Today’s Nice Price or No Dice Pontiac was awarded as Car of the Year by Motor Trend journal upon its 1961 debut. Let’s see if this revolutionary design nonetheless holds up as we speak.
Legendary advert man David Ogilvy famously promoted Rolls-Royce with the road, “At 60 miles an hour, the loudest noise in the new Rolls-Royce comes from the electric clock.” I received’t say that the 1983 Rolls-Royce Camargue we checked out yesterday precisely left us all speechless, however there wasn’t a lot clamor for both it or its $60,000 asking value. In the tip, that resulted in a considerable 93 p.c No Dice loss.
While Rolls could have as soon as been the “Standard of the World,” General Motors was much more proletariat and, as such, turned, for an excellent very long time, the most important automaker on the globe. So necessary was this financial juggernaut that it was as soon as espoused right here within the States that “what is good for GM is good for America.” That wouldn’t final without end, although. The starting of the tip of GM’s reign atop the automotive business started within the late Fifties when international makes started trickling into the U.S., providing decrease costs, increased financial system, and usually quirkier experiences than what the home producers have been placing into the dealerships on the time.
Seeing the likes of Volkswagen and Renault chipping away on the backside of the market, the American corporations did attempt to struggle again, introducing new fashions that have been smaller and, in some instances, extra revolutionary than their conventional wares.
This 1962 Pontiac Tempest is a type of vehicles. Dubbed the “Senior Compacts” by GM, the Tempest and its co-developed siblings, the Olds F-85 and Buick Special/Skylark, sat in dimension and value beneath the standard full-size ranges, however above GM’s true compact, the Chevy Corvair. Each of the manufacturers shared a primary unit-body structure for his or her mannequin, however there have been sizable variations for every underneath the pores and skin.
In the case of the Tempest, that included the road’s solely four-cylinder, a 195 CID in-line engine dubbed the “Trophy 4” which was a derivation (actually half) of Pontiac’s 389 “Trophy 8” V8. The OHV 4 was rated at between 110 and 130 horsepower, depending on whether or not it was fitted with a one or two-barrel carburetor.
![Image for article titled At $6,500, Is This 1962 Pontiac Tempest A Storming Good Deal?](https://i0.wp.com/i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,q_60,w_645/0d7172f74ba2a406e057f6476bf6466d.jpg?w=788&ssl=1)
Along with that innovation, the Tempest obtained what’s arguably the mannequin’s most notable characteristic, which is a rear-mounted transaxle linked to the engine through a torque tube that truly curves the driveshaft, permitting for a number of extra inches of ground house within the cabin. The “Rope Shaft” and transaxle design additionally allowed for an almost 50/50 weight distribution and an impartial rear suspension, albeit swing axles, each fairly distinctive options on this class.
![Image for article titled At $6,500, Is This 1962 Pontiac Tempest A Storming Good Deal?](https://i0.wp.com/i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,q_60,w_645/e7a799408da3e12d14d39000b5a14e1f.jpg?w=788&ssl=1)
This Tempest is painted a good-looking maroon and wears heart cap and trim ring wheel adornment. Both the paint (which is a re-spray) and the chrome work seem like in excellent form. Underneath all that, the bodywork seems to be straight and with out problem.
![Image for article titled At $6,500, Is This 1962 Pontiac Tempest A Storming Good Deal?](https://i0.wp.com/i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,q_60,w_645/d915f2f927257ee134bc280a048e65a9.jpg?w=788&ssl=1)
The inside is a bit rougher, though the again seat, with its Cordaveen vinyl upholstery, appears to be in nice form. The entrance seat is outwardly one other story, as a sarape-style seat cowl masks it. The door playing cards and sprint look to be in respectable form, and sure, there may be an compulsory hula woman to maintain you firm atop that dashboard.
According to the vendor, the automotive has had some current work achieved, together with a brand new battery and rebuilds of the carburetor, starter, and two-speed computerized. The four-wheel drum brakes are stated to have additionally been refreshed. What’s described as a small oil leak is outwardly the automotive’s solely excellent problem.
All in all, the automotive is claimed to be dependable, with the vendor claiming to usually use it for each day driver responsibility. It comes with a clear title and a rolled-over odometer presently studying 29,000 miles. The vendor says that monetary hardships borne out of the prolonged WGA strike are forcing the sale. The asking value to finish that sale is $6,500.
![Image for article titled At $6,500, Is This 1962 Pontiac Tempest A Storming Good Deal?](https://i0.wp.com/i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,f_auto,g_center,q_60,w_645/46276b638bcec8d81a63263589cf8e5e.jpg?w=788&ssl=1)
What do you consider this basic sorta-compact Pontiac and that $6,500 asking? Does that appear like a deal for a seemingly strong outdated automotive? Or does that value forebode a storm of purchaser’s remorse?
You determine!
Los Angeles, California, Craigslist, or go right here if the advert disappears.
H/T to Don R. for the hookup!
Help me out with NPOND. Hit me up at remslie@kinja.com and ship me a fixed-price tip. Remember to incorporate your Kinja deal with.
Source: jalopnik.com