Just thought I'd share some photos of my coworker Don's 1961 Tempest. He's in his mid 50s and his father bought the car new. It's absolutely showroom condition. This is only the 2nd time in almost 6 years working here I've seen it in person and thought I'd snap some pics while it was outside and sunny.
If any one is interested. https://www.streetmusclemag.com/fea...-should-know-1963-pontiac-tempest-super-duty/
Had a '63 326 Lemans. When it was on a lift (4 arm)the bottom of the rear wheels would droop inwards due to the rear transaxle configuration. Summer time,early 70s,highway 98 west of Wake Forest,NC,took a swooping long downhill curve to the right at high(excessive) speed over a bridge. At the bottom/apex of the curve/turn, right rear wheel folded under. Lost control. Luckily was at the far end of the bridge. Flipped over through the air, fore an aft, flipping down an enbankment. Landed on it's roof. Glad it was a post car. later, the investigating highway patrolman handed me a folded wheel cover and admonished me "Reckon you've learned your lesson?" No ticket. Worse case of poison ivy I've ever had (from climbing up the hill).
1/2 of a 389 is correct --- a 4 cylinder " 195 " motor.... I have some ++ CRITICAL ++ N.O.S. parts for it !!!! Front & Rear ++ Asbestos ++ Brake shoes --- 9" x 1 3/4" that fits 1961 - 1963 Pontiac Tempest / LeMans -- ALL -- ONLY -- A fuel pump ++ NEW ++ , A water pump ++ NEW ++ and more.... It is a cousin car to the 1961 - 1963 Buick Special & Skylark & 1961 - 1963 Olds Cutlass & F85.....
I don't think he's going to need anything as the car is about as done as done can get, but I will happily pass the info along....I remember the 1st car I saw with the Trophy 4 in it at a car show when I was a kid with my Dad. That's how I knew it was basically the right 1/2 of a 389 (my Pops had a '66 Goat so I grew up learning a bit about Pontiacs). I remember the distributor and cap was the same as a V8 only every other post was a "blank", but the posts were still there
I remember a neighbor's brother (in the early 60s) had a baby blue convertible with dark blue interior. It had the Iron Duke with a four barrel carb. I was there when he was tuning a Holley carb. If I remember correctly, it was a four speed.
Different engine, Jerry, but cool just the same. These were called Trophy 4s as Pontiac was calling the 389 a Trophy 8 then. Be neat to see a factory 4 barrel 4 cylinder
Must have been the Trophy 4. I was about 11 or 12 at the time. You're dealing with an old guy who couldn't tell you what he had for breakfast. I wonder how many were ever built that way?
