Vehicle Description
Rare, interesting, unique, and surprisingly affordable - all of
this and more is why this 1963 Pontiac Tempest convertible is one
of the coolest classics in our showroom.
This final-year for the first-generation Pontiac Tempest is the one
to have. It still retains the sports car-like driving features, and
now its wrapped around what's arguably the most attractive Wide
Track sheetmetal of the series. You really see it nicely on this
droptop thanks to great care over the years. You'll love how the
sheetmetal carries crisp creases and everything still lines up
nicely. Factory-correct Aquamarine is a terrific '60s color, and it
helps to highlight all that great trim. Just imagine how hard it
would be to source some of the pieces like the fender ornaments,
Tempest cursive badging, or factory wheel covers today. More than
just a complete and well-presented classic, you want this one
because it's rare. The premium droptop was the most expensive car
in the mainstream Tempest line, and that meant only around 5,000
were produced. So just imagine how few have survived over half a
century still looking this good.
With the flip of a switch, the black electric folding top reveals a
cool tri-tone interior. So while the aqua vinyl does a great job of
providing a base color that matches the exterior paint, we really
love how the darker blue and white trim on the seats gives this
budget-friendly Tempest a very upscale appearance. And it's more
than just the seats that have a nice level of preservation. Items
like the AM/FM radio, heat/defrost sliders, and factory steering
wheel make this a pleasant time capsule that will have you proudly
showing it off at car shows.
Under the hood the 195 cubic-inch four-cylinder has the kind of
honest presentation that we all love seeing today. And because this
was basically half of the 389ci V8, there are some good common
maintenance. But the real advantage of the first-generation Tempest
comes from how it utilizes its power. This is actually a transaxle
car, and so the automatic transmission is mounted in the rear to
give this Pontiac nearly 50/50 weight distribution. And the
independent rear suspension is something truly unexpected in a
vintage car like this (remember the case-cracker from My Cousin
Vinny - only this car and the Corvette had in independent rear in
the '60s!) So while this looks like a classic convertible, the
drivetrain is one of the most modern of the era.
So you have rare features that make this Tempest both fun to drive
and great to talk about - and it's all part of an affordable
droptop package. This kind of appeal is why we know the Pontiac
will be leaving us very soon. Don't miss out, call today!
