Beaumont was a make of mid-sized automobiles produced by General Motors of Canada from 1964 to 1969. These cars were based on the Chevrolet Chevelle, but the line had its own logo and nameplate, and was neither marketed nor actively sold in the United States. Its logo consisted of an arrow, similar to that of Pontiac, but with a maple leaf to signify its dual heritage from both sides of Lake Ontario.
1962-1965: As an Acadian
To promote automobile manufacturing in Canada, the Auto Pact (APTA) in the 1960s had provisions prohibiting sales of certain American-made cars. General Motors responded by offering certain makes of cars manufactured in Canada primarily for the Canadian market such as Acadian and Beaumont.
Beaumont started out as a trim level of the Acadian line from 1962 to 1965. The Acadian from 1962 to 1969 was based on the contemporary Chevrolet Chevy II (Nova). Beaumonts were sold at Pontiac-Buick Dealers primarily for the Canadian market, but were also made and sold in some countries outside of North America.
In 1962, the Acadian was offered in eight models with either base Invader or deluxe Beaumont series. The Beaumont provided extra quality trim, identifications, and luxury. Items such as foam-cushioned rear seats, horn ring on steering wheel, rear armrests, and automatic front door dome light switches were standard Beaumont features.
In 1963, the Acadian was offered in four series: base Invader, midlevel Canso, deluxe Beaumont, or Beaumont Sport Deluxe. The Beaumont again offered similar trim, identification, and luxury as the 1962 model did. The Beaumont Sport Deluxe was equivalent to the Chevy II Nova Super Sport, added deluxe identification and a substantial number of luxury items - upgraded upholstery and trim in six possible colours, extra cushion padding in bucket seats and rear seats, deluxe door handles, glove box light, and chrome-plated heat control and instrument panel knobs. With a Powerglide automatic transmission or three speed manual, a console and floor-mounted shift lever were standard on the Beaumont Sport Deluxe with the Powerglide only. Only a 6 cylinder was available.
In 1964 and 1965, GM of Canada sold an "Acadian Beaumont" based on the Chevelle A-body platform, and continued to sell the Chevy II-based Acadian. By 1966, the Acadian was clearly Chevy II-based, and the Beaumont was Chevelle-based. Many people considered the cars to be Pontiacs, but GM marketed them as a separate marque. All model years are primarily Chevrolet, with only minor trim differences and (for Chevelle-based cars) Pontiac Tempest/LeMans-based instrument panels. This is because Canada required GM to have a certain percentage of Canadian content in the vehicles sold domestically. The popular Beaumont became available in three series on the Acadian - Beaumont Standard, Beaumont Custom, and Beaumont Sport Deluxe. A base-trimmed Beaumont Standard convertible was also offered, a model also produced in the base Chevelle line in Canada, but not in the United States.
1966-1969: As a standalone marque
From 1966, the Acadian name was only used for the Nova-based car and Beaumont became a standalone marque, still sold by Pontiac-Buick dealers. The interiors used the dash panel from the (U.S.) Pontiac Tempest/LeMans/GTO series. Exterior sheetmetal is shared with the Chevelle (the rear taillight housings are Beaumont-exclusive - taillight lenses have wraparound corners with the exception of the 1967 model, where its trapezoidal shape is similar in appearance to the one used on the later 1969 Plymouth Belvedere/Satellite). While full wheel covers came from the Pontiac LeMans, small hubcaps and rally wheels were similarly trimmed but not the same as on the Chevelle.