It’s easy to overlook a Pontiac that isn’t a GTO or a LeMans, but this 1969 Pontiac Tempest Custom S four-door hardtop has some interesting things going for it. Listed on Craigslist in Dallas, Texas, for $6,500, this survivor is advertised with a numbers-matching Pontiac 350 V8 and automatic transmission. According to the seller, fewer than 4,000 of these four-door hardtops were built for 1969, making this an interesting find for anyone who appreciates the less common members of Pontiac’s lineup. You can find the car here on Craigslist.
The Tempest Custom S was a one-year nameplate for 1969, positioned between the entry-level Tempest and the better-equipped LeMans. Production figures list 3,918 Custom S four-door hardtops that year. The seller describes this one as a survivor and says its original equipment includes working air conditioning, a functioning radio, working gauges, and even operational cornering lights. Those are some appealing features in a car that hasn’t undergone a full restoration.
One detail that caught my eye is the vent windows. I owned a 1968 Pontiac LeMans convertible, so I remember them well. For 1969, GM eliminated vent windows on many two-door hardtops and convertibles as it moved toward its Astro Ventilation system, but many four-door models kept them. That’s why this Tempest Custom S still has them, and I noticed that detail right away.
The car’s condition is another reason it caught my attention. The seller says the floors and trunk are solid, with only a small rust spot near the front fender. It was repainted at some point, but the trunk shows some fading. The weatherstripping is reportedly in good shape, and the windows still work properly. The odometer shows 5,000 miles, although it’s unclear whether that represents the car’s actual mileage. According to the seller, the car retains its numbers, matching a 350 cubic inch V8 and automatic transmission.
You don’t see many of these Tempest Custom S four-door hardtops getting much attention these days, but then again, that’s what a lot of us used to think about station wagons! Cars that were once overlooked can become pretty interesting down the road, especially when they’re survivors like this one. With its Pontiac 350 V8, automatic transmission, and original features, this Tempest has plenty going for it. Would you leave it as-is and enjoy it, or would you be tempted to restore it?
My grandfather had one of these when I was around 16.
I got to drive it a few times and I was surprised how much power it had for a plain Jane grocery getter. They are nice cars.