Pontiac Tempest Sprint OHC-6
The Pontiac Tempest holds a special place in automotive history as the car that spawned the GTO, but the OHC-6 Sprint variant tells an equally fascinating story of engineering ambition. While most American manufacturers were content to offer their sixes as basic economy engines, Pontiac engineered a sophisticated overhead-cam inline-six that was more akin to European sports car practice.
Introduced in 1966, the Pontiac OHC-6 was the first mass-produced American overhead-cam engine in decades. The 230 cubic inch unit featured a belt-driven single overhead camshaft, hemispherical combustion chambers, and, in Sprint trim, a Rochester four-barrel carburetor that boosted output to an impressive 215 horsepower — remarkable for a six-cylinder in the muscle car era.
The Sprint package added the four-barrel carburetor, dual exhaust, heavy-duty suspension, floor-shifted transmission, and a tachometer. The result was a car that could embarrass many V8-equipped competitors while offering better fuel economy and a more balanced chassis. The OHC-6 revved more willingly than conventional pushrod sixes and produced a distinctly un-American exhaust note.
Pontiac even campaigned the OHC-6 Sprint in Trans-Am racing, where its lighter weight gave it advantages in handling despite giving up displacement to V8 competitors. The engineering team, led by Pontiac chief engineer John DeLorean's vision of technical innovation, proved that American manufacturers could build sophisticated engines when motivated.
The OHC-6 was available from 1966 through 1969 in the Tempest and related A-body models. It was offered in 230ci and later 250ci displacements, with Sprint versions consistently producing class-leading power. Despite its engineering merit, the engine was discontinued after 1969 as market demand overwhelmingly favored V8 power. Today, the Sprint OHC-6 Tempest is a cult favorite among collectors who appreciate its engineering sophistication and relative rarity compared to ubiquitous GTO models.
Sprint OHC-6 models are uncommon and often misidentified. Verify the engine by its overhead-cam valve cover — it is visually distinct from pushrod sixes. The timing belt is a maintenance item that requires periodic replacement. The OHC-6 head can crack if overheated. Exhaust manifolds are unique to the OHC engine and difficult to source. Body rust in the usual A-body locations (floor pans, trunk, lower quarters) is the primary concern. Sprint-specific parts like the four-barrel intake and tachometer are scarce. Values are considerably lower than comparable GTO models, making these excellent entry-level collectible Pontiacs.
The OHC-6 was offered from 1966-1969. Sprint models represented a small fraction of total Tempest production. The 1966 Sprint produced 207 hp from 230ci; the 1967-68 version grew to 215 hp. A 250ci version making 175-215 hp was also offered. Total Sprint production was modest — most Tempest buyers opted for V8 engines. The OHC design used a fiberglass-reinforced timing belt, one of the first automotive applications of this technology.