My first car was a 66 Beaumont Custom 2-door hardtop that I bought from a friend in high school. After many miles, a few engines and 15 years the Beaumont ended up being parked in our barn at home. A few more years passed and the car was sold.

I moved from Ontario to California several years ago and was amazed to see all of the rust-free cars driving on the roads. One day, while working, I saw a 1966 Chevelle being driven down the street by an elderly lady. I was thoroughly intrigued but had no way of tracking down the car. Several months later, however, I saw the same car parked in a garage with the door open. This time I immediately pulled over and went to the front door to inquire. I rang the doorbell and asked the man who answered if he had any interest in selling the car. This 58-year-old man informed me that he would have to ask his mother, as the car belonged to her.

The woman came to the door and she took the time to explain that she had bought the car new, loved it and that it wasn’t for sale as she needed it to get to the grocery store. I still wrote my name and number on a piece of paper that she placed in an already “full of phone numbers” punch bowl on the counter!! I jokingly offered to buy the bowl full of numbers and then went on with my day.

For the next few years I periodically stopped by the house and chatted with the elderly woman whenever I was in the neighborhood. After some time, her son, who lived a few hours away, asked me if I could stop by on a regular basis to check on her as she began to get a bit more forgetful and frail. Three years after my original visit, her son called and asked if I was still interested in purchasing the car, as his 82 year old mother was no longer up to driving to the store. A deal was struck and I became the second owner of the car.

The first time I saw the car I had visions of a total restoration, with a conversion to a four speed Beaumont SD. However, after getting to know the original owner and seeing how much the car meant to her, all I could bring myself to alter were the rims and tires. The rest of the car is completely stock; I have even kept her Saint Christopher medallion stuck on the gauge cluster.

So if any one has a 66 /67 SD 4 speed for sale…!

Shawn Heffernan's '66 Malibu came from the factory with

• AM Radio
• 283 cu. in engine
• 2 Speed power glide
• Bucket seat interior
• Console floor shifter with clock
• Blue exterior, black interior

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