Beaumont (automobile)

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Beaumont was a make of automobile produced by General Motors of Canada from 1966 to 1969. The Beaumont grew out of the 1964-65 Acadian Beaumont model, which was based on the contemporary Chevrolet Chevelle. These Beaumonts featured the Chevrolet Chevelle body with minor styling revisions, including different taillights and a Pontiac-style split grille. The interior used the dash panel from the (U.S.) Pontiac Tempest/LeMans/GTO series.

Beaumont was a standalone marque even though the cars were sold by Pontiac dealers. They featured the same powerplants as the 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, 327, and 350 cubic-inch versions, while the Mark IV big-block could be ordered with the 396 cubic inch displacement. 3- and 4-speed manual transmissions were available, as were the 2-speed Powerglide and 3-speed Turbo-Hydramatic automatics. Beaumonts were also made in a factory in Chile and were sold in Puerto Rico for a time.

The SD (Sport Deluxe) models were equivalent to the Chevelle Super Sport in trim levels, and featured bucket seats and center console, as well as SD body striping and trim. The SD396 models are far and away the most desirable Beaumonts to collect. Unfortunately, not many of these unique and stylish cars were built, and most succumbed to the harsh Canadian winter climate, which makes them more rare and even more desirable than equivalent Chevelles, to some collectors. The SD series was available in both 2-door hardtop and convertible body styles. In addition to the SD series, the Beaumont line included Custom, Deluxe, and base Beaumont lines. Like many Canadian marques, the base Beaumont included a convertible!