Manufacturer: Pontiac Model: Tempest Le Mans Convertib First...

by Barons Auctioneers

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1/5

Hammer

£8,750

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Manufacturer: Pontiac
Model: Tempest Le Mans Convertib
First Registered: 1963
Registration No: RegNo
Engine No: 118680
Chassis No: 263P
MOT: June 2013
Colour: Red
Details:
The first generation Tempest was introduced in 1961 until 1963. Though the Tempest utilised some of Oldsmobile's sheet metal, underneath that it was completely different. The drive-train for the Tempest employed an innovative tunnel that measured almost the entire length of the floor-pan and held a 3/4' flexible steel drive shaft running on bearings, and rode inside a torque tube that forced it into a curve while connecting the engine in the front to a unified differential and transmission in the rear.

The Tempest had a weight distribution close to 50/50 from the combination of the rear-mounted transaxle and the front-mounted engine between the forward and rear wheels. This enabled four-wheel independent suspension and had the added benefit of eliminating the floor 'hump' forward of the front seat needed to accommodate the transmission in conventional vehicles.

The man behind the design of the Pontiac Tempest was John Z. DeLorean, the division's chief engineer, and also a Packard veteran who eventually became the division's head and even later became infamous for the Northern Ireland debacle that was the DeLorean.

Power for the Tempest came from a 195-cubic inch straight-4 engine that was dubbed the 'Trophy 4'. This was derived from the right cylinder bank of Pontiac's 389 cu in V8, the normal power-plant that Pontiac utilised in its larger vehicles. This engine was promoted as a ‘fuel-saving economy motor' for customers looking to cut down on costs, and it also saved GM money by running the engine down the same assembly line as the 389. This 3.2 litre, four cylinder engine could produce up to 150bhp and was shown to be very reliable and capable of propelling the Tempest at quite acceptable speeds.

In 1962 the Tempest became available in Le Mans specification and as a convertible. What we have here is a 1963 Le Mans specification convertible, which has been lovingly restored and is complete with the original window specification sheet, from the dealer and the original owners manual.

Finished in Signal red with bronze and tan interior, the car is equipped with a tan power hood, two speed transaxle and fully rebuilt "Trophy Four" engine. Recently imported from Dallas, Texas, via Alabama, the car is in superb condition and is complete with an MOT certificate to May 2013.

This is the perfect piece of 60's motoring for the Goodwood Revival and is thought to be unique in the UK.

Closed
Auction Date:
14th Apr 13 at 1:30pm BST

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Sale Dates:
14th Apr 2013 1:30pm BST (Lots 101 to 149)