[big bee]

I am looking at buying a 1955 pontiac 2dr station wagon.Im told it is an American model,is there a differance ? woll the motor tranny ect be the same.Ithink some of the molding on the outside is different. Please help this mystified Canadian

[Bad Karma]

IIRC The canadian Ponchos came with Chebby engines BUT Its only what I have learned from here. I have no documentation to back this. Someone with more background on the subject might chime in.

[Ron H]

The 68 firebird I own was bought in Canada with a poncho 350.

[rowling]

I know the Beaumonts were essentially a Chevelle with a GTO interior, a chevy drive train and different badging. (on the 65's anyway). I don't know the differences in the 55's though.There are a number of Canadian Pontiac sites that could help you out if you have a few minutes to surf.
Good Luck

Glen.

[Stuart]

Full size and intermediate size Pontiacs sold in Canada as new cars in the 1950s and 1960s used Chevy frames, suspensions and engines. I believe many of the cars sold in England and Australia were the same deal. So, if the car you're looking at has a straight 6 or 265ci Chevy engine, it's a Canadian car. If it has a 287ci Pontiac engine, it's a US car. If you see a '59 or '60 Canadian Pontiac, for instance, it's very apparent as they don't have the Wide-Track stance of a US car.

There's some more information available on Canadian Pontiacs at http://www.canadianpontiac.ca/
or http://www.bruneauperformance.ca/intro.html

[Bill Eveland]

For starters, all the frame,suspension and brakes are differant as noted, Pontiac used 122" or 124" wheelbase, the Chevy/ Canadian Pontiac use a 115"WB. 5x5 wheel bolt pattern for Pontiac, 4 3/4 for Chevy/Canadian. At least with the Chevy frame/suspension you can buy any aftermarket brake /suspension upgrade available.
I would think the moulding at least for the rear would be shorter because of the shorter wheelbase? The doors / trim are the same as well as the glass.

[Ron H]

Is a Beaumont a Pontiac? I always thought it was a Canadian chevy chevelle. Interesting to learn the way they built them in those years. I guess because of where the plants were and tariffs.

[PLAY400]

Firewall is also different between the Canadian and American Pontiacs due to the different stagger of the heads between the Chebbie and Pontiac engines. I had a bugger of a time putting a Pontiac motor in my 55 Canadian Pontiac so I figure a Chebbie in an American one would also be a nightmare. Steering boxes are in different locations as is the Master cylinder and heater assembly. Frames are completely different. Alan

Beaumont is a Pontiac. Used to be know as an Acadian Beaumont. Exact clone of a Chevelle except instead of the Super Sports (SS) model they had a Sport Deluxe (SD) if not mistaken. Chevy power. Made only in Canada. Super rare and extremely desirable and expensive

[cvs]

This is a Beaumont: (click to enlarge if this works!)



Chevelle sheet metal, frame, powertrain, seats, door panels.

GTO dash.

Unique grille, tail lights, emblems.

Ignore the wheels, they are Buick.

Carl

[Bad Karma]

Originally Posted by PLAY400

Firewall is also different between the Canadian and American Pontiacs due to the different stagger of the heads between the Chebbie and Pontiac engines. I had a bugger of a time putting a Pontiac motor in my 55 Canadian Pontiac so I figure a Chebbie in an American one would also be a nightmare. Steering boxes are in different locations as is the Master cylinder and heater assembly. Frames are completely different. Alan

Beaumont is a Pontiac. Used to be know as an Acadian Beaumont. Exact clone of a Chevelle except instead of the Super Sports (SS) model they had a Sport Deluxe (SD) if not mistaken. Chevy power. Made only in Canada. Super rare and extremely desirable and expensive

Supposedly It bolts right up in the 70 to 72 GTO. I think you have to move the tranny crossmember up to the next set of holes. The radiator holes may not line up. The power steering needs just a piece of rubber hose for the return line to get it to work.