How many years did Pontiac make the Tempest?
Innovative mechanical designs, intriguingly detailed styling and pure Pontiac power combined to stir up the market and make the original 1961-1963 Tempest and Le Mans into critical (Motor Trend magazine’s 1961 Car of the Year) and popular (over 375,500 sold) successes.
Did the Pontiac Tempest have independent rear suspension?
While the Thompson and Royal Pontiac Tempests used a conventional drivetrain and solid rear axle, Pontiac made the radical choice to keep the transaxle and independent rear suspension. The unusual driveshaft was retained, since it needed to transmit only engine torque, not output from a transmission.
Did a Pontiac Tempest have independent rear suspension?
Weird Science. While the Thompson and Royal Pontiac Tempests used a conventional drivetrain and solid rear axle, Pontiac made the radical choice to keep the transaxle and independent rear suspension. The unusual driveshaft was retained, since it needed to transmit only engine torque, not output from a transmission.
What kind of engine does a 1961 Chevy Tempest have?
Our 1961 feature car, owned by Fred Claudio, features this optional four with a three-speed manual. The aforementioned aluminum V-8, shared with Oldsmobile and Buick, made 155hp and 220 ft.-lbs. of torque, but reports show that a mere 2,004 Tempests were built with this engine.
Why was the Pontiac Tempest so popular in 1961?
Innovative mechanical designs, intriguingly detailed styling and pure Pontiac power combined to stir up the market and make the original 1961-1963 Tempest and Le Mans into critical (Motor Trend magazine’s 1961 Car of the Year) and popular (over 375,500 sold) successes.
Can you travel first class in a Pontiac Tempest?
You travel first class in a Pontiac Tempest in its debut year. The 1961 Tempest was in it’s first year of production and already gained popular acceptance into the small-car marketplace. The four-door and station wagon models were first to hit the scene with and then later joined by a 2-door hardtop and Tempest LeMans.