My wife and I met at the stock car races in Northport Washington in June of 1977. I purchased the Beaumont in the late summer of 1977 in Vernon, B.C. The car was originally bought and sold in Regina SK, however, we have not been able to find the original owners. The car was part of a wedding sometime between 1966 and 1977 because we still find confetti and we did not use the car for our wedding. In the spring of 1978 the three of us (car, wife and myself) hadn't been together a year when I was accepted into the aircraft maintenance program at S.A.I.T; so off to Calgary we went from our hometown of Rossland, B.C.

The car was an every day driver from 1977 to 1982 when we finally had enough money to purchase a new Camaro. The Beaumont was saved for summer driving and survived many cold Alberta winters wrapped up in car covers and tarps. Finally, four years ago it was treated to heated storage. The car was stolen in 1981 but only made it a couple of blocks from our house before it broad sided a Corvette. The thieves took off and we were fortunate to get the car back with only a few dents and a few needed mechanical repairs. When we got it back fuel and ignition cut off hidden switches were added. Since then the front and rear suspension were redone and a sway bar added in 1990.

A couple of years later power disc brakes and power steering were added. The suspension was also worked on, lowering the Beaumont almost two inches. The latest version of paint and re-chroming of the bumpers front and rear was done in 2000. In 2002 we replaced the four speed tranny with a new 5 speed. In 2003 the Beaumont went through a midlife crisis and had flames added after 26 years of solid grey. Somehow we've managed to be able to drive it every summer in spite of all of the modifications and updates.

I have managed to keep the car and the same wife for 29 years (in spite of today's modern disposable marriages and cars). She actually let me keep the car after we got married. I made the mistake of once telling my wife that I sold the car and she almost physically removed me from the house. I'm beginning to think the only reason she keeps me around is because of the car. But then it could be what's mine is hers ……

The Beaumont has had many “modern” conveniences added over the years; reclining bucket seats, pulse wipers, alternator, and HEI ignition. We like to take the car in the summer on long trips so comfort and driver enjoyment are important. The Beaumont still has the original red interior and silver exterior (a little darker silver than the original colour) now with the shadow flames. After racing sprint cars for 18 years realized the importance of shoulder belts so it only felt right to install them in the Beaumont.As you can tell there isn’t much stock except the differential, body, chrome and the bore and the stroke.

For about 6 years we thought the car was amphibious because we never left home without a major downpour. That’s okay because the car has the best heater and defroster out of the 5 cars that we drive. This car has survived the many perils that can be found on Calgary's city streets over the past 28 years; 5 accidents, theft, golf balls through the windshield! Thank goodness 20 years ago we started getting parts cars; actually four parts cars over the years! My wife drives a ’64 Acadian (daily driver for past 20 years) so we often get asked if we are interested in other cars. Actually , we also acquired a 1963 Acadian Beaumont Sport Deluxe during a parts pick up; the ’63 is awaiting a restoration!

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