Car: 1966 Beaumont
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I sold my last '66SD (big block 4speed car) in 1980! I had spent about three years restoring this original Victoria car and the new proud owner was from Campbell River, so the Beaumont stayed on the island. After more than twenty years of "kicking myself in the butt" for selling the car (don't we all), my wife Linda found our present '66 SD. She was talking to the girls at work at lunch time one day and for some unknown reason a co-worker mentioned that her Mom had an "old Beaumont or something" and was thinking of selling it. Linda got the phone number and brought home the information after work.
Needless to say, I couldn't wait for supper; I phoned the lady and headed over to take a look. It wasn't long before a deal was made and the Beaumont was heading to a new home. The owner though did ask that I take care of the car and that I should take it to car shows. I assured her that this would not be a problem!
The car had been in storage for fifteen years just a few minutes from our house. I should have known this years before and saved myself from all the self inflicted "kicks in the butt"! After driving the SD for a week the 327 developed "a knock" in the bottom end. I decided to pull the engine and set it aside for repairs in the future. I went to the local wreckers intending to buy a "sweet" running 350. Much to my surprise and delight I headed home with a 327 complete with 350hp heads.
After some late nights, the Beaumont was ready for its first show. The SD made its appearance at the July 2002 Coombs Classic Roadsters show located a few miles from home. I was so happy to have a '66 Beaumont again! Linda and I and the Beaumont made up for lost time and took in a few other shows and the club picnic in the summer of 2002. I was having no problem keeping my promise to have the Beaumont at car shows. The highlight of the year was taking the Beaumont to the September car show in Langley; this show had more than 2000 vehicles and the Beaumont was one of only two '66 SD's at the show.
Plans for the future include an update to disc brakes and the addition of power steering. This way Linda can enjoy driving the Beaumont also.
The following were the options Ken has determined that the Beaumont came with:
- · A02 Tinted Windshield
- · A51 Front bucket seats
- · D55 Console
- · L30 327 275hp
- · M35 Powerglide Transmission
- · N10 Dual exhausts
- · U35 Clock
- · U63 Radio