Pontiac Tempest Monte Carlo Concept 1961, the Speedster Never Born

We are in the United States, at the beginning of the 60s, Pontiac, one of the strongest brands and well known for its sports and high-performance cars, presents a design study destined to anticipate the shapes of the cars of the following years, namely the Tempest Monte Carlo Concept.

This is a speedster with a very low belt line, small windshield and side windows and rather classic lines that anticipate those of famous models of the House. Let’s retrace its history in this in-depth analysis, remembering that it never reached the series production stage.

The story and the project

At the beginning of the 60s, the American automotive industry was in turmoil. The manufacturers, in fact, were trying to ride the wave of the post-war economic boom, offering increasingly more powerfulelegant and innovative. Pontiac, which in these years is still part of the General Motors (GM) group, is looking for new ways to expand its range and differentiate itself from the competition.

And it is precisely in this context that the idea of ​​the Tempest Monte Carlo was born. Based on the new platform called Tempestdesigned with the aim of competing in the growing market of medium-sized cars, is designed as mix perfect balance between the elegance of European sports cars and the power of big american engines.

The Tempest Monte Carlo Concept is designed from a standard Tempest from the 1960s, modified to become a sporty fastbackwith elegant and aerodynamic lines, clearly inspired by European design and equipped with a large V8 engine under the hood.

With fluid and tapered shapes, it is equipped with a generously sized front grille, combined with chrome details chosen to convey elegance on the road and combined with luxurious interiors with leather seats and real wood finishes.

Pontiac

Pontiac Tempest Monte Carlo Concept 1961, the interior

The presentation to the public

The Pontiac Tempest Monte Carlo Concept is presented to the public for the first time in 1961 during the Motor Show in Chicago. During the show, the car immediately attracted attention, thanks to its unique combination of European style and American mechanics.

Pontiac

Pontiac Tempest Monte Carlo Concept 1961, the 8-cylinder engine

The response from the public was more than positive, but right after the show General Motors announced the decision to interrupt the project due to some doubts about the actual success of a car with such bold body shapes and the fact that, in the end, it could be too expensive to produce.

Despite this, however, its pioneering style would influence other cars of the brand in the following years, such as the famous GTO and the Firebird. The car is currently for sale at Hunting Ridge Motors in Mt. Kisco, New York.