You travel first class in a Pontiac Tempest with so many conveniences that come as standard equipment.
1963 Pontiac Tempest
The Tempest had a new, clean redesign including an angled roof, "coke-bottle" exterior shape with wider wheel openings, split grilles, longer trunks and creased side panels. Inside, rich fabrics including vinyl and lush carpeting and came in 4 different color teams.
A new 326 V8 short stroke engine with overhead valve plants which were mounted up front with aluminum alloy tin plated pistons, an alloy cast iron block, 5 main bearings and a 37 amp. generator. In addition to the new "Tempes Torque" automatic transmission, there was also a 3-speed and 4-speed available all rear mounted.
Another redesign for the year was the trans-axle with swing axle shafts providing suspension from independent coil springs allowed for better handling and maneuvering.
1963 Pontiac Tempest Specifications and Production
Model Number
Body/Style Number
Body Type & Seating
Factory Price
Shipping Weight
Total Production
Tempest
21
27
2d Coupe - 6P
$2,188
2,810 lbs
13,307
21
17
2d Hardtop - 6P
$2,294
2,820 lbs
13,157
21
19
4d Sedan - 6P
$2,241
2,815 lbs
28,221
21
67
2d Convertible - 5P
$2,554
2,955 lbs
5,012
21
35
4d Station Wagon- 6P
$2,512
2,995 lbs
10,135
Tempest LeMans
22
17
2d Hardtop - 6P
$2,418
2,865 lbs
45,701
22
67
2d Convertible - 5P
$2,742
3,035 lbs
15,957
NOTES:
69,832 Tempests were Built
16,657 had Synchromesh
53,174 had Tempes-Torque Automatic
61,659 LeMans were built
18,034 LeMans had Synchromesh
43,625 LeMans had Tempes-Torque
23,327 LeMans Coupes and 8,744 LeMans convertibles had 4 cylinder engines; remaining were powered by V8.
Chassis Data
Model
Wheelbase
Overall Length
Front Tread
Rear Tread
Tires
Tempest
112 in
194.3 in
57.3 in
58 in
6.00 x 15
VIN Decoding
Vin Number was on the left front door hinge pillar.
First Symbol - Series
0 = Tempest (std.)
6 = Star Chief
1 = Tempest
7 = Bonneville Station Wagon
2 = LeMans
8 = Bonneville
3 = Catalina
9 = Grand Prix
Second & Third Symbol - Year
63 = 1963
Fourth Symbol - Assembly Plant
(A) Arlington, Texas
(P) Pontiac, Michigan
(D) Doraville, Georgia
(S) Southgate, California
(K) Kansas City, Kansas
(W) Wilmington, Delaware
(L) Linden, New Jersey
Last Four Symbols - Production Sequence
Started at 1001
Options and Accessories
Code
Description
Code
Description
381
Push-Button Radio w/ Manual Antenna
511
Dual Exhaust
382
Push-Button Radio w/ Electric Antenna
512
Door Edge Guards
383
Push-Button AM/FM Radio w/ Manual Antenna
521
Custom Wheel Discs
384
Push-Button AM/FM Radio w/ Electric Antenna
528
Sport Wheel Covers
401
Rear Seat Speaker
531
Soft Ray Glass (all windows)
402
Two-Speed Wipers
532
Soft Ray Glass (windshield only)
411
Rear Seat Foam Cushion
548
Verba-Phonic Rear Speaker
412
Front Seat Foam Cushion
551
Power Windows
421
Windshield Washers & Two-Speed Wipers
552
Power Vent Windows
422
Safeguard Speedo w/ Fuel Level Light
554
Power Tailgate Window (station wagon)
424
Instrument Panel Pad
561
Power Seat
431
Heavy-Duty Air Cleaner
571
Luggage Carrier (station wagon)
441
Visor Vanity Mirror
572
Spare Tire Cover
442
Inside Non-Glare Tilt Mirror
581
Air Conditioning
444
Outside Remote Control Mirror
591
Magi-Cruise Control
454
Outside Rear View Mirror
601
Console (bucket seats only)
461
Deluxe Steering Wheel
604
Electric Clock
462
Deluxe Wheel Discs
624
Front Seat Belts
471
Back-Up Lights
631
Front Floor Mats
481
Utility Light (Luggage or Under-Hood)
632
Front & Rear Floor Mats
482
Glove Box Light
641
Remote Control Deck Lid
484
Dome & Reading Light
654
Tilt Steering Wheel
491
Courtesy Light
664
Tachometer
492
Ash Tray & Cigar Lighter Light
678
Heavy-Duty Battery
494
Parking Brake Light
691
Safe-T-Track
501
Power Steering
694
Aluminum Wheels
502
Power Brakes
Engine Data
Location Of Engine Code: (Six-Cyl) - On cylinder head-to-block
contact surface behind oil filter pipe. (V8) - Stamped on right front side
of block or beneath production engine number on machined pad on right hand
bank of engine block.
Letter Code
Engine
Horsepower
Torque
Transmission
Carburetor
01A
8-389
215
390
Manual
2 BC
02B
8-389
235
402
Manual
4 BC
03B
8-389
215
390
Heavy-Duty Manual
2 BC
04B
8-389
235
402
Heavy-Duty Manual
4 BC
05A
8-389
215
390
Manual
2 BC
06B
8-389
303
425
4-Speed Manual
4 BC
07B
8-389
313
430
Heavy-Duty Manual
3 - 2 BC
08B
8-421 *
353
455
Heavy-Duty Manual
4 BC
11B
8-421 *
370
460
Heavy-Duty Manual
3 - 2 BC
12-5
8-421 #
390
Not Available
Automatic
2 BC
12B
8-421 #
Not Available
Not Available
3-Speed Manual
4 BC
12U
8-421 #
390
Not Available
Manual
2 - 4 BC
13-4
8-421 #
Not Available
Not Available
Manual
2 - 4 BC
13-5
8-421 #
420
Not Available
Heavy-Duty Manual
2 - 4 BC
13B
8-421 #
Not Available
Not Available
3-Speed Manual
2 - 4 BC
13U
8-421 #
405
Not Available
Manual
2 - 4 BC
15H
8-389
267
405
Automatic
2 BC
16K
8-389
303
425
Automatic
4 BC
17H
8-389
267
405
Automatic
2 BC
18K
8-389
303
425
Automatic
4 BC
20L
8-389
230
380
Automatic
2 BC
21L
8-389
230
380
Automatic
2 BC
22B
8-421
Not Available
Not Available
Heavy-Duty Manual
4 BC
23H
8-389
267
405
Automatic
2 BC
24U
8-421 #
410
Not Available
Manual
2 - 4 BC
25G
8-421 *
353
455
Automatic
4 BC
26-6
8-389
313
430
Automatic
3 - 2 BC
28G
8-421 *
370
460
Automatic
3 - 2 BC
34-J
8-421
Not Available
Not Available
Automatic
4 BC
35-M
8-389
283
413
Automatic
2 BC
36P
8-389
303
425
Automatic
4 BC
37M
8-389
283
413
Automatic
2 BC
38P
8-389
303
425
Automatic
4 BC
39N
8-389
303
425
Automatic
4 BC
40R
8-389
230
380
Automatic
2 BC
41R
8-389
230
380
Automatic
2 BC
43N
8-421
Not Available
Not Available
Automatic
4 BC
44M
8-389
283
413
Automatic
2 BC
45P
8-389
303
425
Automatic
4 BC
47Q
8-421 *
353
455
Automatic
4 BC
48N
8-389
313
430
Automatic
3 - 2 BC
50Q
8-421 *
370
460
Automatic
3 - 2 BC
75-9
8-421
Not Available
Not Available
Manual
2 - 4 BC
125T
8-421 #
390
Not Available
Manual
2 - 4 BC
135U
8-421 #
405
Not Available
Manual
2 - 4 BC
NOTES:
* - High Output
# - Super Duty
Transmission Codes
Transmission
Location
Super Hydra-Matic "315" (Dual-Coupling Hydra-Matic)
On name plate located on lower left corner of the rear face of transmission
case.
Roto Hydra-Matic "10"
On serial number plate attached to left side of transmission.
Jetway
On metal tag fastened to right side of transmission case or stamped
on lower servo cover.
3-Speed
Painted or stamped on the transmission case.
4-Speed
Painted or stamped on the transmission case.
Plant and Type Designation Prefix
Transmission Type
P
Roto Hydra-Matic "10"
PAH
Roto Hydra-Matic "10"
PAS
Super Hydra-Matic "315"
PB
Roto Hydra-Matic "10"
PBS
Super Hydra-Matic "315"
PC
Roto Hydra-Matic "10"
PCS
Super Hydra-Matic "315"
PE
Roto Hydra-Matic "10"
PEH
Roto Hydra-Matic "10"
PES
Super Hydra-Matic "315"
PS
Super Hydra-Matic "315"
Axle Codes
Location Of Axle Codes: On flange end of axle shaft
and on or near carrier.
Code
Color - Non-Locking
Color - Locking
Ratio
2
Red
Red & Green
43-16 = 2.69
3
Gray
Gray & Green
41-16 = 2.56
4
None
None
19-10 = 3.90
6
Blue
Blue & Green
40-11 = 3.64
7
Orange
Orange & Green
43-15 = 2.87
8
White
White & Green
41-12 = 3.42
9
Brown
Brown & Green
42-13 = 3.23
0
Yellow
Yellow & Green
40-13 = 3.08
0
Black
Black & Green
41-10 = 4.10
Paint Codes - Exterior Colors
Color Name / Code
Color Image
Color Name / Code
Color Image
A - Starlight Black
Lucite® Code - 88
Dulux® Code - 93-005
V - Grenadier Red
Lucite® Code - 4387LH
Dulux® Code - 93-95896H
NOTES: The first letter of a two-letter paint code identifies the body
color. The second letter identifies the roof color. (For example,
the combination HC on a Pontiac would indicate the body finished
in Kimberly Blue and the roof area in Cameo Ivory.) General Motors
paint code plate for all models except Corvair and Corvette is located
under the hood at the top of the firewall on the left or right of
the upper shroud. Corvair paint code plate is on the left rear wheel
housing. Corvette paint code plate is under the dash, below the
glove compartment.
Paint Codes - Interior Colors
Color Name / Code
Color Image
Color Name / Code
Color Image
Light Fawn
Lucite® Code - 9000L
Dark Green Metallic
Lucite® Code - 9011L
Medium Fawn Metallic
Lucite® Code - 9004L
Medium Aqua Metallic
Lucite® Code - 9005L
Dark Fawn Metallic
Lucite® Code - 9014L
Dark Aqua Metallic
Lucite® Code - 9012LH
Medium Saddle Metallic
Lucite® Code - 9015L
Medium Red
Lucite® Code - 9016LH
Medium Blue Metallic
Lucite® Code - 9006L
Medium Maroon Metallic
Lucite® Code - 4034LH
Dark Blue Metallic
Lucite® Code -
Dark Maroon Metallic
Lucite® Code -
Medium Gray Metallic
Lucite® Code - 9010L
Black
Lucite® Code - (flat)
Dark Gray Metallic
Lucite® Code - 9009L
Mocha Brown
Lucite® Code - 4432L
Medium Green Metallic
Lucite® Code - 9007L
NOTE: Unrubbed
LUCITE® will generally produce a gloss comparable to original
unrubbed interior semi-gloss finishes. If lower gloss is required,
use DuPont #4528 flattening compound to reduce gloss.
