Vintage Cars: 1961-1962 Pontiac tempest body swaps, 1961 pontiac tempest, 1962 pontiac tempest

Question
Hi Don- I have a 1962 Pontiac Tempest convertible 4 cylinder that does not run and needs a total brake job. I also have a 1961 Pontiac tempest 4 dr sedan with the same 4 cylinder that runs like a top. It's a daily driver. Is it possible to take the body off the convertible chassis and install it on the sedan chassis? I know this is a big project...I have the time and excellent auto and mechanical skills. Is this something that can be done? Thanks

Answer
I love Pontiacs, and the little Indians (not a put down, please no PC cops get upset, the Pontiac is named after famous and respected Indian Chief Pontiac and the cars were called Tin Indians for years) are really great cars.

I don't think there are any real differences between the 61 and 62 tempest bodies, but there are some between convertible and sedan.  Mainly most convertibles came with an extra X member or extra body re-inforcement that the sedans didn't have.

I think the cars you have are a basic frame/body type of design and not a unibody.  

But is the convertible all rusty?  Is the chassis still solid?  If it is just the engine and brakes that are a problem with the convertible, then that car is worth a LOT more than the sedan, and keeping it as original as possible is your best bet.  Brakes are no big deal to fix up, all the parts are available and cheap.   You could swap the engines without hurting value that much, but if possible keep the number matching engine in the convertible if possible.

I am sure that you could do the swap if necessary, but if the convertible body is solid, then the frame should be too, and mechanical work is a LOT easier than swapping bodies.

Early Tempest/Lemans are not huge money cars in the hobby at this point, but I predict that will change as people look for more fuel and space efficient cars and as the pool of hyper muscle gets drained dry by big money.  Little efficient and fun to drive cars like your Tempests will become more desireable.  That slant four cyl engine is just 1/2 of the great 389 engine and easy to work on and get parts for.

I would love to have an early tempest, and my favorite is a 66 or 67 Sprint with the 4 bbl straight 6 with the overhead cam engine and a four-speed tranny.  What fun that would be to have as a cruiser.

Good luck with your project, and although as a purist, I want to see the convertible saved as much intact as possible, the cars are yours to do what you want with.  Make yourself happy first!

Don