Pontiacs for 1964 

Imagine back in autumn of '63 when the Pontiac dealership sales staff (all male, of course) were assembled in the training room watching this video. Pall Mall smoke thick in the air, the scent of Brylcreem and Aqua Velva aftershave wafting about. Ah, the good old days!

When I was a young man I visited the USA in 1969.The people who we stayed with owned a Pontiac Bonneville in metalic maroon with cream upholstery,I thought it was the most beautiful car I had ever seen,power steering, power brakes as standard fit nothing like it back here in the UK.I have loved those cars ever since and when I go to heaven I will have a garage full of lovely shiny cars like this one.

I still own my 1967 Pontiac GTO, 4 speed with a Hurst floor shifter, 400 HO engine with 360 hp after 52 years.

Back when GM made good cars

My dad's first new car when I was a little kid was a 1960 Pontiac Catalina Safari wagon. Turned me into a Pontiac freak. I've had a 68 Catalina, a 72 Bonneville and presently own a 72 GTO 455 H.O. 4 speed, 60 Bonneville Safari wagon, 62 Catalina wagon, 66 Bonneville Coupe, and a 66 Bonneville convertible.

Does anyone remember how when you clicked on the high beams In those cars a bright red Indian head would light up just under the 60 mph on the speedo...Only a Pontiac had this in honor of Chief Pontiac....

Great salesman and voice, love these old vids, RIP Pontiac

The 1964 Bonneville was the most beautiful car of that era. The design was just perfect. I'm a die cast model collector and have been all my life and back in 1970 I went to the mall at Lenox Square. There I bought my first model car in 1:64 scale and it was a 1964 Bonneville. Purple in color. Matchbox. With it I bought a 1966 Ford Mustang fastback.

And, remember. These cars were the best engineered, quietest and most reliable cars ever in the Pontiac line. Well, until the '65 models hit the road.

As a kiddo back in the 60s, I remember American cars well. It seemed as though every new year model would have something new and exciting. Electric windows, vacuum operated door locks, pop up headlights, big roomy interiors that had color! Why, you could have a blue interior, a red interior, even a green, white, black, brown, tan interior, and color combinations in between. These cars did not pretend to be anything other than what they were. If you wanted a big, wide, heavy car, that's what you bought. And most importantly, they did not look as though they were fabricated at a candy factory to look like a jelly bean.

Folks, These are some of the prettiest, cleanest-lined cars that GM ever made........

My Mom owned a '64 Bonneville two-door, tan inside & out. I learned to drive in that car, and it was a beautiful, powerful (389) V-8, such a pleasure to look at and drive.

I own a '64 Tempest Custom Convertible, great car. I replaced the 326 V-8 with a stroker 461 Pontiac V-8. Factory AC too. Good times!

I had a 64 Grand Prix loved that car 389 high-performance slapstick auto. rolled bucket seats

Let the musclecar era roar!

The only Pontiac for that year available in Australia was the Parisienne, assembled locally form kits sent from Canada. They were indeed quiet. They were indeed smooth. But with that little six cyl motor in such a big car, it was a slug to drive.

This film deserves a restoration, although it was originally in color, it seems like a p/b with sepia finish.

Got to give Pontiac credit for going over the actual engineering of the cars instead of just spending the whole time talking about the body styling and interior fabrics like a 1950s clip.

For 1964, we’ve introduced faster dissolving steel - you’ll wonder where your car went after only one or two Michigan winters!

This is lovely to watch. I love those old Pontiacs'. Bigger, quieter and distinctively styled. Just Fantastic. Thank you for all your amazing uploads. I really enjoy them and this is another good one. Great stuff.

I'm biased to some degree because I was born this year; but I can't help but Love these Vehicles of every type of them!!

Pontiac's always had the best looking cars. If you could get your hands on a dual-quad 421 SD engine, you were the shit!

Pontiac always had the best styling in the early '60s

The 1964 Pontiac Tempest, Oldsmobile F-85 and Buick Special marked B-O-P's withdrawal from the compact-economy field until the Pontiac Ventura, Oldsmobile Omega and Buick Apollo (later Skylark) of the 1970s.

Not sure but I think the 64 tempest was smoother and quieter than before.

In the mid 1950s, Pontiac brought on Semon “Bunkie” Knudsen as general manager to revamp the struggling division and transform its old-man image to a more youthful persona. To accomplish this feat, Knudsen teamed with Pete Estes and brought in brilliant young engineers such as John DeLorean, Bill Collins, and Russ Gee. Under the leadership of Knudsen, Pontiac styling became leaner, more powerful and with a lower wide-track stance. Pontiac took its new designs to the track, battling it out with other Detroit automakers in NASCAR and NHRA. By the early 1960s, Pontiac’s transformation was complete and all was good… until January 1963. GM brass instituted an internal ban on racing that ended the successful game plan that Pontiac had used to propel itself into the #3 sales position. What would Pontiac do without racing to stoke the fires of its sales inferno? The solution came from a secret underground laboratory in Milford, Michigan. OK, that might be a little too dramatic. In reality, DeLorean, Collins, and Gee would meet most Saturday mornings at the Milford Proving Grounds for casual gatherings referred to as “what if” sessions. It was during one of those sessions that the elite engineering crew put a prototype 1964 LeMans coupe on a lift and examined the drivetrain components. As legend has it, Collins coolly suggested to DeLorean, “You know, John, it would take about 20 minutes to stick a 389 in here.” DeLorean responded, “Let’s try it.” Since the external dimensions of Pontiac blocks were the same size, with the same mounting provisions, the swap to the larger displacement 389 was relatively simple. Soon after this “what if” session, DeLorean was driving the very first “GTO,” a LeMans coupe powered by a classic 389 topped with a tri-power and bolted to a four-speed transmission. DeLorean put some of the most influential players at Pontiac and GM behind the wheel of the new creation. The LeMans test mule was said to be so much fun to drive that DeLorean often had difficulty getting the car back after he had loaned it out. At this point, the biggest obstacle DeLorean faced to get the car into production was GM’s internal policy regarding big engines in small cars: in the GTO’s case, a corporate edict mandating 10 pounds of vehicle weight per cubic inch of engine displacement. The team slyly discovered a loophole in the wording-the displacement limit only applied to base engines; there was nothing written about optional engines. So the LeMans with the GTO option package, which included the 389 V-8, adhered to the rule because it was offered only as an option. DeLorean reached out to Jim Wangers, vice president at Pontiac’s advertising agency, McManus, John, and Adams. DeLorean asked Wangers to promote the sensational car to a whole new generation of young Americans and show them the meaning of driving for fun. Wangers was so successful in promoting the GTO-optioned LeMans that Pontiac took 5000 dealer orders before the GM Corporate folks knew the car existed. There was no turning back. The Pontiac GTO was introduced to America in September 1963. And with that, Pontiac had taken its heroic racing battle off the track and brought it to the street, where it would once again do battle against arch rivals Ford, Mopar, and even Chevrolet. The ultimate muscle car superhero was born. One member of GM brass, Pontiac’s sales manager, was furious with DeLorean at a board meeting where his chicanery was exposed and where he was asking approval to build the car. Since orders were already coming in a compromise was reached and 5,000 cars were authorized. Supposedly the sales manager, who had been kept in the dark and was dead set against the car, angrily challenged DeLorean and said he’d never be able to sell the cars and the company would be stuck with them. DeLorean then turned to Jim Wangers and told him to “Get Those Orders” which went on to become one of many unofficial explanations of what “GTO” stood for. Ultimately over 32,000 1964 GTOs were sold.

We had a 1966 Pontiac station wagon, and it had 400 c.i. engine with a Rochester 2bbl. Carb. That was one of the best cars on the road back then.

63 was a whole different animal. Same as 61/62. Have a few. 63 was pre 64 GTO

1964 was before my time but in 1990 I bought a Pontic Sunbird, it was not a convertible though. I loved my car.

John DeLorean and Pontiac started the muscle car era with the 64 GTO/Tempest.

Got my 66 tri-power GTO in 86 for a grand. Drove it home. Still have it, but it's much faster now.

The six cylinder engine looks identical to s Chevrolet six cylinder engine of that era???? I have a 1965 Catalina convertible, I love it.

A friend had a Tempest with 6cyl and it was bullet proof. handled and rode really nice. The body rusted quickly here in New England.

Bring Pontiac Back!!

You really couldn’t go wrong with any GM or Ford in 1964. I tend to like the Fords a bit better in that era though

I love Pontiacs and thought I knew a fare amount about them. But I didnt realize the Star Chief was still an optio in 64.

1964 Pontiacs and to the 1966 model year, were super outstanding in every way. The build quality is second to none and so was the performance in every engine category range. I love the 50,60s, and some 70s Pontiacs and have owned some of those years. The late 70s, quality took a real nose dive and they never recovered. From 1976 to 83, they were junk.

My parents had a '64 Catalina for a while. It was a good car.

Smooth sailing in 1964 boat sank 2010

If they brought these cars back I would purchase one...too young previously.

The vertically stacked headlights gave the grille a really nice look. The '65 Ford Galaxie 500 with it's squared styling and vertical headlights was my favorite!

Our 63 Catalina had lap belts in the front only....

I love several pontiacs but I really love the '64. It had a very restrained aggressive look.

This is great! Thanks!

nice videos everytime.good job.

Longer, lower, wider.

I wonder who this ad man is. He is great.

Would be nice to buy one now!

I owned a 66 lemans I think or a Tempest,two door post with the single overhead cam three speed on the tree as they use to call them,and it was a great car!!!!!!#

My brother bought a 1966 Pontiac Tempest with a 6 cylinder overhead cam engine a long time ago. Every time he wrecked it, I got to fix it. It had a timing belt. Never knew they existed. I think it was 250 CID. Powerglide transmission.

"Shoulder room has increased four inches" the car's a convertible haha... whatever the case a lovely film from yesteryear. Cheers

“And head room is sky high!”

He's sold me.

I had a 64 starchief my uncle and I restored that car. Wish I still had it.

My father bought a '64 Tempest 4 door around '67 after his '62 Falcon croaked. The Tempest had a 215 in it, it was good engine from what I remember. I remember tuning it up, very easy. I replaced the heater core, easy also. Junked it in '81. Always wished it was a GTO. :)

The suspension design on that chassis is the same as my 96 Buick Roadmaster sedan. I guess if it works, leave it alone

I am honestly surprised by how many basic engineering changes there were in the "final year of production" full sized '64s. Changing the frame gauge. changing the body mounts, and upgrading all of the light filaments all had to do with underlying goodness. the rubber window seals trickled "up" to the big cars from the A car (Tempest) program.

Sure miss the Good cars

No seatbelts. No headrests. But I get the message about smooth ride.

My mom had a Catalina 1963 and a 73.

Those are all good selling points... but, is it smoother and quieter?

How interesting that in 1964 they were pushing the 6-cylinder engine and how quiet the car was. I guess this was before the GTO took off and Pontiac was still the "old man's car" division.

Well, much of this is BS. The 63 tempest was a revolutionary car. I-4 engine, rear auto trans, aluminum V-8, monocoque construction. Excellent weight distribution. Better than anything Pontiac had after. But GM didn't like small cars, so they bloated it up like Ford did to the Thunderbird. I'm still a Pontiac man.

Miss those Canadian Pontiacs....Strato -Chief (base model) then the Laurentien, (mid class) and then the Parisienne the top of the line. Great big chrome boats, rust buckets and whatever you want to call them. But that was the crème de la crème of North American Autos at that time.

This guy was in all the GM commercials.

Love this guy's necktie! I want it!

My 1st car was a 1964 Grand Prix (1970) I paid $625.00 to my parents for it. They bought it new 11/1/63

Sure loved the styling of these cars and especially this year. I think I'll hold out though, I'm looking to get the 66 Chevelle, I'll be a little late picking it up, sure it'll be second or third, well who knew how many hands it went through, got it in '84. The suspension I put in was stiff, the noise OUTRAGES, open headers didn't help. The level of fun and memories, PRICELESS. Wish I still had it, but cars ARE safer and more fuel efficient now. Oh, LOTS quieter too.

The SOHC Sprint 6 was supposed to joined this line up. They just couldn't iron out the problems into time. Funny saleman talks about the Pontiac being quiet. How could he explain the GTO?

140hp I6 pulling that much weight. Sounds like a nightmare

1964 GTO coupe 389 was a torque monster and yes it was great on the open road.

When you look at the cars our parents owned they're very lucky to own want to own

I notice there was no engine sound of that Tempest-optioned car the GTO?

They forgot the best seller of them all was the GTO first year out and a street strip screamer.

The 5 additional inches of wheel stance make those cars feel like they're 8 feet wide when you're driving.

14:00 Electro Cruise automatic speed control. Nowadays they call it "auto-pilot". Anyways, superb car!! 👏🏻

Parents had '64 Tempest for well over 100,000 miles. Probably still rolling along somewhere.

I want a Star Chief.or a Bonneville. And the blonde. Just a production question: they (GM Photographic Unit) were using a crane to film most of the shots, but didn't use a boom mike, instead he had to lug around a nasty microphone cable trailing from under his coat. But geewizz he was enthusiastic! I loved it.

Why can't we have these old styling brought back? Thinner metals, fiberglass, aluminum, and plastics along with a turbocharged direct injection aluminum head 4cyl engine with a lightweight fwd drivetrain should help keep the weight down. I can not believe that extending the interior by 2 feet, and the trunk by a foot will add that much weight to the small cars we have today. - cars that no one buys because we can not carry passengers in them.

"Every Pontiac model looks like a Pontiac, Even from a distance" lol love it

I had a test drive I would keep going forget to bring The Pontiac Grand prix back

Surely that ride height is not normal as a stock option?

1:04 Did anyone at anytime, think that suit looked good and fit well?

Pontiac also developed the first overhead camshaft engine the sprint 6 230 hp

I'm sold. Where can I buy one?

I like the "special" Pontiac six cylinder, it's a small bore version of the Chevy gen III 6 cylinder engine. So let's review- buy the cheaper Chevrolet and get a larger, more powerful standard engine. Next let's talk about 6s and disparage the V-6's the senior Divisions (Olds & Buick) use. Let's talk about how great the transmissions are in the large cars, the Roto-hydramatic and Super Hydramatic these transmissions are so darn good we're discontinuing them next year and switching to a 3 speed Turbohydramatic. We didn't talk much about the larger cars because they're really the same as last year. And remember the Pontiac is the quietest smoothest on the road so why spend more money on an Olds, Buick or Cadillac?

@ 9:49 I wonder what they said about those "inherently unbalanced" V6s when they had to start selling them. A counterweighted crankshaft and 60° cylinder angle seems to have solved the problem pretty well.

Yes, but will it be Smoother and Quieter ? My new car must be Quiet and Smooth...did you mention it being Quiet or Smooth in this advert ? JEEZOO

Class

WOW, At dang near height of Poncho's performance era, They tried to sell me a Buick! (and I'm already a Buick guy!).

Interesting how they could get 40 more horses with 1 less cubic inch than the Chevy 327/2bbl, youdathunk they could have borrowed the 326 for base V8 on the 1st-gen Camaro

"Two hundred and three inches"??. Shucks that's close to close to 17 feet!!

But is it smoother and quieter?

I thought the front lites were side ways on 64 gto not up an down

This looks like it was shot with video.

funny, the Tempest "6" was a small bore chevy, with a powerglide trans, also, the 326V-8 was no match for the Oldsmobile 330-V-8, the olds blew them away,

1964 the same year that began the muscle car era.

what happened to this country?

What about the 64 Pontiac Parisienne

3:40 That was fine when gas was 34 cents /gallon