What kind of drive did Pontiac Tempest have?
What kind of drive did Pontiac Tempest have?
Hooded dash of 1961–’62 was altered in 1963. The Tempest’s flexible driveshaft, jokingly termed “rope-drive,” was an 87.25-inch-long by .65-inch-diameter (with automatics) or 82.29-inch by .75-inch (with manual gearboxes) bar of forged SAE 8660 triple-alloy steel that was shot-peened, magnafluxed and coated with a flexible protectant.
What was the Pontiac rope drive in 1961?
That’s what makes the Pontiac rope drive of 1961 such a cool thing: Not only is it bizarre as all get-out, but it came from General Motors at a time when they were the bastion of conservative management. The 1961 Pontiac Tempest was a font of new ideas.
How much does a 1961 Pontiac Tempest cost?
Despite their decimated numbers, these small Pontiacs remain amazingly affordable: Restorable 1961-1963 cars start under $2,000, with nice cars averaging between $3,000 and $8,000 depending on year and model. Excellent cars bring between $6]
Where is the torque tube located on a Pontiac Tempest?
The shaft, located in a hollow box called a torque tube, arched just under three inches at its center, and it transmitted power to the rear transaxle like a torsion bar. The flexible shaft was designed with center bearings to absorb some of the vibrations inherent in the non-balance-shaft-equipped four-cylinder engines.
When did the Pontiac Tempest become a separate series?
In 1963, the LeMans became a separate series; its sales were nearly 50 percent of combined Tempest and Le Mans production. 1963 models, referred to as senior compacts, were slightly larger and heavier than the 1961 and 1962 models had been.
What was the fuel economy of a 1963 Pontiac Tempest?
Performance with a 326-powered Tempest was strong enough that Car Life magazine wrote “No one will wonder why they didn’t use the 389.” Fuel economy with the 326 could be as high as 19 mpg. The V8 option proved popular: 52 percent of the 131,490 Tempests and LeMans models sold in the 1963 model year were ordered with it.
What did the SAG do to a Pontiac Tempest?
Thin, but lightly stressed within a steel case, it was mounted on bearings and permanently lubed. The driveshaft’s slight sag allowed a lower transmission tunnel in front, though not in back; it also eliminated the need for U-joints and permitted softer engine mounts for better interior isolation.
That’s what makes the Pontiac rope drive of 1961 such a cool thing: Not only is it bizarre as all get-out, but it came from General Motors at a time when they were the bastion of conservative management. The 1961 Pontiac Tempest was a font of new ideas.
