1968 Beaumont Wagon - Rolling Restomod

[darguy]

Hi Folks!

So begins the '68 Beaumont Wagon project thread! My first car was a '66 Malibu 2-dr hard top, and I've also had a '70 Pontiac Tempest so this will be my 3rd GM A-Body - 37 years after the first one! To say it's rough around the edges would be an extreme understatement, this is going to take a while...

For the un-initiated, the Beaumont and it's sister, the Canso, were anomalies of the US Auto Pact, where until 1970 Pontiacs were not for sale in Canada. GM's solution was to create a separate division, Acadian, and sold the Chevelle/Le Mans-like Beaumont and the Chevy II/Nova-like Canso. The Canso lasted until 1971, but the Beaumont's last year was 1969. It's mechanically a Chevelle, but has some Le Mans finishes. Most notably, the dash is from the Le Mans (but the console, if so equipped, was from the Chevelle) and the front bodywork features a split Pontiac-style grille, but with a Pontiac arrow-head emblem with two Maple Leafs above it. These were only built and sold in Canada, and the best estimate is that there were only 705 Wagons built in '68 out of a total of 14,420 units. This one has a 250 straight-6, and there were only 318 of those built.

It was for sale for nearly a year until the price dropped into the realm of reality and I scooped it. I'm on Cortes Island, a super-remote island off the coast of BC, which as a point of reference would take about 7 hrs, 200 km of driving, and 3 ferries to get to from Vancouver. The seller was on Vancouver Island, and happens to owns a flat-deck tow truck. So, he brought it up to the closest city where my Uncle happens to live and dropped it there. He and I spent a long day going over it doing triage and affecting enough repairs (most notably a new fuel pump & massive carb adjustment, bolt the front bench seat & seat belts in, and seat cover) such that I could drive it the last 60 km over 2 ferries to get it home. It was an interesting ride, but I made it in one piece!

I'm doing the immediately required repairs (front brake hoses, centre link & idler arm), and painting the bright red '80s Camaro rally wheels that it came on black. At this point it will run and drive as designed to, but with some massive upgrades and restoration to be worked out. Should be interesting!

Here's a few for-sale shots:

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And one with my Uncle in action, using a vacuum gauge to adjust the carb after we got it running:

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And a couple when I finally got it landed at home:

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Much more to come!

Cheers,
darguy

[130fe]

Looks like a fun project! Leaving the I6 in?

[darguy]

That's the plan, yes. I haven't done a compression test yet to verify it's viability, but it doesn't have any external leaks and runs ok considering it's been sitting for a really long time. I haven't checked it's numbers yet, but I suspect it's the original engine - and if so, I'll definitely keep it.

I'd put in an HEI, and then start thinking about a streetable cam/intake/exhaust package to bring it to life somewhat.

[ryeguy2006a]

What a unique project, I love it. If something happens with that motor or it turns out not to be original, I feel like it's begging for a 4BT or 6BT diesel motor.

[B95]

Mannnnn, this wagon is gonna be unreal. It would be shame to get rid of that patina, I hope you keep it stock like that.

As for motor... Man, the possibilities are endless.

I do think it needs some nice wide rubber on the rear!

[darguy]

What a unique project, I love it. If something happens with that motor or it turns out not to be original, I feel like it's begging for a 4BT or 6BT diesel motor.

I had to look those up! That would be an interesting swap, to be sure - and go along with the utilitarian nature of the beast. If the engine isn't long-term viable I might consider converting to electric down the road. I'd need about 300 km of real-world range, maybe less if there are enough fast chargers around. It wouldn't be cheap, but it would be interesting!

[darguy]

Mannnnn, this wagon is gonna be unreal. It would be shame to get rid of that patina, I hope you keep it stock like that.

As for motor... Man, the possibilities are endless.

I do think it needs some nice wide rubber on the rear!

Thanks! It's definitely going to be a fun build, the paint will be the last thing to be done - if I decide to. Part of the appeal was it's rough & tumble aesthetic, I live on the end of a long dirt road and rocks on paint is a reality of life!

Once I figure out the front suspension/brakes upgrades, I'll know what my parameters are for wheel sizes. Those 80's Camaro rallys are temporary! I'm thinking some old-school Auto Drag Center Lines, and definitely big meats on the back!

[Twentyover]

One word

Vortec 4200

OK, one word and a couple numbers

[darguy]

One word

Vortec 4200

OK, one word and a couple numbers

That would spice things up a bit! I'm looking to stay away from computers on this one, so one of the Pontiac overhead cam I6's would also be a cool, period-correct swap (and somewhat apt, it being a pseudo-Pontiac).

https://i2.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/1967-Pontiac-Firebird-04.jpg

[813Demon340]

Cool long roof! I look forward to the build!

[Bob in St. Louis]

Very cool!

[RMMiller]

Did not realize the Nova was a Canso. Had one around the corner from me years ago and saw the Acadian badge but don't remember the Canso. I remember my first exposure at Super Chevy in Seattle was a 68 SD427 hardtop, was a sweet car.

[darguy]

Hey Folks! It's been nearly three and a half months since picking up the Beaumont Wagon, "Beaugan" (ask an Australian friend...). I've fixed the critical safety issues, did some routine maintenance, and even took it on a somewhat harrowing week-long mission into Vancouver involving real highway speeds in a giant rain-storm. It clocked approximately 500 km and hauled a full load of cargo back home, I replaced the rear u-joint half way through the trip, but otherwise it was issue-free other than the non-trivial amounts of water ingress from the rain. The somewhat harrowing part is largely due to the engineering discrepency between base-model 1968 and the reality of 2021 motoring. To say piloting the rather large wagon with manual steering and manual drum brakes in rush-hour city traffic was challenging would be an understatement. It was a successful proof of concept mission, but also helped to highlight it's deficiencies. Which brings me to the Vision Statement.

Beaugan will be safe, comfortable, and stylish while being a pleasure to drive, responding predictably to modern road and traffic conditions.

In other words, my Wife would like driving it! That would make it the first car I've had in our 17 years together that met that criteria. I've had quite a few cars in that time, and I think the only one she's even driven was our camper van! She couldn't even go with me for drives in the Z06, she's 5'1" and it was so low that she couldn't see the horizon and it made her car-sick instantly. So, that's the Vision at least. Parts are starting to roll in, but certainly before I drive it again it's gonna need power brakes and steering at least!

[darguy]

I'm looking into a UMI suspension package for the 250 straight-6 '68 Wagon and wondering about spring rates. UMI reccomends the following:

214215

The 250 L6 is around 440 lbs, small block around 535 lbs. And I may put a 292 L6 in it in the future, which are about the same as a small block. I may also add a/c to it - wich would obviously add weight.

Considering the L6 wagon is 3,409 lbs and a small block 2dr coupe is 3,170 lbs what do you think would be appropriate spring rates? It's being built to be a daily driver and will be expected to carry stuff in the back on occasion, I want it to handle as well as possible without being too harsh.

Thoughts?

P.S. It's been over 3.5 years since my last post - I'm still in the conceptual/procurement phase of the project. In the mean-time I've built a shop and crashed my '72 Chevy pickup. So, the pickup is now in the garage. When it's fixed (and long list of long-delayed upgrades done) I'll get the wagon in and start in on it.

[68Formula]

To handle well you need to address the factory geometry shortcomings of camber gain, bumpsteer, and available static caster adjustment. This usually means taller ball joints or taller spindle, adjustable tie rods, and aftermarket control arms with built-in added positive caster. Their Stage 4 kit seems to cover nearly all, except the bumpsteer. If you're not going to track the car, then it's probably fine without the bumpsteer correction.

Of those spring choices, I'd do 450 front/250 rear to balance the wagon's extra rear weight. Limit the rear drop to 1" so you have decent suspension travel. Double adjustable shocks, so you can tune the firmness vs ride. If you plan on any towing or adding serious weight in the back, consider some airbags that fit in the rear coils and can be aired up as needed. Also, don't forget to take advantage of the rear adjustable sway bar in the kit, so you can dial in the understeer/oversteer balance.

Some 26.7-27" tall tires all around will give a little extra road clearance and fill in the wheel gaps to make it look lower, while keeping a decent ride on 18s. If you can fit a 275/40R18 all around that'd be a great setup so you can still rotate the tires. Otherwise, if you need to go smaller on the front, do a 255/45R18 / 285/40R18 stagger (should fit with the correct backspace).

[ryeguy2006a]

Don't have any input on the spring rates, but I just want to say that I love this car! I picked up a wagon recently and love all of the extra room.

[darguy]

To handle well you need to address the factory geometry shortcomings of camber gain, bumpsteer, and available static caster adjustment. This usually means taller ball joints or taller spindle, adjustable tie rods, and aftermarket control arms with built-in added positive caster. Their Stage 4 kit seems to cover nearly all, except the bumpsteer. If you're not going to track the car, then it's probably fine without the bumpsteer correction.

Of those spring choices, I'd do 450 front/250 rear to balance the wagon's extra rear weight. Limit the rear drop to 1" so you have decent suspension travel. Double adjustable shocks, so you can tune the firmness vs ride. If you plan on any towing or adding serious weight in the back, consider some airbags that fit in the rear coils and can be aired up as needed. Also, don't forget to take advantage of the rear adjustable sway bar in the kit, so you can dial in the understeer/oversteer balance.

Some 26.7-27" tall tires all around will give a little extra road clearance and fill in the wheel gaps to make it look lower, while keeping a decent ride on 18s. If you can fit a 275/40R18 all around that'd be a great setup so you can still rotate the tires. Otherwise, if you need to go smaller on the front, do a 255/45R18 / 285/40R18 stagger (should fit with the correct backspace).

We're on the same page. I'm planning to use the UMI Corner Max setup with the taller spindles and bump-steer kit, along with the Pro-Touring rear suspension kit with all the frame stiffeners, sway bars to match - along with the double adjustable coilovers. Thanks for your input on spring rates, much appreciated.

:cheers:

- - - Updated - - -


Don't have any input on the spring rates, but I just want to say that I love this car! I picked up a wagon recently and love all of the extra room.

Thanks! It's been on the back-burner for years, my goal is to start in on it by the end of the year. Got to get my '72 pickup back on the road first!

:cheers: