Cars evolved tremendously from the 1960s into the 1970s, and not always in a good direction. The Pontiac Ventura emerged in 1960, sharing a platform with the Catalina. Its stylish horizontal fins, graceful hard top, and beefy V8 struck the right chord in the marketplace. In fact, many Pontiac fans view the Ventura as the progenitor of the Grand Prix. After 1961, the nameplate became a trim option twinned with the Catalina. A decade later, it was once again staking out ground as a standalone model – sort of. The Ventura II was situated on a compact platform and existed as a Nova by another name. Here on Craigslist is a 1975 Pontiac Ventura – a one-year-only body style, the seller reminds us! – with an asking price of $1400. The car is located near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mitchell G sent this tip to us, inspired by the seller’s note that his vehicle has been garage-kept most of its life – thanks!
The engine is an Oldsmobile 260 cu. in. V8 was designed with economy in mind, i.e., gutless. Net horsepower hovered at 110. Aside from the virtue of its gas mileage, the 260 was a durable engine. This one has traveled 104,000 miles, but there’s no word on its current running condition. Performance upgrades aren’t generally considered worth it since the 260’s bore is minuscule. This car cries out for a swap – what would you install in this generous engine bay? And while you’re at it, consider the transmission – a three-speed automatic that likely can’t be mated to a more powerful engine. Maybe a 400/TH400 transplant?
Photos of the interior remind me of being in the Fun House at the carnival. Details exist but in a distorted fashion. We can see a bare-bones approach to ergonomics; the dash doesn’t even contain a clock – just the hash marks in the gauge housing where it would sit. The driver’s side upholstery is torn in several places; the vinyl roof is harboring rust beneath, and its color has faded in an Impressionistic manner. Speaking of color, the pale yellow over tan is about as electrifying as a wet noodle.
The listing states that the car is “unmolested” but it appears to have tangled with a nibbler recently – likely an attempt to remediate rust. The work disturbed a few years’ worth of critter habitat. We’re told the underside is “nice and solid”, but this view doesn’t look “nice” to me. I’d reserve judgment until I laid my own eyes on this Ventura, even at $1400. What do you think?
I’ve been waiting, and waiting, and now one shows up half way across the country. Just my luck.
Road trip!
I see he ordered the Hantivirus Decor Package.
Not from the factory; he had it delivered at the storage site.
I dunno. Those cars were bland when new, even if bulletproof. I’m equally unimpressed with the engine, not even knowing much about it. All the weight of the V8, and none of the power.
With that kind of rust, I’d have to think hard before going with a driveline swap. With that kind of rodent aftereffect, I’d have to think hard about buying, and then cleaning up before even spending any time in it.
The price is right. It’s nearly free, and worth just that, too. Me, I’d pass…
Rather have an Omega. For the money, it’s not bad. Throw in a small block/4sp and have some fun.
The Pontiac 400 would fit right in there & give you goose bumps if you stood on it! Either from shear performance or fright as this Nova wannabe got wheel hop so bad you could swear you hear Scottie proclaim ” she’s breaking up captain!”
You know she’s a fast runner cuz she got that Sunoco sticker on the bumper. Along with that Ziebart one, telling you that she’s solid as a rock underneath. But $1400 will barely get you a derby car anymore. So someone will snatch it up.
And, don’t overlook the two— two!!— AAA stickers.
Fairly priced at $1400, I’d strip it to the body shell before sending the shell off for media blasting or chemical dipping for paint removal, followed by professional body work and paint. Then ditch that 260 for a crate motor and new driveline when you put it back together. Oh, and when putting it back together, I’d ditch the bench seat and column shifter in favor of a floor shifter and console with bucket seats, but that’s just me.
Not every old car found in a barn is a candidate for high dollar restoration.
With the rodent issue, this one should be handled carefully, if at all.
Sometimes, the thing to do is burn the barn down.
True, but the X-Bodies hold their value and are hot sellers after a suitable restoration. The Nova is the most popular and was built in the largest numbers, but a rising tide lifts all boats, as they say. I’ve seen worse examples brought back to life, usually more due to some emotional attachment to the car on the part of the buyer, but I digress. The old saw about buying the best example you can afford certainly applies here, but I can see someone with right tools and skills taking this on as a project, most likely a professional body guy as a personal project, filling in empty holes in the shop’s work schedule to get it done.
As prime examples become scarcer, economics tend to favor the less desirable examples, simply because fewer are left. When the last unrestored example goes to the crusher, that’s it there won’t be any more left except restored examples at premium prices.
It’s a 4 door and even with a great motor it’s still a 4 door and in this class of car that equals minimal value
Two too many doors. Now the two door hatchback model might be worth investing a few bucks in to make a decent daily you no longer see too many of.
It’s a PA car, with a license plate frame that tells me south western Pa, I know where that dealership is, I’d bet money that if I seen driving it would be doglegging sideways down the road, I’ve seen so many of these that weren’t even this rusty back in the day that weren’t tracking straight down the road due to rusting out on the underside.
I bought a 1976 , 4dr Ventura from a family friend in 1978 with 19,000 miles on it for $2200.00. It was Tan with a buckskin tan interior. Bench seat was vinyl and no vinyl top! Engine options were a Chevy 250, an Olds 260 , or a Buick 350. No Pontiac engine was offered. I would love to have had the Chevy 250 with a 3 in the tree, but mine was equiped with the Buick 350 and a THM-350. Car was nice but the rear was geared for a 6 cylinder. The Buick 350 makes it max hp at a very low rpm. I did remove the catalytic converter and installed dual exhaust . The engine came with a 210 degree thermostat. Way too hot and bent 2 valves. I had a 3 angle grind done on the valves and valve seats when I replaced the head gaskets. Got a deal on a 4bbl carb and intake along with Buick alloy wheels . When I sold the car in a 1998 ,
it ,would shift out of 1st at 46 mph and 2nd at 87 mph when you floored it!
You’re the guy to talk to, if someone wants to remake this car!
Too many doors.
This won’t be for sale long, that’ a back in the day price if it’s a real listing, I had a 79 Buick Skylark same basic car and it ran great, very simple car to work on and maintain.
It’s been posted for 27 days, so something fishy is going on here.
mine wasa 350 anda ‘hatch’.
I ran it off the road and nearly
ended myself. Certainly ended the car.
A cute girl named Shannon Jones had an orange Ventura in high school. To heck with the car. Where are you, Shannon?