Choosing the feature car for May was quite a challenge. I had already decided on an Acadian and I had several nice candidates (all of which will be featured in the future) to choose from. In the end, I chose Norm Hallett's sweet '63 Acadian Beaumont Sport Deluxe. I think you'll agree with me that Norm's Acadian has got the look. From the perfect stance, the brilliant orange paint to the cool tire and wheel combo, this is one Acadian I would love to have parked in my garage! Here's a bit about the car in Norm's own words:
My car is a 1963 Acadian Beaumont Sport Deluxe. I purchased it 2005 in the Montreal area. It was a running drivable car that had been restored about 15 years earlier. The car had a 350 SBC mated to a 700R4 and the original differential, running a 3:55 gear and posi. The original interior was long gone and a new Nova interior had been installed. Suspension was pretty much stock, lower control arms were boxed and frame connectors had been welded in place. The car had an NOS nitrous system installed and I was told it had turned a best of 11:74 et with 7" slicks.
About 1 1/2 years after purchasing the car, I removed the nitrous, upgraded the front suspension including a CPP mini subframe kit and 4 wheel disc brakes. We added 17" Coys wheels and new tires. The headers had some rust and hung too low, so we installed a set of Sanderson block huggers and a new mini starter for clearance. In the process of upgrading the suspension, we installed new springs and shocks adjusting the cars stance lower front and rear. A ball bearing bushing kit was installed on the idler arm.
The car then went to a local body shop where we discovered 4 coats of paint which necessitated a complete strip to bare metal. In striping the car, we discovered it had all original sheet metal. I purchased all new weatherstriping and gasket kit. I was able to find original fender spears and 6 cyl emblems which were added to the car, giving it an all original exterior appearance except for the Tangerine base coat clear paint, wheels & tires.
I especially love the color. I just can't help it!
The Acadian trim, emblems etc look so cool, too.
Gotta love 'em! I read a different forum a while back where someone mentioned how 1st and 2nd gen X bodies where "extremely ugly"...... I'm not sure how anyone could think that.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
Hey Norm. Very nice Acadian Beaumont Sport Deluxe. Just reading in my new (to me) shop manual shop supplement. the sport deluxe option was only available on a beaumont sport coupe or conv, w/ a L6. Congrats again.
Todd, thank you very much for featuring my car for May. In case anyone is wondering the documents from GM of Canada state 2029, 1963 Acadian Beaumont 2 dr hardtops produced. The Sport Deluxe option was not documented during the production run. Most everyone I have spoken with, including George at GM Vintage Vehicle services in Oshawa, estimate no more than 400 to 500 of these cars had the SD option. My 1962 Nova convertible is one of 1451 built in Oshawa by GM of Canada. Sold new in Edmonton, it has a sticker on the firewall warning of extreme cold equipment included on the car and to check with the parts department prior to performing maintenance.