1968 · Pontiac · United States
1968 Pontiac Tempest LeMans: a new body, and the 350 HO
The new two-door body arrives, and a 350 HO replaces the 326 HO.
United States · researched through 2026-09-23
This record's own dek states that the new two-door body arrives for 1968, and a 350 HO replaces the 326 HO. This record's own overview states that a compiled table lists 1968 LeMans production as 9,002 four-door hardtops, 8,439 sport coupes, 110,036 hardtops, 8,820 convertibles, and 4,414 Safari wagons, 140,711 in all, and that the fact sheet says the 350 V8 replaced the 326, listing a 350 HO at 320 hp and 359 lb-ft and a four-barrel OHC 250 Sprint six at 215 hp, both SAE gross.1
This record's own key facts state that reported 1968 LeMans production was 140,711, including 110,036 two-door hardtops, by far the largest of the five bodies documented, nearly 25 times the 4,414-car Safari wagon at the small end of the range. This record's own production notes state that the five body rows partition that total and that no 350 HO or Sprint installation counts were found for the year.1
This record's own engines section documents four powertrains: the standard OHC 250 six at 175 hp, the Sprint version at 215 hp with a four-barrel, the 350 two-barrel V8, and the 350 HO four-barrel at 320 hp and 359 lb-ft. This record's own engine note states that the fact sheet's own Powertrain Options list calls the 350 two-barrel 250 hp, while its engine tab and General Year paragraph give 265 hp, a discrepancy this record documents rather than resolves.2
This record's own prices section documents the LeMans sport coupe at $2,724, hardtop at $2,786, and convertible at $3,015, a spread of $291 between the least and most expensive body style. This record's own options section documents a hood-mounted tachometer at $63, a Rally gauge cluster with tachometer at $84, Rally stripes at $13, front disc brakes at $63, and an extensive further list including a $360 custom air conditioner, a $134 AM/FM radio, a $70 four-way power seat, and $40 to $63 Rally I and Rally II wheels.2
Sixteen exterior colors are documented for the year without production counts, from Starlight Black to Mayfair Maize, none of the sixteen carrying a production figure in this record. This record's own specifications section documents a 112-inch wheelbase for two-door LeMans against 116 inches for the four-door and Safari, an overall length of 200.7 inches for two-doors against 204.7 for four-doors, a 74.8-inch width, a 52.3-inch LeMans height, an even 60-inch front and rear track, and tires from 7.75x14 up to an optional 8.25x14 with the V8.2
This record's own performance section documents a Motor Trend test explicitly flagged as a dealer-modified project car, not a factory configuration: a Royal Pontiac Bobcat-tuned Tempest 350 with GTO Ram Air components, headers, a 4.33:1 axle, and M&H drag tires, running a best 13.14-second quarter mile at 107.27 mph trap speed with 900 and 950-series tires, against 13.22 to 13.28 seconds on the smaller 800/850-series tires. This record's own identification and conflicts sections are both empty for the year, a documented gap rather than an assumption that no such data ever existed.3
Fact sheet · 1968 · United States
The numbers
1968 Pontiac Tempest LeMans — The new two-door body arrives, and a 350 HO replaces the 326 HO.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-23.
Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.
Key facts
- Reported 1968 LeMans production was 140,711, including 110,036 two-door hardtops.1
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tempest LeMans total1 Tempest LeMans · not stated by source | 140,711 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| LeMans four-door hardtop1 Tempest LeMans · 4-door hardtop · not stated by source | 9,002 | built, model-year | Reported |
| LeMans sport coupe1 Tempest LeMans · sport coupe · not stated by source | 8,439 | built, model-year | Reported |
| LeMans hardtop1 Tempest LeMans · hardtop · not stated by source | 110,036 | built, model-year | Reported |
| LeMans convertible1 Tempest LeMans · convertible · not stated by source | 8,820 | built, model-year | Reported |
| LeMans Safari wagon1 Tempest LeMans Safari · station wagon · not stated by source | 4,414 | built, model-year | Reported |
The five body rows partition 140,711. No 350 HO or Sprint counts were found.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| LeMans sport coupe1 | $2,724 | factory price as compiled, 1968 model year |
| LeMans hardtop1 | $2,786 | factory price as compiled, 1968 model year |
| LeMans convertible1 | $3,015 | factory price as compiled, 1968 model year |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| OHC 250 six Sprint 4-bbl2 250 cu in · Rochester four-barrel | 215 hp @ 5,200, 255 lb-ft @ 3,800 (SAE gross) | optional, not wagons or GTO | Not yet sourced |
| 350 HO 4-bbl2 350 cu in · Rochester four-barrel | 320 hp @ 5,100, 359 lb-ft @ 2,900 (SAE gross) | optional, not wagons or GTO | Not yet sourced |
| OHC 250 six 1-bbl (standard)2 250 cu in · 1-barrel, 9.0:1, overhead camshaft | 175 hp @ 4,800, 240 lb-ft @ 2,600 (SAE gross (period advertised rating)) | standard in Tempest, Tempest Custom and LeMans | Not yet sourced |
| 350 V8 2-bbl2 350 cu in · 2-barrel, 9.2:1 | 265 hp @ 4,600, 355 lb-ft @ 2,800 (SAE gross (period advertised rating)) | optional in Tempest, Tempest Custom and LeMans | Not yet sourced |
Ratings are the manufacturer's advertised figures under the standard shown (SAE gross before 1972, SAE net after). They are not dyno results, and gross and net ratings can't be compared directly.
Transmissions
| Transmission | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|
| Three-speed manual (I-6 2.85/1.68/1.00; V-8 2.54/1.50/1.00)2 | standard | Not yet sourced |
| Four-speed manual (I-6 wide ratio 2.85/2.02/1.46/1.00; V-8 wide ratio 2.52/1.88/1.46/1.00)2 | optional except with the 175 hp six | Not yet sourced |
| Two-speed automatic (1.76/1.00)2 | optional on Tempest, Tempest Custom and LeMans | Not yet sourced |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Hood-mounted tachometer2 | $63 | Not yet sourced |
|
Rally gauge cluster with tachometer2 | $84 | Not yet sourced |
|
Rally stripes (Tempest)2 | $13 | Not yet sourced |
|
Front disc brakes2 | $63 | Not yet sourced |
|
Adjustable front and rear shocks2 | $42 | Not yet sourced |
|
Carpets2 | $19 | Not yet sourced |
|
Console2 | $51 | Not yet sourced |
|
Cordova top2 | $84 | Not yet sourced |
|
Cruise control2 | $53 | Not yet sourced |
|
Custom air conditioner2 | $360 | Not yet sourced |
|
Dual horns2 | $4 | Not yet sourced |
|
Gage cluster2 | $32 | Not yet sourced |
|
Rally gage cluster (without tachometer)2 | $51 | Not yet sourced |
|
Passenger-side reclining bucket seat with head restraint2 | $84 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power brakes2 | $42 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power seat, four-way2 | $70 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power steering2 | $69 | Not yet sourced |
|
Driver-side four-way power bucket seat2 | $70 | Not yet sourced |
|
Radio, AM/FM2 | $134 | Not yet sourced |
|
Rally I wheels2 | $40 | Not yet sourced |
|
Rally II wheels2 | $63 | Not yet sourced |
|
Safeguard speedometer2 | $16 | Not yet sourced |
|
Super-Lift shocks2 | $42 | Not yet sourced |
|
Tinted windows2 | $35 | Not yet sourced |
|
Tinted windshield2 | $26 | Not yet sourced |
|
Wire wheel discs2 | $53 | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
A |
Starlight Black2 | Not yet sourced |
C |
Cameo Ivory2 | Not yet sourced |
D |
Alpine Blue2 | Not yet sourced |
E |
Aegena Blue2 | Not yet sourced |
F |
Nordic Blue2 | Not yet sourced |
G |
April Gold2 | Not yet sourced |
I |
Autumn Bronze2 | Not yet sourced |
K |
Meridian Turquoise2 | Not yet sourced |
L |
Aleutian Blue2 | Not yet sourced |
N |
Flambeau Burgundy2 | Not yet sourced |
O |
Coronado Gold2 | Not yet sourced |
P |
Springmist Green2 | Not yet sourced |
Q |
Verdoro Green2 | Not yet sourced |
R |
Solar Red2 | Not yet sourced |
T |
Primavera Beige2 | Not yet sourced |
V |
Nightshade Green2 | Not yet sourced |
Y |
Mayfair Maize2 | Not yet sourced |
Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase, two-door1 | 112 in | LeMans two-door |
| Wheelbase, four-door1 | 116 in | LeMans four-door and Safari |
| Overall length, 2-door2 | 200.7 in | Tempest 2-door (4-door 204.7) |
| Overall width2 | 74.8 in | 1968 Tempest line |
| Overall height, LeMans2 | 52.3 in | LeMans |
| Track, front / rear2 | 60 / 60 in | 1968 Tempest line |
| Tires2 | 7.75 x 14 (14 x 5J rims with six, 14 x 6J with V-8); 8.25 x 14 optional with V-8 | Tempest line (non-GTO) |
Period road tests
| Test | Car tested | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Trend, 1968-073standing quarter mile, best elapsed time | DEALER-MODIFIED, not a factory configuration: Motor Trend project Tempest 350, Royal Pontiac 'Bobcat' tuning plus GTO Ram Air components (400 heads, Ram Air cam), headers, 4.33:1 axle, M&H drag tires; 3,505 lb900 and 950 x 14 M&H A-140 tires; best trap speed 107.27 mph; with 800/850 x 14 tires runs were 13.22-13.28 s | 13.14 s |
A road test result belongs to the one car that was tested, with its engine, gearing, tires, and conditions. It is not a figure for every car of the year.
Identification
Read a 1968 Pontiac VIN
The VIN decoder runs in your browser and never sends the VIN anywhere. How the factory numbered this year's cars:
Same model year
Also in 1968
- AMC AMX AMC's two-seat AMX arrived mid-year on a 97-inch wheelbase. The enthusiast production table counts 6,725 cars, two-thirds of them with the 390.
- AMC Javelin AMC's first pony car, launched in September 1967 as base and SST hardtops. Production of the two combined was about 55,000.
- AMC Rebel and Rebel Machine Now badged AMC, the Rebel came in 550, 770 and SST trims and could be ordered with the 315-hp 390. It is host-car context for the 1970 Machine.
- Buick Riviera Record Riviera sales of 49,284, including 5,337 with the GS handling option.
- Buick Skylark Gran Sport, GS and GSX On the new 112 in two-door body the GS 400 was joined by a GS 350 hardtop, and a dealer-installed Stage 1 package arrived for the 400.
- Buick Wildcat 73,561 Wildcats with the 430 V-8.
- Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS The restyled Chevelle kept SS 396 as its own series and added an SS 396 El Camino: 62,785 SS 396s in three bodies.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova SS engines per the source: L48 350, L34 396 and L78 396. Enthusiast-compiled production: 183,552 cars; Super Sport 5,571.
- Chevrolet El Camino SS The first factory Super Sport El Camino: a separate SS 396 model, 13880, built 5,190 times.
- Chevrolet Impala SS Super Sport becomes an option again (RPO Z03): 36,432, plus 1,778 SS427 (RPO Z24).
- Dodge Charger The redesigned 'Coke bottle' Charger and the new R/T multiplied sales roughly sixfold over 1967.
- Dodge Coronet R/T and Super Bee The redesigned Coronet kept the 440-powered R/T and added the budget Super Bee coupe, a 383 car with an optional Hemi.
- Dodge Dart GTS, Swinger and Demon The new Dart GTS brought a 275 hp 340 or a 300 hp 383, and in February Dodge released 80 Hurst-completed LO23 Hemi Darts for Super Stock drag racing; GTS production was not reported separately.
- Ford Fairlane The restyled intermediate split into Fairlane, Fairlane 500 and the new Torino series; the Fairlane 500 fastback shared the Torino GT body and the 428 Cobra Jet arrived on April 1, 1968.
- Ford Ranchero GT The Ranchero GT carried Torino GT trim; 1,669 GTs were built, per reference-site counts in the Standard Catalog lineage.
- Ford Thunderbird The new 429 Thunder Jet V-8 arrived as the Thunderbird's optional engine at 360 hp.
- Ford Torino Torino arrived as the new top series of the restyled Fairlane line, the Torino GT fastback became its volume performance car, and the 428 Cobra Jet was added on April 1, 1968.
- Mercury Comet and Cyclone The Cyclone moved to the new Montego-based intermediate; the fastback outsold the notchback hardtop by about ten to one, and the 428 Cobra Jet arrived mid-year.
- Mercury Cougar The year of the 427 GT-E, the mid-year 428 Cobra Jet, and the XR7-G, with production down to 113,741.
- Mercury Marauder and S-55 Neither the S-55 nor the Marauder model appears in the sources for 1968; no performance full-size Mercury production figure was found.
- Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds The restyled 4-4-2 became its own series, the W-31 small-block arrived, and Hurst built the first 455 Hurst/Olds: 515 cars in the tabulation.
- Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda The new 340 arrived in the Formula S alongside the 383, and Plymouth issued a competition-only Hemi Barracuda under order code BO29.
- Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite The GTX became its own model on the restyled 1968 intermediate body, still with the 375-hp 440 standard and the Hemi at $605, and outsold its first year.
- Plymouth Road Runner Plymouth added a stripped Belvedere-based coupe and hardtop with a special 335-hp 383 as standard and the 426 Hemi as the only engine option, and sold 44,599 of them.
- Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am The first full season: the six grew to 250 cu in, the 326 gave way to a 350, and output rose to 107,112.
- Pontiac GTO A new 112-inch-wheelbase body with an Endura nose, the sport coupe dropped, and 87,684 built.
- Pontiac Grand Prix The last full-size Grand Prix: 31,711 hardtops, with a 390 hp 428 HO at the top.