Tempest Wagon, or GTO Wagon?

[WillyBilly]

I have wanted to do this build for years. I try to imagine a family walking into a Pontiac dealership in the mid 1960s looking for a new car. The guy is checking out the GTOs on the lot, and the wife is looking for a practical wagon for the kids. The man and wife compromise on a muscle wagon. With that said I see the two sitting down with the salesman, picking colors and options. The question would be, is it realistic for them to check the correct boxes and get a wagon with the GTO package or is more realistic that a Tempest could be ordered with enough hipo options to make it close to a GTO. Instead of a full blown 389/4 speed/3.55, you get a optional 326/2 speed auto/ 3.23 final gear. 

I am fairly sure this will be a full-blown GTO build, but the idea of checking the boxes to get something close intrigues me too.

I have started to fit the chassis to the body by cutting out the rear wheel wells, but the body will need a lot of massaging to get the tub to fit correctly. I am thinking of cutting out the floor and replacing it with the one from the kit so I can use the buckets, and console. I will probably only go that route if I build it as a GTO. If I build it as optioned out Tempest, I may keep the front bench. Color is still up iinn the air. I was thinking Mayfair Maize, Capri Gold, Cameo Ivory, Fontaine Blue. Either way, this is going to be a fun build.

[espo]

Really like your concept. May I share a little personal experience on say a '65 Pontiac Tempest? A friend and coworker who was getting engaged at the time, went to the local Pontiac dealership, and being young and even having a clean driving record the insurance on a new GTO put it out of the question. What he did was order a La Mans two door hardtop with the 326 ho and a 4-speed. There was a suspension option that brought larger sway bars including a rear bar and heavier valved shocks as well as the traction lock differential. He got the bucket seats and the reverb radio option. Sort of a GTO light and the insurance was affordable for he and his soon to be wife. Fun fact, his father later ordered a similar LaMans but with the 2bbl 326 and an auto trans. His younger brother bought a Tempest Custom two door post car with the regular 4 bbl. 326 and 4-speed.  These options could also be done on the wagon like you're starting on. This setup was popular with others where we were living since many had the same insurance issues and insurance companies almost wouldn't insure a GTO or an SS or anything else with letters or numbers in its description. 

[lordairgtar]

GTO wagon would be my choice. There is a misty green one in my area.

[TopherMcGinnis]

I Love a sleeper.

[WillyBilly]

12 minutes ago, TopherMcGinnis said:

I Love a sleeper.

There was a 63 Chevy wagon resin body when I ordered the Pontiac. sold just before I hit the pay now button. I was going to do a Biscane wagon with 409/4 speed wagon just like that. So cool.

[pulln4dejr]

I love the idea, I may go Tri-Powered Tempest, dog dish hubcaps, dual exhaust!

I had a ‘73 Camaro back in the day, no “shiny” wheels, spoiler, or stripes, just a ‘65 Corvette 327/375 posi traction! When someone pulled up beside me and asked “what ya got in that thing?” I’d say “little stock 307!” Loved it!

[TopherMcGinnis]

Don't see a console with a bench seat. It's got a factory tissue dispenser and a/c.