[Surf64]

I started taking the tempest apart and found this...

[b-man]

Someone hacked the tail panel to fit GTO / Le Mans taillights along with swapping the gas door trim and installing quarter extensions to match.


Brutal.

[Surf64]

Yea, I bought the car 200 miles from home so I really didn't have time to check everything. I'm gonna have to figure something.

[salem1912]

"I started taking the tempest apart and found this.."
Did you purchase it as a GTO ?

[tempest1964]

From what I have read on Surf64’s intro and this thread, he’s wanting to return the car to its original form as a Tempest. To Surf64 I would say, the good thing is you’re in the right spot for good advice and hopefully parts too to transform your car back to be your Tempest. Just out of curiosity can you tell how you want your Tempest project finished?
V-8, 4speed, color, etc? As I said, just curious. And btw, good luck sir.

[geeteeohguy]

Looks like the original 1964 issue black CA license plate, so I suppose you are in CA?

[turbo69bird]

While it sucks to find that compared to north east rust that’s a blessing

[Surf64]

Originally Posted by tempest1964

From what I have read on Surf64’s intro and this thread, he’s wanting to return the car to its original form as a Tempest. To Surf64 I would say, the good thing is you’re in the right spot for good advice and hopefully parts too to transform your car back to be your Tempest. Just out of curiosity can you tell how you want your Tempest project finished?
V-8, 4speed, color, etc? As I said, just curious. And btw, good luck sir.

My plan right now is to get it running, I have a 400 and a turbo 350 for now. I did buy the whole suspension from CPP and global west. I also have a dana 60 from my other le mans that I'm gonna use. Gonna be a street strip kind of vibe.

[Surf64]

Originally Posted by geeteeohguy

Looks like the original 1964 issue black CA license plate, so I suppose you are in CA?

Yea original plates, the car was actually built in late 63, and sold new in January of 64. And yup I'm a california dude.

[Surf64]

Originally Posted by turbo69bird

While it sucks to find that compared to north east rust that’s a blessing

I know what you mean, I bought a real 65 GTO from Northern California, major rust everywhere.

[tempest1964]

Originally Posted by Surf64

Yea original plates, the car was actually built in late 63, and sold new in January of 64. And yup I'm a california dude.

Just curious. Was your car Fremont built? If so what was the build date? My car is a Fremont car. 4th week of November, 1963.

[Andre]

The good news is that a Tempest tail panel should not be difficult to find.

[bbnotop]

I am curious how the tail light assemblies didn't just fall out? Looks like there are maybe one mounting holes left per side.

[Surf64]

Originally Posted by tempest1964

Just curious. Was your car Fremont built? If so what was the build date? My car is a Fremont car. 4th week of November, 1963.

Yes both of my pontiacs are Fremont cars, my lemans was built on the same day when kennedy was killed, my tempest was built in November, I'm gonna order the pontiac history of my tempest

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

I'm not sure why they had to do the long slots along the bottom lengths.
That is wild.
Maybe extra weight reduction. (joking)

I would leave it as is and just proceed forward with GTO or no-name body.
Definitely would not put the Custom moldings back on the sides.

Good Tempest tail light lenses will be hard to source.
But there is always a little room for luck.
I had a good set .... but not sure what I have left or if I still have them or sold them.
I have two 64 Tempest Custom 4 door parts cars , and a 65 Custom 4dr.

[Surf64]

Originally Posted by Baron Von Zeppelin

I'm not sure why they had to do the long slots along the bottom lengths.
That is wild.
Maybe extra weight reduction. (joking)

I would leave it as is and just proceed forward with GTO or no-name body.
Definitely would not put the Custom moldings back on the sides.

Good Tempest tail light lenses will be hard to source.
But there is always a little room for luck.
I had a good set .... but not sure what I have left or if I still have them or sold them.
I have two 64 Tempest Custom 4 door parts cars , and a 65 Custom 4dr.

I know the hack in the back really surprised me. The seller blamed the guy who he bought the car from. I did source the side trim from 433lemans, I think they would look good on the car, it also beats filling all those holes.