8/31/12

1964 Pontiac Tempest - Red vrum. Red vrum.

I have no strong opinions about the Pontiac Tempest, other than the fact that I like that you never hear about them. This makes the Tempest an underdog car. If I saw a Johnny Lightning version of a Tempest hanging on a hook in a hobby shop, I'd probably buy it, because I think badass muscle cars get too much attention, and that lame, ordinary cars are amusing.

Nice photo. Red on red. An ordinary mortal might have thought that it would be a fine idea to put the bright red car against a contrasting background, and that's a perfectly sensible idea. It's worked a million times. But, to put the red car against a big red square plays up the redness.

And the choice of the color red is no random chance. People like red. It makes us think of sex and blood and getting pulled over. That's why red cars get  so much attention from the constabulary. Police assume that people who buy red cars like to drive like maniacs.

Anyway, this Tempest ad is a nice piece of art. It reminds me of the motorsport art by Ricardo Santos, seen here at Motor Sport Retro. Know how car-related art can be actually beautiful, and admired by someone who isn't especially into cars? Maybe like this. Santos does good stuff. He has a few examples of monochromatic pieces that highlight the blueness or yellowness, etc. of a car. Super gorgeous. Exactly where to find prints of these remains a bit of a mystery, but I would seriously consider hanging these where normal non-gearhead people could see them.













4 comments:

Anonymous said...

The '64 Tempest is quite the sought-after car in "Muscle Car" circles - It's the first year for the V-8 powered "GTO" tag. BIG money cars now.
Wish I had one.

Anonymous 2

PhilAreGo@gmail.com said...

Aaah, the tempest was the first GTO. The name rang a bell with me, but I thought it was the platform that the mustang was based on. I could have checked, but it was easier not to.

Thanks for commenting, A2!

[-Mmgmt.]

Leisa Dreps said...

Don’t count me in. Fortunately, I’ve heard of the Pontiac Tempest, but not so much. What I do know is that it was a pretty good looking car. One of the reasons for that is the original designer of the Tempest is John DeLorean, founder of the DeLorean Motor Company and the mind behind the iconic and outrageously beautiful DMC-12. ;). One look at it and you know it definitely belonged in the streets. It’s a classic, there’s no doubt about that.

PhilAreGo@gmail.com said...

Thanks for commenting, Leisa! Please return frequently for same, like in a few seconds, perhaps?

[-Mgmt.]

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