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Beaumont wagon, factory 4 speed

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GLHS60

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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Back in high school I had a lady teacher who sometimes picked me up when I had to hitch hike to school if I my car/ motorcycle was broken etc. When she first started picking me up she had one of those very unusual 1963 Tempest convertibles with the half a 389 V8, slant 4 cylinder engine, flexable driveshaft and rear trans/axle. Sounds wierd even today. Anyway she was a horse person and also had an old beater 1/2 T pickup. Well one morning she picks me up driving a brand new blue 66 Beaumont station wagon and when I hop in I noticed it had a factory 4 speed !! She told me she was very disapointed with her new car as she made a factory order for a 327 and 4 speed but the 4 speed wasn't at all like her pick up 4 speed. She needed a truck style transmission with the very low 1st gear to creep her horse trailer around horse tracks and barn areas and the car 1st gear was way too fast. So she traded it in on a new GMC pickup and got what she wanted although it probably cost quite a bit as the Beaumont wasn't exactly a popular model for most people. A neighbor friend somehow came up with some $$ and was driving it right after. The Beaumont quickly made a reputation as a very fast car locally but my friend moved away and I never heard of the Beaumont again. Anyone ever seen one like it??

Thanks
Randy
 
Cam

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#5 ·
I have never heard of a Beaumont wagon with a factory 4-speed, although I do realize they were offered.

In 1966 all 4-speed Beaumont wagons would use a Saginaw, but by the sound of things the wagon you speak of with the granny gear 1st was likely a 283 car. The 283 4-speed used a 3.11:1 low, while the 327 (275 horse) 4-speed would have used the 2.54:1 low. Badging on the Beaumonts would have just said "V8" regardless of the V8 under the hood (even a Sport Deluxe with a 396 just said "V8").

Back when I was in grade 2 (1969/70) my teacher drove a '64 Beaumont 2-door post with a 4-speed (it was customized with vintage speed equipment and was used as a winter beater while her '69 Chevelle SS396 was stored for the winter, only to be traded in for a new LS-6 Chevelle in 1970!)
 
1

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#6 ·
Cam said:
by the sound of things the wagon you speak of with the granny gear 1st was likely a 283 car. The 283 4-speed used a 3.11:1 low, while the 327 (275 horse) 4-speed would have used the 2.54:1 low.
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I think the poster was stating that the trans WASN'T like the truck trans, sounds like it didn't have a real low 1st gear, so that would go with the "327" he though it was... Right?
 
Cam

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#7 ·
1966_L78 said:
I think the poster was stating that the trans WASN'T like the truck trans, sounds like it didn't have a real low 1st gear, so that would go with the "327" he though it was... Right?
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Doh! :clonk: That what I get for typing while watching Barett-Jackson at the same time! I need to pay attention! :D
 
A

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#9 ·
Chad, which one did you pick up? can you post some pics? what is the colour? there was a red one in the kelowna area a couple of years ago, and there's a butternut yellow/black interior 327 wagon in field out in either ab or sk as well...

i'd like a 67 convertible, but a wagon is sure sounding like a cool ride too!
ak
 
GLHS60

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Discussion Starter · #13 ·
All this wagon talk has got me itching!! I have a friend that has I think a 70 Nomad stashed and now I think I'll track him down to see what he's doing with it. I've had a few wagons in my day, most recently a 63 Dodge wagon drag car but sold it a few years ago. I had a 60 Chevy wagon years ago with a 348 that was a really nice car. It had something I've never seen before or after, it had a little panel on the floor of the wagon part and when you lifted it up a little plate with the Positraction warning sticker on it flipped out.

Thanks
Randy
 
P

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#14 ·
70 wagons rule...would love to have a 66 beaumont convertible SD though...While I was looking for my 66 chevelle convertible I came across one and should have bought it instead...I love the chevelle but the beaumont are unique down here in Ca.
 
S

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#15 ·
A-body wagons make great hot rods- check my sig for pics of mine. I'd love to get a Beaumont grille for it- just to be different.

Mine has a 6-speed stick too. It rocks- lots of gears to bang and more than 20 mpg on the freeway.

(If anyone has a cherry '67 Beaumont grille they'd like to get rid of....let me know!)
 
C

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#16 ·
http://
ak 67SD said:
Chad, which one did you pick up? can you post some pics? what is the colour? there was a red one in the kelowna area a couple of years ago, and there's a butternut yellow/black interior 327 wagon in field out in either ab or sk as well...

i'd like a 67 convertible, but a wagon is sure sounding like a cool ride too!
ak
Click to expand...
if this worked here is the wagon I aquired..needs work..lots of work but I think it will be fun
 
C

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#17 ·
Scotch said:
A-body wagons make great hot rods- check my sig for pics of mine. I'd love to get a Beaumont grille for it- just to be different.

Mine has a 6-speed stick too. It rocks- lots of gears to bang and more than 20 mpg on the freeway.

(If anyone has a cherry '67 Beaumont grille they'd like to get rid of....let me know!)
Click to expand...
I am in the middle of trying to buy a parts car that has a good grill, other then it is missing the "spear" which is normal?
 
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chader
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