Yes, I noticed a few too. Good article overall though. Most obvious error was he missed 1969 totally!

Anyone here know Tim? I met him years ago at POCI but never got to know him. I'm wondering if contacting him with corrections for the story is in order.

Maybe Ray knows him through doing some of his writings.

My very last conversation with Dale, from Canadian Classics addressed this very issue.
We were going to compile a few knowledge guys to proof read his articles before publication, then "poof", he was gone after criticizing the prov. govt, I mean right after!!!

Never heard from him again, anyone else??

 

Thanks

Randy

-- Edited by GLHS60 on Tuesday 17th of November 2015 02:06:00 AM

It would be interesting to learn what happened.

Coincidentally, another Canadian magazine started up soon after he departed with an uncannilly, similar design.

A Rod Serling thought ...or a conspiracy, might have to ask Jesse Ventura, that's Tura, not Chura.

Thanks
Randy

I met Dale Lidstone back in the 1990s at the Toronto International Center. His Canadian Classics magazine was still in its infancy and he was there to promote it. I had a nice long conversation with him. He told me of one car that he bought in 1978 from the used car section of an AMC dealer. Get this, it was a 1968 Strato Chief 4-door with a factory 396 4-speed! They used it as a driver, then they broke it for parts and pirated the drivetrain. Ya, I know... 

 

In 1967 the Canadian Pontiacs used entirely the same drivetrains as the Canadian big Chevrolets. In 1968 they had a difference or 2. While the new 307 took over for the base V8 duties on the Chevies, the Pontiacs base V8 was the exclusive 327 2-barrel. Chevy offered 2 different four barrel 327s as options over the 307 that year, the 250-horse and the 275-horse premium fuel version. In Canada the Pontiac already had a regular fuel 327 2-barrel as standard, so the next step up was to the 275-horse premium fuel 4-barrel version.

 

Pontiac in the U.S. made a big deal over the wide track (and they were). In Canada through 1967 the Pontiacs used 5 wide wheels just like the corresponding Chevrolet, but for 1968 in an effort to at least try to mimic the wide track theme, they upgraded to 6 wide wheels (unlike the Chevy). And yes, in Canada I do remember the radio spots where they did refer to the Canadian Pontiacs as The Wide Tracking Pontiac

 

Carl, I'm with you on the 250, H.P., 327, I've seen them listed in 1968 Beaumont brochures but never seen one in person and I looked under a lot of hoods in my day!!

Cam, strange think about Dales 396, 4 speed, I remember it as a 1967 Laurentian 4 dr. I considered buying it from the Ford/Mercury dealer in Summerside in the early 70's for $700.00 but it had a very weak clutch so I passed on it although it was a nice car at the time.

My grandfather was the AMC dealer Dale eventually bought the car from.

Thanks
Randy

Darryl, he was located just out side Summerside, St. Eleanors I believe, Buell Motors.

I have very little memorabilia as I was long gone by 1975, but I have a calendar, and a deck of AMC playing cards.
I believe I have a 1970 Salesman price guide listing "The Machine". Also, I have a photo of my Grandfather at the 1967 Auto show in Montreal with the president of AMC, I hitchhiked to Montreal to see the new up coming AMX at the show!!

I went with my uncle to "the other side" to bring back PEI's first 1965 Marlin, a red and black beauty for Mrs Seaman, of Seamans Beverages, and got to drive a short distance.

My Grandfather wasn't a car guy, but a well respected salesman who had regular customers all over. He was a GM salesman until 1961 when he took on the AMC franchise, seems hard to believe now, but AMC was as high as # 3 in sales for a few years late 50's early 60's.

I remember late 1958 he showed me what looked like a spaceship hidden in his garage on King St, before new car introductions. Turned out to be a new 1959 Chevy!!

Thanks
Randy

That is too funny! Your grandfather had the AMC dealer that Dale bought the 4-speed big block sedan from. I guess I got the year and trim level wrong as I didn't actually see the car, I heard about in a conversation that took place over 20 years ago.

 

As for the 250-horse 327, my Canadian 1968 Chevrolet brochure lists it as does my Canadian 1968 Chevelle brochure. Also I remember seeing one in Mississauga back in 1986 where I worked. A guy had just bought a survivor 1968 Impala Custom coupe in Burnished Saddle (Canada-only). The car had low miles and was in really great original condition. Paint was original, Ivy Gold interior was impeccable, it was still rolling on bias-ply tires (2 of which were 1970-71 dual white stripe replacements). It had a 250-horse 327 and a TH400 trans, power steering and power drum brakes. The firewall & trunk were body-coloured. He eventually put on a set of 15x7 Rally Wheels with blackwall radials. I dont remember seeing the car around after 1987. 

 

Just pointing out that the 1973 LeMans brochure and owner's manual in my glove box lists the SD455 as available too. We all know how many of those made it out the factory door ----> Zero.

1868 Beaumont 327, 250 H.P

I agree with Carl that none, except the one Cam saw, were ever sold in Canada

1970 Corvette brochure and owners manual list the 454, LS7 Engine that John DeLorean cancelled at the last minute.

Thanks
Randy

PS: How about the article inaccuracies in the earlier Grande Parisienne post, TRIVIA!!