It is true that while some classics appearing on Barn Finds raise barely a murmur, others will ignite spirited debate. I expect this 1960 Pontiac Ventura to fall into the second category. It is a crazy custom with so many changes, it is almost impossible to know where to start when describing it. One thing is certain: the new owner will turn heads wherever they go. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder JDC for spotting the Pontiac listed here on eBay in Fairport, New York. The seller set their auction to open at $5,000, but has received no bids.
I admit that I’ve been scratching my head, trying to decide where to start when describing this first-year Ventura. Originally a five-seater, this classic is now most definitely a two-seater. It features significant sheetmetal changes, with the seller indicating that it is a Barris-style build. There are a few original Ventura panels and bright trim pieces, but a fair amount of fabricated bodywork. The highlight for some will be the radiator shell, complete with the studded grille. It makes a bold visual statement, and the sparkling trim does contrast with the Red paint quite effectively. The panel fit and gaps vary across the vehicle, and I’m unsure whether adjusting hinges may improve the situation. It is definitely a dry-weather proposition, as there is no top to protect occupants from the elements.
Powering this creation is a 350ci Chevrolet V8, teamed with a Turbo 400 automatic transmission. The front suspension features a 4″ drop axle, with the rear suspension from a 2000s Crown Victoria. Power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes should give this beast excellent stopping power. The seller doesn’t disclose the specs for the small-block, but with a significant reduction in body steel, the “lightweight” Pontiac should offer pretty respectable performance. I quite like the custom air cleaner setup, which is as wild as the exterior. The seller states that this Ventura runs and drives well and is ready for some weekend cruising or a jaw-dropping appearance at a Cars & Coffee.
This Ventura’s interior didn’t escape the custom touches. It features modern bucket seats trimmed in Gray leather, with the remaining upholstered surfaces finished in diamond-patterned Charcoal Gray. The dash houses a brace of gauges, including a GPS speedometer. The interior is tidy and free from significant wear, but there is scope for the buyer to improve its appearance. Its most visible shortcoming is the finish at the top of the door trims. The edges look raw and incomplete, and need some form of edge treatment or strip to improve the look. It appears there is no radio, in-car entertainment, or air conditioning.
I am pretty sure that this 1960 Pontiac Ventura Custom will divide opinions. I suspect that some readers will love it, while others will feel that just because you can do something, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you should. The fact that it hasn’t received any bids and only two people have added it to their Watch List suggests it hasn’t struck a chord with potential buyers. If there were an award for persistence, this seller deserves it. This is the third time they have listed this classic. How many more times do you think they will need to try before the Pontiac finds a new home?
Not for everyone’s taste. This is the 3rd time the seller ran it through an auction on eBay, it’s received a total of 1 bid, which didn’t meet reserve.
Steve R
I’m a leave them stock guy usually but this thing is so wonderfully twisted and weird I like it I really like it!
Where should i begin?……….Good night.
Looks like a Lego model by a tipsy Mr Magoo
Oh, these are always fun. We get such valued opinions from people that couldn’t do something like this in their best day, me included. Personally, I think it’s really cool, and as usual, a LOT of work went into this. Now, like all these “creations”, they appeal to the builder, the builders kid that probably got stuck helping, but typically, very limited interest.
1st, an ambitious trooper would have a field day with this, 2nd, limited interest, in fact, kudos to the seller for even trying. I bet they were very proud on the maiden voyage after all that work. Too bad not many else see it that way.
Spot on Howard, as our folks from across the seas would say. To each their own taste, more importantly to each their own for their set of skills and visions they may have.
Love it or hate it, it’s someone’s idea that they brought to fruition and finished. A better use of time than sitting in some dank bar whining about the way things are in the world but not actually expending energy to make a change.
GLWTA, and if someone here on BF grabs it please share the outcome with us!
I only hope they built this using a wrecked Ventura and not a nice restorable one. I stand on the side of “just because you can…”.
Strange, but makes me smile.
I would leave all the current front end components in place, but add a few more body parts (fender-ish, hood-esque).
Then lose the rollbar and find some more retro seats. (La-Z-Boy doesn’t cut it)
Execution is great, someone had a vision and went for it, LOVE it.
Then forget car shows, drive the stink out of it and scare the hell out of the general public.
“Losing” a roll bar is never a good idea- but especially on a powerful narrowed vehicle.
The body reminds me of a casket, which is appropriate because I would want to bury that thing 6 feet under. Radical customs are definitely a personal taste. This one leaves me scraping my tongue.
Of all the late night IPA ramblings with my buddies in the garage. I would’ve never come up with this! My imagination definitely doesn’t run like that. But I like it!
Big C,
This might be a result of the Hazy IPA !!
A tad too …boxy for my taste. Add a couple missile launchers
and an AR, you’d have Mad Max at the Thunderdome.
There’s a reason most rods don’t use bodies past the 30’s… remarkable project but very limited appeal.
You said it BleedNRed! A whole lot of time and skill invested but wrong era vehicle for sure.
Maybe if it had fenders on it, and a grille that would match more with the Ventura theme (if they custom built that grille, they could have easily built a more Pontiac like grille), but I will at least give them credit for doing something a little different. I might have made the passenger area a little wider, but then that’s me. I see that the bidding has ended, so I can presume that it didn’t come up to what the seller wanted to get.
I agree with Howard lots of nice work I only wish I could do but definitely not for everyone or maybe anyone but the builder
The listing ended wonder if it ended in a sale or another no go
Very strange but I kind of like it. At least parts of it!
“there is scope for the buyer to improve its appearance”
That’s putting it mildly.
Impressive metal working skills to get that thing narrowed as much as he did. It looks like he took out about 18″, maybe more. But why choose a Model A frame? That’s a mystery.
Because he had one?
OMG. Looks like something George Barris would have created for TV show.
No it doesn’t.
I kind of like it. Old school and newer school combined. It’s different enough for my “like zone” but not in my purchase zone. They definitely had some body work skills. It’s lot in life now, besides just tooling around in nice weather is a parade tug. (Add a hitch) good at gathering looks and has enough power to pull anything that would/could have a place in a parade.
I must apologize. One usually expects to see a Corvette twisted into something like this. I stand corrected.
I was trying to like this until I saw that it has a Belly Button drivetrain. Driving this in Washington State would be Trolling for Tickets. No hood, no front bumper, and no fenders (technically legal on “dry, hard surfaced roads” for vehicles 40 years old or older.) Press hard. Four copies. 🖊️ 👮♀️
Did the guys that built this party with the same guys that built the shorty Corolla? If so they need to find out what an intervention is, they could do it as a group.
If it says Pontiac I like it. Would rather it had a 400 Pontiac motor but whatever.
It’s something all right.
First draft for Grampa Munster’s coffin car? Unlike the Mark VIII from the other day, this appears finished. I’d like to see it in person.
Gives new meaning to, “Come on down to Wide Track Town!” Or, as my mother used to say, “Every one to their own taste, said the old woman as she kissed the cow!” In my father’s parlance, it was, “Degustibus non disputandem est!” When I said that as a four-year-old in kindergarten, it did not go over so very well, and I could not understand why…
Hey Harrison, did you get the old Pontiac?
Whether you love, or hate, the look, you have to appreciate the amount of work that went into it. I like it, but I don’t like when these type of builds have no roof. In my mind, if it doesn’t have any kinda roof, it’s a parade car.
to ruin a 60 poncho for this. what a shame.
We don’t know if it was ruined. It easily could have been a front end total. (As evidenced by a different frame, engine, etc. ) Also NO Pontiac front end sheet metal. I think a good a good imagination with a wrecked Poncho made for a fun and different build. I would drive it! Although the price is extremely ambitious.
It could have been A 4 DOOR TOTAL!
It could have been A 4 DOOR TOTAL!
In fact look at the doors. They are 4 door rear doors! So much for the concern about ruining a collectable Ponco!
Check the doors! They are rear doors from a 4 door car. So no collector 2 door car was ruined!
I usually enjoy the older customs. I grew up with them. But to me, this looks like the results of telling AI to simply design a 1960 Pontiac hot rod – with no additional instructions.
Another very interesting “custom”. But also a great lesson to refrain from adult beverages when congeeing up your next “dream” custom.
A turd that someone tried too hard to polish.
This is why there should be a background check on purchasing a welder.
Looking at it from behind, it looks like a boat on a trailer.
The car has possible value as a novelty, but the myriad of unknowns that it presents keeps anyone serious ftom buying it for more than $1k. The seller needs to find that person and be done with thinking its got a bidding market.
BUT, if this really was a Barris car, and it really was on a TV show, and really was driven by some celbrity, it’d be a featured car at a TV auction and sell for ridiculous money.
And they’d try to get it placed on the 18th hole at Pebble Beach.
But it’s not. It has no value in the market due to the unknown variables.
Not sure I will ever look at my 60 the same again.
They should call this one the Pontiac Venturi.
Or perhaps the “Aztec1”
It’s also listed locally on FB Marketplace, where he’s looking for $14,950. Been there for 6 weeks, so apparently isn’t stirring local interest either.
IMHO, this thing could be made a lot better by
1) lowering the grill shell/radiator so the top aligned with the body cowl. Or replacing it completely with something more like the Beatnik Bandit, including front fenders.
2) replace that god-awful upright windshield with something sleeker like a Duvall.
I agree completely completely!