For its first three years, the Pontiac Tempest was a compact car (1961-63). General Motors changed directions and promoted the Tempest/LeMans to a mid-size platform in 1964. The same promotion also applied to the Oldsmobile F-85/Cutlass and the Buick Special/Skylark. That change worked to Pontiac’s benefit as sales increased by about 56,000 units (excluding the GTO which arrived in ’64, too). The seller has a basic 1964 Tempest 4-door sedan which might qualify for the Patina of the Year Award (if there was such a thing). A solid runner, this Poncho is in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and is available for $5,900 here on craigslist.

The reconfigured Tempest dropped its unibody construction in favor of body-on-frame with the advent of the 1964 A-bodies. That platform would serve GM well and the generation built from 1968 to 1972 was perhaps the most successful. Tempest/LeMans production would reach 187,000 units in ’64 of which 28,000 were entry-level 4-door sedans like this one. A 215 cubic inch incline-6 was standard. Thanks for the tip, Barn Finder Barney!

Despite its appearance, this Pontiac may be a solid car with “laser straight” body panels and original paint. Not much of the latter remains, but what’s there wears an ample supply of Poppy’s Patina, a clear coat. The photos show a corrosion-free undercarriage, thanks to the Pontiac’s roots on the West Coast. The odometer reads 70,000 miles which might just be original.

We’re told the I-6 has been gone through and treated to new seals and gaskets. The carburetor is new and a HEI distributor has been installed. There are no leaks and we assume the 2-speed automatic transmission is ship shape. The seller says this Tempest “runs like a sewing machine” and still has drum brakes which the seller would have switched to discs if he/she were going to keep the car. The tires are new as are the carpeting and headliner. We don’t know about the seats as they’re sporting a set of Walmart pullover covers. If you’re into the whole patina thing and want to jump into the vintage car scene, this Tempest could be a nice starting point.