Brad's (SD396) Way Cool SD396 Beaumont!

[Xplantdad]

Hi Bruce

Thanks for considering my car for the SYC members rides.

Here are some pics my 1969 Beaumont SD-396.

I have owned this SD since 2004 and have been working on it for about a year finally getting it to this point only a few weeks ago. There are still a few small things to finish up on the car but alas it is time for storage. I wanted to have the car on the road this year to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the production date; October 68.

I am sure there are not many SYC members that have seen a Beaumont or maybe even heard of one so let me start there. These cars were a Canadian production car built for the Canadian market to be sold at Pontiac dealers in Canada to compete with the Chevelle from Chevrolet. The Tempest/GTO could be imported into Canada but was subject to import tax. The Chevelle was built in Canada as well as the Beaumont. The Beaumont is not a Canadian Chevelle. Both cars were built in Oshawa and sold in Canada. Some Chevelles were built in Canada and sold in the US as well.

1969 was the final production year for the Beaumont in Canada and had the lowest production for the Sport Deluxe / SD. My car is one of 43 350 HP cars built. It is painted the original code 52 Matador Red with code 751 black vinyl and cloth interior. Factory options include positraction, power disc brakes, 350HP 396, M20 Muncie, red-stripe tires, hubcaps full wheel, instrumentation, tach, AM radio, rear antenna. The GM of Canada docs are included in the pictures.

When I was building this car I wanted to have a car I could drive and have some fun with. Because the original drivetrain was gone I chose to build it as a “day two” car. The engine is a 454 with 72 LS5 specs and has an early Edelbrock C-396 intake, Holley 750, Cal Custom air cleaner and valve covers, headers with Flow Master 2 ½” exhaust. This car being early production would have had chambered exhaust but I chose to go with aftermarket pipes with the headers. The transmission is a close ratio M-21 shifted by a Hurst Comp Plus and a stock 12 bolt with original posi and 3:55 gears. The wheels are early 14” Super E-T with Pro-Trac 70 Racing Profile G-70 tires at each corner. I added correct 1969 power steering components for driveability, a rear sway bar, boxed arms and tinted glass. Other than these changes the car retains the original appearance and probably looks like it would have in 1970 or 71.

If you need any more info let me know.

Thanks again, Brad

[markinnaples]

That is great!

One minor addition: it's screaming for a set of N50's, lol.

[chevelleheart]

Beautiful car Brad ! Congrats !! Very rare !

[CC Rider]

SD 396

Very cool car Brad. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[Salvatore]

Real nice car! Were did you get those tires? ET torques look great too. Sam

[MosportGreen66]

Perfect, just perfect! Love the day-2 look! 14inch ET's?
Just wondering and I think I've asked his question before.
Originally, were the motors painted blue or orange? I know its a Chevy motor, but I'd figure I'd ask.

[Rixls6]

Very cool car Brad. Love the day 2 look.
Even more that sets it apart is the 300 Deluxe style interior.

[budnate]

wow!

[47Hammer]

Great looking car Brad, thanks for sharing it with us. I love the Pro Trac's, I bought a set from the Super Shops back in the '80's.

[Keith Tedford]

The seats are similar to the ones in our 1969 300 Deluxe SS396 Chevelle. Did they do the same thing with Beaumonts as well? It just never occurred to me.