada-only model makes it rare & unique from the start. The upgrades really are tasteful (and powerful). I totally get the concept. Also how many people will take a Beaumont down to this level & restore it? Most end up short-cutting, and those are the cars we pick apart when they sell for big bucks still hiding issues. With yours you know it was done completely and right. So pretty...
Kevin, I know you are a busy man. The next time I am in Niagara I should selflessly offer to exercise your GM fleet. I'm free this weekend...
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67 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe, Oshawa-built 250 PG never disturbed.
In garage, 296 cid inline six & TH350...
Cam, Toronto.
I don't judge a man by how far he's fallen, but by how far back he bounces - Patton
What a terrific job. A lot of work went into this one, and the results are outstanding.
Congratulations to Kevin for seeing this one through, and for being Feature Car of the Month. Well deserved.
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