[James Allen]

Presently looking for 1966 Pontiac tempest pretty much any salvageable condition for a project.
Having a hard time, understanding the difference between a 66 Pontiac, Lemans, and the Pontiac Tempest. . Cannot locate anything on the web delineating any significant differences I’m only interested in the body because I want to put a 326 engine with a nice 4 speed on the floor. Appreciate if anyone can tell me if there’s any difference in these cars apart from the Chrome name on the rear end.

[b-man]

Pontiac is just the brand, but anything not Le Mans or Tempest would be the big Pontiac like the Bonneville or Catalina.

The Le Mans is the higher end model in the Tempest lineup. The Tempest is the cheapest and the next step up is the Tempest Custom. The convertible body was only available in the Tempest Custom, which had a manually operated top.

The Le Mans has the bucket seat option and power convertible top in that body style.

The GTO/Le Mans/Tempest are the mid size cars known as the A-body and the full size big Pontiacs are B-body.

Post a want ad in the appropriate classified forum and you might find the car you’re looking for.

[James Allen]

Therefore, to answer my question, there is no difference between body styles in Lemans and Tempest in 1966.

[b-man]

Correct, other than body trim they’re essentially the same car.

[Dennis H.]

Even the Tempest models themselves (being the cheap version of the A body) had some different trim options like the chrome side moldings that run the length of the car, chrome window trim on the post models was optional as well. I have a 66 Tempest that was a very base model that had no optional chrome moldings at all, and it has the base rubber floor mat with Pontiac logo instead of carpeting, no rear seat arm rests, and a base steering wheel with no horn ring. I love this car more than a lot of GTO's that I have owned because of how base it was, I believe the only options on my car was the 326 motor and AM radio.

[326HO-Lemans]

Originally Posted by Dennis H.

Even the Tempest models themselves (being the cheap version of the A body) had some different trim options like the chrome side moldings that run the length of the car, chrome window trim on the post models was optional as well. I have a 66 Tempest that was a very base model that had no optional chrome moldings at all, and it has the base rubber floor mat with Pontiac logo instead of carpeting, no rear seat arm rests, and a base steering wheel with no horn ring. I love this car more than a lot of GTO's that I have owned because of how base it was, I believe the only options on my car was the 326 motor and AM radio.

Does your car have the 326HO motor?


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[Jeff Hamlin]