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#1
11-27-2023, 09:47 PM
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1961-1963 Lemans / Tempest questions
I'm curious what sort of modifications are made to a '63 Lemans or Tempest for drag racing. Specifically the rear suspension and the transmission tunnel.
I've always liked these cars and think about getting one from time to time. If this green one had been closer to me I would have followed up on it. If anyone is curious about this particular car I have more pics of it from the online ads, it went to California is my understanding. Last edited by Pro Stock John; 11-27-2023 at 09:55 PM. 
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#2
11-27-2023, 10:06 PM
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Tom Schlauch is our resident expert on these, but I think you nailed it in your comments.
Most use a big Pontiac or Olds rear axle and hang it with either ladder bars or a four link. Add a transmission tunnel from a donor car to clear the engine mounted trans and traditional drive shaft. We have/had two of these prior to dad's passing. His Lemans convertible went to my sister. He gave the coupe to a family friend. Ed since has finished the rear axle install and is driving it, complete with patina. He's getting really good crowd response as I am seeing it in various commentaries and magazines. K
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'63 LeMans Convertible '63 Grand Prix '65 GTO - original, unrestored, Dad was original owner, 5000 mile Royal Pontiac factory racer '74 Chevelle - original owner, 9.56 @ 139 mph best Last edited by Keith Seymore; 11-27-2023 at 10:12 PM.
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| The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Keith Seymore For This Useful Post: | ||
PeteLeathersac (11-28-2023), Roger M (11-28-2023) | ||
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#3
11-27-2023, 10:07 PM
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Looks like that one has the big Olds Pontiac rear end in it with some kind of ladder bars.
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Freddie 1969 Camaro RS/SS396 (427) 4 speed
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#4
11-27-2023, 10:09 PM
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Gary Beemer was a friend of my dads, and now also me (he races with the NMCA in my class).
The first place he went when he completed his car was over to our house, so dad could see it. K
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'63 LeMans Convertible '63 Grand Prix '65 GTO - original, unrestored, Dad was original owner, 5000 mile Royal Pontiac factory racer '74 Chevelle - original owner, 9.56 @ 139 mph best
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| The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Keith Seymore For This Useful Post: | ||
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#5
11-27-2023, 10:23 PM
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Some more pics the green one I came across years back.
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#6
11-27-2023, 10:23 PM
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I have done 3 of them.If doing a new now I would use a ford 9 inch with coil overs and ladder bars.They are a unibody car so if using a pan hard bar if mounted to the unibody rail it will have to be reinforced.I’m told the hot ticket is a First gen bird floor.The firewall will have to be cut almost half way up to clear a bellhousing.Tom
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#7
11-28-2023, 05:55 PM
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Hmm so based on your comments guys and the posts I've seen on PerformanceYears in the past, it's a lot of custom fabrication.
I've kept my eye on a built roller, maybe that's something I should focus on.
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#8
11-28-2023, 10:21 PM
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Those are not easy cars to build so there’s not many of them out there. I remember when the Green car was advertised several years ago and I’ve always been suspicious if it was the missing Royal 421 transplant FX car.
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1962 Biscayne O-21669 MKIV/M-22 1962 Bel Air Sport Coupe 409/1,000 Last edited by markjohnson; 11-28-2023 at 10:23 PM. Reason: .
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#9
11-28-2023, 10:29 PM
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1962 Biscayne O-21669 MKIV/M-22 1962 Bel Air Sport Coupe 409/1,000
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olredalert (11-29-2023) | ||
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#10
11-28-2023, 11:21 PM
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Oh my.
The green car got painted black and supposedly is in CA.
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