1964 Pontiac Tempest
General Motors completely redesigned its intermediate offering for 1964, transforming it from a compact car into a true mid-size automobile. The redesigned model moved to the GM A-body platform with a conventional drivetrain and grew to a 115-inch wheelbase with 203 inches of overall length.
Available body styles included two-door hardtop, convertible, four-door sedan, and station wagon configurations.
The base Tempest, Tempest Custom, and LeMans became separate trim packages, offering buyers various levels of equipment and styling. The hardtop featured pillarless construction and clean side glass, while all models displayed Pontiac’s characteristic split grille design.
The standard powerplant was a 215 cubic-inch inline six-cylinder engine producing 140 horsepower. Optional V8 engines included the 326 cubic-inch unit available in 250 and 280 horsepower versions, plus larger 389 cubic-inch options. Transmission choices included three-speed manual, four-speed manual, or two-speed automatic.
The 1964 model year marked the debut of the legendary GTO option package for LeMans models, launching the muscle car era.
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