[60sstuff]

I just hung this old technically designed “Pontiac Tempest” sign in my GTO garage.

This thing is Heavy and intricate, and way cool!

I have been hunting for this sign for decades. The wait was worth it.

I’m not sure of the exact year it was first offered?
If anyone has knowledge on this sign (year, advertising, etc.) please let me know.

Thanks, Chris.

[Chief of the 60's]

Now you need the Tempest footprints that stick on the floor that I have.

[tempest1964]

That is way cool!!

[Tom Vaught]

So how does it light the upper and lower panels?

Seems like they are too thin for a normal florescent bulb.

Tom V.

The advertising people at GM were always making my Uncle buy some form of signs like that.
I do not remember a sign like that one hanging in the showroom with the Tempest images you show.
By 1970 when I started working for him, he was advertising the 69/70 GTOs and Trans Ams.

Tom V.

[60sstuff]

Originally Posted by Tom Vaught

So how does it light the upper and lower panels?

Seems like they are too thin for a normal florescent bulb.

Tom V.

The advertising people at GM were always making my Uncle buy some form of signs like that.
I do not remember a sign like that one hanging in the showroom with the Tempest images you show.
By 1970 when I started working for him, he was advertising the 69/70 GTOs and Trans Ams.

Tom V.

Tom,

The best part of this sign, is the inner workings.

The upper and lower sign panels are several separate clear plexiglass sheets sandwich together, backed by a black sheet on the backside.

The mechanism inside the center metal box is a series of a motor, gears, shaft, disc and two separate colored flat panels.
Both colored panels travel back and forth across the fixed neon tube which allows these colors to be broadcast into those clear name panels.

The thought that went into this sign is amazing.

I was told this sign was in the attic of a closed Pontiac Dealer.
It is in great Original condition.

Chris.

[60sstuff]

The only thing that needed repaired was the old plug ..... J-B weld.

[Tom Vaught]

Thanks for the gread education on those display signs.

We are talking some $$$$ in the 60s for a sign like that.
But when GM Marketing says you Have to have it.............

Tom V.

[John V.]

Chris, way cool. Correction though, you mention it having a "fixed neon tube" but I believe you should have said "fluorescent tube"?

Kinda reminds me of the rotating color wheels that people would place in front of their white artificial Christmas trees.

I saw a "Patent Pending" sticker on it. Too bad it doesn't show a patent no., you could track some history with the patent no. Not sure you could find the patent application just by a description of the device.

Is there a name of a company anywhere on it? Just judging by the font used, I'm guessing most likely late '60s or early '70s. The font and the "psychedelic" colors suggests that to me. Early Tempest lettering was script style, any signage would probably have duplicated the script.

[mgarblik]

Wow! That is one really cool sign you have there. Very unique. I have an old beer sign that changes from a sunny day stadium scene to a night scene with a moving component similar to that. But not near as cool as what you have there. Great find.

[b-man]

[60sstuff]

Originally Posted by John V.

Chris, way cool. Correction though, you mention it having a "fixed neon tube" but I believe you should have said "fluorescent tube"?

Kinda reminds me of the rotating color wheels that people would place in front of their white artificial Christmas trees.

I saw a "Patent Pending" sticker on it. Too bad it doesn't show a patent no., you could track some history with the patent no. Not sure you could find the patent application just by a description of the device.

Is there a name of a company anywhere on it? Just judging by the font used, I'm guessing most likely late '60s or early '70s. The font and the "psychedelic" colors suggests that to me. Early Tempest lettering was script style, any signage would probably have duplicated the script.

John,

Yes, I should have said “fluorescent tube”. Thanks for pointing that out.
BTW, the Christmas color wheels we’re mostly used on an “aluminum” artificial tree, for reflection.

There is no name on this Tempest sign, darn it.

I would love to gather any information I can, just to dial in on the year of manufacture. Your font idea does offer a possible window. Thanks!

Chris

[Chief of the 60's]

Originally Posted by Chief of the 60's

Now you need the Tempest footprints that stick on the floor that I have.

I have had a few PM's about these so here is a photo. There are 6 lefts and 7 rights. All the rights are blank and the printed lefts are what you see unless there is something stuck together which is possible.