History Rare Pontiac race car found

Thanks for all the updates. Too bad he wasn't able to acquire the original aluminum front end. I have looked at pictures of it for decades in Pete McCarthy's book.

 

I love 63's, and of course the story on this one. I remember watching the ebay auction, I was interested in the car too but I wanted a near driver.

 

What cool history and it's still making it.

 

Here are some photos from some folks you might recognize:
This is from coachbuilder Randy Ferguson, who is creating the new aluminum front end:

and these are from Scott Tiemann. Both sets of photos were forwarded from tjs44, for posting here:

 

This is awesome to see this car being done, let alone found. I love the early SD cars. I had a 63 Lemans and sold it, Jim Christianson bought it because it was close to is original one he had. Never did hear if he restored my old car to his old racecar from the day. Keep the photo's coming.

 

Hey Solo,
Did your 63 happen to be painted red primer with 749 A/FX stenciled on the doors? I was at the Tiger Run in Bend, OR in 1995. We drove up to Madras dragstrip & I got to meet Jim Christianson. There was this 63 LeMans I just mentioned that was for sale. Jim was contemplating buying it.
There were two teenage girls in the car. I have a picture somewhere that I took of them as they sat in the car. Here it is.
In 1996, Jim drove down to my moms in the SF Bay Area for Memorial Day weekend. Got to hear all the cool stories about his Super Duty LeMans. Real nice guy.
-Don

 

No that car wasn't mine, but I remember it being there. My 63 was light blue with blue interior. I can't remember if I drove it to Tiger Run that year or later. Jim wanted by car because of the interior being blue, so he could paint the car white, like his old car. Jim is a nice man, has neat stories. How is he doing?

Kevin

 

that car is gonna be nice!

 

Hey Kevin,
I remember Jim talking about your car then. With the interior being the same light blue... This was after Tiger Run. As far as Jim is concerned, I havent spoken to him since 1997, I think. He was working for Union Pacific railroad.
-Don

 

Any updates on the restoration?

 

Here's a few shots from May 25,2010.

 

nice exhaust maifolds!Tom

 

thanks for posting picts! great to see this car coming back to life.
did these cars use the same frt suspension as the corvairs? looks awfully alike....

 

It would be great to see the car lettered up.

 

A day later the manifolds had to come off. They wouldnt work with a conventional bell housing.

Now have a set of DeLorean Headers on the Super Duty.

 

Dennis, Any idea when the complete car will make it's debut to the public?

 

Dennis,that sucks,I donated them for the project as they had the part numbers on them.Will call Scott to see what the problem is.Tom

 

I believe Scott is shooting for the end of July. Just waiting on aluminum.

 

Aluminum should be done this week. Car is waiting patiently.
All is done except front end.

 

Wow ... these guys flush more talent down the toilet after wiping than I have in total !!!

 

Randy, the aluminum man is in the house. Front fenders are being hung as I type.
One week until the big show at Meadowbrook.

Interior is finished, radiator was fitted today and brackets need to be painted.

Aluminum should be fitted soon and ready to be prepped for paint.

Clock is ticking......

p.s. included are a few shots of other cars at Supercar today. Randy Williams Super Duty Wagon and a Swiss Cheese 63 waiting paint.

 

Sorry about the sideways pics...........

 

Guys are working overtime this week-end, to get the aluminum in paint.

Tic-Toc...............

 

Awesome!

 

Thanks for keeping us posted. I'm sure I'm not the only one who appreciates the updates on this ultimate piece of Pontiac Racing history. It's also cool to see that the car will be lettered up like it originally was. I've always loved these little SD '63 Tempests. I remember in the early Eighties, there was an aluminum front end '63 Tempest that was still being bracket raced at our local 1/8 mile drag strip!

 

Thursday and it's still coming together.
Front fenders on, radiator in, all the rest of the aluminum is painted and awaiting sanding and buff.

Gary Floate will be here in the a.m. to finish the lettering.
By this time friday it should be looking complete.

Sunday is D-Day!

 

what are you using to edit these pictures? is this odd cropping and layout intentional?

 

Just photos from my Phone. No cropping or editing. It is what it is!

 

okay, thanks. i'm happy to see the progress...

 

Friday and 2 days until Meadowbrook.
Lettering will be done tonight and aluminum will all be in place tomorrow.

Engine hasn't been fired yet, but should not be a problem.