1963 Pontiac Tempest Convertible

[vin63]

I finally got my Custom Convertible Tempest back up and running, and made the 60 mile freeway round trip to the SoCal Chapter Pontiac Oakland Int'l Club annual show this past weekend.



I acquired the car from the original owner's family after talking with them in 2011. It was ordered by the father (a local physician) for his mom in 1963 through Ebersole Pontiac in Lebanon, PA. It was oddly optioned - ordered with power brakes and power steering, 4 bbl 195 ci 4 cylinder (half of a 389), with the Custom option (Triton upholstery, custom steering wheel, and wheel covers - typically found on the Lemans model).

After paint, new top, re-chrome and hunting down parts, the original exhaust crossover/manifold heater finally fell apart from corrosion. This exhaust leak started the proverbial ball rolling that led to a complete engine, front suspension rebuild, one-year-only gas tank restoration.