Pontiac joined the compact car scene in 1961 with the Tempest, which used a novel rear-mounted transaxle that afforded flat floorboards like the Chevy Corvair. In 1964, the Tempest grew to become a less innovative mid-size car, although it would spawn the hugely popular muscle machine, the GTO. This ‘68 Tempest is the entry-level model positioned below the glitzier LeMans. Located in Sandusky, Michigan, this Pontiac has been off the road for 18 years and could stand to be restored. It’s available here on craigslist for $6,800 and was brought to our attention by Pat L.!
The third generation of the Tempest/LeMans arrived in 1968 as did the rest of GM’s intermediates. If you were on a budget, you bought a Tempest 2-door pillared coupe like the seller’s car. It saw a production of just under 20,000 copies, while with its higher level of trim, the LeMans sold in far larger quantities. As the story goes, the seller’s mother bought this Pontiac new and it went into storage either when she quit driving or passed away, which in either case was the better part of two decades ago.
While the standard engine in the Tempest was a 250 cubic inch OHC inline-6, the seller’s mom sprung for the new-for-1968 350 paired with a 2-speed (we think) automatic transmission. The odometer reading is just 52,000 miles, all put on by Mom before it went into storage. It was said to be a running automobile last around 2004.
Most of the auto may be in fair shape, although there is some rust over the rear wheel wells and the rear bumper. The finish isn’t original and looks as though a makeshift two-tone paint job was applied without chrome trim to separate the roof from the lower body. The interior may be okay, but there are some fuzzy covers over the bench seat which suggest something underneath needs attention. The back seat could be okay, although in the poor light it looks stained. If you bought this “Poncho”, would you get it running first and then decide what to do next?
Something seems off at the trim line at the base of the C-pillar. I googled 68 Tempest, but couldn’t find a photo of one with the arched swoopy trim. Even the vinyl roof examples don’t swoop up quite that much.
That’s kind of a unique Quasimodo-ish hump there. The line normally went straight, and cut below the rear window.
Sure looks … different … though …
The car has been repainted (according to the ad) and the swooping trim was *ahem* an “artistic” attempt at spicing up its’ looks. (FAIL!) GLWTS!! :-)
No way, and you know the biggest giveaway on the miles? The “swinging keychain” under the ignition switch, well, that and the “very used” condition, mom, or somebody drove the heck out of this car. What makes this car unusual, is that it exists at all. Not all were wheel standing GTOs, fact is, most were plain Jane beaters, like this, and if it was moms, it never made it past the last kid, especially one that LOOKED like a musclecar. This particular car is going to need a slew of repairs, and when done, you’ll have a 1968 Tempest, but refreshing considering what will most likely happen to this car.
Given the “antique gold” interior, it’s likely had a color change along with the swoopy two-tone (which gives it a mid-70s Ford vibe).
I suspect 2 “yoots” probably used it for joy-riding
That could also explain the stains on the back seat.
The top change/trim line cracked me up.
Rubber floor covering replaced carpet in a Tempest. I took the rubber one out of a 68, weighed about four times as much as a carpet!
I must be in the minority, but I like the unique 2 tone paint job.
This poncho would be way better if it had the twin cam six cylinder and manual tranny.
Pretty sure two speed was gone by 1968
My 1970 Malibu had a 2 speed with a 307
My 68 Lemans with over 200,000 miles is still going strong with the 2 speed. In a Chevy they were called a Powerglide but in the other GM vehicles they called it a “Jet shift” either way they were a turbo 300.
Fact….The 2speed powerglide did still exist in 68 and was installed in a few various car models.I traded a 79 Firebird esprit that was costing me to much to keep ie ( not in repairs or parts, more like all the traffic related incidents I kept racking up ..use you’re imagination y’all!! ) For a 68 Tempest/ 350 custom sweet all original car it came with the 2 speed Powerglide the car was beautiful and I became surprisingly the second owner of it in a used car lot for $2800.0 or offer…. they had no idea what they had at all (original owners manual.. original Keys with the knockouts from the keys incase you lost them to make replacements in the original envelope that held the owners manual and last but not least a1968 map of Seattle also in envelope. I found all of which in the glovebox after I made the trade oh yeah cherry on top was only had 89,000 original miles!!! Still blows my mind recalling that car .. 🤘👍
Fact….The 2speed powerglide did still exist in 68 and was installed in a few various car models.I traded a 79 Firebird esprit that was costing me to much to keep ie ( not in repairs or parts, more like all the traffic related incidents I kept racking up ..use you’re imagination y’all!! ) For a 68 Tempest/ 350 custom sweet all original car it came with the 2 speed Powerglide the car was beautiful and I became surprisingly the second owner of it in a used car lot for $2800.0 or offer…. they had no idea what they had at all (original owners manual.. original Keys with the knockouts from the keys incase you lost them to make replacements in the original envelope that held the owners manual and last but not least a1968 map of Seattle also in envelope. I found all of which in the glovebox after I made the trade oh yeah cherry on top was only had 89,000 original miles!!! Still blows my mind recalling that car .. 🤘👍
Forgot to mention all that was in the late 90s
The Powerglide was available up to 1973 in both the Nova and Vega.
Murilee Martin of Autoweek did an interesting article about this a couple of years ago.
https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/classic-cars/a35542917/what-was-the-final-us-market-car-with-a-two-speed-transmission/#:~:text=Believe%20it%20or%20not%2C%20Corvette,Chevrolet%20Novas%20and%20Vegas%2C%20though.