The Ventura II was the first of several General Motors 1970s variants of the popular Chevrolet Nova. Pontiac hadn’t had a compact car since 1963 and copying the successful Nova was an easy way to get one beginning in 1971. Other than the front clip and taillights, it was hard to tell them apart. This ’71 Ventura II has had the same owner for 25 years and he/she seems reluctant to let it go. It sports a newer 350 cubic inch V8 and 700R4 automatic transmission. From S. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, this nice “Cheviac” is available here on craigslist for $16,000. Tony Primo is the source of another great tip!
Pontiac already had a full-size car called the Ventura, so when they moved the name to the new X-body compact in 1971, they added “II” after the moniker. That would continue through 1972 and then dropped. The Ventura wasn’t as successful as the Nova, but it may not have been intended to be. In 1971, Chevy sold nearly 200,000 Novas while Pontiac clicked off 50,000 as the Ventura. Oddly, the only engines offered in the Ventura in ’71 were both from Chevrolet (a 250 cubic inch inline-6 and the 307 V8; that would change to Pontiac in 1972).
We’re told the seller is only the second owner of this Pontiac and that status hasn’t changed since around the turn of the century. Assuming it had a 307 initially, the seller replaced the original motor with a rebuilt 350 about a decade ago. It also looks like a Chevy powerplant, and it has a 4-barrel carburetor and newer transmission. The seller also redid the radiator, brakes, and suspension components, so it should drive, and ride better than it did before.
The aftermarket wheels and tires have about 8,000 miles on them, and the paint is about five years old and looks to have been well done. Also replaced were the seat covers and carpeting. The factory air conditioning isn’t working and may have a freon leak to be addressed. So, with truly little effort, this could be a great weekend cruiser and you can have fun at Cars & Coffee correcting people when they say, “Nice Nova!”
My dad’s car. Same color, big hatchback, and the 307 engine. Even with he automatic it was quick. Nice example here.
Can’t believe it, after 40 years, 40 years, I finally see one just like the one I had in 1981. Mine was the same with the engine. The 307 was replaced with a 350
The craigslist ad is already deleted. Looks very nice. I’d get the A/C working, preserve it and enjoy it for what it is.
Anytime I see a Ventura I think of Shannon Jones at Hueytown High back in the 70’s. Hers was orange and as good-looking as the car was she was double cute!
My first cat was a brown 72 Ventura, and I never have seen on around since. I really miss that car.
As I recall, there were four iterations. TheNova which every knew, the Ventura which many knew. Oldsmobile had the Omega, and Buick had (I believe) the Apollo.
I remember my grandad bought a 74 Ventura with the 6 cylinder – first new car he’d ever owned. Unfortunately he passed away just a few months after getting it.
I’m sorry that your Granddad passed away, but at least he got the thrill of one new car in his life before he passed! Scant comfort, I know, but we have to find the good things in life where ever we can.
The stacked grille treatment looked good on these cars only bested by the twin grille in the ’73-74 model that adopted a pseudo Firebird appearance. Nice looking in the blue colors.
The Pontiac engineers back in late 1970 built a 1 of 1 prototype 455 HO equipped 1971 Ventura.Ran low 13s in the quarter and that was on F70 polyglass tires.would of been a bigger seller than the Trans Am with the same engine.
https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=776128
As per C Force’s post…
A Ventura was used in an entertaining chase scene in the film “The Seven Ups” which had the stunt driver Bill Hickman from “The French Connection driving a full size Pontiac Gran Vill.
That was a very good car chase. One of my favorites.
July 1971 Super Stock magazine road-tested a ’71 Ventura w/a 455HO.
10 minutes of good old filthy NYC…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vACWV5sRcY
I wonder if the director of “The Seven-Ups” also directed “Bullitt”?
I looked it up. Peter Yates directed “Bullitt” (1968), but Phillip D’Antoni directed “The Seven-Ups” (1973), but there are distinct similarities, an obvious homage to the earlier work. Except in “The Seven-Ups”, the bad guys get away and the cop almost gets decapitated! The look on Roy Schneider’s face as he looks around after the roof of his car is sheared off is priceless!
A better comparison would be “The French Connection” and “The Seven-Ups”. Bill Hickman did stunt driving in a three films.
I totally forgot about that movie. That was a great chase scene, thanks for posting it.
Thanks for sharing that clip. I love car spotting in 70’s based car chase clips.
They passed a red Pontiac several times. Probably had a lot of camera angles of the chase so that they could extend the scene.
You say potato and I say potato – you say Nova and I say Ventura – lets call the whole thing off :-)
I had a ’73 Ventura, 6 banger. Almost killed me when a tie rod end broke at 60 mph! Still have some major scars from that one.