For Sale: 1963 Pontiac Tempest in Morgantown, Pennsylvania

1963 Pontiac Tempest 2 Door Sport Coupe

"Which do you want to have nestled quietly under the hood of your Tempest.The 4 that goes around acting like a V8, or a new V8 that acts like nothing you ever drove before. Decisions, decisions. If you were thinking that maybe you'd better drive them both before you make up your mind, that's fine with your Pontiac dealer. He knows these cars are habit forming." From a 1963 print ad.

For consignment, a 1963 Pontiac Tempest 2 door sport coupe showing 135,276 miles, but the actual miles are unknown due to a title exemption. A year later, the popularity of the V8 Tempest models would lead to the addition of the GTO package, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Exterior
Our consignor tells us the car received a repaint three years ago and presents with single stage Silverleaf Green Poly, one of the 15 standard colors available from Pontiac in '63. The light shade of green shows off the character line of the car that runs the length of the long rear quarter panel and fender and takes in the faux vent trim on the front fender that adds motion to the car as it stands still. A functional Super Duty hood scoop has been added which dresses up the otherwise pedestrian front with Pontiac's distinctive double grill and early arrowhead. Out back, the stacked dual tail lights resemble afterburners and big dual exhaust tips do for the back what the hood scoop does for the front in attitude change while 15-inch black wheels join the party with poverty caps. Imperfections include chips, paint runs, scuff down to the metal on one bumper and some flaky deplating on the other, chips in the windshield, some pitting metal on the trim, cracking filler on the rocker panel, orange peel, and scuffs or residual black paint on the front apron.

Interior
Clean black vinyl door cards live under the body colored header of the door with pleasing 60's simplicity. Black grain vinyl covers the split bench and the rear bench and both are in great shape and up front, an aftermarket steering wheel adds some spice to the control center. The stock instrument cluster is accompanied by an added tachometr and a triple pack dressed in chrome. Our mid panel is Silverleaf Green and houses the AM radio and heater levers backed by a chrome faceplate, matching the row of knobs on this panel. A Lokar shifter rises from the tunnel that's covered in low pile black carpet that is clean, all under a black headliner that shows some looseness. The trunk has a plaid vinyl mat over painted stamped steel that's clean, and houses a spare and jack.

Drivetrain
Brass colored valve covers and a blue block highlight the clean bay where we find a 462ci V8 derived from a 1972 455ci V8. It wears a pair of Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetors and is mated to a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission that routes power to a Ford 8" axle and 2.79 gears. The aluminum radiator is coupled with dual electric fans and our consignor tells us this car can sit in traffic on a hot day and maintain 180 degrees.

Undercarriage
Uniformly black and clean underneath where the newer dual exhaust runs through Thrush mufflers and exits through enlarged chrome tips. Drum brakes are found at all four wheels and suspension consists of coil springs up front and a 4 link with coil overs in back.

Drive-Ability
The big V8 starts up and emits a very nice exhaust note from the big pipes and we roll the Tempest onto the tarmac where its manageable size and comfortable interior make it a joy to drive and with curved windows up front and in back, visibility is very good. Plenty of power underfoot and the car does everything well. Only the radio and reverse lights are not working as all other functions work as they should. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.

This well sorted Pontiac is nice to look at and to drive. It's just the right combination of performance and 60's era straightness. You'd probably spend a lot more for a first year GTO, so why not enjoy the predecessor and the genesis of the muscle car which started right here with the 1963 Tempest, now a legend in its own right.

163P99981

1-Tempest
63-1963
P-Pontiac, MI Assy Plant
99981-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG

01B-2nd Week January
STYLE 63 2127-1963 Tempest 2 Door Sport Coupe
BODY PO 3991-Pontiac Body #
TRIM 201-Blue Vinyl
PAINT FF-Yorktown Blue
1F-Unknown
2A-Foam Front Cushion
3W-Tinted Windshield
4B-Unknown
4R-Unknown

Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price. All prices are before state, city and county tax, tag, title and license fees. Out of state buyers are responsible for all state, county, city taxes and fees, as well as title/registration fees in the state that the vehicle will be registered. Classic Auto Mall is not responsible for errors and omissions. Please verify listings with dealer. Vehicles may require VIN verification and/or safety and emissions inspections to transfer ownership and register the vehicle in the declared state of residence. Please check with your local DMV office to ensure compliance with your states titling and registration process.

With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy listening. You can also watch on YouTube!