Everyone dreams of finding a "survivor". That classic car that has somehow survived all these years without getting hit, repainted or restored. With our typically harsh climate, there aren't too many Canadian survivors. Bruce McInnes is lucky enough to own this awesome 68 Beaumont Custom. With it's original paint and interior, I think it's safe to say that this car is a true Canadian Survivor. Take it away Bruce.

Well, I didnt need another car. But, when the opportunity came up this fall (2007), I couldnt resist. I am a lover of 68 Chevelles and Beaumonts. As luck has it, I had some money set by. I met the previous owner, CCCB member, Tim Bagnall at the Lethbridge Street Wheelers weekend. I had already heard about this car, Tim and I talked about it. He was looking for a 68 Road Runner and the Beaumont may be available.

As I became more interested in this Beaumont; Alvin Shiers, Canadian Pontiac Registry, and Old Autos newspaper contributor dropped by for a visit in September. We talked about the Beaumont Custom a little. So my interest was heightened.

In early October, I emailed Tim to see how he was making out with obtaining the Road Runner. He had his eye on one; and Beaumont would be available. But he did have a couple of others interested in the Beaumont. So, I replied with my maximum offer for the Beaumont and date to pick it up. He thought about it [keeping me in suspense] and then I got the call ... we had a deal. Ironically, the Beaumont shipping date was October 20^th, 1967 to Carter Motors in Kelowna B.C. I bought the car from Tim October 25^th, 2008 ... likely close to delivery date to the original owner, 40 years ago!

I bought the Beaumont for a several of reasons. First, it was a survivor [has never been painted or interior reconditioned] (I was thinking rare!). Second, the car was a rare optioned L30/M20 [327/275, 4spd] (likely very rare). Third, it was a 1968, with only 3477 Beaumont Customs produced. Fourth, a Beaumont is a car only produced in Canada from 1962 to 1969 [Beaumonts being much rarer than a Chevelle]. Fifth, I had the money (extremely rare!). Sixth, at night I would see the front grill in my dreams and flashes of it in my mind during the day (rare, as Lillian usually takes up that brain space). Seventh, everything fell in to place to make it mine; including the extra garage space since I sold the Impala.

I have no plans to change the Survivor nature of this car. Tim did freshen up the radiator, engine, and transmission. And of course, the normal maintenance and replacement of brakes, exhaust system, battery, tires, tie rods, ball joints, etc have followed their natural course for the 40-year-old [74739 mile] car and will continue. The main character and features will be retained in the survivor car theme.   

The exterior of the Beaumont carries a Jade Gold Metallic paint [paint code SS], and black vinyl roof [Code 27]. The paint is 20 footer with 40 years experience showing in rock chips, scratches, lacquer starring, shopping cart dents, etc. It looks like modern 10-12 year old car paint. The car can only be hand washed now and no waxing. Any readers have an opinion on this?

The vinyl top is in good shape for 40 years. It is lifting some in the area between the rear window and trunk. Likely some rust. But if I keep the car dry it should hold its own for another 10 years or so. The vinyl has 1 little nick in it also. Again, it has not been washed often. It does not appear to have been treated with products lately either. Any reader opinions and suggestions on to treat or not to treat the vinyl top?

The chrome is in very good shape for the age. There is some pitting on a few of the chrome side trim, but minimal. Bumpers have the chrome front and rear guards, with some having a bit of damage to the rubber inset. The wheel covers are the factory issue wheel trim covers. Tires were 7.75 14 white walls 40 years ago. It has GFG now.

All glass is original. Exception is windshield, which Tim replaced a couple of years ago. The glass shop had one in stock!, he told me.

The interior trim is 756 code ...Gold; But looks Ivy Gold or green gold sometimes. In general, the interior is in very good shape. Tim said he removed the plastic off the back seat a couple of years ago! They look new. The door panels have never been removed until Alvin Shiers removed the passenger side to inspect the sheet metal joins [no rust!]. Door panels are in very good shape as is the headliner. The drivers seat is showing some cracking of the vinyl and there is a small tear on the back portion, a common wear place even on a newer vehicle. The carpets are in good shape. The Beaumont still has the original front and rear rubber floor mats! All the seat belts are in good to excellent shape, especially the 3 rear ones.

The dash has a crack free dash pad with original instrument panel gauges and tachometer, all working. Radio is original AM pushbutton with auxiliary rear speaker. Steering wheel has 1 crack. The 4-speed shift, floor console shows the most wear and tear. The console has a fist size hole on the drivers side; shift slider plate is warped. [If any one has an ivy green or gold, NOS or good used one; and you want to part with it ... give me a call] The console is very loose [screws from console to floorpan]. Ill get to it! If I can get it to retain its position that would bring back some enjoyment to shifting. So that is the worst thing I can find with this survivor car. Okay, no tears please! This console design, with the shift plate, was one of the biggest criticisms in 1968 by reviewers in magazines like Car and Driver. Even my 68 Chevelle is too slow and hangs up once in awhile. It is a factual criticism. I have found the rear floor console light out and dome light, still checking the other interior lights.

The undercarriage still holds its [original?] black paint [with some rock chips, surface rust in areas it is broken]. Amazing! The engine compartment is original and has an original oil change notice on inner fender and an SS caulk mark {the paint code?} on the firewall. The engine has no chrome kit. Engine paint has been freshened up recently.

All 3 previous owners of this Beaumont have maintained it and likely had it garage stored for most of its life. Also, likely not much winter miles, if any on it.

I am, at least, the 3^rd owner to have a cloth car cover that has followed the car through part of its life, maybe all. It is old cotton one. The Alberta 1968 plates have followed the car through the recent owners. These will be stored away.

I have registered NX 68 09 Alberta 1968 plate to the vehicle. We can run the Alberta year plate on the vehicle with the collector plate close by in the vehicle. The NX 69 09 is registered to the Beaumont as the unit number.

If one assumes a 5% survival rate, there maybe 3-4 left. This is likely only 1 as a survivor car. A lot get a 350!

So, I think it is a rare SURVIVOR car!

The drive train is a 327 ci 275 hp Q-jet 4 bbl engine [L30], still on points and condenser; with 4 speed saginaw transmission [M20], Heavy Duty Clutch, and 12 bolt positraction rear end 3.07:1 [Car was optioned with factory dual exhaust and stock tachometer]. There are other minor indicators that this car is a true L30/M20 car. There is no doubt from me.

Tim Bagnall had very good luck refreshing the engine and transmission in Edmonton. He came up with some NOS parts for the work. There are still some out there.

How rare is it? GM vintage department cant say or wont. Lets reason this out.

In 1968, there were 3477 Beaumont Customs [Model 73637, 2 door Sport Coupe] produced, and only made in Canada remember. The rest were series: Beaumont Standards [4 models], Beaumont Deluxe [6 models], Beaumont Custom [9 other models] or Beaumont Sport Deluxe [2 models; 720, I think], the big blocks.

The models are Sport Coupes, Convertibles, 4 door Sedans, 4 door Sport Sedan, 4 door station wagons. Within each model there were standard engines or option engines as six or 8 cylinder representing 5 transmission chooses and 7 engines. The 396 V8 with 325 or 350 hp and THM 400 were only in SDs. So forget them.

Within the Beaumont Custom the standard engines was 230/140 six, 307/200 V8. Likely in the majority of Customs produced. Optional engines were 250/155 six, 327/250 V8 and 327/275 V8, the L30 option. With these engines there were 3 transmissions available: synchronized 3 speed [on the tree?]; synchronized 4 speed [on the floor] and powerglide automatic. The L30 {327/275} were available with any of the for mention transmissions, but maybe the latter two. How many of each combination of engine and transmission are unknown. The L30 option was likely paired only with the M20. What is your guess of the number of Beaumonts Customs with the L30 with each of the transmissions available? Likely in that 1.7 to 2 % I mention earlier. Therefore, with the L30 being an option with the M20 option I am likely close. This means that 59-69 Beaumont Customs may have had the L30/M20 options in model 73637, 2 door sport coupe.

The build sheet has not been found or never existed in the car interior. However, the owner manual and service record book and protect-o-plate are with the car and in the Carter Motors dealer package.

Now, how many original paint and exterior, and interior cars with the L30/M20 of the estimated 59 to 69 production are left? So ...likely very rare!

I believe this is a very rare Beaumont Custom. It may be the only survivor left with the L30/M20 option. This car will be easy to collector plate license in British Columbia. I will be keeping this car as a survivor car. I will only do what I need to do to preserve the car and maintain the safety. At the same time, I will drive and enjoy.

There may be a few other Beaumont Customs left out there; but, are not on the road, are painted, installed with big blocks [there is 1 in Lethbridge]. It was 1968 Beaumont Custom 2 door sport coupe and a 350 car [likely transplant] and automatic. I saw the car in its, perhaps, original paint and interior last year. It was bagged. But it had a 496 big block installed and new transmission. It has just received new metal, interior and paint. Not even close to this Beaumont Custom. There is also a 68 SD in Cardston with 496, a couple in Red Deer, but no 327 or original paint. Many are cloned into SDs.

Do you agree? Know of any others of this same model and power train with original paint and interior?

Over 39 years, this car has averaged 1,916 miles per year with 4 owners.

Pontiac Beaumont Customs are new to me. Anyone having additional information, comments or corrections to this article, please forward to bruce.mcinnis@pc.gc.ca I would like to obtain more information, a dealer sales brochure, or other written facts on the car. Thanks for reading!

The GM Vintage Car Report:

Vehicle: 1968 Pontiac Beaumont Custom

VIN: 7363781101296

Trim: 756 Gold

Paint: SS Jade Gold Metallic

Top: 27 Black

Production Plant: Oshawa, ON

Production Date: October 16, 1967

Shipping Date: October 20, 1967

Model Number: 73637

Engine: 327 cid 275 hp V8

Engine number: V1004A0

Dealer: Carter Motors Ltd. Kelowna, B.C.

Number produced for sale in Canada: (same model number only) 3,477

OPTION DESCRIPTION

A01 Glass tinted all windows

A39 FRT & RR Seat belts deluxe

A51 Front bucket seat

B32 FRT rubber floor mats (protective)

B33 RR rubber floor mats (protective)

B93 Door edge guards

C08 Exterior soft trim roof cover

D55 FRT compartment floor console

F40 H.D. FRT & RR suspension

J50 Vacuum power brakes

K02 Fan Drive thermo modulating

K05 Engine block heater

L30 Engine: 327 cu in 4 bbl carb V8

M01 H.D. Clutch

M20 4-speed transmission wide ratio

N10 Dual exhaust

N40 Hydraulic steering

P01 Wheel trim cover

P61 7.75-14-4PR tire-hwy-nylon-white wall

T60 Heavy duty battery

U14 Instrument panel gauges tach

U25 Luggage compartment lamp

U63 Radio pushbutton, AM

U80 Auxiliary speaker rear

V31 Front bumper guard chrome

V32 Rear bumper guard chrome

X24 Pre-service Oshawa only

Z49 Mandatory Canadian base equipment modifications

In addition, the vehicle has dealer installed Titan reverb unit to radio, 3 months after purchase. Era 8 track will be installed.

I have met the original owner and second owner, car in same family for 27 years. I took the car to the original owner in Kelowna last summer. He was very happy to see it as he bought it, basically. He did point out that it is noisier [has flowmaster 40s] and he noticed the Hurst shifter that his nephew put in 1980.

Original owner took train to Toronto then bus to Oshawa to pick up vehicle and drive it back to Kelowna.