The successful LeMans/Tempest saw relatively little change for 1966
1966 Pontiac Tempest
The successful LeMans/Tempest saw relatively little change for 1966 with the exception of smoother contours, including hopped-up "Coke-bottle" rear fenders and, on coupes and hardtops, "flying buttress" rear roof pillars astride recessed backlights.
The Sprint package was available to order on Tempest, Tempest Custom or LeMans. Along with a bigger 6 cylinder engine featuring 207hp and a Quadrajet 4-bbl, the package comes with a chromed low-restriction air cleaner, dressy cam cover, synchro 3-speed with a Hurst floor shifter, sports striping and special emblems.
1966 Pontiac Tempest Specifications & Production Numbers
Model Number
Body/Style Number
Body Type & Seating
Factory Price
Shipping Weight
Total Production
Tempest Series
233
69
4d Sedan - 6P
$2,331
3,075 lbs
17,392
233
07
2d Coupe - 6P
$2,278
3,040 lbs
22,266
233
35
4d Station Wagon - 6P
$2,624
3,340 lbs
4,095
Tempest Custom
235
69
4d Sedan - 6P
$2,415
3,100 lbs
23,988
235
39
4d Hardtop - 6P
$2,547
3,195 lbs
10,996
235
07
2d Coupe - 6P
$2,362
3,060 lbs
17,182
235
17
2d Hardtop - 6P
$2,426
3,075 lbs
31,322
235
67
2d Convertible - 6P
$2,655
3,170 lbs
5,557
235
35
4d Station Wagon - 6P
$2,709
3,355 lbs
7,614
Tempest LeMans
237
39
4d Hardtop - 6P
$2,701
3,195 lbs
13,891
237
07
2d Coupe - 6P
$2,505
3,090 lbs
16,654
237
17
2d Hardtop - 6P
$2,568
3,125 lbs
78,109
237
67
4d Station Wagon - 6P
$2,806
3,220 lbs
13,080
Tempest GTO
242
07
2d Coupe - 5P
$2,783
3,445 lbs
10,363
242
17
2d Hardtop - 5P
$2,847
3,465 lbs
73,785
242
67
2d Convertible - 5P
$3,082
3,555 lbs
12,798
Chassis Data
Model
Wheelbase
Overall Length
Front Tread
Rear Tread
Tires
Tempest
115 in
206.4 in
58 in
58 in
6.95 x 14 (Hardtop & Convertible - 7.65 x 14)
Tempest Safari
115 in
203.6 in
58 in
58 in
6.95 x 14
VIN Decoding
Serial Numbers were on the left front hinge pillar. Fisher body on cowl tells style number, body number, trim code, paint code, and other data.
First Symbol - Manufacturer
2 = Pontiac
Second & Third Symbol - Series
33 = Standard Tempest & Station Wagon w/o wood grain
52 = Catalina & Ventura
35 = Custom Tempest & Station Wagon w/o wood grain
54 = 2 + 2
37 = LeMans
56 = Star Chief
39 = Safari Station Wagon w/ wood grain
62 = Bonneville
52 = Catalina & Ventura
66 = Grand Prix
Fourth & Fifth Symbol - Body Style
07 = two-door sedan
45 = station wagon three seat
11 = two-door sedan
57 = two-door hardtop
17 = two-door hardtop
67 = convertible
35 = station wagon two seat
69 = four-door sedan
37 = two-door hardtop
87 = two-door hardtop
39 = four-door hardtop
Sixth Symbol - Last Digit Of The Model Year
6 = 1966
Seventh Symbol - Assembly Plant
(B) Baltimore, Maryland
(P) Pontiac, Michigan
(C) Southgate, California
(R) Arlington, Texas
(D) Doraville, Georgia
(U) Lordstown, Ohio
(E) Linden, New Jersey
(V) Bloomfield, Illinios
(G) Framingham, Massachusetts
(X) Kansas City, Kansas
(K) Kansas City, Missouri
(Z) Fremont, California
Last Six Symbols - Production Sequence
Started at 100001
1966 Pontiac 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
WA
8-389
256
388
Manual
2 BC
WB
8-389
256
388
Manual
2 BC
WC
8-389
290
418
Manual
2 BC
WE
8-389
333
429
Manual
4 BC
WG
8-421
338
459
Manual
4 BC
WH
8-421
356
459
Manual
3 - 2 BC
WJ
8-421
376
461
Manual
3 - 2 BC
WK
8-421
338
459
Manual
4 BC
XA
8-389
260
388
Manual
2 BC
XB
8-389
260
388
Turbo Hydra-Matic
2 BC
XC
8-389
293
418
Turbo Hydra-Matic
2 BC
YA
8-389
256
388
Turbo Hydra-Matic
2 BC
YC
8-389
290
418
Turbo Hydra-Matic
2 BC
YD
8-389
290
418
Turbo Hydra-Matic
2 BC
YE
8-389
325
429
Turbo Hydra-Matic
4 BC
YF
8-421
338
459
Turbo Hydra-Matic
4 BC
YH
8-421
338
459
Turbo Hydra-Matic
4 BC
YJ
8-421
356
459
Turbo Hydra-Matic
3 - 2 BC
YK
8-421
376
461
Turbo Hydra-Matic
3 - 2 BC
YL
8-389
333
429
Turbo Hydra-Matic
4 BC
YM
8-421
375
461
Turbo Hydra-Matic
3 - 2 BC
YT
8-421
338
459
Turbo Hydra-Matic
4 BC
YU
8-389
290
418
Turbo Hydra-Matic
2 BC
YV
8-389
290
418
Turbo Hydra-Matic
2 BC
YW
8-389
325
429
Turbo Hydra-Matic
4 BC
YX
8-389
325
429
Turbo Hydra-Matic
4 BC
YZ
8-421
338
459
Turbo Hydra-Matic
4 BC
Transmission Codes
Transmission
Location
Turbo Hydra-Matic 350
Stamped on servo cover on right side of transmission.
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
On metal tag fastened to right side of transmission case or on the left side of converter housing.
Powerglide
Stamped on a metal tag located on the right side of the transmission.
Super Turbine 300 (TempesTorque)
On metal tag fastened to right side of transmission case or stamped on lower servo cover.
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
LA
TempesTorque
LB
TempesTorque
MA
TempesTorque
MB
TempesTorque
MC
TempesTorque
NA
TempesTorque
PA
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
PB
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
PC
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
PD
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
PG
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
PH
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
PQ
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
Axle Codes
Location Of Axle Codes: On flange end of axle shaft and on or near carrier.
Color - Non-Locking
Color - Locking
Ratio
UB
VB
2.41
UC
VC
2.56
UD
VD
2.73
UE
VE
2.93
UF
VF
3.08
UG
VG
3.23
UH
VH
3.42
UJ
VJ
3.55
UK
VK
3.73
UM
VM
4.11
Paint Codes - Exterior Colors
Color Name / Code
Color Image
Color Name / Code
Color Image
A - Starlight Black
Lucite® Code - 88L
Dulux® Code - 93-005
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 VC on a Pontiac would indicate the body finished in Mission Beige 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 cross-rail in the engine compartment. Corvette paint code plate is on the instrument panel brace, below the glove compartment.
Paint Codes - Interior Colors
Color Name / Code
Color Image
Color Name / Code
Color Image
Parchment
Lucite® Code - 9000L (semi-gloss)
Medium Turquoise
Lucite® Code - 4628L (semi-gloss)
NOTE: Unpolished LUCITE® will generally produce a gloss comparable to original interior semi-gloss finishes. If lower gloss is required, use 2 oz. DuPont #4528S flattening compound to a pint of unreduced color.