Beaumont (automobile)

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Beaumont Acadian Coupe (Orange Julep).JPG
Manufacturer General Motors
Production 1966-1969
Assembly Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Arica, Chile
Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec, Canada
Body and chassis
Body style 4-door sedan
2-door sedan
2-door hardtop
4-door hardtop
2-door convertible
4-door station wagon
Layout FR layout
Platform GM A platform
Related Chevrolet Chevelle
Pontiac Tempest
Engine 194 in³ Inline-Six I6
230 in³ Inline-Six I6
250 in³ Inline-Six I6
283 in³ Small-Block V8
307 in³ Small-Block V8
327 in³ Small-Block V8
350 in³ Small-Block V8
396 in³ Big-Block
Transmission 2-speed automatic
3-speed automatic
3-speed manual
4-speed manual
Wheelbase Sedan: 2,946 mm (116.0 in)
Coupe/Convertible: 2,845 mm (112.0 in)

Beaumont was a make of mid-size automobiles produced by General Motors of Canada from 1966 to 1969.

1962-1965: As an Acadian[edit]

The Beaumont started out as a trim level on the Acadian from 1962 to 1965. The Acadian from 1962 to 1969 was based on the contemporary Chevrolet Chevy II (Nova) Beaumonts were sold at Pontiac-Buick Dealers primarily for the Canadian market but have been documented to have been sold in countries outside of North America.


In 1963, the Acadian was offered in 4 series: base Invader, midlevel Canso, deluxe Beaumont or Beaumont Sport Deluxe. The Beaumont again offered similar trim, identification and luxury as the 1962 model did. The Beaumont Sport Deluxe was equivalent to the Chevy II Nova Super Sport, added deluxe identification and a substantial amount of luxury items. Upgraded upholstery and trim in 6 possible colours, extra cushion padding in bucket seats and rear seats, deluxe door handles, glove box light, chrome-plated heat control and instrument panel knobs. With a Powerglide automatic transmission or 4 speed, a console and floor-mounted shift lever was standard on the Beaumont Sport Deluxe. For the first time, a V8 was available. GM offered the small-block Chevrolet 283 V8 with 220 hp as an option.

In 1964 and 1965, GM of Canada sold an "Acadian Beaumont" based on the Chevelle "A" body platform, and continued to sell the Chevy II-based Acadian. This can be confusing for some. By 1966, it was clear that the Acadian was Chevy II-based, and the Beaumont was Chevelle- based. Many people consider the cars to be Pontiacs, but GM marketed both cars as separate makes. These cars in every year are primarily Chevrolet, with only minor trim differences and (for Chevelle-based cars) Pontiac Tempest/LeMans-based instrument panels. This was done because Canada required GM to have a certain percentage of Canadian content in the vehicles sold in this country. The Beaumont continuing to gain popularity was now available in 4 series on the Acadian. "Beaumont Standard", "Beaumont Deluxe Standard", "Beaumont Custom" and "Beaumont Sport Deluxe".

1966-1969: As a standalone marque[edit]

From 1966, the Acadian name was only used for the Nova-based car and Beaumont became a standalone marque, still sold by Pontiac-Buick dealers. The interiors used the dash panel from the (U.S.) Pontiac Tempest/LeMans/GTO series. While full wheel covers came from the Pontiac LeMans, small hubcaps and rally wheels were the same as on the Chevelle.

The cars sported an emblem based on Pontiac's arrowhead motif with two red maple leaves or fleur-de-lis added. They featured the same powerplants as the Chevrolet Chevelle, including the OHV inline six-cylinder engine, and a variety of small- and big-block V8s. The V8 engine choices included small-block 283, 307, 327, and later 350 cubic-inch versions, while the Mark IV big-block could be ordered in its 396 cubic inch displacement from 1965-69. 3- and 4-speed manual transmissions were available, as were the 2-speed Powerglide and 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatics.


The Beaumont and Acadian continued through the 1969 model year. Starting in 1970, GM Canada offered both Chevrolet Chevelle and Pontiac LeMans mid-sized cars which were identical to U.S. models.

Production and sales out of Canada[edit]

Beaumonts were also made in a factory in Arica, Chile for the local market, and the Canadian-made cars were sold in Puerto Rico for a time.



External links[edit]