[c5farmer]

Here is one of my Pontiac projects. It is a Montana car that is faded, but virtually rust free. It came from a Craigslist ad and we traveled 1800 miles round trip to get it. Being from Iowa, there is no such thing as a rust free car over 10 years of age! Plans are to convert it to a solid rear axle (already have an A body Mopar 8 3/4 rear end), put in a 400 ci engine, 400 turbo trans and leave the body as is and redo the interior to near stock. Going for the nostalgic drag car look. Not restored to new, but new "barn find" condition. Plan is to rebuild the front end and add disk brakes.

What is everyone else working on this summer?

[c5farmer]

I would like to hear from others who have converted a tempest to a solid rear axle. I know it has been on this forum many times about how to do it and what parts to use, but the question is: "for a street car, what conversion gives the best/safest ride?"

Thanks for any input.

[tom s]

you should be able to do a search,it has been covered many times.I have done 3 of them and found coilovers and ladder bars to be easy and has a good ride.Tom

[beemergary]

I 've did two. A 63 coupe and a 61 wagon. Coil overs and ladder bars. Both cars ride as good as my 67 GTO. Doing the rear end in a 63 is not bad. I could unbolt it and put the transaxle back in it. I made my own brackets and have the wilwood brakes. Little Pricey but easily done. The only real work was enlarging the bellhousing area. But I am a sheetmetal worker so just did it at work. Enlarging and centering the drive shaft tunnel is also an easy job. If its a v8 car that helps. Hooker 68 gto headers fit great. Need help give my a hollar.

[spartazoo]

I did my '63 Tempest myself and I had never done anything like it before. It is actually easier than you might think. The rear uni-body frame rails are setup well to convert to ladder bars and coil overs. My 63 rides as well as my 66 GTO and while racing it is smooth enough to drive with one hand and eat a cheeseburger with the other.

I have a spreadsheet of everything that went into my build. If you would like a copy email me at kip@kalblue.com.

Good luck and have fun, I know I did and am.

[grparen]

I'm restoring an old '63 Tempest race car built probably 30 years ago into a Super Duty reproduction. Got the car out of Arizona. Has homemade ladder bars and big Pontiac posi rear (4.10 or maybe 4.30). Putting a rebuilt '65 421 in it with solid lifter cam with dual 400 CFM carters on an offenhauser intake. Running 3 tube headers with a turbo 400. Will be painted Cameo Ivory.

[mechanickeith]

Still working on one of my 62's. Its about ready to go to paint. Starting to collect parts for my 61 wagon's resto project & getting the body work done on the backend of my 61 that got rearended a couple of weeks ago! Other than that, not a thing going on!!!

[GaryK]

Nice Project 63 Tempest you picked up! I am in the process of wrapping up one long project on my 62 Lemans I have had for almost 30 years. Soon to be starting on another I just aquired to use as a daily driver. This one I am keeping all original, for now.
Gary

[mjm421]

Here is a few pics of my 63 project. Hopefully someday..............Mike

[grparen]

Very nice.

[twooldgoats]

Just trying to get my '63 Tempest race car back on the track in time for the GTOAA race in Wichita July 3rd. Right now I'm pulling the engine and we plan to check it out, probably upgrade to .904 lifter bore and lifter set and install a new cam to replace the one the broken lifter took out at Pontiac Heaven. Sometimes it seems like it's run a few passes....re-do the engine...run a few passes.....re-do the engine.

Jim

[fasteddy]

My 63 Tempest is nearing completion. I am waiting on the package tray from the upholsterer. It is Cameo on blue with a 3 speed manual and the 4 cyl 4 bbl. All original. My 63 Lemans is in progress. Cameo on buckskin, 400 2bbl with AC, PS and PB--stock 2 speed transaxle. This one is going to be my daily. I am going with a different color than Cameo since I do not want two the same.

[Hooter]

My 63 Lemans is nearing completion too. It's painted finally and getting the tin work and lexan done next. Will post up some pics when it's done.

[63 tempest]

hey hooter what did you used for door handles.

[Hooter]

Originally Posted by 63 tempest

hey hooter what did you used for door handles.

I compared them to the ones on my 65 Lemans and they look identical. Wound up buying a new set for a 65. Haven't tried putting them on yet since the cars back at the chassis shop, but pretty sure they will work just fine.

['62pest]

i finally got to a computer where i can see what i am doing instead of using my phone. so after the long awaited unveiling here is my '62 tempest that i have been working on restoring with a touch of my own personal taste. i still have a lot of putting back together to do as well as blacking out wheelwells and the front grill area and interior is the next big expense.

[beemergary]

Painting this for a friend. He wants it done for the 2011 reunion at Norwalk. Says he wants to put a 215v8 in it which he has. I hope he does it.

['62pest]

gary k here is a shot of those wheels before they became wall ornaments. they were made by a company called apache if my memory serves me correctly. i paid $140 for the 2 wheels which i consider a steal. now only if i could find the other 2. best part about them is that they are a 5 on 4 1/2 bolt pattern so if worse comes to worse i could run fender skirts and these on the front.

[beemergary]

Restoring a Peterbilt 359 semi tractor with a 63" sleeper. Took off fifth wheel and making a flatbed for golf cart with is painted same color as the 63. Doing a seminole paint scheme and the lettering on the side will read LITTLE INDIAN EXPRESS. Want to find someone to do an arrowhead on the back of sleeper. Across the back on top will say Yogi's Ride (My Newfoundland dog that goes to all the races). The beast should have enough power to pull my 22ft. trailer. Should be at Norwalk 2012

[mjm421]

Iam FINALLY about done! (well, are we ever done?) Here are a few pictures. Mike