You travel first class in a Pontiac Tempest in its debut year.
1961 Pontiac Tempest
The 1961 Tempest was in it's first year of production and already gained popular acceptance into the small-car marketplace. The four-door and station wagon models were first to hit the scene with and then later joined by a 2-door hardtop and Tempest LeMans. The Tempest featured Pontiac's twin grille styling theme, sculptured side panels, and body side wind splits. Tempests also came equipped with turn signals, electric windshield wipers, sun visors, and five tubeless black sidewall tires
1961 Pontiac Options included: Air-Conditioning - Electric Antenna - Guide Matic Headlamp Control - Power Steering - Power Brakes - Six Way Power Seat - Power Windows - Safeguard Speedometer - Magic Cruise - Aluminum Hubs & Drums - Bucket Seats - EZ Eye Glass - Luggage Carrier - Power Tailgate - 4 Speed Super HydraMatic - 4 Speed Manual - SafeT Track Differential - 4 Barrel Induction System - Tri Power Induction System
1961 Pontiac Tempest Specification and Production Numbers
Model Number
Body/Style Number
Body Type & Seating
Factory Price
Shipping Weight
Total Production
Tempest
21
19
4d Sedan - 6P
$2,702
2,800 lbs
22,557
21
27
2d Hardtop - 6P
$2,113
2,785 lbs
7,432
21
35
4d Station Wagon - 6P
$2,438
2,980 lbs
7,404
Tempest (with custom trim package)
21
19
4d Sedan - 6P
$2,884
2,800 lbs
40,082
21
27
2d LeMans Hardtop - 6P
$2,297
2,795 lbs
7,455
21
35
4d Station Wagon - 6P
$2,611
2,980 lbs
15,853
NOTES:
98,779 Tempest with 4-cyl engines were built
26,737 Tempest fours had synchromesh and 72,053 had Hydra-matic
2,004 Tempests were built with optional Buick aluminum V8's
3 Tempest V8s had synchromesh and 2,001 had Hydra-Matic
Chassis Data
Model
Wheelbase
Overall Length
Front Tread
Rear Tread
Tires
Tempest
112 in
189.3 in
56.8 in
56.8 in
6.00 x 15
VIN Decoding
Vin Number was on the left front door hinge pillar. On raised pad at front of right hand cylinder bank.
First Symbol - Series
1 = Tempest
6 = Star Chief
3 = Catalina
7 = 1961-1962 Bonneville Station Wagon
5 = Ventura
8 = 1961-1962 Bonneville exc. Station Wagon
Second & Third Symbol - Year
61 = 1961
Fourth Symbol - Assembly Plant
(A) Arlington, Texas
(L) Linden, New Jersey
(D) Doraville, Georgia
(P) Pontiac, Michigan
(E) Euclid, Ohio
(S) Southgate, California
(K) Kansas City, Kansas
(W) Wilmington, Delaware
Last Four Symbols - Production Sequence
Started at 1001
Engine Data
Location Of Engine Code: (Four Cyl.) - (Four Cyl.) - Stamped on right front side of block or beneath the engine sequence number on machined pad on right hand bank of engine block. (Six Cyl.) - Stamped on right front side of block. (V-8) - Stamped on right front side of block or beneath the engine sequence number on machined pad on right hand bank of engine block. Note: Some Tempest engines have the letter code on the same line following the engine sequence number.
A - Regent Black
Lucite® Code - #88L
Dulux® Code - 93-005
F - Richelieu Blue Metallic
Lucite® Code - 4143L
Dulux® Code - 181-94696
NOTES: Solid colors will be designated by two letters: Example - Solid Regent Black AA. solid Shelltone Ivory CC. Tow-tone combinations are designated by two letter: First Letter - Lower Body, Second Letter - Upper Body, Roof.
Paint Codes - Interior Colors
Color Name / Code
Color Image
Color Name / Code
Color Image
Medium Garnet Metallic
DUCO - 4066H
Not Available
Dark Blue Metallic
DUCO - 4237H
Not Available
Medium Fawn Metallic
DUCO - 94171
Not Available
Dark Green Metallic
DUCO - 4238H
Not Available
Medium Gray Metallic
DUCO - 94187
Not Available
Dark Gray Metallic
DUCO - 4239H
Not Available
Medium Blue Metallic
DUCO - 94235
Not Available
Dark Brown Metallic
DUCO - 4240H
Not Available
Medium Green Metallic
DUCO - 94297H
Not Available
Dark Maroon Metallic
DUCO - 4241H
Not Available
NOTE: Unpolished LUCITE® will generally produce a gloss comparable to original interior semi-gloss finishes. If lower gloss is required, use 1/2 oz. DuPont #4528S flattening compound to a pint of unreduced color.
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