Saving Forgotten 1966 Pontiac Tempest That Has Been Sitting for 30 Years! | Roadworthy Rescues

Derek saves a 1966 Pontiac Tempest with a rare overhead-camshaft six-cylinder engine. But just dusting off the cobwebs won't do this car justice. While Dan the Interior Man works his magic on the upholstery, Derek sets to work converting this OHC six to EFI.
#motortrend #roadworthyrescues #vicegripgarage
MotorTrend is the ultimate streaming destination for gearheads coupled with the latest automotive research and news.
Get a fast, simple, and free car quote today ➡️ quotes.motortrend.com
Start your MotorTrend Streaming Free Trial today!
Follow MotorTrend for the latest!
MotorTrend News: www.motortrend.com
MotorTrend App: www.motortrendondemand.com
Facebook: / motortrend
Instagram: / motortrend
Twitter: / motortrend
TikTok: / motortrend
MotorTrend preferred music partner: PrimalHouse Music.

[@scopapaful]

Derek is the perfect example of a man who is comfortable in his own skin. He will never change who he is.

[@walkertongdee]

He has changed a lot since the beginning, I hardly watch anymore.

[@scopapaful]

@@walkertongdeethanks for the comment. I’m sure Derek is heartbroken. 😂

[@BushBuggin]

He's just a genuine person , he's proof anyone with motivation support and a good personality can do well on this platform . I love editing but hate being in front of the camera .

[@bighouse2115]

I have NEVER seen any other host on any channel on car restores that i like nearly as much as Derek Bieri & Family.

[@bighouse2115]

Except of course my man Chris over at NNKH!! He explains everything so well for the non-mechanics amongst the audience. But I learn so much watching NNKH. TYVM Chris!!!

[@ViceGripGarage]

What a fun project - that OHC 6 Was awesome!

[@davidschafer544]

You been on yt all day lol go bed Derek

[@TheSkaireKrowe]

Love the Tempest! My first car at 16 was a 67 Tempest Custom Coupe with a 326 V8 that my dad and i built...hits home. Thanks for the video.

[@IRONDAWG63]

i owned the pontiac tempest 66 had 400 4 bbl with 400 trans

[@panamafloyd1469]

I've never seen the Poncho OHC in real life. Great work! Glad you saved it.

[@RoadsideGarage]

Doesn't it bother you that MT is taking your format and viewers?

[@qwasd0r]

This man is a treasure.

[@user-lw4pd1ff5u]

Derek is my vintage car hero. His troubleshooting ability is nothing short of amazing. Plus, I dig pretty much any 60's Pontiac and these OHC 6's are GM gems. Kudos to Derek for having an excellent eye for finding what's cool and badass.

[@ColJonSquall1]

I love how Derek is the same on MotorTrend as he is on his own channel, lol.

[@toastcfh]

I wouldn't say it seems like he turns it up too much on this series. I think it's more the editing. they cut out a lot of the stuff that honestly makes his work on his own channel more genuine.

[@Crockabock]

You are joking right ...

[@Makitafan]

It feels rushed. More like tutorial and less like a ride along on his adventure.

[@tater_relocater]

I’m sure he appreciated the bleep bloop

[@kellismith4329]

I just love how he is

[@michaellee6489]

I like how he doesn't turn his nose up at 6 cylinder motors. He definitely has an eye for the special ones. Good show.

[@markfaas4052]

That’s one sweet little motor for a vintage pickup project.

[@georgehill99]

I had a 292 Chevy 6 cylinder withe about 10:1 compression. It had a manual 4 speed 3 2bbl carbs and a final gear ratio of 3.55:1… in a 1961 2 door Bel Aire. Only the the 327s could outrun me

[@kenwoodfl]

Derek is our close family friend we never met! Derik’s 4 rules: spark, fuel, fwr, bckwrd. Brakes are a bonus! Love your stuff man.

[@_BAD_MERC_]

"We'll pretend those newer years don't exist. You're welcome". Only in the style of Derek! LOL!!!

[@Kingfisher2225]

Just found Derek about a month ago. By far the best addition to MT in years. Also started to catch up on his YT stuff and he is great in both. Such a down to earth gentleman a very nice change for this day and age.

[@tristankelsey1746]

I'm a fairly knowledgeable car guy but was unaware of the Pontiac ohc straight 6. You learn something new everyday watching Derek. Keep up the awesome work. We need more guys like you saving these old beauties

[@Gelinda]

Could get the Firebird with this OHC6 also,but very few did.

[@jeffrobodine8579]

It was called the Sprint option if I recall correctly. The base 230 CID OHC Pontiac motor made 165 horsepower but there was also an optional 207 horsepower version with a four barrel.

[@tomstulc9143]

​@@jeffrobodine8579if my memory is correct motors Manuel listed the ohc 6 at 180 hp for the ,2 barel and ,4 barely at 225 hp

[@geezerhull]

when I was young, I bought a 66 Tempest Lemons with the sprint6 package. ohc6 4bbl quadrajet carb, muncie 4spd trans, Husrst shifter. all from the factory. 3yrs old 1800 bucks, maybe 2800. cant remember. I'm 80 now and still the biggest regret of my life is trading it in. A GTO would take it, but not by much.

[@richardhill6125]

I had a friend in High School (back in 70 or so) that had a Firebird convertible with the OHC engine and a 4 spd manual. I bet he wishes he still had it!!!

[@kevingrant2326]

I drove a 68 Tempest in high school , ohc 6 aka sprint 6 with a 4bbl , 3 spd manual with a Hurst shifter factory options . Great car .

[@audiophil4946]

Love these OHC6 Ponchos. Nice job Derek!

[@davidhair8295]

Did any one notice that it has a single exhaust and 1 bbl carb. These engines came with dual exhaust t and 4bbl carb. Wonder how and why that got changed?

[@kennethsonier1766]

You don't see too many overhead cam Pontiac too often. Great rescue Derek 👍✌️🇺🇲

[@plymouth-hl20ton37]

I've seen quite a few of them on facebook marketplace

[@sharonlanger4693]

Love this video. Back in 1970-1971 I owned a 1966 Pontiac Tempest 2door with straight 6, overhead cam, 4 barrel, 3 on the floor, color red. Best car ever!

[@CalabreseIT]

Awesome to have Derek on MotorTrend! He is a blast to watch.

[@TheOfficial_InsaneStang]

That’s my boy Blue!!!! 🫡🤜

[@kevingrant2326]

I am concerned that Derik would start a OHC engine that sat for 30 years without checking the timing belt .

[@632Harrison]

Derek has the perfect attitude no matter what he is working on He is truly a man of honor Keep up the great work Derek and May Gods blessings continue to shine upon you and your family

[@bradrajala7839]

My grandparents had a 68 tempest with the ohc 6. Neat car. Derek, Thanks for saving on this one 👍🏻

[@paulkaminski2911]

Aftermarket intake and a 4 bbl makes an unbelievable difference in the performance of that engine!

[@Fred_NaughT]

Absolutely and good exhaust also 1 of my buddies has 1 in his 68 firebird and he can do donuts all day long with it 😂 sounds odd but not bad for a 6cyl

[@fishhuntadventure]

@@Fred_NaughT That makes no sense: “sounds good for a six” Sixes sound awesome, always do.

[@Fred_NaughT]

@fishhuntadventure I'm a V8 kind of guy but there are some sixes that sound good but some that sound horrible too.

[@danw1955]

@@Fred_NaughT You mean like the Buick 'uneven fire' 231 V6?🤣 What a boat anchor those things were.😝 The Pontiac at least sounds like a normal straight 6.😉

[@plymouth-hl20ton37]

Certain models came with Rochester 4 barrels. So why would you need an after market intake

[@claypatterson7302]

Derek, you have helped me through five weeks post-op total knee replacement. I knew I would be grounded with a broken running gear, and KZbin would help me through. I discovered your channel and have been hooked every since. My family started, and "Old Iron Trail Ride" some 15+ years back, which featured mostly old tractors but had quite a few old trucks participate. Last year, we discontinued the trail ride to increasing traffic in the area, which caused a huge safety issue. I love how your family is part of your channel, and you've done a great job with the boys. The youngest has the Old Iron bug for sure! Keep doing what you're doing! God Bless! Clay Patterson way down is here So Texas.

[@tyhogue8316]

I love the car! Obviously someone has taken very good care of her!😊

[@bradrtorgersen_videos]

I'm not even a car guy, but Derek's videos are infectiously enjoyable. Every time.

[@robertfarrimond3369]

My friend had a 66 convertible, OHC 6, with the Quadrajet, 3 speed stick, It was a fantastic car!

[@WesleyGilmore]

Great car. Definitely something I'd like to own. We discovered a '66 Tempest hidden within a barn on some property owned by family just last week. I'd definitely like to restore it eventually as it's been sitting for over 30 years.

[@jamesswapinski9190]

Love that "15 Different varieties of mold!"

[@Rustyhalligans]

I had the 66 Lemans convertible with this motor. good car

[@1161byron]

Back in high school in the 70s my buddy had one with a389 and 4 speed,fun,fun!

[@bensutherland6871]

Best mechanic show ever I have followed him on KZbin for years he really deserves this

[@garyh9039]

Derek is tireless. I watch every video he makes or appears in.

[@GregoryBamber]

The moon discs make it even cooler.

[@bgd73]

back then it was the nerdy eco mobile. I had a 74 mailbu more door with the 250 ci. That th250 got a 350 hooked up to it instead. :)

[@bfgivmfith]

I have to say the full moon hubcaps looked pretty cool to me. :)

[@dominicdevone2684]

Awesome. That was my first car. Same color, engine, everything. Awesome.

[@GreybeardGarage1972]

"We'll pretend those newer years don't exist" Solid advice for pretty much any make and model 😂

[@johncaballero8013]

Always loved the Pontiac Tempest and Le Mans. Wonderful cruisers! Looks like you Scored a good one Derek!

[@Mastah2006]

Derek's lines have become a part of my everyday language. And I live in Poland. "That's waaay too much. Perfect", "Fuelmakeithappener", "lightning whireler", "Ignition sticks" and batteries with go-handle are with me to stay!

[@Mastah2006]

Oh, I forgot about the poverty caps :D

[@royjenkins9681]

Always liked the styling of this Pontiac.

[@bobbarron6969]

Congratulations on your new venture Derek, I enjoyed the show.

[@vtr0104]

The joke about the glove-box was perfectly delivered, can't believe how smooth this man is...

[@marcom2248]

Derek is doing Derek stuff, wherever he is....

[@backtoobasics]

Thank you motor trend!!

[@rfdjoe]

Back in my younger years, I owned a 1966 Tempest four-door. It's nice to see you captured one.

[@freddifish4179]

Another great rescue. It's so important to keep the gems from silently rotting away in some obscure corner of a barn/quonset, bush, etc. Thank's for sharing your passion of rescues/revivals with us.

[@prestonrussell605]

My dad had a 1966 Tempest and I was fascinated with it, so later I bought a 1966 Lemans and loved it. I would like to have another one of these cars again. Love the body style.

[@Fred_NaughT]

66 is my favorite years of them as well as the chevelle + 442's

[@JohnBoadway]

My older bro had this car, Awesome !

[@jodycordell1972]

I really like all the 66 gm cars with the little hood over the headlights

[@garywalker9753]

My first car was a 68 Firebird with OHV6 and it came with a good ole Quaderajet and a 2 sp slop o matic. Great car to learn on and had legs. You always miss your first love. Good to see one in your hands. I had plans to fuel inject take a 5sp out of a Monza, up upgrade the suspension. Trying to make a great road car out of it. I am excited to see what you do with this with all the tech available today. I had mine in the early 80's. Would easily cruise 110 to 120 all day. Took a while to get there but it would do it. Loved road trips in that car. Really needed a manual transmission of some flavor. This one is close to my heart. Thanks Derek.

[@SeaTravelr123]

OMG.. Derek.. Love this... My best friend's mom had one of these.. Betsy!! we had so much fun as kids in that, even riding in the trunk up in the country... I have such a love for these cars, and THAT IS the exact color. Marina Turquoise. Cant wait to see this finished.. She traded up for a Ventura II in 71 or 72.. .and hated it cause it was too small, she was 5'11" and so she got a 71 Buick Electra 225.. Another car full of memories...

[@hunterjensen7872]

The Randy Travis comment was so random 😂! That’s what I love about his videos! Solid dude and he’ll teach you a thing or two in his own special terms!

[@tedwienstroer9807]

When I saw this one I was hoping it was the OHC 6. I turned 16 the year this car was built and thought it was so cool, kind of sounded like a Jag 6 with the right exhaust.

[@josephfilm73]

Derek is becoming like Norm on This Old House, except it's This Old Car. Rock solid. Steady. Easy to watch.

[@ModelA]

The poor man's GTO. Absolutely awesome!

[@djohnson2477]

Boom booms in the back! The Warren G's! 😂😂😂😂 Priceless 😂😂

[@danielpeck6269]

Nice C-clamp! I won a pair of Mac brand vice grips the same way! 🏆

[@kdogg82]

He's from Minnesota. Love the guy. I've been watching him since his very first KZbin thing. He's cool.

[@barbrice721]

When I dated my husband he bought a 66 Tempest Sprint. But it had a I think a 389. It also had exhaust caps you could remove under the doors to eliminate restrictions from mufflers. Gotta say. It was a beast. But my Favorite was a 65 Impala SS. Orange with white leather interior Chrome trimmed bucket seats and electric seats and windows. She was my Baby. The good old days. A tripod and chain block in the side yard and guys working on cars all the time. Lol.

[@NGG1983]

Super cool to see these everyday daily-type engines from this era. These are the types of rigs that just werent saved, or if they were the were V8 swapped at some point.

[@GTStuning-]

You're the most entertaining person to watch on youtube and you're informative. Perfect balance!

[@memptn01]

I haven't been recommended your channel in a while. Glad to see your on motortrend. Keep up the good work my guy.

[@BigHappysPlace]

my dad had a 63 Tempest with a 65 GTO tripower engine. that was a fun car.

[@danielrivera5858]

Its so nice to see old cars from my teen yrs I used to love working on those simple things like points and condenser in the ignition system

[@user-vn3sd1qn7g]

Love the front end of those 66 tempest

[@Snowmannorth]

Gotta love Dereks sound effects!

[@michaeloedy1568]

I’m partial to Pontiacs but this a a really neat car. You don’t see those poverty caps very often either.

[@justinmijnbuis]

Such a beautiful car!

[@juliocintron9447]

You tapping on the carburetor reminded me of my dad working in the gas station always tapping on the carbs

[@1unsung971]

So many lovely old cars to restore in the US. Wonderful.

[@Jake_1988]

Love the show. Been watching him since his first 6 months on KZbin. It’s great seeing him on motor trend.

[@Snowmannorth]

Randy is prolly singin “Forever and ever Amen.”

[@user-cx5sl2et1b]

Good Evening, Derek it is great to see you again today Sir ! 😊

[@grantkoeller8911]

They needed to make a power washing video!!!! this car was filthy. Such a beautiful car too....

[@duncanscott8368]

Derek great show I'm watching u from Holguin Cuba on vacation from Toronto Canada lots 1950 cars here

[@johncaballero8013]

I Love ‘66 and ‘67 Pontiac Tempests and the Le Mans. Hope to own one before I get too old.

[@jeffallen5387]

One of the smartest decisions MotorTrend has ever made! I vote long term deal for Derek! Now when is Cleetus getting a show??

[@garyh9039]

Love those old Pontiac wide tracks.

[@dennymoore4219]

I saw one of those oh sixes in an old garage sitting on a stand with Quadrajet on it this is the second one I've seen in my 64 years

[@mackendw]

those hubcaps are a beaut clarke!

[@billeddleman531]

I remember the introduction of that OHC 6 and big news it generated. The body style is that of the GTO but in a 4 door. Cool car and drive train. Definitely a going to town rig! Was kind of weird not finishing the video with getting it home. Can't wait to see the follow on videos.

[@user-yd7th2uf7z]

I didn't know Pontiac made an OHC engine. Wouldn't mind having a car like that. The surrounding cars in the yard are fascinating also.

[@sla429]

I really like this new format!

[@speedybuggy1677]

Car is 57 years old i was born in 1966 very old school American made very great car love to see it run again I give you five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@mikenicholas5759]

This is Kool stuff. They also had a version called Sprint something, 4 barrel carb, cast iron headers and a 4 speed.

[@fredhebb8016]

I once owned a 1966 Pontiac Beaumont Sport Deluxe convertible. I had a 283 V8, red with a white top and black interior. Loved that car. It was very similar to the Tempest but it was made in Canada and I don’t think it was sold in thE US. Great car.

[@bgee461]

BOP of the mid to late 60s are my favorites

[@barrychandler5250]

I am 70. I had a 1966 Tempest 2 Door with overhead cam six. It was white in color and was only three years old when I bought it, Wish forethought was as good as hindsight .

[@mikeyacullo]

Wow what a great looking car. Crazy what people got in there garages

[@RustyInventions-wz6ir]

Nice work Derick

[@donsmith8614]

another good video, it's funny how many classic cars are still in barns, why keep if you're not going to do anything with it, sell it! You're one the few that knows how to clean the windshield so you can see where your going.

[@richardmcdonel9669]

He is a genuine kinda guy,,what I would call a true American

[@ericblom9568]

I had one of these, only a yr newer back in HS in the late 70s. It had the old Muncie 4 sp rock-crusher, airshocks & Cragar's all around. Ostentatious, to say the least, but that little ol' sewing-machine would move that big ol' land yacht around, lol! I sure miss that car....Good times...

[@crackpotts5347]

XD His humor never gets old!

[@AndrewHCann]

Excellent video Derek :).nice car for sure and hopefully hear more about soon too!

[@edmehrer8357]

I had a 1966 Pontiac Tempest Custom in high school. Mine had the 5.3, 326 V8 with the 2 barrel carb and factory A/C that worked! Two speed PG!

[@ronaldburgess2884]

That brings back memories! A friend of mine had a 66 Tempest 4 door with the 326.

[@davidhair8295]

Mom and Dad had one the same color as this one, 326 2 bbl. I loved it. With open diff, it would spin one of the skinny tires as long as you liked.

[@stevemccormack6737]

I love how Derek hardly breaks a sweat on Roadworthy Rescues.😂

[@rmcseveney]

I thought that was a Buick skylark for a second...then I remembered the tempest has the independent rear suspension and posi track rear end...thank you miss veto.

[@scottsteeves]

I haven't seen one of those since the last one I worked on in the 70's. Nice.

[@kc8mwt]

just when you think you have seen it all!!!! awesome vid Guy!

[@willv7868]

Nice car. I always enjoy Derek's technobabble.

[@Hobodeluxe960]

NGL I liked those caps on the wheels on it. Looked gangsta.

[@elebeu]

It's amazing that the brakes weren't in worse shape than that. That's the last year of the single circuit brake system, meaning that if it springs a leak you have no brakes. Be careful.