Listed for sale here on Craigslist and located in Chico, California, is this 1967 Pontiac Tempest. Offered with a clean California title, the seller has listed it with an asking price of $8,000.
This particular car represents the first year of production of the third generation Tempest. It featured a major restyle when compared to its predecessor with some new features such as concealed wipers and also the return of the horizontal headlights. By and large the car appears to be in quite good shape. There is some cosmetic damage to the car such as this on the left rear corner, but the car does appear to be free of rust or corrosion. The rear bumper has also been damaged and may need to be replaced, although it may be able to be repaired. The vinyl roof has copped a hiding from the California sun and will need to either be removed or replaced.
The interior seems to also be in pretty fair condition. The seats look like they would respond well to a good clean, and the dash looks to be free of major damage, with no obvious cracks in the pad. The door trims have been cut to allow the fitment of after-market speakers, and I think that the radio may also be an after-market one (although it is a bit hard to tell). The floor mats appear to be original and are in good all-round condition.
This is the 250ci OHC 6-cylinder engine, backed by a 2-speed automatic transmission. This was quite a significant engine in American automotive history as when it was originally introduced in 230ci form in the 1966 Tempest it was the first American OHC engine to utilize a belt-driven camshaft rather than a chain-drive, which resulted in a quieter running engine. The seller states that this engine is in great condition and comes with a great pile of receipts for work done on the car from new until very recently.
To me this car is quite an interesting proposition. If it is clean underneath then it represents a good basis for a project car. The cosmetic issues that are visible are the sorts of issues that any amateur handyman could tackle with a certain amount of confidence. Removing the vinyl top, repairing the minor back corner damage and repainting the roof and that back corner would cost very little in the way of either time or money. Give the interior a good clean as well and you have an entry-level classic car that you could enjoy straight away.
I’ve heard of this engine, but never saw one before. I hope it finds a good home. I highly doubt if anyone will pay anywhere near that price, though. This is a perfect example of “rare means no one wanted it”, instead of “rare means it’s worth it’s weight in gold”.
The 250 cid engine was a great engine. But, these had an aluminum valve cover and belt cover. Rusted out quickly, comparatively. Allowed a lot of leaks between covers and block. Also had problems with timing belt…once again, because of the poor fitting cover. Not sure of availability of replacement parts. On this particular car, the over-sized tires would be the first thing to go. Then check the covers. After that, take care of all the safety features, get her running right and enjoy the ride. Re-paint ASAP. Pocketbook governs most things. Price is too high, too. $3,500.00, tops.
Maybe at half that price it will sell. I like the Cragar’s; and I like 4 doors, but not together.
Outside of the vinyl top, power steering and Turbo 300 automatic, this is about as basic as a four-door Tempest sedan as one can buy, but certainly not for the ‘TV-Picker’ price.
I’m seeing a $2500 beater…
As an aside, my mother drove a ’68 LeMans coupe, 320HP 350, Turbo 300 trans, P/S, P/B, A/C, vinyl top, Rallye II wheels, and deluxe interior. After about 12 months of careful use, all kinds of weird and wonderful problems began to occur, and I spent a lot of time keeping that car on the road. We used to joke that it was a LeMons, assembled when everybody on the assembly line was having a bad day.
I’m seeing $2500 & make it the 4 door GTO Pontiac never built, and then drive it back down to this condition.
With a vanity plate 2XGTO
brings back good memories the car is a 1968, though pontiac emblem on back fender is a side marker light, first year required.
My neighbor came back from Vietnam and bought a yellow 4 door like this for his wife.. she had been driving a 57 Pontiac Chieftan He had a 64 Nova wagon
Neighbor was a Colonel, engineering.. three tours of Vietnam a true patriotic american… with an alcoholic wife. I was 8 in 1968.. after I grew older I figured out why he did three tours of vietnam…..
This car is a 68 not a 67 as stated 67’s still had stacked headlights. For no more than 3K it would be a nice family hauler with some class over the new SUVs. The picture of the area below the rear window scares me a little because Pontiacs of this era rusted bad there and would leak into the trunk then rot the trunk floor so I wish he had took a picture of the trunk completely empty.
4 doors, 6 cylinder, 2spd auto.
I think the seller is right on with the price, just put a extra 0 on accident.
$800.00 BIN would be realistic.
The seats look to have an aftermarket seat cover on them (note lack of seams or trim details), so I’d be interested to see what condition they’re ACTUALLY in.
Jeep actually beat Pontiac by four years in developing an OHC straight six, called the Tornado. Not sure if it was belt driven as well.
Price is actually $10,5 but I’m not surprised nobody is clicking on the link. That motor belongs in a 2 dr Tempest or Firebird and she’ll get attention all day long.
He or she is California dreamin if this person thinks anyone will plunk down 8 grand for this old Pontiac. Like others have said one to many zeros on that asking price & not realistic. It would be hard pressed to see that if it were a coupe in that condition just my 2 cents.
$800 maybe, 8 grand no way ever. This car is a good beater that’s it. Could by a pretty damn nice mid to late 90s WS6 Trans Am for $8,000.
I like the early comment about rare cause no one wanted it, yep, this one qualifies. When you think of all the wonderful cars available in 1968 a four door Tempest 6 banger was a purposeful car, yes,…desireable not likely. Not being negative here, but it really isn’t an 8000 dollar car. Or at least I hope not for Pete’s sake!
I would do something with the top, plexiglas window in the hood (wishing) and just drive, everyday, everywhere. Cool car even with the extra doors.
maybe a wagon with the quadrajet equipped H/O motor and a four speed, for a couple thousand less, this one… No way!