Pontiac Tempest History

The Tempest launched for 1961 as Pontiac's innovative compact, notable early on for a rear-mounted transaxle and a 'rope-drive' flexible driveshaft. It grew into an intermediate for 1964 on GM's new A-body platform.

Its lasting significance is as the GTO's host: the 1964 GTO began as a Tempest/LeMans option package, making the Tempest the foundation of the muscle car. The name was retired after 1970, folded into the LeMans line.