'65 Beaumont Convertible

[Arctic_Ragtop]

***Autocross footage from June 21, 2015*** https://youtu.be/3XSR6ubLqFY

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This thread will follow the progress on my 1965 Acadian Beaumont Convertible. This car has been in my family since the '70s and I have plenty of great childhood memories of riding around in it (and smoky burouts) with dad when I was a kid.

It is powered by a 396 Big Block hooked to a TH400.

This picture was taken when I picked it up in 2013.



I decided on a set of 17" Vintage Wheel Works V40's with 255/45/17s and am really happy with the wheels and tires. I will admit that the tires are pretty tight in the wheel wells. Will go with 245's next time.

[Arctic_Ragtop]

Before embarking on any suspension or brake upgrades, I entered an autocross to get a baseline on how it performed. It handled like Noah's Arc.

I decided to upgrade the factory drum brakes to factory style disc brakes, went with an SSBC kit. I should have went with Wilwood from the start but will upgrade that later.
Got the new Spindle on, and then didnt like the look of the factory suspension anymore, so I ordered a UMI Performance Stage 5 Handling setup. This included Viking Double Adjustable Coilovers for the front and Double Adjustable shocks for the rear. UMI is a great company to deal with, excellent customer service, awesome product, perfect fitment, top notch quality, and great prices. I completely recommend them if you are looking at upgrading your suspension.

[Arctic_Ragtop]

Now that I had the front suspension and brakes done, my attention turned to the rear. That went in alot easier than I was expecting. The hardest part was getting the old bushings out of the ears on the differential, although this wasnt as difficult as anticipated. A little help from a torch and an air chisel and I was done. My little guy came out to check on the progress.


Attachment 112816


Once the rear suspension was complete I turned my attention to the Dakota Digital Dash I had waiting in the cue. Much like I did with UMI's product, I will give a solid review to the Dakota Digital proudct. The product fitment, quality, instructions and overall satisfaction with this company has been great. I would estimate that it took me 6-8 hours to get the entire system wired and functioning.

[RaceFace]

Lookin' good!! Keep the pictures coming!!

[Arctic_Ragtop]

I also updated the electrical system to MAD Electrical's New System, with a Ford Style starter solenoid and headlight relays, fan relays, starter relay. For anyone that has a factory wired 60's GM, you should look into what MAD Electical has to offer. Mark is a wealth of knowledge and his system is a great upgrade. http://www.madelectrical.com/

After much consideration I ended up fabricating a panel to mount the relays on, that sits behind the drivers side headlight and is not visible (unless you poke your head in beside where the horn goes and look for it). I wont waste too much time talking about Mark's MAD Electrical NEW System, other than saying that it is great and I am 100% glad I did this. No more haet soaked starter leaving me stranded




I also updated the factory v-belt pulley system and radiator to a DeWitts Direct Fit Aluminum Radiator with Dual Spal Fans, and a March Serpentine System. The Big Block used to overheat if there wasn't sufficient airflow, the factory clutch fan couldnt keep up, but now it will sit and idle all day long, the DeWitts Rad and Spal Fans do the job well. Very happy with Tom @ DeWitt's




I also updated the 70's B&M Quick Click to a more modern version of the same style shifter, went with a B&M Pro Ratchet, because I love the ratchet shifter and wanted keep it nostalgic.

[Motown 454]

Your making some nice upgrades. The Dash looks Sweet!

[analyte]

Great history with the car and great choices on upgrades!!

Subscribed for more.

[Arctic_Ragtop]

I got most of the little bugs worked out and went to a local show and shine last night.

[Arctic_Ragtop]

I couldn't get the brakes bled no matter what I did, whether manually bleeding or using pneumatic bleeder, didn't matter. Would build pedal pressure when pumped up a few times but would lose it after a few minutes. I checked and checked and triple checked everything, then called the Wilwood tech line. He said that a 7/8" is for a disc/disc application and does not push enough volume for rear drums, and recommended a 15/16" or larger master. I ended up going with a 1" because it was what the local go fast parts store had in stock, knowing this meant there would be more pedal force required to stop the car, but that is ok with me. Worked like a charm. Brakes work great now.

[Arctic_Ragtop]

Here are a few pictures from the charity car show we went to today. They had a class for Soap Box Derby cars, so we brought my boys championship winner from the Soap Box Races last weekend (there were 50 of them but only 6 showed up to the show today).

Note* The battle wounds on the passenger side front quarter panel were sustained when this Tire-Smokin' Octane-Burnin' Top-Down-Treasure was stolen out of my fathers garage in 1999. Luckily it burns a lot of aforementioned octane, and was found on the side of a country road out of gas with bald tires. One day I will re-paint it but for now it tells a story of the hardship it once faced.

[Arctic_Ragtop]

Some of my best childhood memories involve burnouts in this car so I decided a Line Loc was a good idea, to help carry on that legacy with my children. I can smoke the tires without the LL but wanted it anyway. Part of the reason I went with this shifter is because I knew I could get the switch in the shift ball, which I really like. I decided on the Hurst Roll Control vs B&M Launch Control, even tho I have a B&M shifter because of the Stainless Solenoid body, vs the B&M's Brass body. I like the way it turned out. Don't have any smoky burnout pics yet but they'll be sure to follow.

[Arctic_Ragtop]

We've got an autocross coming up this weekend, I think I will put the old 15s on and give it a go. Also gives me a good opportunity to test the Line Loc. I dont want to rub the 255s in the wheel wells, they are just a little too big. There is lots of room to drive it normally but I dont want to take a chance of wrecking the fender if I am pushing it on the Auto Cross track. Our Auto Cross is done in a relatively small parking lot and the course has alot of tight turns, and the big tires rubbed the fenders last time.

[Arctic_Ragtop]

[Arctic_Ragtop]

The Autocross went really well... The car handles so much better than it did with the stock 50 year old suspension. I had people coming up to me all day asking me if they could go for a ride in it. I didn't get the fastest time but I'm pretty sure I had the most fun, the other entries were a bunch of Subaru's, Mustangs and other FWD garbage. The old 15" wheels and BFG 225s helped make sure the crowd was entertained.

here is the GoPro footage from last weekend https://youtu.be/3XSR6ubLqFY

[Arctic_Ragtop]

Here is a good comparison of last summers base test vs this summer with the UMI Suspension.

[Motown 454]

Definitely running a lot flatter in the corners. Nice job.

[Arctic_Ragtop]