What is the Pontiac version of the Chevy Nomad?
The Pontiac Tempest was a compact car produced by General Motors' Pontiac division from 1961 to 1970. It was often considered the Pontiac version of the Chevrolet Nomad, a popular station wagon model that shared many design elements with the Tempest. While the Nomad was known for its practical utility, the Tempest offered a sportier and more performance-oriented take on the compact car concept.
Origins and Design
The Pontiac Tempest was introduced in 1961 as a compact car to compete with the Ford Falcon and Chevrolet Corvair. It was designed to be a more affordable and fuel-efficient alternative to Pontiac's larger models, while still retaining the brand's signature styling and performance-oriented character. The Tempest shared its platform and many components with the Chevrolet Corvair, but Pontiac's designers gave it a distinct look and feel.
One of the Tempest's most notable features was its unique "split" or "transaxle" drivetrain layout, which placed the transmission and rear differential in a single unit at the rear of the car. This design, which was also used in the Corvair, allowed for a more balanced weight distribution and improved handling characteristics.
Comparison to the Chevy Nomad
While the Chevrolet Nomad was a practical and family-oriented station wagon, the Pontiac Tempest was positioned as a more sporty and performance-focused compact car. The Tempest offered a range of engine options, including a powerful V8 engine, which gave it a distinct advantage over the more utilitarian Nomad.
The Tempest also featured a sleeker and more aerodynamic design compared to the boxy Nomad, with a lower roofline and a more aggressive front end. This gave the Tempest a more dynamic and youthful appearance, appealing to a different segment of the market than the Nomad.
Legacy and Impact
The Pontiac Tempest was a significant model for the brand, helping to establish Pontiac's reputation for producing sporty and performance-oriented vehicles. It paved the way for the development of other iconic Pontiac models, such as the GTO and the Firebird, which would go on to become some of the most legendary muscle cars of the era.
While the Tempest was eventually discontinued in 1970, its legacy lives on as a testament to Pontiac's ability to take a practical compact car and transform it into a truly exciting and engaging driving experience.
What was Pontiac's version of the Chevy Nomad?
Pontiac Safari
The Pontiac Safari is a line of station wagons that was produced by Pontiac from 1955 to 1989. Initially introduced as the Pontiac counterpart of the two-door Chevrolet Nomad, the division adopted the nameplate across its full-size wagon range in 1957.
What is the Oldsmobile version of the Chevy Vega?
The Oldsmobile Starfire is a subcompact four-passenger automobile introduced in September 1974, and produced for the 1975 through 1980 model years. The Olds Starfire is a rebadged Chevrolet Monza based on the Chevrolet Vega sharing its H platform.
Did Pontiac make a two-door station wagon?
Pontiac's sporty two-door wagon, the Safari, shares much with its corporate cousin the Nomad, but there are some significant differences, too. The origin of the 1955 Pontiac Safari is obvious enough.
What was the Ford version of the Chevy Nomad?
Ford Parklane
For 1956, Ford introduced the Ford Parklane as a direct competitor of the Nomad. While the Parklane would outsell the Nomad by nearly two-to-one for 1956, Ford discontinued the model line after a single model year.
What was Ford's version of El Camino?
Ford Ranchero
The Ford Ranchero is a coupe utility that was produced by Ford between 1957 and 1979. Unlike a standard pickup truck, the Ranchero was adapted from a two-door station wagon platform that integrated the cab and cargo bed into the body. A total of 508,355 units were produced during the model's production run.
Was there a Pontiac version of the Vega?
The Pontiac Division was given its own version of the Vega for the Canadian market, named Astre for the 1973 model year. U.S. Pontiac dealers finally had a subcompact to sell when the Astre made its U.S. debut for the 1975 model year. The Astre used the Vega 140 cu in (2.3-liter) inline-four engine through 1977.
How much is a 1955 Chevy Nomad worth today?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $53,250 for a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad in good condition with average spec. The highest selling price of a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad at auction over the last three years was $275,000.
Did Pontiac make a Nomad?
The Pontiac Safari is a line of station wagons that was produced by Pontiac from 1955 to 1989. Initially introduced as the Pontiac counterpart of the two-door Chevrolet Nomad, the division adopted the nameplate across its full-size wagon range in 1957.
What is the rarest Chevy Nomad?
There aren't many surviving examples of the original Nomad left, and the 1957 model is one of the rarest cars of its era.
What was the Pontiac minivan called?
Pontiac Montana
The Montana trim level quickly became the most popular version of the Trans Sport line, accounting for over 80% of total Trans Sport sales. In 1998, Pontiac renamed its minivan as the Pontiac Montana in the United States (1999 in Canada).
