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Hot Rods From Tempest to Model A?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Zettle Bros., Apr 28, 2020.

  1. DenverFlash
    Joined: Dec 5, 2008
    Posts: 127

    DenverFlash
    Member

    You'd regret selling the Pontiac, they seem to look better & better as time goes by and it's getting really hard to find one that nice. Loved my '65 GTO (years ago); great size, simple & fun. I'd definitely keep the Tempest and save up for a Model A.
     
  2. wvenfield
    Joined: Nov 23, 2006
    Posts: 5,580

    wvenfield
    Member

    I'm a Pontiac guy. I also really like Model A's. I can't help.
     
  3. Tri-power37
    Joined: Feb 10, 2019
    Posts: 510

    Tri-power37
    Member

    I have owned some nice 60s GM cars over the years and they are great cars - your Tempest sure looks nice. But the Model A sure looks like a lot of fun although I have never owned or driven one.
    I would rather own the Model A because it looks so cool and I have never owned one before. Try owning both if possible for awhile...Let them compete for your love - keep the winner and sell the loser!
     
    Last edited: Apr 29, 2020
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  4. flatford39
    Joined: Dec 3, 2006
    Posts: 2,799

    flatford39
    Member

    Please keep the poncho....it's a much safer car you can enjoy with your family a lot easier then the A sedan.
     
    Zettle Bros. likes this.
  5. I'm a Ford guy, but that Tempest really is tempting! Change the wheels and tires and it would be perfect.
     
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  6. Zettle Bros.
    Joined: Oct 17, 2004
    Posts: 1,358

    Zettle Bros.
    Member

    It is in the back.
     
  7. Zettle Bros.
    Joined: Oct 17, 2004
    Posts: 1,358

    Zettle Bros.
    Member

    Thanks for the help guys. It really is a tough call. I can't swing two cars at this time so it has to be one or the other. Still tossing around what would be practical. I would love to check out the A first hand but, it's 4 hours away and at this time with the "Social Distancing" it's not really easy too do.
     
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  8. Marcosmadness
    Joined: Dec 19, 2010
    Posts: 373

    Marcosmadness
    Member
    from California

    The model A's have peaked and are slowly coming down in price. The Tempest is a great car and yours appears to be an outstanding example, needing nothing. The Tempest is practical , for a performance car. In ten years the Tempest will have doubled in value and and if you buy the Model A, in ten years you will have already sold it.
     
  9. Hot Rods Ta Hell
    Joined: Apr 20, 2008
    Posts: 4,670

    Hot Rods Ta Hell
    Member

    Drive over and look at it. That may change your mind either way real fast. Did the owner build it? Is the engine a painted and detailed 80,000 mile junkyard bomb or all new build? Any progress photos of the body/bodywork prior to paint? Receipts? etc, etc.
    4 hours isn't bad. Leave at 6:00 AM, look at the car, get some lunch and be home by late afternoon. Weather is good and not much traffic to deal with.

    You've had the Tempest only a year and are already contemplating a Hot Rod. You're gonna have to be the one to decide what you REALLY want to settle into. The fact that you're asking here tells me you're still not 100% sure. That's ok, just be sure you're comfortable driving that A as it's 180 from the Tempest.

    Is the A owner up for an up/down trade?

    Me? I'm with the thought of keeping/participating with the Tempest while you save to build an A. They're still plentiful and reasonable and with the economic situation, you're going to see bargains on project rollers and parts for months to come...
     
  10. Malcolm
    Joined: Feb 9, 2006
    Posts: 8,032

    Malcolm
    Member
    from Nebraska

    How about keeping the Tempest -- Drive and enjoy it. In the meantime, start saving to buy/build a Model A. There will always be some for sale, whether finished, stalled project or otherwise.

    After putting 50k miles on my roadster, I drive my '62 Ford Galaxie wagon far more often..
     
  11. continentaljohn
    Joined: Jul 24, 2002
    Posts: 5,507

    continentaljohn
    Member

    That’s the model A that was at the iron invasion and picture is from the iron invasion as well. A friend built that car and is Very Well built car and a great looking car. Man thats a tough one but you have been looking for a model a for some time now . I’m going to say model A because its a Hotrod and doesn’t take as much garage space...
     
  12. Hombre
    Joined: Aug 22, 2008
    Posts: 1,075

    Hombre
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Hard spot to be in, I love Pontiac's and I really love Model A's. The Model A you pictured is a very cool car it appears to be anyway. Your Pontiac is also a nice looking car. So you have to ask your self which Itch do I scratch? No matter what anyone says a Model A "CAN" be just as safe as any Pontiac. There is not much that is very practical about this sport or the cars, so I completely dismiss that practical argument. For me the choice would be an easy one, I would jump on the Model A just as fast as I could. But hey I am a Hot Rod guy...
     
  13. scrap metal 48
    Joined: Sep 6, 2009
    Posts: 6,079

    scrap metal 48
    Member

    The model a is cool.. If it was a coupe it might be tempting, but I'd still keep the Tempest....
     
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  14. belair
    Joined: Jul 10, 2006
    Posts: 9,013

    belair
    Member

  15. Automotive Stud
    Joined: Sep 26, 2004
    Posts: 4,304

    Automotive Stud
    Member

    If you are only going to have one car the hard truth is the Tempest is just more practical. The model A is a great hot rod for a guy who already has another more well rounded car to drive. Just my opinion.
     
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  16. Malcolm
    Joined: Feb 9, 2006
    Posts: 8,032

    Malcolm
    Member
    from Nebraska

    Random question -- are those truck tires on your Tempest?
     
  17. Blues4U
    Joined: Oct 1, 2015
    Posts: 7,589

    Blues4U
    Member
    from So Cal

    I did something similar, I traded a big block Chevelle for a Model A pickup. I can tell you for sure that the Model A will be faster, quicker and just a more thrilling ride than the Tempest. Even at the same miles per hour the sensation of speed is greater in the A. It's quicker handling, and better feel at the controls, you feel more a part of the car in motion than in the bigger 60's car which isolates you more from the road. And you'll get far more attention driving it on the road than you will with the Tempest, about 100x more. People of all ages will look and smile, nod their heads, talk to you at gas stations, at stop lights, even driving down the road they'll roll down the window and yell to you about your car; that will never happen with the Tempest. It may be a tough call, but I made the trade and never looked back.
     
  18. Petejoe
    Joined: Nov 27, 2002
    Posts: 12,264

    Petejoe
    Member
    from Zoar, Ohio

    The very first muscle car I’ve ever driven was a 65 tempest.
    Scared the living shit out of me as a 16 yr old in 1969.
    The torque was addictive.
    Model A’s are cool but about as popular as 32’s.
    Stick with the Pontiac, you’ll never have another chance.
    Build a Model A later.
     
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  19. Gman0046
    Joined: Jul 24, 2005
    Posts: 6,256

    Gman0046
    Member

    For me its a no brainer. Model A's are too small and are a dime a dozen and will never ride as well as the Tempest. Not usually a Tempest fan (because most are turned into GTO clones) but yours looks great. You can always swap the 326 for a 389 or 400. Think how cool that would be.
    Guess you can tell I'm a Pontiac guy by my avatar.
     
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2020
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  20. I'd try to keep both, but the Tempest looks real clean, and practical, especially for long distance touring. I'm sort of looking for a Chevelle of that vintage, still going to keep my coupe, and 2 other projects.
     
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  21. Blues4U
    Joined: Oct 1, 2015
    Posts: 7,589

    Blues4U
    Member
    from So Cal

    Model A's are a dime a dozen? Where the hell is that, I want to go buy a few dozen.
     
  22. 67drake
    Joined: Aug 8, 2008
    Posts: 472

    67drake
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Muscoda WI

    I’m a Pontiac guy, so I say keep the Tempest.
    But every once in a while you come across a car that turns you on and you feel like you have to get it. So go with your gut I guess.
    If I had more indoor storage I’d have a LOT more cars. I just bought a rental property a few months back with a detached 2 car garage! So I see more cars in my future. :)
     
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  23. Zettle Bros.
    Joined: Oct 17, 2004
    Posts: 1,358

    Zettle Bros.
    Member

    No there not.
     
  24. Zettle Bros.
    Joined: Oct 17, 2004
    Posts: 1,358

    Zettle Bros.
    Member

    I'd have to agree with that statement. The Tempest is a nice, and a cool car but the driving experience in my opinion is kind of stale. I had the T bucket first and your right, nothing like a old hot rod to get peoples attention!! Then there was the AWB Falcon. That was like driving hell on wheels. I thought I was ready for a cruising car but now I'm not so sure. 21246596_332788600504878_6317730371749045656_o.jpg 21366869_332788657171539_1310015355920899177_o.jpg
     
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  25. Rickybop
    Joined: May 23, 2008
    Posts: 9,606

    Rickybop
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I always appreciate the various comments and points of view.

    But sometimes I'm surprised. I would have guessed that almost everybody here would prefer a hot rod Model A over a 60s model. Not necessarily so... for a number of good reasons stated.

    Based on everything I know and probably also due to some things I'm not aware of, and the fact that as with others, I've also never had the pleasure of owning one, I'd probably choose an early hot rod. But that Tempest is a nice car. If I had to trade it to get a hot rod, that hot rod better be exactly what I want or close enough that few modifications would make it so.

    Somebody said go take it for test drive. Yeah... a nice long test drive. Put the car and yourself to the test. Might make up your mind for you.
     
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  26. J'st Wandering
    Joined: Jan 28, 2004
    Posts: 1,772

    J'st Wandering
    Member

    The A is a sedan. Nothing against it, I have one, but it isn't a coupe or roadster. Next year you will find another or five A's for sale. Will you find another Tempest for sale? I would pass on the sedan and wait for a coupe if you really want an A. Meantime you have the Tempest.

    ADDED AFTER READING YOUR ABOVE POST.
    I have a stock A roadster and then I bought a 2 door sedan. The sedan was boring. I then did it as an AV-8. Much better but still not a roadster. Seeing that you had a T-bucket, I would say wait to find an A roadster.
     
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2020
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  27. Rickybop
    Joined: May 23, 2008
    Posts: 9,606

    Rickybop
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Of course there are plenty of guys here who have shared with us...

    "I went to look at a car, not really intending to buy, but..."
    Often, they might add...
    "Now what?"
    No rash decisions, now. LOL
    Good luck. For sure let us know what you decide.
     
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  28. corncobcoupe
    Joined: May 26, 2001
    Posts: 7,257

    corncobcoupe
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

  29. arkiehotrods
    Joined: Mar 9, 2006
    Posts: 6,803

    arkiehotrods
    Member

    X2
     
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  30. If the A Bone was a roadster, maybe. Definitely keep the Poncho.
     
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