Editing Pontiac Tempest (section)

==Third generation (1968–1970)==
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Third generation
| image = 1968 Pontiac Tempest Custom (29146837444).jpg
| caption = 1968 Pontiac Tempest Custom Sports Coupe
| model_years = 1968-1970
|assembly       = (Main Plant)
{{unbulleted list 
| [[Pontiac Assembly]],Pontiac MI, US
<br />(Branch Assembly)
| [[Arlington Assembly]], Arlington, Texas
| [[Baltimore Assembly]], Baltimore, Maryland
| [[Framingham Assembly]], Framingham, Massachusetts
| [[Fremont Assembly]], Fremont, California
| [[Leeds Assembly]], Kansas City, Missouri
}}
| class = [[Mid-size car|Mid-size]]
| layout = [[FR layout]]
| transmission = 2-speed automatic<br/>3-speed automatic<br/>3-speed manual<br/>4-speed manual
| platform = [[GM A platform (RWD)|A-body]]
| body_style = 2-door [[coupe]]<br />2-door [[hardtop]]<br/>2-door [[convertible (car)|convertible]]<br/>4-door [[station wagon]]<br/>4-door [[Sedan (car)|sedan]]<br />4-door [[hardtop]]
| engine = {{convert|250|cid|L|1|abbr=on}} [[Pontiac straight-6 engine#Overhead cam|OHC I6]]<br/>{{convert|250|cid|L|1|abbr=on}} [[Chevrolet Turbo-Thrift engine#250|Chevrolet]] I6<br/>{{convert|350|cid|L|1|abbr=on}} [[Pontiac V8 engine#350|Pontiac V8]]<br/>{{convert|400|cid|L|1|abbr=on}} [[Pontiac V8 engine#400|Pontiac V8]]
| related = [[Chevrolet Chevelle]]<br/>[[Pontiac Le Mans]]<br/>[[Oldsmobile Cutlass]]<br/>[[Buick Special]]<br/>[[Buick Skylark#Second generation (1968–1972)|Buick Skylark]]
}}

A completely restyled Tempest was introduced for 1968 with streamlined [[Coke bottle styling]], concealed windshield wipers, and a return to horizontal headlights. Two-door models rode on a {{convert|112|in|mm|abbr=on}} wheelbase and four-door models on {{convert|116|in|mm|abbr=on}}. The 230 cu in overhead cam sixes were enlarged to [[Pontiac straight-6 engine#250|250 cu in]], with horsepower ratings unchanged while the 326 V8 was replaced by a new {{convert|350|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} V8 with horsepower ratings of 250 with two-barrel or 320 with four-barrel carb. The same lineup of models including the base Tempest, Tempest Custom and Le Mans continued as in previous years.

Other than elimination of vent windows on hardtop coupes, styling only received minor revisions for 1969, when the Tempest Custom was renamed the '''Custom S''' for this one year. However, model offerings were the same as 1968. A new three-speed [[Turbo-Hydramatic#THM350|Turbo Hydra-matic 350]] automatic transmission was introduced and available with all engines as an alternative to the older two-speed. Engine offerings were the same as before except for the 350 HO V8 engine gaining five-horsepower to 325. A new locking steering column with relocated ignition switch was introduced and front seat headrests became standard equipment. A new GTO option became available, '''[[Pontiac GTO Judge|The Judge]]'''. Featuring special decals, two Ram Air versions of Pontiac's [[Pontiac V8 engine#400|400 engine]], and a rear spoiler, The Judge was originally conceived as a barebones muscle car based on the Tempest to compete with the new sub-$3,000 [[Plymouth Roadrunner]]. Plans for the new model were terminated, and Pontiac division head John DeLorean opted to create a GTO variant instead.

Minor styling revisions, that included a new front grille treatment, highlighted the 1970 Tempest, which was the final year for the nameplate. Initially, the line was down to just two- and four-door sedans but expanded at mid-year with the introduction of the low-priced T-37 hardtop coupe, billed as GM's lowest-priced hardtop coupe.{{Citation needed|date=May 2008}} The Custom S became the Le Mans this year and the previous Le Mans series was renamed the Le Mans Sport. The Pontiac-built OHC six-cylinder engine was replaced by a [[Chevrolet Turbo-Thrift engine#250|Chevy-built 250&nbsp;in<sup>3</sup>]] [[Straight-6|inline six]] while the 350 V8 was down to a two-barrel {{convert|255|hp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} version. New engine offerings included 400&nbsp;in<sup>3</sup> V8s rated at {{convert|265|hp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} with two-barrel carburetor and 8.6:1 compression ratio or 330 with four-barrel and 10.25:1 compression.

The Tempest nameplate was phased out after the 1970 model year. For 1971, it was replaced by a new T-37 series that included each of the three bodystyles offered on the 1970 Tempest and T-37. After this year, the T-37 was dropped. In 1972 all Pontiac intermediates took the Le Mans nameplate except the GTO.

===Tempest Custom S===
{{see also|Pontiac Custom S}}
The Pontiac Tempest Custom S was a one-year only Pontiac nameplate offered during the 1969 model year car as a replacement for the "Tempest Custom" trim level in the Division's line-up. Originally to be called the "Pontiac TC",<ref>[http://www.pontiacpower.net/fact1.html Pontiac Facts] Retrieved on: July 18, 2007.</ref> it was slotted between the Tempest and LeMans in price and features.<ref name="Gunnell" />

The Custom S was available in six different body designs: two-door [[convertible (car)|convertible]], [[hardtop]] coupe, sports coupe, a 4-door [[sedan (car)|sedan]], a 4-door hardtop, and a station wagon.<ref>[http://www.cardomain.com/ride/356367/3 Information about Custom S models, VIN numbers, and production numbers]. Retrieved on: July 19, 2007</ref> The sports coupe can be differentiated from the hardtop by the presence of a [[Quarter glass|vent window]] in the front door. Interior and exterior appointments fell between the Tempest and the LeMans and GTO.

The Custom S came standard with Pontiac's unique [[overhead camshaft]] [[Pontiac straight-6 engine#Overhead Cam|OHC-6]] {{convert|175|hp|abbr=on}} {{convert|250|cid|L|1|abbr=on}} engine. Also available was a {{convert|230|hp|abbr=on}} {{convert|265|ftlbf|Nm|abbr=on}} TQ OHC inline 6-cylinder with the "Sprint" package, a {{convert|265|hp|abbr=on}} overhead valve pushrod [[V8 engine|V8]] {{convert|350|cid|L|1|abbr=on}}, and a {{convert|330|hp|abbr=on}} version of the same engine with higher compression and a 4-barrel [[carburetor]].
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