Seller Submission: 1961 Pontiac Tempest

Pontiac engineers working to release the first generation Tempest way back in 1961 (under the command of none-other-than John Z DeLorean) wanted to offer a small displacement and frugal engine but did not have the budget for a full scale development effort.  What they did was hack half the cylinders off of a 389 V8 and create the 195 Trophy 4.  It was the first American built vehicle to have a 4-cylinder engine since the Kaiser Henry J went out of production and was known for being frugal on gas and refinement...but wasn't the worse thing to come out of Detroit in 1961.  Find this 1961 Pontiac Tempest offered for $2750 in Tulsa, OK via craigslist.  Seller Submission from Joe.

Dusty Rope Drive: 1961 Pontiac Tempest

The early 1960's were a time of experimentation for GM.  One only needs to recall how radical the newly released Corvair was to understand what was going on in the design halls at Detroit iron.  While the Corvair went on to a 10 year production streak, the equally radical Pontiac Tempest only managed a 3 year run before converting back to conventional power train configurations.  Find this 1961 Pontiac Tempest for sale in Tulsa, OK for $2,250 via craigslist. 

The Temptress: 1966 Pontiac Tempest LeMans

I just don't understand the classic car market sometimes.  There is a derelict '55 Porsche 356 Speedster bidding for $150k on eBay right now (with an unmet reserve...) and I just don't understand who'd drop that kind of cash on a car that needs a total rebuild.  Sure, after dumping $100k into the car you might have a Speedster that'll sell for $500k, but I just don't understand who are the folks with deep pockets bidding these things into beach front condo levels.  For my money, if I'm going to get a barn find it'd better be cheap...like this 1966 Pontiac Tempest LeMans here on eBay bidding for $6,400 with 3 days to go, located in Macedonia, OH.

10k: Show Winner: 1961 Pontiac Tempest Sedan

Cars that take first prize in things like the Pontiac Oakland Club International car show are not typically in the DT price range.  However, a Trophy 4 powered Tempest 4-door isn't exactly a highly desired collector car, so it isn't surprising that the nicest one around is offered for about the same price as a burnt out hulk of a 911 chassis.  Find this 1961 Pontiac Tempest Sedan offered for $11,000 in Minneapolis, MN via hemmings.

5k: Trophy 4 Banger: 1962 Pontiac Tempest

When Pontiac were developing their first generation Tempest, they needed a small displacement, frugal engine for the mass market, but didn't have the budget for a full scale development effort.  So they took the 389 V8 and hacked one bank of 4-cylinders off, and created one of the strangest looking 4-cylinder engines in existence, the Trophy 4.  Find this 1962 Pontiac Tempest offered for $5,500 in Artesia, CA via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

5k: Missing Half Yer Engine: 1963 Pontiac LeMans Convertible

 The first generation Pontiac LeMans was a top of the line spec of the Tempest when it was launched in 1961.  The LeMans/Tempest was later famous for being the platform that John DeLorean (with engineering help from Russell Gee and Bill Collins) turned into the GTO, but first it was the home of a lumpy half baked engine called the Trophy-4.  Find this 1963 Pontiac LeMans here on eBay currently bidding for $3,966 with 1 day to go, located in Simi Valley, CA.

10k: Repeat Offender: 1962 Pontiac Tempest Trophy 4

Update 7/25/2014: This 1962 Pontiac Tempest equipped with Trophy 4-banger is currently bidding for $4,049 reserve-not-met with a $9,900 buy-it-now, located in New Castle DE.

Originally posted 4/24/2014: In 1961 Pontiac engineers working to release the first generation Tempest under the guidance of John Z DeLorean wanted to offer a small displacement and frugal engine but did not have the budget for a full scale development effort.  What they did was hack half the cylinders off of a 389 V8 and create the 195 Trophy 4.  It was the first American built vehicle to have a 4-cylinder engine since the Kaiser Henry J went out of production and would rattle the fillings out of your teeth with vibration.  Find this 1962 Pontiac Tempest Trophy 4 currently bidding for $2,125 reserve-not-met and $11,500 buy-it-now on ebay, located in New Castle, DE.

41 of 50: Sharon: 1966 Pontiac Tempest; GTO Lookalike

The 1st generation Pontiac GTO is an iconic muscle car with prices to match its iconic status.  But it wasn't always a big shot and grew up as the Pontiac Tempest...so thousands of Tempest owners have taken a page from the factory playbook and created their own version. A clone will never be as valuable as the original, but if it looks, smells, and drives as nice as the real deal for 1/10th the price, why not?  Find this 1966 Pontiac Tempest GTO lookalike for sale in Seattle, WA for $12,000.  Tip from Ryan T.

10k: Goat Cloning: 1965 Pontiac Tempest Sedan, GTO Clone

Pontiac never sold a hot-rod 4-door GTO version of their Tempest sedan, but if they had it would look like a lot like this thing.  Find this 1965 Pontiac Tempest sedan for sale in Lawndale, CA currently bidding on ebay for $5,100 reserve-not-met with 5 days to go.  You won't find this cloned goat in the organic foods aisle at Whole Foods, but it has competed in the Targa Cali and a Hot Rod magazine flog test (Hot Rod magazine called it the Grand Turismo Quattroporte) and comes with few spare engines.