Image credits: © Pontiac. GM Corp

1964 Pontiac Tempest

Up to this point in history, powerful mid-size cars had been primarily been a means to get a car on the racetrack, and to satisfy homologation requirements. Practicality and comfort were not their strong suite. The GTO changed this paradigm, boosted sales, and stimulated enthusiasm with the automotive community.

In the late 1950s, Pontiac's 'Wide-Track' improved styling and offered better handling, a combination that helped the company's reassurance in the market and improved its performance image. Although it had a successful factory racing program, Pontiac Motor Division was forced to comply with GM's infamous corporate racing ban of 1963. Pontiac found a way around the ban by refocusing their attention on performance cars for the road that could also, with preparation and the right parts, translate effectively to the racetrack.

The second-generation Tempest was launched for 1964, and would form the basis for Pontiac's future. The intermediate-sized Tempest rested on a 115-inch wheelbase platform and had an engine bay which could accommodate any available Pontiac engine, with power delivered to the road by a wide range of transmissions and driveline combinations. The Tempest LeMans was an upscale trim level that came with deluxe trim and sporty features including bucket seats. Adding to the versatility, a convertible body style was also available. The Tempest Le Mans also formed the core of the GTO high-performance option package.

A veritable multitude of appearance, comfort, convenience, and performance options made it possible for buyers to order a Tempest to suit their individual needs with judicious selection of factory-available items.

The base trim level was the Series 20 Tempest that came with a six-cylinder engine and had triple windsplits behind the front wheel openings, no upper belt line moldings, and small hubcaps. Bodystyles included a sedan, hardtop, and a station wagon. The cars fitted with the optional V-8 engines were given front fender badges.

The 215 cubic-inch overhead valve six-cylinder engine had a Rochester one-barrel carburetor and delivered 140 horsepower. The 326 cubic-inch V8 engine had a two-barrel carburetor and was rated at 250 horsepower. A four-barrel carburetor brought horsepower to 280 hp. The GTO came standard with a 389 CID that had 325 horsepower. An optional three two-barrel version brought horsepower to 348 hp. A three-speed manual was standard, a four-speed manual with floor shift was optional, as was the HydraMatic.

The Tempest Custom trim level, Series 21, were distinguished by the bright upper beltline moldings, Tempest Custom nameplates on the rear fender, and a more luxurious interior that included courtesy lamps on the convertibles, carpeting, and Deluxe steering wheel. Bodystyles included the sedan, hardtop, station wagon, and convertible.

The Tempest Le Mans had LeMans nameplates on the rear fenders, model badges on the deck lid, and LeMans script plates for the dashboard. They were also given ribbed décor plates for the deck lid latch panel, and simulated slanting louvers in front of the rear wheel cutouts. They could be purchased with the Grand Turismo Omologato (GTO) option package which added the 389 CID V8 and special appearance items. Both the Tempest LeMans and GTO were available as a coupe, hardtop, and convertible.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2019

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