HISTORY OF ACADIAN BY GM MOTORS

From 1962 through 1971 General Motors of Canada produced the Acadian line of vehicles. The vehicles were to be based on various GM vehicles such as the Chevrolet Corvair and the Chevelle. The purpose of the new vehicle line was for Pontiac and Buick dealers in Canada to have a compact model to sell to their customers. Part of the problem was that the Pontiac Tempest was not sold in Canada.

The Acadian vehicles were available in nine models plus a variety of colors and interior options. A few of the options were fully carpeted floor, foam padding the front and rear seats, vinyl, chrome instrument knobs, two-tone steering wheel, glove box light, and deluxe door handles to name a few. Under the hood the options were just as vast.

The Acadian was originally designed to utilize the Chevrolet Corvair platform but when production began it was based on the Chevrolet II / Nova. The Acadians were the base model, the Invader filled in the mid-price segment, while the Beaumont was the top-of-the-line offering. In 1964 and 1965 the Canso was the top offering as the Beaumont became a trim version on the Chevrolet Chevelle. They included different taillights and a Pontiac style grille. Under the hood was a Chevrolet power-plant. The interior dash panel was courtesy of the Pontiac Tempest.

The Pontiac Acadian was sold as a version of the Chevrolet Chevette from 1976 through 1987 through the Canadian Pontiac and Buick dealers.