1964 Pontiac Mid-Size Cars Fact Sheet

This GTO image is available as a 17 x 11 inch poster from the Automotive History Preservation Society.
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New-sized
Intermediates bow

New mid-sized GM vehicles were released in 1964. The famous GTO option package debuted as well. The GTO package circumvented GM’s cubic inch ban by making the 389 CID V-8 an option, rather than a model.

 

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General Year Information

The big news for Tempests was that they were enlarged to a size similar to a 1955 Chevrolet. They now moved away from unit body construction to separate body on frame construction and used  conventional front engine rear drive train engineering. A six-cylinder engine, assembled by PMO from Chevrolet-produced components. was the base power plant and the 326  CID V-8 as offered in 1963 was optional.

The Tempest and tempest Custom were now two separate models, Series 20 and 21.

Tempest GTO Model

The famous Grand Turismo Omologato (GTO) option package was released for LeMans models this year. The idea behind this package was to circumvent a corporate high-performance ban by providing the venerable high performance 389 CID V-8 as an option in the most luxurious Pontiac intermediate.

 

Models Offered

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Series 20: There were three lines in this series: 4-door sedan, 2-door sport coupe, and Safari wagon. Identifying Series 20 base Tempests were small hub caps, the absence of upper belt line moldings and triple wind splits behind front wheel openings. Cars with optional V-8 power were dressed with front fender badges displaying “326”.

Series 21: Tempest Customs had the same general styling features as base Tempests, but could be easily identified by the bright upper beltline moldings accenting the “Coke bottle” shape on the sides of the car. There were also “Tempest Custom” in nameplates on the rear fenders. Extra standard equipment included carpeting, Deluxe steering wheel and courtesy lamps on convertibles.

Cars with optional V-8 power were dressed with front fender badges displaying “326”.

SERIES 22: LeMans series Tempests had distinct styling touches such as “LeMans” in nameplates on the rear fender sides, ribbed decor plates for the deck lid latch panel, model badges on the deck lid, simulated slanting louvers ahead of rear wheel cutouts and “LeMans” in a  script plate on the dashboard. Bucket seats were standard on all models.

Cars with optional V-8 power were dressed with front fender badges displaying “326”.

The GTO option was part of the LeMans Series.

SERIES 22:  The GTO was an option on the Series 22 Tempest LeMans Series. It was available on Models 2227 (Sports Coupe) 2237 (Hardtop Coupe) and 2267 (Convertible). It was not available on the Safari.

The GTO Option consisted of: The 389 cubic inch high-performance V-8. Special GTO nameplates for the grille, fenders, deck lid and glove box door. Simulated engine-turned aluminum dash panel inserts. Dual simulated air scoops on the hood. Many special GTO only accessories were available.

Engines

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Tempest Base I-6 – All Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 215 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.75 x 3.25 inches. Compression ratio: 8.6:1. Horsepower: 140 @ 4400 RPM. Torque: 209 @ 2200 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 252°, Exhaust 252°, Overlap 38°, Lift 0.331″ (intake), 0.339″ (exhaust). Carburetor: Rochester one-barrel model (manual transmission) 7024164 (automatic) 7024166 .

Tempest Base V-8 – All Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 326 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.718″ x 3.75″. Compression ratio: 8.6:1. Horsepower: 250 @ 4600 RPM. Torque: 333 @ 2800 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 269°, Exhaust 277°, Overlap 47°, Lift 0.365″ (intake), 0.377 ” (exhaust). Carburetor: Rochester 2-barrel (manual transmission) 7023071 (automatic) 7023062.

Tempest Optional V-8 – All Transmissions: Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 326 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.72″ x 3.75″ Compression ratio: 10.5:1. Horsepower: 280 @ 4800 RPM. Torque: 355 @ 3200 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 269°, Exhaust 277°, Overlap 47°, Lift 0.365″ (intake), 0.377 ” (exhaust). Carburetor: Carter AFB 4-barrel (manual transmission) 3686S, (automatic) 3687S.

Optional 325 Horsepower V-8 – GTO , All Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 389 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.0625″ x 3.750″. Compression ratio: 10.75:1. Horsepower: 325 @ 4800 RPM. Torque: 428 @ 3200 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 273°, Exhaust 289°, Overlap 54°, Lift 0.402″ (intake), 0.409″ (exhaust) . Carburetor:  Carter AFB Model (manual transmission) 3647S (automatic) 3648S.

Optional 348 Horsepower V-8 – All Models , All Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 389 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.0625″ x 3.750″. Compression ratio: 10.75:1. Horsepower: 348 @ 4900 RPM. Torque: 428 @ 3600 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 273°, Exhaust 289°, Overlap 54°, Lift 0.402″ (intake) 0.409″ (exhaust). Carburetors: three 2-barrel Rochester carburetors: (front) 7024178, (center manual trans) 7024175, (center auto trans) 7024173, (rear) 7024179.

More detailed information on the 1964 I-6, 326 CID 389  CID V8 engines may be found in the Library’s 1964 AMA Specifications Sheets. You may access the sheets HERE, or use the navigation on this page.

Chassis Features

    • Wheelbase: All Tem­pests: 115 inches.
    • Overall length:  All Tem­pests: 203 inches.
    • Front track: All Tempests: 58 inches.
    • Rear track: All Tempests: 58 inches.
    • Standard tires: Standard Tem­pest: 6.50 x 14. Optional Tempest: 6.00 x 15.
    • Standard tires GTO: 7.50 x 14 Nylon cord red stripe tires mounted on 14 x 6JK rim wheels standard, Optional only on 22 series
    • Optional tires GTO: 7.50 x 14 rayon cord white wall

Power Train Options

    • Three-speed manual transmission was standard.
    • Automatic transmission was optional. 
    • A four-speed manual transmission was optional.
    • A 326 cubic V-8 was optional In Tempest, Tempest Custom and Tempest  LeMans lines for  cars without the GTO option. With Synchromesh and 8.6:1 heads this motor gave 250 horsepower at 4600 R.P.M. With Hydra-Matic and 10.5:1 heads this motor gave 280 horsepower at 4800 R.P.M.
    • The 389 cubic inch V-8 was available exclusively In the GTO. It came with 10.75:1 compression and two different induction setups. The standard version had lour-barrel carburetion and gave 325 horsepower at 4,800 RPM.
    • The 389 cubic inch V-8 Tri-Power was optional on the same block and produced 348 horsepower at 4900 RPM.
    • The GTO could also be ordered with a heavy-duty three-speed manual gear box or
    • A Muncie close-ratio lour-speed manual box with Hurst linkage was available on the GTO.

NOTE: The Tempest/GTO line had the 389 CID being the maximum engine size.

Significant Options

 

Tempest and LeMans –

    • Air-conditioner ($319).
    • Bucket seats ($134).
    • Cor­dova top ($75).
    • Custom steering wheel ($6-9).
    • Deluxe steering wheel with ring ($4).
    • LeMans console shift ($48).
    • Padded dash ($16).
    • Power convertible top ($54).
    • Power tilt bucket seat L.H. ($67).
    • Power steering ($75).
    • Power tailgate window ($54).
    • Push button radio ($62).
    • Tachometer ($54).
    • Two-speed wipers and washer ($17).
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Body Paint Color Codes

Click on the Paint Code Name to See the Mix Codes for the appropriate color:

1964 Pontiac Mid Size

  A Starlight Black
  C Cameo Ivory
  D Silvermist Gray
  F Yorktown Blue
  H Skyline Blue
  J Pinehurst Green
  L Marimba Red
  L Marimba Red
  N Sunfire Red
  P Aquamarine
  Q Gulfstream Aqua
  R Alamo Beige
  S Saddle Bronze
  T Singapore Gold
  V Grenadier Red
  W Nocturne Blue

1964 Pontiac Mid-Size
Current Market Values

 

Powertrain Information

Three Speed Manual Transmission Ratios

    • I-6 1st – 2.94:1, 2nd – 1.68:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.94:1
    • V-8: 1st – 2.58:1, 2nd – 1.48:1, 3rd – 1:1, Reverse – 2.58:1

  • Four Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
    • V-8 All: 1st – 2.56:1, 2nd – 1.91:1, 3rd – 1.5:1, 4th 1:1, Reverse – 2.64:1

Automatic Transmission Ratios

    • All: Low – 1.76:1, High – 1:1, Reverse – 2.49:1

Rear Gear Standard Ratios

    • See Page 3 in the 1964 Pontiac Mid-Size AMA Specifications Sheet for all potential ratios
    • See Page 17 in the 1964 Pontiac Mid-Size AMA Specifications Sheet for all standard/optional ratios

NOTE: For more powertrain information, you may access the 1964 Pontiac mid-size AMA Specifications Sheets HERE

The GTO option package included:

    • The 389 cubic inch high-performance V-8
    • Special GTO nameplates for the grille, fenders, deck lid and glove box door.
    • Simulated engine-turned aluminum dash panel inserts.
    • Dual simulated air scoops on the hood.
    • Many unique GTO accessories were available.

Related Document
Downloads

Files directly related to the 1964 Pontiac Mid-Size Line will appear below. Click to Download:

1964 Pontiac Mid-Size Car Deluxe Brochure

1964 Pontiac GTO Brochure

1964 Pontiac Tempest Print Ads

1964 Pontiac GTO Print Ads

1964 Pontiac Mid-Size AMA Specifications Sheets

1964 Pontiac GTO Road Test – Motor Trend Magazine

1964 Pontiac GTO Road Test – Car Life Magazine

1964 Pontiac GTO Road Test – Speed & Custom Magazine

1964 Pontiac GTO Road Test – Car and Driver Magazine

1964 Pontiac Production Figures

Related Images

Related Images to the 1964 Pontiac Mid-Size Line will appear below

1964 Pontiac GTO Convertible

The 1964 Pontiac GTO Convertible was the top of the line GTO. 6,644 were sold, only 20% of the GTO run.

1964 Pontiac GTO 2-door Hardtop

The 1964 Pontiac GTO 2-door Hardtop was the most popular 1964 GTO. 18,422 were delivered.

1964 Pontiac GTO 2-door Sports Coupe

The 1964 Pontiac GTO 2-door Sports Coupe would have been the choice of street racers due to its lighter weight. 7,384 were produced.

1964 Pontiac Tempest LeMans & Custom Convertibles

The 1964 Tempest LeMans & Custom Convertibles differed mostly in interior trim. 7,987 Custom models were sold versus 6,644 LeMans versions.

1964 Pontiac Tempest Custom Coupe & Tempest 4-door Sedan

The 1964 Pontiac Tempest Custom Coupe & Tempest Custom .4-door Sedan were great sellers in this 1st year with the Coupe making 25,833 deliveries and the Tempest 4-door 19,427 produced

1964 Pontiac Tempest LeMans 2-door Sports Coupe

The 1964 Pontiac Tempest LeMans 2-door Sports Coupe resided just below the hardtop in deluxe sporty Tempests. 31,317 were delivered.

1964 Pontiac Tempest LeMans 2-door Hardtop

The 1964 Pontiac Tempest LeMans 2-door Hardtop was the deluxe 2-door. 31,310 were produced.

1964 Pontiac Tempest 2-door Sports Coupe

The 1964 Pontiac Tempest 2-door Sports Coupe was the base 2-door and the most reasonably priced Tempest. 21,765 were made.

1964 Pontiac Tempest Custom 4-door Sedan

The 1964 Pontiac Tempest Custom 4-door Sedan was a great seller with 29,948 sold.

1964 Pontiac Tempest Safari wagon

The 1964 Pontiac Tempest Safari wagon differed from the Custom version only via lesser interior trim. 6,834 were delivered.

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