Member: Bruce McInnis
Car: 1968 Beaumont Survivor
Car: 1968 Beaumont Survivor
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Well, I didn’t need another car, however, the opportunity came up this fall (2007)and I couldn’t resist. I am a lover of ‘68 Chevelles and Beaumonts and as luck had it I had some money set by. I met the pervious owner, CCCB member Tim Bagnall, at the Lethbridge Street Wheelers weekend. I had already heard about this car, Tim and I had talked previously about his Beaumont and this time he indicated that it might be for sale but he was looking for a ‘68 Road Runner.
A September visit with Alvin Shier, Pontiac Registry and “Old Autos” writer, helped to rekindle my interest in the Beaumont. We talked about Pontiacs and Beaumonts and the ’68 I was interested in. I knew I was hooked!!
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 his Beaumont would be available. He let me know that a couple of others were 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 20th, 1967 to Carter Motors in Kelowna B.C. I bought the car from Tim October 25th, 2008 ... likely close to delivery date to the original owner, 40 years ago!
I bought the Beaumont for several reasons; it was a ‘survivor’ [has never been painted or interior reconditioned] (I was thinking rare!) , the car was a rare optioned L30/M20 [327/275, 4spd] (likely very rare), it was one of only 3477 Beaumont customs produced in 1968, it is a Canadian made car, I had the money (extremely rare!), 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) and finally everything fell in to place to make it mine including the extra garage space I had since I sold the big block ‘67 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 is Jade Gold Metallic paint [ code SS], and black vinyl roof. The paint is definitely ‘20 footer’ with 40 years experience showing in rock chips, scratches, lacquer starring, shopping cart dents, etc. It looks like a 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 its 40 years. There is some minor lifting in the area between the rear window and trunk; likely some rust; if I keep the car dry it should hold its own for another 10 years or so. The vinyl has one little nick in it and also it has not been washed often and appears to have not been treated with products lately either. (Any opinions and suggestions on ‘to treat or not to treat’ the vinyl top?)
The chrome is in very good shape for the age and there is some minor pitting on the chrome side trim. Bumpers have the chrome front and rear guards with some damage to the rubber inset. The wheel covers are the factory issue wheel trim covers, however, the original white wall 7.75-14 tires are long gone replaced by BF Goodrich TA Radials. The windshield was replaced a couple of years ago and all other glass is stock and in good shape. Tim told me that the glass shop even had a windshield in stock!
The interior trim is Gold (756 code), however, looks ivy gold or a green gold sometimes. In general, the interior is in very good shape. Tim told me that he removed the plastic off the back seat a couple of years ago! The door panels had 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 driver’s 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 carpet, in good shape, and original front and rear rubber floor mats. The seat belts are in good to excellent shape, especially the 3 rear ones.
The dash has a “crack free” pad with original instrument panel gauges and tachometer, all working. The radio is original AM pushbutton with auxiliary rear speaker. The 4-speed console shows the most wear and tear; it has a fist size hole on the driver’s side and the 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] .This console design, with the shift plate, was one of the biggest criticisms in 1968 by reviewers in magazines like “Car and Driver”.
There are a few rock chips and some minor surface rust on the undercarriage paint. The engine compartment is original and has an original oil change notice on inner fender and an “SS” chalk mark (paint code) on the firewall. The engine paint was recently freshened up.
The three previous owners of the Beaumont have maintained it and likely kept it off the winter roads and had it garage stored for most of its life. The car even came with a very old cotton type car cover. Over the 40 years and now four owners the Beaumont has averaged 1,916 miles per year!
I believe this is a very rare Beaumont Custom. It may be the only ‘survivor’ left with the L30/M20 option. I will be keeping this car as a ‘survivor’ car and 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!
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:
OPTION DESCRIPTION
In addition, the vehicle has dealer installed Titan reverb unit to radio. 8 track will be installed shortly.