I own a 1965 Pontiac Tempest Custom Wagon. It is totally original with a 326 V8 engine with a 2-speed power glide transmission. Car is in great condition, but have been trying to make up my mind if I should modify it or keep it original? I have the following parts for the car: All 1965 parts - bucket seats, console & floor linkage, stick shift steering column, GTO hood, GTO grilles, 4-barrel manifold. Go back and forth on if I should convert to other parts or keep it totally original. Lately, I have thought about selling the car? Are there other of you out there that own this same car and can give me your thoughts? fitzkemmer@aol.com
well, hopefully it is all bolt on so all you have to do is get everything the same color so that you can go back and forth at your own leasure. as for motor upgrades go for it!!! if it where mine I'd also install a transmission with an overdrive gear so you can cruse your wagon around more without costing you more
I say go for it and bolt up the parts you have already. I think a factory bucket seat/console,and GTO hood would look cool on your wagon.. Stuff a 700R4 trans behind the motor for better cruising. Very common and inexpensive upgrade that will still work with the factory rear gears. There is a company that makes the gear shift indicator for the console shift for the OD trans..not sure who. I would strongly suggest to carefully remove all the original parts and set them aside so that if you should sell,you have all the kibbles and bits to revert the car to its origins should either you or new owner desires. Anything that is bolt on will not hurt the value or integrity of the car as long as you kep everything belonging to the car.. Major mods like a color change,or body mods do affect the car's orignality. Hope this helps. BTW..WELCOME!!
Actually a 2004R is an easier retrofit and has a steeper overdrive to boot; .67 vs. .70. The 2004R will bolt directly to the Pontiac block w/o an adapter and the overall length is the same as the 2-speed which means no driveshaft mods. The 700R4 is longer.
Thanks,Greg..I never thought of the 200R4. I do remember the 200R4's having the BOP belhousing bolt pattern. Much better choice.:2_thumbs_up_-_anima
Welcome , I would say required but I still haven't found the pics of the old family wagon I promised when I joined . But, when I do locate them I'll :icon_drivever to my sister's hacienda where she has a device to digitize them. Hopefully that won't be a type process and I can get out of the doghouse,lol
fitzkemmer, Welcome aboard! Tough decision. I've seen several "GTO wagons". There was a very nice one at the 2009 GTOAA Nationals! It's your car; do what you want with it. I absolutely agree with the advice about keeping every original piece.
well...im not one for keeping things all stock...unless they are real close to all there...so....ya....thats my 2 bits to the joint ....lets see it
Welcome from FL. Being a Pontiac fan myself, I can't wait to see your '65. As for the mods? Like people have said, it's your car so enjoy it how you want. It's definitely a niche market for these things and the wagons are never going to be worth what their counterpart GTOs are worth, mods or no mods. Me, I'm a fan of the GTO hood. I just think it exudes muscle car. But with my '67 I stopped before actually putting GTO emblems on it. I call it a GOAT. Makes people wonder. The best part is that most, if not all, of the mods you mention can be un-done should you or the next owner wish. Just save all the parts....you never know. Again, welcome aboard!
'65 Tempest Wagon GTO Hello to all...new member Gary here, in Grand Junction, western slope of Colorado. In response to this thread, have posted pics (hope they come thru - I'm not very computer literate!) of my '65 Tempest wagon that has been GTO'd. You can see the results if you choose to do yours in the same manner. It was done some years back by someone else. Since purchasing two years past, I'm slowly repairing, upgrading, refurbishing, the numerous things that need attention. It has a '71 400 block with '70 Ram Air lll heads; Edelbrock intake with 600cfm carb; Accel distributor; AC, PS, PB; front discs; aluminum radiator. Drives great, runs hard, it's fun. When I was young, couldn't afford the insurance on a new '65 GTO - I was excited to get this wagon, even tho' I'm now 70. Hope the pics help with your decision-making. Maybe the pics ended up in the gallery? It's the Iris Mist (lavender) '65. Gary (hoghead = retired railroad locomotive engineer)
Welcome Fitz, I missed this one when posted so welcome! Hog start a new welcome wagon thread so we can all welcome you here, with some more of those pics of that nice wagon
