The Pontiac Tempest was one of three “senior compacts” that General Motors introduced in 1961. The other two were the Buick Special and the Oldsmobile F-85. While all three used the same new unibody platform, the Tempest employed a rear transaxle, which eliminated the need to have a hump on the floorboards for a driveshaft. The seller has a 1963 coupe which uses a one-year-only engine, displacing 336 cubic inches but marketed as a 326 (details later). This Tempest has been in the seller’s garage for more than 20 years, so it has some cosmetic and mechanical deterioration. Located in Amelia, Ohio (and as a tip from “Pnuts”), this Poncho is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $5,500.
An advantage of the Tempest powertrain arrangement was that the car had a near 50/50 weight distribution (54/46 with the cast iron V8). The standard engine was Pontiac’s “Trophy-4,” which was created by taking half of the company’s 389 cubic inch V8. In 1961 and 1962, the Buick 215 aluminum-block V8 was optional but had few takers. It was replaced in 1963 by the 260 hp 336 V8, which was sold as a 326 because GM supposedly didn’t want a compact car to have a bigger engine than their halo Corvette (which used a 327).
We’re told this ’63 Tempest has been sitting in this dingy garage for more than 20 years. It has all the earmarks of an estate sale where the former owner never got around to restoring the machine back to its former glory. The Tempest wears blue on blue paint, and rust can be seen in several places, especially the lower extremities. This Pontiac accumulated 115,000 miles before it went into limbo status for whatever reason.
This Tempest is one of 131,500 units produced in 1963, of which 26,500 were coupes (in standard or deluxe trim; we don’t know which applies here). A 2-speed automatic transmission provides an assist to propel the car when you can get the machine running again. It’s a roller that comes with extra parts to help with the repairs. We’re told the price has been lowered, but we don’t know what the starting point was. If you can get this Pontiac back on the road, it should offer some spritely performance.
Just imagine, for a second if you will, the hoopla that was destined for this car, and here, seemingly blissfully unaware of what a phenomenon it created, it sits collecting dust. Seems unfair, in a way. I knew a guy that put a Bonneville motor in a ’63 Tempest, created the 1st “GTO”, and terrorized the Nort’woods, and he wasn’t alone. Not sure if he used the “rope drive”, which I heard was every bit as strong as a metal driveshaft, not sure about the transaxle, however. GM didn’t seem to have any issues with this motor.
So,,,what do you do, what DO,,,you do? Restore it as an unbelievable original find, or do the Arnie Beswick thing? Cool find.
As a teen age hot toddler, I had a modified 62 Tempest LeMans, 4 cylinder 4 bbl. I blew up 2 transaxles street racing. Fortunately, I worked at Pontiac Buick dealership my dad managed. He threatened to disown me if Ikept spending my college savings on car parts.
In High School I had the use of a 1963 (I think) Tempest. Had the slant 4 and an automatic transaxle. About 1/4 mile from my school there was a T intersection. I would go hauling through that intersection either making a right turn or a left turn. One arm out the window showing off and the tail end of the car swinging out at least 45 degrees, tires screaming. Oh what fun.
All I can think of is the iconic courtroom scene in My Cousin Vinny. “In the 60’s only two cars……the Corvette and the 1963 Pontiac Tempest.”
My best friend had one about 30 years ago It had been converted to a four speed and solid rear axle it was already done so I don’t know how it was done. It was fairly quick because they are light
Being a Corvair fan I find these cars to be very interesting. It’s a wonder they aren’t popular since the “My cousin Vinnie” movie exposure. Although the Pontiac V8 was never available with a 4 speed (probably so as to not have warranty issues) I think that would be an awesome conversion. I would start with a 4 cyl. 4 speed car though as I think the V8 swap would be easier than a 4speed swap.
I believe they were available from the factory with a three speed stick, however. Don’t know if a Corvair four speed could be substituted. Pontiac ring and pinion beefier than the puny Corvair. T-10 and a 9″, ready to go.
I owned a 1963 Tempest just like this,with light blue paint. I bought it used from an older lady when it was 8 years old. It was a fantastic car,but after the Opec gas war,I traded it in on a new Toyota Corolla. Wish that I had it now.
I always thought the Buick/Oldsmobile 215 V8 with the 4 speed would have been great in this car. Possibly 50/50 weight distribution. And the 4 wheel independent suspension would have produced a natural for road racing. BUT, what do I know? I still like them a lot. Anybody ever upgrade the manual transaxle with later Corvair parts? I had heard that the later Corvair gearboxs were basically a Saginaw 4 speed (like on mid 60s midsize cars) on the inside. Which was the same as an early Rampside style Greenbrier Corvair truck. OK, Corvair guys, help me out here. Am I correct in any of these assumptions?
Well, it may have had independent rear suspension, but they were swing axles. In a fast turn the inside rear axle would jack up and you have instant oversteer. Fun if you’re expecting it. Not so fun if it catches you by surprise.
The same argument against the early Corvair, early VW Beetle, Fiat 850, Renault 4CV and some early Mercedes Benz. AND the front wheels on a Ford with twin “I” beam suspension. I have driven all of the above vehicles at close to maximum speeds and the only one to catch me out was the 4CV. Rolled it on two separate occasions before figuring out that you don’t let off in the middle of a turn. (I was 12 years old at the time). The other thing to remember is that the OUTSIDE WHEEL GOES NEGATIVE CAMBER which INCREASES the cornering ability dramatically. So it all depends on the skill (or lack there of) of the driver. I wonder how one of these would handle with the rear suspension of the later model Corvair. That car out handled the Corvette!
Would make a great drag car if not for the rust. GLWA.
I’m confused. I thought the ’63 Tempest was the one that came with Positraction….
https://youtu.be/_EMok49rTw8?si=oD7witMqnVpqsyVE
IIIIIII…..denical…..
ROFLOL…. IYKYK!
Russ, you wrote a great description for the 1963 Tempest with all its particularities. Most people get something wrong but you covered all the bases. I’m also impressed with the many knowledgeable comments from your readers.
I had a great little Cordovan Brown Metallic 1963 Tempest Custom, 326/3-speed, sports coupe for my senior year (1965) in high-school and my freshman year at college (1966). Beautiful little car. Arnie Beswick was our Pontiac hero!
The 63 Tempest had a square 1” drive shaft that stuck inn a sq hole in the flywheel that was about 3/4” deep that feed into the transaxle. This was a design that resembles the Porsche. It didn’t work very well for Pontiac. This was a design by by the father of the GTO (De Lorena). Tempest under torque ( too many times) would pop out (and if you were lucky )it wouldn’t take a chunk of the sq hole in the flywheel out. Needless to say it was a bad design.
One other little tid bit of info. The independent rear suspension Tempest came with 15″ tires as standard. Not 13″ like the Olds F85 or Buick Special. They were fairly narrow wheels and I heard (never saw anything in print) that it was a design feature to encourage the use of “European ” style radial tires like the Michelin “X”. Because of the rear tire camber changes through the suspension travel. One of these cars with radial tires were a completely different (great improvement) driving car. Naturally radial tires back then were pretty much unheard of. Many of the European “sportier” cars back then used 15″ radial tires. I really like these Tempests for their innovation. If I found a non-rusty one at a good price, I would buy it just to play with it. Possibly install a 215 Aluminum V8 and some good quality deCarbone gas shocks and stickey tires.
One other little tid bit of info. The independent rear suspension Tempest came with 15″ tires as standard. Not 13″ like the F85 or Special. They were fairly narrow wheels and I heard (never saw anything in print) that it was a design feature to encourage the use of “European ” style radial tires like the Michelin “X”. Because of the rear tire camber changes through the suspension travel. One of these cars with radial tires were a completely different (great improvement) driving car. Naturally radial tires back then were pretty much unheard of. Many of the European “sportier” cars back then used 15″ radial tires. I really like these Tempests for their innovation. If I found a non-rusty one at a good price, I would buy it just to play with it. Possibly install a 215 Aluminum V8 and some good quality deCarbone gas shocks and stickey tires.
Am I dense or am I missing something here? One year only 326 (when its really a 338)? My ’65 Tempest convertible originally had a 326 badged V8 but its got a 389 in it now….
Yes, the 326 was never really a 326! Surprise!
Apparently, GM had a rule about mid-size cars could have no bigger than a 330 ci . Pontiac bent the rules a bit with a 336, marketed as a 326. Thanks to John DeLorean.
This is the base unit. The Le Mans had strip tail lights and a grill across the back.
This looks more like the mid-level Tempest Custom model. The base Tempest wouldn’t have the chrome spears on the upper fenders/halfway on doors nor the chrome casting all the way across the rear, taillamp to taillamp. Also, the base would have a plain coupe roof not the sports roof seen here.
Someone has put a “Pontiac” badge from another year where the “V326” emblem would’ve been mounted in the driver’s side grille.
The LeMans would also have come with bucket seats standard.
That’s what my 963 Tempest was a custom model. Even though it got great mileage for a V8, the 70’s gas crisis had me worried. So I traded it in on a 1976 Corolla, because I drove 30 miles to work every day one way in SoCal.
Only in the movie…
The movie “My Cousin Vinnie” revolved around the premise that the 1963 Tempest/LeMans had “positraction.”
Unfortunately, it was not an available Tempest/LeMans option that year. “Safe-T-Track” was available for 1963 full-size Pontiacs and would be optional on the completely redesigned 1964 Tempest/LeMans/GTO models.
The tire expert also stated that the tire marks came from a 14″ tire. All 1963 Tempest/LeMans came with 15″ wheels/tires as someone has already commented.
And the fact that the right hand tire had stayed flat on the pavement when the left tire went up over the curb. Any car without position can spin both tires with enough power applied AND a lack of traction.
Just a great, great fun movie! If you have never seen “My Cousin Vinny” and you are a car guy. You are missing some great entertainment. Even your wife will enjoy it!