I think it's fair to say that by the time February rolls around we're pretty much fed up with winter. It's even worse for us car guys. For most of us our toys have been in storage since fall. Sure, winter is a good time to do some of those repairs or upgrades on our cars. In doing so the yearning for spring to arrive to enjoy these improvements makes winter even more frustrating. So, you can imagine how frustrated Scott Gray must be. Scott owns this beautiful 1967 Beaumont SD. This winter the tired 396 that once resided between the fenders has now been replaced with a very healthy 496 monster. Can you imagine how difficult it must for Scott to have to wait a couple of more months before he can take his Beaumont for a drive? Let's hope the groundhog doesn't see his shadow. That way perhaps Scott can drive his beautiful Poncho a few weeks sooner! Scott give us the details about his awesome ride:

My first 1967 Beaumont was purchased in 1973, when I turned 16! It was a green/ black vinyl roof, Custom sporting a 283/ Powerglide. It soon had dual exhaust, 60” rear tires and air shocks…and jacked up!! Dad would say it looked like a ‘cat in heat!!’ Within a year the motor was rebuilt with 11:1 pistons , Holly carb and intake, radical cam, 3 speed standard and a 10 bolt posi! It however was sold for university funds. I then purchased another 1967 Beaumont Custom, Butternut Yellow black vinyl roof with a 250/ Powerglide. During a break from University it became a maroon, 327 4 speed car!! It was sold in 1981 in favor of a new GMC 4X4 truck! Jump forward 20 years, and I was looking through the local Auto Trader and spied a 1967 Beaumont SD for sale! Was always thinking of getting another muscle car, but not sure if I was ready. My wife convinced me to go have a look, and it was love at first sight…by my wife!! (and me to). We were not going home without it! Either I bought it, or she was going to!! It turned out she did buy it, and gave it to me for a birthday and Christmas present!! What a great Wife!! Xoxo!!

The SD had all the body work and paint when I picked it up…actually it had been done for 2 years and had never been out in the sun until I drove it home!!  Then the research began..thank you Web and E Bay!! The car was originally a 396 Turbo 400 car, Butternut yellow from Winnipeg. I was told that it was drag raced locally in Medicine Hat, and was now in Calgary. This kind of intrigued me as my first 2 Beaumont’s were from Winnipeg (I was in Portage), and my dad’s 1970 2+2 also! All from Birchwood Motors!

The SD original drive line was long gone, it now sported a hi-comp 350, TH 350 tranny and a 10 bolt posi with 4:10 gears. I decided to return it to a big block, keep it automatic (700R4) and find a 12 bolt. In the mean time, the bumpers came off for re-chroming, the 14” chrome rims and 60 series tires were tossed in favor of 17” Torque Thrust II’s, sporting Good Year rubber.

All bushings were then replaced with Energy Suspension Neoprene bushings, as well as all new body mounts. I had found a running 396 for a good price, so I cleaned it up and in it went. The next find was a used 12 bolt which Classic Performance added 3:73 gears, Eaton Posi, new brakes and a sway bar. Then I rebuilt the  front end, installing disc brakes, new brake lines and a wider sway bar. Somewhere in there a new gas tank was also added.  Classic Performance also re upholstered the seats…the retro grey velour inserts may have been ok in the 80’s…but they just had to go!

Last year I decided to remove the 396 and have it refreshed/ or rebuilt, as it had developed a knock in the bottom end.  I dropped it off with Brad at Brads Automotive, because of his reputation as an engine builder and he has an engine dyno!! Just would be a drop in and go setup!! Perfect!!  Well, once inside the motor, it was obvious that the block was just plain wore out..cracked, warped and just plain done! I was looking at new rotating assembly anyways, so why not stroke a 454 to a 496?? Almost sounds the same as 396!! So ahead he went with the build! Complete balanced rotating assembly, roller cam, ported and polished heads and 16 pulls to 6700 rpm on the dyno…520HP..yaa hoo!!

While that was going on, I had the front windshield replaced, I installed side and vent windows along with new rubbers and felts. I had also purchased an original 1967 Chevelle Dealer Installed Cruise Control, so that was next to go in! it was never offered from the factory on 67 Beaumonts, but could have been installed at the dealer! Have also put in courtesy lights, ash tray light, hood light and trunk light….and a small trans temp guage mounted into the console. Only visible by opening up the compartment lid! The radio has also been upgraded to an AM/FM, but still looks original. The only tell tale is the little green light that comes on when it’s in FM mode.

Now that the motor is in, just going to have to wait for the snow to melt…and as you can see in the photos, I have lots..before I can see how it feels to put my foot into 520HP..