The Acadian was produced by General Motors of Canada from 1962 to 1971 as a compact model to sell in the North. Initially, these car were retrimmed Chevrolet IIs and were offered as a base model. Although the car used Pontiac styling cues, it was never marketed as Pontiac, but more as a make in and of itself.

The top-of-the-line version was dubbed the Canso, and it was made available with the Sport Deluxe package, which was similar to the Chevrolet II Super Sport. This package included the same Strato-bucket seats, a consult floor-shift transmission, and unique Sport Deluxe emblems.

The Acadian offered here was built at Pontiac’s Oshawa, Ontario, plant before being delivered new to a Mr. J. Holmes through Franklin Prouse Motors, of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Prior to being purchased by the Andrews’, this Acadian Canso had left its native Canada and was residing in California.

The car was originally fitted with the Canso Sport Deluxe 350-brake horsepower, 327-cubic inch V-8 engine, but it has since been upgraded with a 555-cubic inch V-8 by Pat Musi Performance, and its original four-speed manual has been replaced with a five-speed unit. Its suspension, both in the front and rear, was fully upgraded by Chris Alston Chassisworks, and it contains all new components throughout. Additionally, it has been fitted with a new fuel tank and an upgraded Weldon racing fuel pump, which feed its monstrous V-8. The only hint of upgrades from the exterior are the American Racing wheels, which are wrapped in modern tires. Inside, a set of new SW gauges in a custom gauge cluster was installed, along with a detachable three-spoke suede steering wheel.

As this Acadian Canso Sport Deluxe puts out nearly twice the horsepower it had when new, there’s no doubt that it is an absolute blast to drive. With suspension and drivetrain upgrades to match, the car’s handling is not compromised by its massive increase in power, making it that much more palatable and manageable on the street. Acadian Canso Sport Deluxes are seldom seen on the open road, and this example is probably one of the fastest of its kind.

For the horsepower junkie looking for modern performance with a classic look and a Canadian twist, they need look no further, eh!