Member: Larry Weiler

Car: 1966 Beaumont

Larry Weiler's '66 Beaumont

Forty years ago, I was a member of the Toronto Area Roadster Association, a group of eight guys, who lived modified Bucket T’s and Model “A” Ford roadsters. The machinery was first class (one member built a complete stainless steel chassis and components for a “T”), and TARA won best club display at Toronto’s Speedsport ‘68. In 1970’s, a 1950 Ford Anglia, which I never fully completed, was my pride and joy. It was practically a street dragster, powered by a 327CID, 500hp engine, and equipped with all the bells and whistles.

Since then, I had little or no interest in hot rods, classic cars or any other type of car, except for those that traveled from “A” to “B”. That changed on May 22, 2005, when I attended a cruise day at Bethany, Ontario. Being a spectator, I spent the day walking amongst the many classic cars and street machines, until I literally bumped into the back of a 1966 Beaumont 2-door post. What struck me most about the car was the trunk area, which looked like it just came off GM’s assembly line, and the reasonable selling price. The body work and paint (1986 Ford Medium Shadow Blue Metallic) had recently been completed, and new floor pans, bucket seats (1967 Chevelle), upholstery (Corsica Graphic Blue), headliner and carpeting had been installed. The column shift had been replaced by a Beaumont console and shifter, and the car had power steering. Headers and a new exhaust system had also been installed on a stock 283 Chevy engine, and all the exterior chrome had been re-plated. American Racing chrome wheels further enhanced the look of the car. I literally fell in love with the “66” and bought it the next day.

Later, I discovered that it was a rare bird. According to GM, my car originally came with a six cylinder engine (model #73111), part of the low end “Beaumont” series (not the “Custom” series), and only 687 2-door post cars (6 cylinder and V8’s) were produced that year. After minimal upgrades (carb kit, fan belts, plugs, wires, filters, pedal pads and rear tires), I spent that Summer of 2005 cruising the highways and byways around Bobcaygeon.

During the next two winters, everything on or in the car was taken apart and checked, and where necessary, replaced, repaired, or modified. Power is supplied by a 355CID, 350hp Chevy engine with Crower cam, four bolt mains, 9.5:1 compression, Edelbrock 600cfm carburetor and intake manifold, Flowtech headers, and plenty of chrome and stainless steel. A re-built Turbo 350 transmission with shift plate sits behind the engine, and the Beaumont console and shifter, which were never available in the “73111” model, were replaced by a B&M StarShifter on the floor.

The body, exterior paint, the trunk and the interior upholstery were excellent and needed no upgrading. All interior and exterior surfaces, including the inside of the heater box, but excluding the engine, transmission and headers, were coated with either tremclad or boxliner paint, and the frame, doors and trunk were all oiled. A new dash pad replaced the existing one, and the dash itself was completely removed, cleaned, re-wired and put into working order. The complete dash and pedal area were cleaned and painted, and new firewall padding and dash insulation were installed. The original Beaumont radio, which now powers four Clarion speakers, was retained and upgraded to AM/FM Stereo by Harold McQueen of “The Automobile Radio Emporium” (Brighton, ON).

I kept the original drum brakes, but installed a new dual master cylinder with an internal proportioning value, new brake cylinders and hardware, and new brake lines. Two new radiators cool the engine and transmission, and gas now flows to the carburetor through new lines from the re-lined, but original, gas tank.

Owning and driving my “66” has been a wonderful experience because it placed me back into the world of classic and modified cars, enabled me to meet many automobile enthusiasts, including CCC&B members, and best of all, allows me to drive a terrific looking, high performance street machine in the guise of a Beaumont, a unique Canadian automobile. Finally, I must thank my brother, Bob, a professional mechanic and owner of a high performance 1972 SS Nova, for his help in rebuilding my Beaumont. Without his guidance, knowledge, experience and labour, my ’66 Beaumont would neither be on the road today nor in its present condition.

Larry's ’66 Beaumont was originally equipped with the following:


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