What’s in a name, I have asked before. Car companies frequently recycle model names and the recycled version is often far removed from the original. Pontiac comes to mind on that front with both LeMans and Ventura. Today, it’s Ventura’s turn in the box so let’s examine round two of that venerable name in the form of this 1975 Ventura two-door sedan. This compact Poncho is located in Newhall, California and is available, here on eBay for an opening bid of $5,000.
Pontiac first surfaced the Ventura name on their full-sized platform in 1960. A one-time separate model, it ultimately became a B-Body trim option and was then discontinued at the conclusion of the ’70 model year. The year 1971 saw the Ventura return as an X-Body compact and a cousin to Chevy’s Nova (and later, the Oldsmobile Omega and Buick Appollo). Continuing in that vein, the Ventura remained in production through the 1977 model year. The year 1975 saw three different body styles of Ventura available, a two-door sedan and hatchback along with a four-door sedan. Total output reached about 63K copies.
The Ventura’s engine line-up for ’75 was interesting in that there were four choices and none originated with Pontiac itself though Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, and Buick got in on the act. The top option was a 165 net HP, 350 CI V8 Buick engine and that appears to be what’s ensconced between this Ventura’s fender wells. Operating via a three-speed automatic transmission, the seller claims, “The vehicle runs great and is used as a daily driver“. He also refers to it as a “GM muscle car survivor” but in spite of its non-stock dual exhaust system and jettisoned catalytic converter, I’ll beg to differ.
What can you say about brown other than “welcome to the ’70s”. And it’s faded to boot! That said, the body appears to be pretty straight and free of rust. Even the plastic bumper fillers still show pretty well. While not a heavily trimmed car, what little is there, along with the plastic grille and original wheel covers, looks fine, though I believe there was a beltline bump strip that has gone missing. Here’s a walkaround video for your perusal.
The interior has seen some better days as the upholstery is shredded and the dash pad is cracked but the carpet, door panels, and headliner check out as OK. There appears to be no sign of A/C in place and the original Delco radio is still present. The seller adds, “the key buzzer works, heater works, dash lights work, horn works, windows roll easily, gauges work, and doors open n close with no rattles“.
So what’s the market like for a car like this? Search me fish, it’s not one that I have ever considered. In spite of my thinly veiled snark about the muscle car comment, I imagine this Ventura does speed along pretty nicely but still, it’s not a GTO or a Firebird and no one is bitting at the $5K opener. It will sell eventually, but at what price?
So sad to see that this is how GM put the Ventura name to death. What a beautiful car in the 60’s. Typical of the GM mentality.
Was going to say this year Ventura , Pontiac gave it a case of the uglies lol
It’s got A/C, all right. Engine pic shows that big A6 compressor off to the passenger side.
Right you are, corrected.
Thx,
JO
Buick 350 4 barrel is no slouch. Add a cam and some Pontiac rallye wheels and you could have a cheap cruiser. A fellow around here has dropped a 500 cubic inch Cadillac in his Ventura. Looks factory stock.
I almost bought a ’75 with an Olds 260 in it. In rusty climates, how many of them crab walked?
The crab walk was very common back in the day. It was caused by bad rear leaf spring bushing. It seemed to appear only on the NOVA cars. You didn’t see it on the Camaros and Firebirds. I think they had stronger bushings and mounts.
The ’60 Ventura was a Catalina with the higher-compression 389 and snazzier trim.. This Ventura doesn’t even have a Pontiac engine and can barely get out of its own way.
Bidding is at over $6400.00
owned 1 in WV. Replaced the transmis ona 2 telephone poles overa bank ‘lift’. Object to the “cant run strong’ and the “compact” model comments. My same yr X platform (mid sz) was way over powered even moving from WVa to the NorEast w/the hatch straight out (packed w/belongings) and stuff on roof, cont on back to over the level hatch). Wallowing on its springs that 350 did an easy 80 MPH & moved over from the onramps to fast lane in short order. Nota cheb guy (one other – a 108 inch WB ’68 van, an i6 motor) but this thing was a tire shredder. Not great in the twisties tho (typical). Nice brilliant oe green (kinda gaudy but live-able). I’d daily it if owned (not in mrkt for this style auto, ‘slight may B’ if hatch model).
The four GM divisions of this car named them as such
Nova~Chevrolet
Omega~Oldsmobile
Ventura~Pontiac
Apollo~Buick
If you look at the first letter of each car and put them together they spell NOVA. Coincidence? Maybe but it sure makes you think.
This looks to be a nice little car……Rust and body body repair would decide what would come of it. If it’s straight and clean I’d restore this car without a second thought. Having a SBC it would certainly not be expensive to be sporting a 300 to 350 hp summertime daily driver. Have a cheap set rear tires to roast off at cars and coffee to get a few smiles and it’s done the trick. These didn’t handle all that bad and upgraded parts don’t cost much more the stock so most anyone could get it to go around turns rather nicely. Anyone but all you Deaks that is.
@Rj
But it’s not a SBC, it’s a Buick 350.
Not when I’m done with it.
Yah but ” wouldn’t you really rather have a Buick”
LS Resto Mod
Looks like a decent car. At least the panel between the taillights and back bumper isn’t cracked or missing. She’s up to $7400 so far.
Not quite as bad as the late 80s “Le Mans” which was actually a Daewoo … talk about degrading a car’s name …