1962 Pontiac Tempest.pdf - RetroAutos

Copyright 2009 GM Corp. Used with permission, GM Media Archive.RetroautosCollectible & Classic It’s about The cars !!Tempest: Pontiac’s answer to the CorvairMichael Jeanes’ Pontiac Tempest Le Mansconvertible is a perfect example of the depth ofGeneral Motors technical capabilities and financialwealth back in the early 1960s.In 1960-61 the rapidly growing small/compactmarket segment, dominated by the VW Beetle, hadDetroit’s big three taking very different approachesto get a slice of the action.Ford went down conventional front engine, reardrive route with their Falcon. Chrysler also trod thatpath, but with “unique” styling and a slant sixengine.General Motors response was stunningly diverse.Chevrolet offered the air cooled, rear engineCorvair. Buick and Oldsmobile enticed buyers with arange of semi-luxury, sporty cars powered by a newlightweight aluminium 3.5 litre V8.Pontiac , urged on by its chief engineer John ZDeLorean , went into the market in with its Tempest,boasting independent rear suspension taken from theRETROAUTOS November 012 ISSN 1836-9472All images : Copyright 2012 GM Corp. Used with permission, GM Media Archive.

RetroautosCollectible & ClassicWork on the 1962 Tempest began in 1959. Note the different side mouldings on the rear fender compared toMichael’s convertible above. The rear fender tops are also flatter on the prototype, with a less pronounced line.RETROAUTOS November 012 ISSN 1836-9472

RetroautosCollectible & ClassicAbove and below: Approximately twelve months separates these pics. Note the changes in the side stylingRETROAUTOS November 012 ISSN 1836-9472

RetroautosCollectible & ClassicVarious front andrear end ideas weretried during 1959and 1960.The grille on thefinal version of thecar resembles theChrysler Valiant. For1963 Pontiac wentback to the splitgrille motif.RETROAUTOS November 012 ISSN 1836-9472

RetroautosCollectible & ClassicAbove and below: Approximately twelve months separates these images. The bottom picture shows twodifferent approaches to the rear fenders. The left side has a definite “wing”, the right more rounded.RETROAUTOS November 012 ISSN 1836-9472

RetroautosCollectible & ClassicAbove and below: By October 1960 the car was close to final styling. In February 1961 it was being shown toSenior mangers in the GM stying dome. as the image below, and on subsequent pages , shows.RETROAUTOS November 012 ISSN 1836-9472

RetroautosCollectible & ClassicThe similarities of the grillesof the Tempest and 1965Valiant are very noticeable.RETROAUTOS November 012 ISSN 1836-9472

RetroautosCollectible & ClassicRETROAUTOS November 012 ISSN 1836-9472

RetroautosCollectible & ClassicPontiac also built a show car based on the Tempest. It was toured around auto shows in1962 .Called the Monte Carlo it was built on a shortened convertible frame. The enginewas the 3.1 litre 4 cylinder , supercharged. It had real wire wheels , with knock-offs.RETROAUTOS November 012 ISSN 1836-9472