Hi TK,
Nice car! Don’t see many Tempest’s nowadays! Looks very clean and original, exception being the front upholstery.
In terms of the 3 speed manual that was standard on the floor. I may be mistaken but I don’t believe a manual column shift was offered. The 4 speed was optional, as was the automatic.
Welcome and Enjoy!
Thanks GTOTIGR. Agreed...I temporarily forgot the Tempest was the base model (my friend had a '69 or '70 Tempest (6-cyl, no pwr steering) in the '80s, probably bought it for <$1K back then...fair price considering its condition), being I've seen so few of them throughout the years.
And right...I didn't find any indication fabric upholstery was OEM style (obviously replaced...looks like it was installed last week), but I suppose I don't mind it) during a browsing of classic parts vendors (OPGI and YearOne).
I've since done a search on this site re: modding the 326 2BBL. Some are saying one would see an improvement with a 4BBL, but that it's best realized with the higher compression heads of the HO 326. That hadn't occurred to me. I assumed the higher compression of the HO motor was attributable to a different crank or pistons.
Preliminary indication is that the motor is healthy. Doesn't smoke and pulls very well with the stock 333 lb/ft of torque. Just runs great. I'm in Colorado, and we just had a cold wave (-17 degrees according to my phone at 5 am last Monday) and was very impressed it started (with only a few initial crank-over attempts) in that brainium-freezing cold. Once it's warmed, it's running within milliseconds of starter engagement. Normally, I'm a big fan of HP modding, but in coming to see how much integrity it has in stock form, might keep it as is in appreciation of its overall original condition.
At the moment, the repairs needed list is only fixing a small exhaust leak between either the manifold & exhaust (or possibly exhaust manifold at the head), a bit whiny rear end (Saf-T-Track), no heat (vent fan works), and no window washer fluid. The rest of the electrical and exterior/interior lighting is working. And cig lighter doesn't appear to work.
The link here suggests it's a "2d coupe" based off the VIN. Since it's not a vinyl top, I would think it'd be a "2d hardtop". Are the 2d coupes vinyl tops? What's the difference, if not?
Also...the 3-speed on the floor is shown as an option on the sticker ($83.65 adder). Or maybe it's fully synchronized that made it cost more?
It still has the front drum brakes (non-pwr), but the brakes are in excellent condition...stops evenly and confidently with minimal effort (considering they're not power). So again...I'm growingly undecided as to whether to upgrade this, this or that (including swapping in an LS motor & 6-speed). I almost feel like I'd be the big a-hole at this point, being it's gone so many years in original form. It does have a newer dual exhaust in place, which I don't mind one bit. Did the 2BBL 326 have single or dual exhaust from the factory?
At the moment, while the ride is like butter, it's also boat-like. It's got Gabriel shocks with a wee smidge of rust on them, indicating they've been on for many years. So I'm planning on either 2" drop spindles or front coil springs. That should get the stance just the way I like it. Normally, I'd go with Bilsteins, but in spirit of the cruiser mobile that it is...maybe just KYBs. And surely wouldn't mind at least 7" wide rear rallies, otherwise matching the existing style.
The power steering is as power assisted as I've ever felt...could steer with my pinky finger if the ultra-skinny (and hard) steering wheel was moist (for a bit of grip).
