Antique & Classic Cars Blog

The BOP (Buick, Olds, Pontiac) 215 V8 is lesser known but not little known–especially if you’re into British cars. Its Rover-developed successor variants went in many cars, from the MGB GT V8 to R V8, to the TR8, the Rover P5B, P6, 3500, Range Rover… It was used by TVR, Ginetta, and many hot rods.

As to the original Buick, Olds and Pontiac variants, the Pontiacs are pretty rare. Lots of ‘61-’63 Specials, Skylarks and F-85s turn up with the aluminum V8, but the Tempests seldom were spec’ed with it. A GM history book I was reading once had a number for the 215 Tempests and it was about 200-something (should have written it down–and if I did, should have remembered where). Curiously, Wikipedia’s estimate is 3,662. Not sure where they got that… I’ve paid attention to the 215 cars for 15 years and over that time, I’ve maybe seen two 215 Tempests for sale.

Anyway, an eBay seller says he has one from a ‘61 Tempest. It’s very complete, though also stuck and with rust-through on things like the valve covers and a pulley. Obviously it needs a complete rebuild and it’s not a 4-bbl. Not advocating anyone buy it. If I was restoring a ‘61 Tempest, however, I’d want a V8 in it. How cool to get one that was really from a ‘61 Tempest.

This entry was posted on Saturday, December 6th, 2008 at 4:37 pm and is filed under Car parts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.