As part of the Tempest lineup of coupes and convertibles, the 1963 Pontiac Le Mans was now its own standalone model and not just an options package. It was the high-end Tempest, loaded with nice features and a powerful performance engine. Though it could be had with the base 3.2-liter, 110-120-hp I4 engine, more than half of the 1963 Le Mans were built with powerful V8s. One was a holdover from last year, the 215 V8 rated at 190-hp, but the new 5.3-liter, 326 V8 could hit around 260-hp, giving drivers of the 1963 Le Mans a zippy little ride. A 3 or 4-speed manual or 2-speed automatic transmission were available.
The 1963 Le Mans was roomy for a compact car (compact for the 1960s) and featured carpeting throughout, bucket seats, and unique trimmings. It soon became a very popular seller.