Back in 2008, one of the greatest Barn Finds in history sold on eBay for around $250,000: Stan Antlocer’s 1963 Tempest LeMans Super Duty drag car. I followed that car religiously for that frantic week of the sale because it was located about an hour from my house, and only about 15 minutes from my wife’s hometown. I could have easily driven by it a dozen times or more without knowing it was there; it might have even been for sale on the side of the road…who knows. This 1962 Tempest isn’t a rare factory racer, but it is an homage to drag racing great Mickey Thompson, who raced Pontiacs in the early 1960s and built something similar. Our friend T.J. brings it to us from eBay in Commack, New York, and so far, the high bid is $22,300 (which hasn’t yet met reserve).
The seller doesn’t give us too many details about the build, but what is mentioned is pretty good. It has a 428-cubic-inch Pontiac with dual quads, an induction system common on Super Duty cars in the early 1960s. The engine is a good fit, because the 326 was used in the very similar 1963 Tempest, and anyone who knows Pontiac knows that the blocks were all the same physical size, whether it was a 326 or a 455. This one has a Wilwood master cylinder, so we’ll assume it has Wilwood brakes, and the transmission is a Turbo 400 with a reverse valve body.
Aside from the modern shifter and gauges, the interior is much as the factory left it, although the roll bar and missing back seat indicate that the Tempest’s purpose is not shuttling groceries around town.
The original Tempest drag cars actually used a much-modified transaxle and independent suspension, which was based on the stock Tempest with its “half-a-389” slant-four. Stan Antlocer’s car was upgraded to a solid axle out of a big Pontiac and a pair of leaf springs; this one’s also been treated to a solid axle swap, but it has what appears to be a four-link setup and coil over shocks to keep the tail planted. The seller says that the car has a “Fabcraft-built” limited-slip rear end with 3.42:1 gears, which are quite a bit taller but definitely more streetable than the 3.90s and 4.11s the drag cars used.
The early 1960s was an exciting time in Pontiac performance, just before GM pulled out of racing (at least overtly). Pontiacs could be readily found on the high banks and drag strips of America, and neat cars like this modified Tempest were part of the fun.
Wow, will move out in a hurry no doubt. Was hoping to see a stick shift in there, nice call on 3.42 gears. Thanks for the link on that factory rocket Torh.
Nice looking car, understated and well executed, it deserves to do well at auction.
Steve R
Arnie”The Farmer” Beswick. His “Tameless Tiger” was one of the 1st funny cars, and gave Mopar and Ford plenty of trouble. I think this car would be nuts to drive sanely. I read, a ’63 “Super Duty” Tempest, would run low 12s@ 115 mph. I’d expect this to be the same.
Since drag racing doesn’t come up often, I thought some might like to hear,,,John Force has decided not to drive a funny car anymore. Not particularly shocking news after his devastating crash last year, he will still oversee the racing operations however. Also, his daughter Brittany will be exiting the racing scene to start a family, Josh Hart, of the R&L dragster, will be taking her place.
Had one of these in the early 70’s except mine had a 6 banger and a three on the tree, best 400 bucks I ever spent! Great little cars!
3 on the tree shifting the transaxle?
Mine wasn’t a drag car it was a stock daily driver.
ALL RISE TO ARNIE ” THE FARMER ‘ BESWICK
The original super duty Tempests came with aluminum front end parts and I met a gent that had a pair of the light weight fenders that as a 140 kid, i could lift a fender with my little finger!
Love the Ford hood scoop!
This Tempest is really something else. You can tell a lot of work and hours went into the build I remember reading about these years ago, I thought there was one that was built with a beefed up 4 speed Hydramatic? I may not be remembering it right though. Nice Tempest!!
Nice hood scoop; used on Ford trucks beginning in the Fifties.
one of Arnie’s mechanics Dave “Doc” Manchester taught auto shop at Proviso West in Hillside Illinois back in the sixties, he taught me well as I went on to become a mechanic for American Airlines.
What a Neat little car! That’s the way I would want it…Beefed-up 400 Turbo!
Great transmissions! The 428’s were no slouch either! Everything looks like was really done neatly!
Looks like the Dent Dr. needs to do a little work on the hood but other than that looks good to go!
I remember that auction as i too followed it. I knew something was different about it, even at the $500.00? starting price. My dads buddy ran the West Virginia HemiChargers out of Charleston WVa and i spent many weekends with them at the strip when i was a wee lad. Bet he crapped his pants when the action ended at 250K!. I also bet his wife never said another word about him bringing old cars home either!
A good friend of mine has a dragster exactly like this one, only bronze colored
Sold on 11/30/2025 for a high bid of $27,500, there were 6 bidders and 22 bids. Well bought.
Steve R