61 pontic temptest is it worth any thing ?

guy wants to trade me a 61 temptest for a ride i have its a 4cyl auto ?
any one know what there worth ?
thanks

 

Don't know the $ but they were known for rough running and tossing timing chains.

 

2 door? 4 door? Unless it's a convertible in good condition, it's not a valuable car. I had a '62 2 door once; strange little car. Some of them came with an H.O. 4 cylinder with a 4 bbl.

 

they make cool drag cars small, realtively light

 

From the February 2004 issue of Hemmings Motor News. A '61 is likely a four-door, but IMO has the best styling of the first three years of Tempest.

-Dave

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=144873&highlight=tempest+rope


There are quite a few threads about them, some good info in many. Definitely a unique driveline.

 

thanks guys its a door ht

 

I loved my '62 Le mans coupe... 4sp/4bbl.

 

is that like a 2 door ht?

 

The '61, 62, and '63 Tempest were all basically the same car. The same is so of the '61, '62, and '63 Buick Special and Olds F-85, which were closely related to the Tempest.

As was mentioned, the engine runs rough and is hard on timing chains. It also doesn't have much power. It isn't unheard of for the solid rod driveshaft to break. The '61 thru '63 tempest transaxle and rear suspension are mostly the same as what early Corvair's had. That means auto trans durability is marginal.

In addition to the 1/2 a 389 4-cylinder, the early Tempests were also available with a 215 aluminum V-8 and a 326 V-8.

The '63 Tempest had a bigger/stronger driveshaft, bigger 1/2 shaft axles, and upgraded trans, and ***orted other improvements.

As was mentioned, the cars are fairly light. The front suspension is Corvair. The rear suspension is swing axles so that's not a plus.

A SB Chevy fits under the hood. As I remember, a BB Chevy fits too. The tightest point is the steering box. A little clearancing is needed with a manual box. I doubt a power steering box would clear.

The '61 - '63 Buick Special and Olds F-85 used the same basic body as the Tempest, but those cars had a conventional straight rear axle rather the the Tempest's solid rod driveshaft, rear mounted transaxle, and rear swing axles. Because of that, if you intend to build a hot rod it would be easier to start with a similar looking Buick or Olds. The stock Buick/Olds driveshaft & center support are not adequate for a major power increase, but depend on tire size and driving habits the axle will tolerate more power.

If you want the Tempest I wouldn't say not to get it, but don't expect it to be wonderful.

 

If I remember correctly the only hardtop cars in that body family were the relatively small number of semi-custom built Olds Jetfire turbocharged cars.

 

Sold my '62 LeMans convert a year ago. I got $4000 for a rust free southern California car needing a top, but the original interior was in good shape and was always garaged. The brakes are beyond poor even after restoration. Very fun to drive however carefully as the strange suspension was often frightening. Parts availability is poor at best. Few parts interchange with other GM cars. Good Luck: Fred A

 

No, it's a hardtop with one door. Actually, none of the '61-'63 Tempests were hardtops; they used stainless moldings on the door and body posts on the Lemans models to make a "faux" hardtop.

 

damn I thought someone would mention the 2 Super duty tempests that recently sold for over $450,000 each. that should bring a few hundred clones out for 100+ G's like all the MOPARS

 

So what would you have to give up to get this car? PICS PLEASE!!!

 

its a 62 pic below he wants to trade my 61 fairlane club coupe for it

 

I would keep the Ford unless your wanting a project

 

May make a nice little g***er !!!! Tom (Tired Old Man)

 

Heres what I did with mine...

 

I'd keep the fairlane!!!!! Thats like going from an impala to a nova!

 

345, Now that a nice little ride !!!!! Tom (Tired Old Man)

 

Cool read... I never knew much about these cars.

 

It all depends on what you want to do with it. Restored it probably would bring an OK price. If you get all big eyed and decide you want to rod the thing, well then you have a project. Pontiacs have always been fast cars for thier size. My father and uncle have had some fast Bonnevilles. Pontiac made land cruisers. Big and heavy nice riding vehicles, with big motors.
Personally I would find a Super Duty 455 and a turbo 400 ****** and slam it on airbags. The issue with Pontiac throwing timing chains was when they switched to a poly crank gear on the timing chain. That is easily fixed with a after market timing kit.
So do you want to keep turning wrenches or do you want to just enjoy what you have (***uming that you are done on the Fairlane).

 

i thought the temptest may be worth something i have the fairlane for sale seems like no one likes fords ??? cant even give the thing away hahaha .
thanks for all the input..

 

You don't remember correctly. Buick, Olds, and Pontiac all offered HT versions in 1962 and 63. The Jetfire was not "semi-custom built", it was normal production just like any other car in that family.

Here's a 62 Tempest hardtop:



Also, someone please explain to me why the 195 slant 4 will throw the timing chain, but the 389 with the identical timing chain does not.

 

These are neat cars. But parts are hard to come by, and you don't want one thats rusty either. You can buy them cheap. I would keep your Ford, don't trade it. Here's a pic of my wife's 61.

 

I didn't know that Pontiac made a 4 banger back then. I had to look it up. It looks like they just cut a 389 in half. But with it being hearlded as an innovation I would think that it has the poly gear on the timing chain. The 389 still had the metal timing gear. That didn't change until the introduction of the 400. Then they went to a Polyurethane gear for the crank. I think they did this to get more business for the dealerships service departments. Which they probably learned from all of the timing chain repair on the 4 bangers. I think (but I'm not sure) they changed it back in the 455.

 

The '61 -'63 Tempest-4 was well-known for being a shaker that was very hard on timing chains. The Pontiac engineers went to the trouble to design a much stronger timing chain to be used exclusively for this 194.5-cube 4-banger, as well as a chain tensioner.

Pontiac V8 racers favored this much stronger chain for many years and used them until the supply dried up. The fact that the Tempest-4 was hard on chains really had nothing to do with the nylon cam sprocket, this big-cube 4-banger had a balance problem that also required special heavy-duty accessory brackets since they were prone to cracking from engine vibration.

If you really want all of your early Tempest questions answered, go here where the guys who actually own and drive these unique Pontiacs hang out:

http://forums.performanceyears.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=427

 

I have a few miles behind the wheel of an early tempest. My daily driver has over 500K on it. I have never broken a timing chain. I have never had a propeller shaft break. It has never left me stranded on the side of the road. I average 18 mpg in town & regularly get 28 on the highway at 70 mph!. Like any cl***ic, it must be maintained. No big deal. They are a great little car.

Here are a couple of pics. My daily driver in Tucson, where I got this 61 Tempest wagon. Also got these in Tucson.

 

You sure about this?