[TempestFugit]

Since reliable decode information is so hard to come by for first generation Tempests why don't we all list the cowl tag info, assembly plant and the known options for any cars we have access to in one spot and see if we can figure out these things by process of elimination.

I'll start

63 convt. 4cyl 4spd 4bbl
Pontiac assembly plant
The ACC is 2C-4B-4R-5A
Pushbutton radio
2spd windshield wipers
padded dash
oil filter
drivers remote mirror
back-up lights
deluxe wheel covers
front seat belts
Tachometer
day/nite mirror
Deluxe Steering Wheel
chrome shifter (I have a NOS black unchromed shifter - maybe chrome was an option?)

[azkeebler]

62 Tempest Lemans Convert. cameo 4-1-auto
pontiac plant
ACC: 67Y

Deluxe wheel covers
Push-button Radio
Two-speed wipers
Heavy Duty Air cleaner
Back up lamps
Deluxe steering wheel
Right sunshade
Power top (included in Lemans package)
front and rear bumper guards

'62 Tempest Lemans Convert. bamboo cream 4-1-auto
southgate, ca. plant
ACC: JX F BC LD

Deluxe wheel covers
Dash Clock
Two-speed wipers
Push Button radio
Padded dash
Reverse Lamps
Heavy Duty Air Cleaner
Rear fender peak moulding =? LD ?
fender side ornaments
Deluxe steering wheel
Under dash lighting
Dual horns
Right sunshade
Power top (included in Lemans package)
cigar lighter
front and rear bumper guards

'62 four-door sedan 2119 4-1-auto
southgate ca. plant
ACC: CM LD
Rear fender peak mouldings = ? LD ?
Seat belts
fender side ornaments
front and rear bumper guards

[John V.]

Won't be very useful unless you compile the results.

The 5 Group Accessory Codes are a little better understood but none of the ones listed for that '63 are familiar to me. For '62 big cars (should be close or same for Tempests), the following "old style" Accessory Codes were being used at some Plants:

BC=Pushbutton Heater
BD=Manual Heater
JX=Instrument Panel Pad
F=Back-up Lamps
KX=Extra Foam Cushion, Front Bench Seat

These just a few. There is a sticky in the '62 Big Car section where I helped decode a '62 Manifest with a lot of "old style" Accessory Code info.

[John V.]

I don't know how early any Fisher Body Plant began to use the 5 Group code system, obviously Fisher Body-Pontiac was using it in '63.

The codes were just "regurgitated" on the Data Plate at some Plants. The Plant was guided by the actual paper Trim Manifest where specific items were coded among 5 different code Groups as labeled on the basic Trim Manifest Form. Even among the Fisher Body Plants that used the 5 Group code system, not all of them regurgitated the codes onto the Data Plates.

The only things Fisher Body would code were those items that triggered some specific deviation from the Standard (no option) Build for that particular Model Series & Body Style Build.

Not all options had an impact on the Body Assembly, those that didn't would not be coded on the Trim Manifest (and consequently, not on the Data Plate).

In '64, the kinds of things that triggered a 5 Group Code were:

Tinted Glass, Windshield Only (1W)
Tinted Glass, All Windows (1E)
Power Convertible Top (coded only on the '64 Tempest Custom Convert, std on the '64 Lemans Convert) (1D)
Power Windows (1X)
Console Accommodation (2G)
Air Conditioning (2K)
Back-up Lamps (2P)
Rear Seat Speaker (2R)
Rear Mounted Power Antenna (2T)
Verbra-Phonic Rear Seat Speaker (2V)
Rear Window Defogger (3B)
Decor Moldings (4G)
Custom Seat Belts w/ Retractors (5W)

For some of these options, it is not obvious what modification or accommodation Fisher Body had to make. For example, the Back-up Lamps. It is thought that Fisher Body installed specific wiring for this option, hence the code.

This may give you some idea of what kinds of things were coded. '64 5 Group codes were pretty consistent with '65.

However, '63 codes seem to have been quite different from '64.

Using info gleaned from the '63 Corvair world, here is what one of the '63 5 Group codes listed in the opening post may have been:

2C=Instrument Panel Pad

There is a good chance that the '63 5 Group codes were consistent between big cars and Tempests. Would be a good idea to start a thread in the '63 big car section looking for input from those guys too.

[John V.]

Using '63 Corvair research as a guide, the following '63 5 Group codes might be valid for the '63 Tempest:

1E=Tinted Glass, All Windows
1F=Tinted Glass, Windshield Only
2C=Instrument Panel Pad
2E=Air Conditioning
2M=Auto Trans

In '64, 5N was used to code the GTO badging in lieu of Lemans badging & chrome trim. Perhaps 5A was used to code the Lemans badging & trim in lieu of Tempest badging & trim in '63?

You '63 owners can start looking for consistency or conflict with these decodes and begin to discover if they are accurate.

And don't forget to lean on the big car guys, at least some of the codes should be consistent with the big car codes as well.

[johnta1]

2C=Instrument Panel Pad

Isn't 3C the padded Dash?

[John V.]

John, Chevy used the 3C code in '64 to identify the Instrument Panel Pad. To my knowledge, this code was NOT used for the Pontiac A body at either Pontiac or Kansas City in '64 but may have been in '65 at least at Kansas City based on a recent example presented here at PY. But from everything I have been able to find so far, the '63 5 Group codes were different in many respects from '64.

Another example, '63 code 1F is Tinted Glass, Windshield Only.

In '64, that changed to 1W.

So I expect differences from what is more commonly known about the 5 Group Codes during the early GTO ('64-'67) era (and even then there were Plant to Plant and year to year differences).

Need to stick to '63 (and the Pontiac Plant in particular) to check for consistency and so far, 2C seems to correctly identify the Instrument Panel Pad in a '63 Tempest.

[johnta1]

Thanks, John.



Can't wait for your article on this stuff.

[JohnFromVentura]

I have been trying to follow this thread. I have two 63's.
Car #1:
V8, 3 speed, Saint Louis build car 63-2217
Appears to be fairly well optioned. no air has radio, heater, not sure about wipers yet
Can't get a good picture of the tag but?
Trim: 215
Acc: 2 6

Car #2:
V8, Auto, Los Angeles build car 63-2217
Well optioned including padded dash. No air.
Trim: 214
Acc: 870 YB1 Y83

[John V.]

I have nothing on the St. Louis Plant, 2-6 might not even be an Accessory Code, might be a production code having nothhing to do with Accessories (not all Plants coded Accessory codes of any type).

For the South Gate build, the codes are the UPC type I discussed in the "other" thread":

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=661577

B70=Instrument Panel Pad

I touched on the Y81 & Y83 in the other thread, most likely Y83 is a Decor Group option and may have included the Y81 as part of it or vice-versa. Or perhaps two independent bright molding options. If you know what was included in the '63 Tempest Decor Group option, your car was probably built with that.

You crossed up some B's & 8's but this should clarify.

[fasteddy]

I have the following for my 63 Lemans. The car has power brakes, AC, power steering, console shifter, push button radio and a padded dash cover.

1F, 2c, 2E, 2G, 4R

I will put my 63 Tempest cowl tag info in on Monday.

[Keith Seymore]

John - do you want me to add my '63 GP info (would that help)? I can do that immediately, but the Lemans is about an hour north of where I am sitting. I can add those the next time I'm up there.

K

[c5farmer]

My Tempest tag has the following options: Custom Cloth interior, Two tone paint, radio delete. It is a 4 cylinder 3 speed manual plane Jane with no power accessories. No back up lights. It does have the Interior Decor group (074) and Upper exterior Decor group (071).


Tag reads: 63 2117 body PO 9611 paint CV Trim 212

acc. 2A 4G 4R

[vin63]

05D

Style: 63-2167 Body PO 3563

Trim: 208 Paint: F1

ACC: 1F - 2A - 2D - 2M - 5A

[sdbob]

I bought my 63 in 67 used.Wrecked front fender,drivers door. Style-63,2217,Body 29174. Acc-1F-2C-4B-4C-4R-5A.TRIM-213,PAINT-P-P. When i got it it was not running.the engine was the 326 4bbl,3spd(long gone). Black interior.radio,heater std brakes,fender mounted mirror,in dash tach(someone later stole that).The car was repainted before me 'Tiger Gold' with a white top.I had a RA IV installed but not started,M40 57 olds rear-unfinished 4 link.

[63Banshee]

Anyone ever figure out what 4R is? It's even on Stan's SD car (2H-2G-4R-5A). Surely someone has PHS docs for a car with this acc.

[Jeff Hamlin]

Very little on the '63 Temp we just put back together...

2A-
2M-AT.
3W-

[63Banshee]

Originally Posted by 63Banshee

Anyone ever figure out what 4R is?

I'm pretty sure 4R is code for radio, but the type of radio is only known by referencing the buildsheet. I've now seen 4R on PHS verfied manual and pushbutton radio cars.

[Sanduners]

63 Lemans convt. 8cyl Auto 2bbl
Pontiac assembly plant BK (Kansas City)
The ACC is 2-3 (what does that code mean?)

This car has lots of options:
A/C
Power Steering
Dual Exhaust
Pushbutton radio
2spd windshield wipers
drivers remote mirror
back-up lights
deluxe wheel covers
front seat belts
day/nite mirror
Deluxe Steering Wheel

[Zimtok]

My 65 GTO cowl tag is:

02C=3rd week of Feb
TR=213-B=Black Lamans trim color and bucket seats
N-N= Burgundy paint upper and lower
1E=Tinted Glass, all windows
2L=Manual Trans Floor Shift.
(2) G=Provisions for the Console
(2) P=Back-up Lamps
4F=Remote Control Outside Rearview Mirror
5N=GTO option
18-1 is the fixture identification.

The punch card options are:

38 2=GTO Option
39 2=Pushbutton Radio
40 4=Underhood lamp
42 1=duel speed wipers w/washer
44 4=remote control mirror
46 2=deluxe wheel discs
47 1=back up lamps
48 1&2=luggage and glove box lamps
49 1,2&4=Lamps, courtesy, ash tray, lighter & parking brake
53 1=soft ray glass
60 1=console
70 1=safe-t-track rear axle
74 4=4 speed trans
80 1=Tri-power V-8

.