General Year Information

Full Size Cars

Styling and luxury were emphasized by Pontiac in 1963 as GM had banned factory competition efforts. Styling was totally new with clean, square lines, angled roofs, upward curving taillamps, recessed split grilles and non-panoramic windshields.

“Vista” is the name for the four-door hardtop. “Safari” denotes a station wagon. The term “Sports Sedan” was gernerally used to identify two-door pillared coupes. The Grand Prix, body style 2957, had a distinctive roofline not shared with other lines. Bucket seats were now available for Catalina coupes and convertibles with the Ventura option all Bonnevilles – includining the Custom Safari station wagon could also be so optioned.

Tempest Models

The term “senior compact” was often used to describe the new Tempests which had the same wheelbase and technical features as the previous years, but were two inches wider and five inches longer than the 1962 cars. The biggest news was the inclusion of  a down-sized in CID only of the Pontiac V8 – at 326 CID with 260 HP.

Design changes included a slight “coke bottle” shape, more angular rooflines, creased side panels, longer trunks, split grille styling emulating the full-size cars, wider wheel openings and dual vertically-stacked taillamps.

Chassis Information

• Wheelbase: (All Full Size Safaris) 119 inches: (Series 23 and 29) 120 inches: (Series 26 and 28) 123 inches: (Tempests) 112 inches.
• Overall length: (All Full Size Safaris) 212.8 inches: (Series 23 and 29) 211.9 inches: (Series 26 and 28) 218.9 inches: (All Tempests) 194.3 inches.
• Front tread: (Full Size) 64 inches: (Tempest) 57.3 inches.
• Rear tread: (Full Size) 64 inches (Tempest) 58 inches.
• Standard tires: (Full Size) 8.00 x 14; (Tempest) 6.00 x 15.

Models Offered

Engines

Engine Options and Availability

• All Engine Options Listed as Engine Packages in the Engine Section Above.

Power Train Options

• A three-speed manual transmission was standard on all models.
  
• Super Hydra-Matic was $231.34.
  
• Four-speed Synchromesh with floor shift was $231.34.
  
• Dual exhausts were standard with the Trophy ‘425A’ and Super Duty V-8s and $30.88 extra on others.
  
• Safe-T-Track differential was $42.00 .
  
• Four-barrel carburetion as standard on Bonneville and Grand Prix and $24.00 on other models.
  
• Tri-Power induction was $116.00 – $174.00 depending on model and transmission.
  
• The four-barrel “425A” V-8 was $199.00 – $294.00 depending on model and transmission.
  
• The Tri-Power “425A” V-8 was $312.00 – $401.00 depending on model and transmission.
  
• The “421 Super Duty” V-8 was $2,250.00  regardless of model.
  
• Seven rear axle gear ratios were available, with the 3.64:1 and 3.90:1 on special order only.

Body Paint Color Codes

Significant Options – Full Size

• Air-conditioning ($430).
• Aluminum hubs and drums ($122-138).
• Console including tachometer ($161).
• Cordova top ($86).
• Instrument gage cluster ($21-59).
• Luggage carrier ($94).
• Power brakes ($57).
• Power seat ($96).
• Power tilt bucket seat L.H. ($71).
• Remote control mirror ($12).
• Sports wheel covers ($30-46).
• Tachometer ($54).
• Ventura trim on Body Styles 2339, 2347 and 2369 ($118).

Significant Options – Tempest

• Air-conditioner ($319).
• Bucket seats ($134).
• Custom steering wheel ($6-9).
• Deluxe steering wheel with ring ($4).
• LeMans console shift ($48).
• Padded dash ($16).
• Power convertible top ($54).
• Power tilt bucket seat L.H. ($67).
• Power steering ($75).
• Power tailgate window ($54).
• Pushbutton radio ($62).
• Tachometer ($54). Cor­ dova top ($75).
• Two-speed wipers and washer ($17).