Canadian Classic: 1963 Pontiac Acadian – SOLD!

June 15, 2023, Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

Chevrolet produced convertible versions of its entry-level Chevy II Nova only for the 1963 model year. So, what could be rarer than a 1963 Chevrolet Nova convertible?  How about the Canadian version of the same car? Long before the North American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA”), the US-Canadian Auto Pact restricted sales of certain US-built models in Canada as a way to promote more car production in that country.  Two cars targeted by that agreement included the Chevrolet Chevy II and Pontiac’s Senior Compact, the Tempest.  Consequently, Pontiac of Canada manufactured a badge-engineered version of Chevrolet’s Chevy II line for much of the 1960s.

The seller of this white over red 1963 Pontiac Acadian convertible, spotted on Craigslist in May 2023 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, does not provide many details. However, they do mention that it has a Chevrolet-built inline-six engine combined with a Powerglide automatic transmission. The seller does not specify if their Acadian is original or restored. We hope the former is true as the car only has 45K miles.

Last offered for $19,777, Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the collector car market, confirms the ask is well below the one-year rolling average of this guide’s summary for first-generation 1963 Chevrolet Chevy II’s of all trim levels and body styles. We note that the average shown in this graph is swayed somewhat by a number of SS-trimmed sales,  so by clicking on the green dots in the graph below, you can navigate to each comparable car sold as a way to help you evaluate the price of the truck featured here:

As a second data point, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #2 Very Good” estimate of $18,100 and its #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $27,100 based on values for a 1963 Chevrolet Nova.

The 1960s Canada-United States Automotive Products Agreement (“APTA” or “Auto Pact”) was designed to promote more automobile manufacturing in Canada. Part of that provision actually prevented the sales of certain United States-made cars. General Motors offered cars made in Canada specifically for the Canadian market. These included the Acadian and Beaumont models. The Beaumont started as an Acadian model, but it became its own brand in 1966.

 Initially, Acadians were retrimmed Chevy IIs, offered as a base model, mid-priced Invader, and top-line Beaumont. The car had styling cues from Pontiac, such as a split grille. However, it was never promoted as a Pontiac. Instead, it was marketed as a separate make.

 As with the concurrent Chevy II, Acadians were offered with a choice of four-cylinder, six-cylinder, and V8 engines. The type of transmission depended on the model and engine. Options included three- and four-speed manual gearboxes or the two-speed Powerglide automatic. During its early years, the top-line Beaumont offered more bright work than the equivalent Chevy II Nova.

In 1963, a new mid-range series Acadian was introduced as the Canso, priced in between the Beaumont and Invader. It was available as a two- or four-door sedan.

The 1963 Pontiac Acadian was a compact car produced by General Motors of Canada under the Pontiac brand. It was based on the Chevrolet Chevy II/Nova platform and shared many similarities with its Chevrolet counterpart. The Acadian was marketed exclusively in Canada and aimed to offer Canadian consumers a Pontiac-branded compact car.

In terms of its exterior design, the 1963 Pontiac Acadian featured clean and straightforward styling. It had a boxy and angular shape, typical of cars from that era. The front end was adorned with a chrome-accented grille, which was flanked by dual headlights on either side. The overall appearance of the Acadian was modest yet appealing, emphasizing its practicality and functionality.

The Acadian was offered in a variety of body styles. These included a two-door sedan, a four-door sedan, a two-door hardtop, and a four-door station wagon. These options provided customers with choices to suit their preferences and needs.

Inside the cabin, the 1963 Pontiac Acadian offered a comfortable and functional environment. It could accommodate up to six passengers, depending on the body style. The interior featured bench seats upholstered in vinyl or cloth, depending on the trim level.

The dashboard design was simple yet elegant, with a focus on functionality. It housed a set of analog gauges, controls for various vehicle functions, and a centrally-mounted radio.

Under the hood, the Acadian offered a range of engine options. The base engine was a 153 cubic-inch (2.5-liter) inline-four engine, which produced around 90 horsepower. There were optional inline-six engines available.

These included the 194 cubic-inch (3.2-liter) and 230 cubic-inch (3.8-liter) variants. They offered higher power outputs than standard engines. Engines were connected to a three-speed manual transmission as standard. Additionally, a two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission could be chosen as an option.

The 1963 Pontiac Acadian offered a comfortable ride. Its front coil spring and rear leaf spring suspension setup helped to achieve this. Power steering and power brakes were available as optional features to enhance driving convenience and safety.

The Pontiac Acadian was a practical and economical compact car option for Canadian consumers in the early 1960s. It did not offer the same performance or luxury as some of the larger Pontiac models. However, it served its purpose.

This vehicle was popular among buyers looking for a compact and affordable option. Its performance was reliable, its engines were efficient, and its design was modest yet stylish.

The Saturday’s World YouTube Channel features this launch video of the 1962 Chevrolet Nova set in San Francisco:

This is the first time we have come across a Pontiac Acadian for sale on Craigslist. Canada had not adopted the metric system in the early 1960s. Therefore, it is safe to assume that the 45,068 odometer reading provided by the seller is in miles, not kilometers.

Either way that makes this 1963 Pontiac Acadian convertible for sale a very rare example. Buyers looking for a Chevrolet Nova for sale or a rare Chevrolet Chevy II for sale should seriously consider this example.

If you are serious about buying this Acadian, you can start the conversation by using the contact information provided in the seller’s Craigslist ad.  When you connect, please remember to mention you saw their restored pickup featured here on GuysWithRides.com. Good luck with the purchase!

Here’s the seller’s brief description:

Show or go: What would you do with this 1963 Pontiac Acadian convertible for sale?  Please comment below and let us know!