"Trophy 4"

The first-generation Pontiac Tempest only ran for three years, from 1961 through 1963, and the 1963 model was the most refined and largest of the bunch. Measuring five inches longer and two inches wider than the earlier models, it was often referred to as a senior compact, with a front end that mimicked the full-size Pontiacs including the split front grille. It was also the final year before Pontiac completely redesigned the Tempest into what would eventually become the GTO platform. This example is finished in red with a white convertible top and white boot cover, red leather interior with white stripes and Pontiac logos, and a red and silver dash and steering wheel that carries the theme all the way through. The 1963 Tempest shop manual and original owner’s manual are both with the car, and it has always been stored inside.

Under the hood is the 195 cubic inch Trophy 4 inline four backed by a two speed automatic. The Trophy 4 has one of the more interesting origin stories of any engine from the era. It was literally the right bank of Pontiac’s 389 cubic inch V8, split in half to create an inline four that shared the same bore, stroke, and up to 120 individual parts with the larger engine. Pontiac named it after the Trophy V8 that had earned a racing reputation, and it gave the Tempest a character unlike anything else in the compact car segment at the time. The manual convertible top operates the way it should, and the car has been well maintained throughout.

Inside, the red leather interior has been redone with white stripes and Pontiac logos that suit the overall presentation perfectly. New carpet has been fitted, and the front seat has been redone. The red and silver dash and steering wheel, chrome wheels with white stripes, and white convertible boot cover give this car a cohesive, intentional look from every angle. Mechanically, parking brake cables, brake lines, and all needed front end parts have been replaced, making this a car that has been properly sorted, not just cosmetically refreshed.

The first-generation Tempest is one of the more overlooked classics of the early 1960s, largely because the GTO that followed it became so dominant in the public consciousness. But the 1963 Tempest convertible is a genuinely rare and distinctive car, with a personality and an engine story that enthusiasts who know their Pontiac history appreciate immediately. Stored inside its entire life and well maintained, this one is as honest as they come.

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