61-63 Tempests sucking wind on the PontiacRegistry.com

[Larry_Rarus]

I guess there's not much going on here with owners of these quirky little cars. It's a pity.

[Larry]

These are some of the most unique, and desirable, cars made by Pontiac. Today the owner with a nice 4-cylinder early Tempest waving as he passes yet another gas station is a lucky hobbyist indeed.

All we can do is make a place for everyone. As time goes on I'm sure more will discover this spot to share information, parts, etc.

Larry, how about a story about your Tempest as a Cover Car feature some month soon. I would love to feature on of these fine Pontiacs for others to learn about. Also, pleae tell any other owners of like Pontiacs about PontiacRegistry.com.

Drop a note if you need any help preparing something. I will be happy to help.
Thanks,
Larry

[super]

I'm hooked on these little Pontiacs for life. The 61 to 63 Tempest/Lemans are in my opinion one of the best looking Pontiacs ever produced.

My likings to these cars started at a very early age when my father started racing an aluminum frontend equipped 421 super duty '63 Tempest for Selden Ruwwe.

The body lines on these cars are extremely unique. I wish I could see more of the 61 and 62 models. Great cars!!

Have you watched Dave Johnson's "White Warrior" on the nostalgia circuit? He is running a 4 cylinder Pontiac now. It has always been a competitive car and a favorite of mine to watch for years. I saw three '62's at Norwalk that were absolutely stunning.

Lets hear more stories about these Pontiacs. I think you would be suprised at what kind of following they have.

Jeff

[Larry_Rarus]

You give me the impression that I'm against these cars. Nothing could be further from the truth. I'm an advocate. Did you read my story in the on-line magazine? These samples that you supplied are indeed works of art. However, something tells me they no longer use the ropeshaft and independent rear suspension.

[Larry_Rarus]

Which gets back to my original point. Original, non-modified-for-racing, versions of these 61-63 Tempests are not too common. Replacing the rear-end and ropeshaft, tying the sub-frames together with a roll cage, dropping in a 600HP V8, etc., etc., make for great high-performance modifications but they eliminate the character of the factory cars. Essentially all that's left is the sheet metal. Again, that's fine, and anyone can do whatever he wishes with his car. However, there must be someone out there besides me who is running an original, non-modified Tempest.

[super]

I owned a 1963 Tempest that came from California and had only 60,000 miles on the odometer. It retained the original drivetrain. I purchased a 3:90 gear for it to give it some additional low-end performance. It had the 260 horsepower 326. Great car and a lot of fun to drive.

In a recent visit to a salvage yard in Union, MO, I found a complete '63 2-dr Tempest with the original drivetrain. It was a 4-cylinder car. There was also a complete '62 Lemans 2-dr.

I would have to agree with you on not seeing these cars without them being modified. Very hard to locate parts for them. It took me a long time to locate an original rear wheel cylinder. One of the ears of the wheel cylinder broke off the '63 I owned and wore a hole in it. It took me a long time to find the correct part. There was a parts car about 20 miles from my home in Beaufort, MO.

I believe there are a few Tempest parts cars in a salvage yard in Illinois. I would like to rescue some of these rides. With parts being hard to locate, it would be worth recovering them to help out.

I currently own a 1963 Tempest with a modified drivetrain. It was converted before I purchased it. It had a 421 super duty with 980 heads backed by a 4-speed. I plan on making this a weekend cruiser.

I like your little Poncho and respect the fact you retained the original pieces. Just like you stated, not too many people do that. Almost all '61 to '63's are rodded out and have a solid axle planted under them. Not that there is anything wrong with this either. These are very unique cars.


Hopefully we will see more of both styles of the Tempest and Lemans, modified and original.

Jeff

Have you checked out the article on Randy William's Pontiac collection? The set up in his wagon is very unique. Hard to believe the power these drivetrains could hold up to.

[Larry_Rarus]

Yes, the '62 convertible for sale is a gem. By the way, it's also on E-Bay (320074044888) where the current bid is $7300. Since the owner is looking to get more than twice that it probably won't sell. My parents bought one of these brand new (same color and everything) in 1962. I still remember riding around in it. I also remember some pain. If you take a look at one of the pictures of that car you can see where the rear seat courtesy lights are located. That chrome surrounding the lens is metal, not plastic. If the door was left open for any length of time and you were climbing in or out of the back seat while wearing short pants you had to be sure not to touch that light. It was HOT!

[Larry_Rarus]

Well, I just returned from a week-long business trip to the west coast. In the meantime, my Le Mans has been sitting outside in my driveway back in Rhode Island. The temperature was below freezing for most of the week. After returning home I looked at the thermometer and it reported only five degrees Farenheit. I thought I'd go try and start the car to see if everything was OK and to see how it would do. (I've never used the car when it was that cold outside.) Let me tell ya, naugahyde can get pretty darned cold. It was like sitting on a block of ice. I pulled the choke knob half-way out, pumped the accelerator three times, and turned the key. The Trophy-4 cranked around about ten times and then fired to life. It settled into a nice fast idle. I eased the choke lever in over the course of the next ten minutes and it ran beautifully. Yes, life did exist before electronic fuel injection.

[Larry]

Hey Bruce, since you're in such a loveable mood (probably just excited about the new find!), and I think you mentioned having played in a Raggae band, how about the attached?

[super]

Are you refering to the special trim option in which you could get the small back glass in the Tempest? All 63's with the Lemans option had the small back glass.

I owned a '63 Tempest that had the small back glass. These are one of the best looking Pontiacs ever produced if you ask me.

Jeff

[super]

Mr. Fulper,

My '63 was originally purchased from Casey Pontiac in San Diego, California. I have a copy of the original window sticker with the options. My friends and I were curios about the small back glass in this Tempest too. The other two '63 Tempest my friends, the Ruwwe's owned, had the wrap around style back glass.

Here are the options off of my old '63. I will give you the complete list of optional equipment. I purchased another '63 since then that came from Randy Williams in Indiana.

2117 Tempest Sport Coupe - $2294

Decor Group- Ext 73
Consists of mldg-dr & wind ext
mldg-fender & rock and rear - $53.80

radio-m ant-pb 386 - $62.41
cushion foam front 412 - $8.07
washer and wipers-w-s 421 - $17.27
mirror-os lh remote 444 - $11.78
lamps-back-up 471 - $10.76
horns-dual 472 - $4.30
guards - bumper- f&r 474 - $16.14
lamp-glove box 482 - $2.85
lamps courtesy 491 - $4.30
lmp ash tray & cig lt 492 - $3.12
lamp parking brake 494 - $4.95
power sterring 501 - $75.32
power brakes 502 - $42.50
glass-soft-ray-all 531 - #31.20
clock-electric 604 - $19.37
seat belts-frt pair 624 - $18.83
wsw 650-15 rayon T12 - $29.70
2 BBL 326 V8 ENG 60 - $167.40
tempestorque trans 770 - $189.00

The following items, options or accessories on some other models, are standard equipment on this model vehicle.

Steering wheel dlx, orn front fender top, sunshade r.h. , cigar lighter, custom interior trim, mldgs-w-s& rear wind

$145 destination

Total amount - $3212.07

It appears that the 2117 sport coupe came equipped with the small rear window. Apparently it was standard on this one.

Jeff

[super]

Is your car a 2117 sport coupe?

[RussellinNC]

I like the site...and Thanks for asking the question for me about the rear glass.

Now may I ask...How many came with the rare Olds Wire Hubcaps like mine? I should have already taken them off but I guess im really really getting lazy.

How do I post a pic of my junker on here?

Russ[/url]

[Larry]

Would love to see your car.

Just open a new "post" window, type a short message if you like, scroll down a bit to the blue line that says "Add an Attachment".

Below that you will see the little box that says "Browse". Click on it an it will "open up to ypur computer". Locate your picture and click on it, then click "open", or just double click on the picture. You will see the title of it pop into the window line next to "browse".

Then once you see you have located the pictuire and uploaded it, just click on the box below it that says "Add Attachment". It will chew on it for a moment and when done you will see the picture title appear in blue type.

If you wish to add a caption to the picture type in into the "File Comment" box. Double check your picture and message by clicking on "Preview". There you can edit or change anything. If all is OK, just click "Submit".

Remember that anyone can edit or change pictures intheir own message anytime by clicking in "Edit" up in the right corner of their post.

Welcome aboard!
Thanks,
Larry

[super]

I am trying to figure out the rear glass too. I do not want to assume anything. Seems like the 2217 sport coupe option may be the answer.

I am going to contact my long-time friend, Selden Ruwwe, to try and get the 100% correct answer.

Anyone else out there have any answers?

Jeff