Forty-five years ago, Carey Dalbey purchased his first car – and forty-five years later, he still owns it! His 1964 Pontiac Tempest was a bracket racer for three years, then tubbed in 1982. The blower was added in 1985.
When Carey was four, his dad bought him his first model car. By the age of ten, he had a subscription to Hot Rod. The rest is history. He always dreamed that one day he would have a car in a magazine.
This car is a true homebuilt vehicle. He always knew what he wanted to do with the car, but had to learn how to do it because he couldn’t afford to have it done. Except for a few things, Carey did everything he could himself with some good advice from his friends. The car was last painted in 1989, which he also did himself.
His Pontiac Tempest is street driven everywhere and has been very reliable. It has its share of bumps and bruises from over the years, but he still enjoys the miles and the friends he has made along the way. They cruise the highway at 75 mph and the car only runs about 2,200 rpm thanks to the overdrive. Their longest trip so far was ten days, eight states, and 1,700 miles (which include three laps around Charlotte at night) trouble-free. They look forward to planning a road trip out west soon and have hopes of going to SEMA.
After 45 years, Carey is very fortunate to say he not only fulfilled his dreams, but the car still draws attention. He is still enjoying life behind the wheel every chance he gets. Pro Street is alive and getting stronger every day!
Carey would like to give a special thanks to his loving wife Susan (who has her own 1967 Firebird convertible), George at Hoosier Hoods, Kent at Rehmert Fab, and ALL my friends that have stopped by and given me a hand through the years.
1964 Pontiac Tempest Pro Street
- 406 Pontiac 7-1 Comp Ratio approx. 550 hp
- Hampton 6-71 6% underdriven w/ 2-600 Edelbrock
- Speed Pro forged pistons
- Comp Cam & Lifters
- Cloyes Tru Roller
- Melling Pump
- Pertronix Ignition
- Taylor Wires
- Hedman Hedders
- Full 2-1/2” Exhaust w/ Thrush Welded Mufflers
- Short Block by RPC Richmond In
- 455 Heads by Dargie Racing Engines Richmond In
- 200R4 trans by Fords Transmission- Greenville oh
- TCI 2500 stall w/lok up
- B&M quicksilver ratchet shifter
Chassis
- Stock Front Section Fully Boxed with Secondary Bracing
- Tubular Upper/Lower A-arms
- 2” Beltech Dropped Spindles
- Alston 4-Link Rear Clip
- Alston Rear Spring Kit
- Moser M9 Housing and Axles w/4.11 Posi
- 4 Wheel Power Dsic
- Cragar Super Slots 15 x 4,15 x 14
- Hoosier 31×18.5×15 Radials
Interior
- All Upholstery by Donnie Holiday-Richmond, IN
- Seats from G6 Pontiac w/ Tempest Monogramming
- Stock Rear Seat
- Pioneer Head Unit, Kenwood EQ, Legacy Crossover, 2 Pioneer Amps,1 Rockford Sub Amp
- 9 Speakers including 1- 15” Sub
- Handbuilt Custom Console
- Billet Dash with AutoMeter Phantom Gauges
- Power windows
Body & Paint
- PPG basecoat/CC w/candy graphics
- Shaved door handles w/ remote control
- Tinted glass
Featured Product Used
- AutoMeter Phantom Gauges – Speedometer, Tachometer, Fuel Level, Boost, Oil Pressure, Water Temperature, Voltmeter
- Weiand Linkage
- Eddie Motorsports Hinges
- Ididit
- Billet Specialties
- Cooling Components Fans
- Taylor Wires
- PPG Paint
- Mr. Gasket
- Borgeson
- Lokar
- Cragar
- Hoosier Tires
- Moser Engineering
Instagram: DalbeyHotRods
Facebook: Carey-Susan Dalbey
