Car: 1965 Beaumont Sport Deluxe
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I first spotted my Ermine White ’65 Beaumont in 1998 when I began working as an automotive technician at Wallis Motors in Watford Ontario. The Beaumont was tucked away in a storage area and it was obvious looking at it that it hadn’t been driven in a few years. In fact when I checked the license plate I noticed that the sticker was for 1995. I asked a few questions about the car and found out that it belonged to my boss’ uncle, Ron Wallis, one of the former owners of Wallis Motors. He used to have a collection of about 20 automobiles including a McLaughlin Buick. When ill health forced him to sell his part of the dealership he also sold his car collection, keeping only his two favorites; a pristine ’54 Chevy convertible and the ’65 Beaumont.
I had always been a “car guy” starting with a ’72 Lemans and a ’76 Nova in my teenage years. I had owned nothing special in a few years, and with a young growing family I could only dream of owning the Beaumont that was in storage at my work place. In addition, the owner had several sons and I figured that one of them would be getting the car. I was, however, in the market for a “car”.
An opportunity presented itself in the form of a 1968 Mustang! My boss heard about my plans and chided me that I couldn’t work at a GM dealership and own a Mustang!! I told him that I could be persuaded to buy the Beaumont stored in the garage. He said he would speak to his uncle for me. I was surprised when his uncle met with me to discuss the car. We met a few more times and discussed the purchase of the Beaumont. A deal was made; he was happy that the Beaumont was going to a good home. He said that he knew that he could trust me with the car.
During my meetings I learned the complete history of the car. The salesman who sold the car originally told me that the car was first sold to a traveling salesman in February 1965. He kept it for eight months and traded it in after finding out that a 2 door hardtop wasn’t the best vehicle for carrying around his “samples”. The car was then sold to a local well driller, who owned the Beaumont until 1982. I was told that he was a fanatic about it; thick plastic seat covers, extra large floor mats, washed every time it was taken out etc. When he traded it in for a ’82 Pontiac Phoenix, Ron Wallis decided to keep the car for his collection. During the twenty years that Ron owned the Beaumont he replaced the frame because the rear pockets for the differential support rods rusted out. The body was completely refinished and painted in the original Ermine White.
After I bought the car I polished and buffed the fifteen year old paint. It came out like new! I replaced the bias ply white walls with BF Goodrich radials, and replaced the after market air shocks. I detailed under the hood and added a few chrome “goodies” to the stock, except for dual exhaust, 283 motor. I rebuilt the two barrel carb and rear differential. I found a used differential from another club member, Larry Dale, and made one good one out of two. My last work was to redo the brakes all around so it was safe for my wife, four children and me to go out cruisin’ in our Beaumont. We live close to Grand Bend, one of the hottest summertime spots in Ontario, and cruise there often.
The future plans for our Beaumont are a stereo, custom wheels and detailing of the trunk and undercarriage. Raising a family and restoring a classic isn’t easy on the finances; but where there is a will, there is a way. We all enjoy our weekend cruises and drives for ice cream in the Beaumont.
John’s ’65 Beaumont was equipped with the following
Option Codes Description
- C14 Wiper System Windshield Electric
- M35 Powerglide Transmission
- P58 7.35-14-4pr Tire W/Wall
- U63 Radio Pushbutton AM