While some owners will make outrageous claims about the odometer reading of their classic car, the owner of this 1967 Pontiac Tempest would seem to have the documentation to back his claim. It is an original and unrestored two-owner survivor that would make a practical classic for an enthusiast with a growing family. This Pontiac would benefit from a cosmetic refresh, but there would be no shame retaining the car as-is. Located in Zionsville, Indiana, you will find the Tempest listed for sale here on Craigslist. The owner has set the sale price of this classic at $18,000 OBO. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Gransedan for spotting this fantastic survivor for us.
This original and unrestored Tempest rolled off the production line wearing Montreaux Blue paint. It still presents quite nicely for a vehicle of this age, with a respectable shine and no major paint flaws. However, the panels have accumulated many minor bruises and blemishes, with the seller indicating that these were all inflicted by the first owner. There is nothing horrendous and nothing that would require immediate attention. If the buyer wanted to retain this Tempest as an original and unrestored survivor, there would be no shame in that approach. Its rust issue is negligible and confined to a tiny spot at the bottom of the back window. It is where one of the retaining clips holds the chrome strip in place, and addressing this would be a straightforward process. The external trim and the chrome are acceptable for a survivor-grade vehicle, while there are no issues with the glass.
Lifting the hood reveals a significant point of difference between this Tempest and most others that we have featured in the past year at Barn Finds. This car’s engine bay is occupied by a 230ci OHC six-cylinder engine backed by a two-speed Powerglide transmission. With only 165hp available under the right foot, this Tempest could never be mistaken for a muscle car. The journey down the ¼ mile would take a relatively leisurely 20.2 seconds. However, outright performance was not the prime objective with this car. It is a comfortable open-road cruiser and will sit happily on 70mph all day. The owner claims that this classic has a genuine 19,000 miles showing on its odometer. Usually, I would treat such claims with a grain of salt. However, it appears that he holds all of the documentation and service records to verify his claim. The Pontiac runs and drives well and is a turnkey proposition for its new owner.
While this Pontiac’s exterior might benefit from a refresh, the buyer won’t need to spend much money inside this classic. The carpet looks slightly dirty, and it would be worth treating it to a deep clean to see if it could be returned to a better standard of presentation. Otherwise, the buyer may choose to spend $200 on a new carpet set. That seems to be the only thing that this interior requires. The pale blue vinyl upholstery is virtually flawless, with no signs of wear or physical damage. The dash and pad are equally impressive, and there’s no evidence of cracks on the wheel. The interior isn’t loaded with luxury extras, with an AM radio being one of the few nods to creature comfort. However, you would have to think that it would garner favorable comments at a Cars & Coffee in its current state.
I do not doubt that we will have readers who will look at this 1967 Pontiac Tempest and would love to give that OHC six-cylinder engine the old “heave-ho” so that a V8 could take its place. I understand that sentiment because the result would be a vehicle with vastly improved performance potential. However, its overall originality would seem to justify retaining the car untouched. Whether that extends to leaving the panels and paint as they currently stand is open to debate, but addressing its sole rust issue would remain a priority regardless. With those thoughts in mind, would you make any changes to this classic, or would you allow it to wear its survivor tag with pride?
Very few cars could be considered an original survivor. I think this one makes it in every sense of the word. It would be a crime to change it in any way. I think the OHC engine makes it special and is refreshing to see that in this car. Hopefully whoever buys it continues to preserve it.
I fully agree.
If it’s got a 4 bbl, it’s 215hp. 165hp is with the 1 barrel economy models. And I don’t think the economy models would have a call out on the front fenders like this car does so I’d assume it’s the 215hp version. Better pictures would be nice. Either way, the Sprint engine has historical significance and it would be a shame to rip it out. It’s not like it’s a Chevy straight six. I’d try to mod or turbo it if you have a need for speed
If it was a Sprint the callouts would have Sprint under the OHC6 and body stripes between the wheel wells. I believe they also had a chrome open element air cleaner.
One thing about the OHC 6, if I bought the car the first thing I’d do is replace the rubber timing belt. Who knows when it was done.
I agree, even though some say that this engine has its problems. I knew a kid in high school who had a 68 Tempest with one and it never gave him trouble. BTW, the transmission is a Super Turbine 300, not a Powerglide.
JCA a dual exhaust w 215hp 6pot would be just perfect. Keep it original
My first car……except it was a cream color with black int.
I don’t take these crazy low mileage claims with a grain of salt, but with the whole shaker. If the miles are genuine then why do the odo numbers not line up? I’ll give you a clue..a drill driving the speedo cable backwards.
I tend to agree. Why would a car like this only have 19K miles? It wouldn’t, but if it did, there would have to be a good story behind it. Is there such a story here? If there is, does it smell fishy?
More likely 119,000 miles and not 19,000. If I were interested in this car,and driving it, I would snatch that 6 out in a cold minute and replace it with an age appropriate carb V8.
I put 60% as the over/under on this soon becoming a “242” car.
Keep it original, it’s more rare than a GTO! As far as the mileage goes, the seller states (and mentioned in the article) he has the documentation. Given the condition, I believe it. One could drive around all day with his/her arm slung over the door without breaking the bank!
Beautiful car!
Can we get past the misguided belief that if the odometer numerals don’t perfectly align, it immediately indicates a rolled back speedometer? I’ve owned and driven MANY new cars (and motorcycles) that developed staggered odometer numerals as miles accumulated. If you were to disassemble an older analog speedometer, you’d find that the numeral tumblers are often sloppy mechanical devices.
I wouldn’t worry about whether the mileage is true, it has obviously been pampered over it’s life. With the 18K asking price I fully expected to scroll down and see a four door. The OHC six is not a disappointment and would be a solid conversation piece at any show.
This Pontiac with a 6 cylinder and automatic transmission, definitely has former Mee maw car written all over it. Whether it has 19k or 119k miles it’s still a solid survivor. But the asking price is too steep to justify a 389 engine swap.
Very nice automobile.I would be proud to own it.
I talked to an older guy (my age) who had one of these at a local Cars and Coffee this summer. He had done a lot of work on the six, machine work, webers, headers. He went into a lot of detail and showed me a dyno printout showing 350 hp. It sounded great. I’d keep it like it is.
If youre buying and keeping and driving it you can do what you want regarding keeping the six or doing an upgrade V8. But at the price point it is,, you’d better be happy with the 6 and automatic.
Great car and with that unique motor in it I would just drive it and enjoy it. The high point of this motor was 69 when the 4-bl version made a cool 230hp.The week point on them was if you did not change the oil enough it would plug up the valve train and it wiped out camshafts. I was a parts manager for pontiac from 1973 to 1978 and always kept half a dozen of both 1-bl cams and 4-bl cams in stock. The 4-bl cam in the 1-bl motor did give it a little more pick up.
All You Skeptic’s talking The Man stated he has doc’s to Prove the Odometer Reads Correct.
I would Change that timing Belt and Have Vintage air Installed and Maybe Past that a Professional Detailer Wise in every way
Then Drive it to the shows till I was offered 40 Grand. and then still might wanna keep her a bit longer.
Damned Nice Machine
When my father was finally ready to retire the strip model 1964 Ford Fairlane he had bought new in 1963, we had gone to the Pontiac dealer and looked at the Tempest as a replacement. Had he purchased a new Tempest, it would have been this car, minus the power brakes.
Instead, in 1968 he purchased a one year old used Checker Marathon.
Nice car, plain, looks 19,000 to me. I’d drop the Powerglide and either put
in a 3-4 speed auto or a 4 speed manual, as sed replace the timing belt., carpet set, change the brakes to power discs.
I like it, and I would definitely keep it as is with the exception of the Transmission, maybe a 3 spd TH350 would be a better choice. The current 2 spd was more likely a ST300 and not a power glide as used in the Chevrolet models. I have seen and driven a lot of cars over the last 4 decades and have only seen maybe 2 of these nice 6 cyl Ponchos.
This one would be great for an LS swap, adjustable coil over suspension, disc brakes all around and some nice 18” wheels with wide tires.
Pontiac’s 2-speed automatic is mistakenly referred to as a Powerglide, which is Chevrolet’s version of a 2-speed slush box. Pontiac, Oldsmobile and Buick ran the Super Turbine 300 (ST-300) 2-speed gearbox as the base automatic in their A-body intermediates and some entry-level model B-body full-size cars from 1964-1969, as well as in the OHC6/326/350 Firebird from 1967-1969. Although similar, the ST-300 was an entirely different design than the Powerglide. Additionally, Oldsmobile’s and Buick’s version ran a variable pitch torque converter. The ST-300 and the Powerglide are both stout and very reliable transmissions.
When I saw the first thumbnail for this write up I was hoping it was an ohc 6. Neighbors had one when I was growing up and it’s a shame gm didnt keep going along these lines.
Despite his problems John Z D. Had Pontiac moving in the right direction. There is absolutely no way I’d change it to a v8. For people stuck on a v8 buy a different one. There are thousands of V8 ones around. It its present configuration this 6 cyl is way more rare and much more of a conversation piece as it sits. Bit high on price but that’s today’s market
What Brian T said is correct. I am 62 and had four OHC6 Pontiacs back in the day. One was a 68 firebird- bored out to 4″ and used 327 Pistons- Put the Sprint head on it, ported, Sprint 4bbl intake with Holly 4160 type, and 3″ dual exhaust. Once I had it dialed in this thing would wind up past 8K and handled much better than a V8. Doing all this did not ruin the integrity of the car. I wish I had kept it…I was in to the fact that DeLoean had commissioned this engine to compete with the Jag…I still have a 68 LeMans….
Brian T is correct- I am 62 and had 4 Pontiac OHC6’s back in the day. One was in a 68 Firebird. I bored it out to 4″, Put the Sprint head on it, ported, Holly 4160 Type carb, dual 3″ exhaust. This thing would wind up to 8K and handled way better than a V8. The bottom end is bullet proof, and if you have the cam housing align honed and use the right springs it will do it. I was into the fact that DeLorean had comissioned this engine to compete with the Jaguars at the time. Sorry I sold it. This car is an EXCELLENT candidate for this and its a blast. I still have a 68 LeMans.
Wow! 18 large for practically a stripper Tempest with a freakin 6 cylinder! Channeling HoA..gimme a break!