Want a small but powerful muscle car with 1970s flair and a wild green paint color to match? This 1974 Pontiac Ventura might be the car for you. But read the ad here on ebay very carefully, because while the car looks good and there’s a long list of positives associated with its current build, there are also some alarming negatives that you’ll want to take into account. Then, if you decide this car is for you, and you settle on a number shy of the OBO asking price of $21,500, find a way to traverse the distance between you and Fort Lauderdale, FL, and drive your new ride home.
Pontiac produced the Ventura from 1960-1977, with the initial use of the name signifying a higher trim package on the Pontiac Catalina. In 1971, the Ventura nameplate came to be used on Pontiac’s version of the popular Chevrolet Nova. Badge engineering. That was the term for using essentially the same underpinnings and various mechanicals and making them become (in the case of General Motors) a Chevy, a Pontiac, an Oldsmobile, and even a Cadillac. Sometimes, the car would have an engine made by its namesake manufacturer. Sometimes, it would have a corporate block. At various times, the Ventura was motivated by V8s from Chevrolet, Buick, and Pontiac. Its lesser displacement engines included 6-cylinders from Chevrolet and Oldsmobile.
In 1974, the GTO name moved off of the LeMans body style and onto the Ventura. The car listed here has the look and some of the equipment of the GTO, but is, according to the seller, a “tribute.” Say that another way: This Pontiac Ventura is kitted up like a GTO, and will present at the local shows like that, but in truth, it’s not as it appears. That may or may not matter to you, especially if you get the kind of attention the seller claims. Then again, what would pricing this car against a real-deal GTO net you? You eagle-eyed Barn Finders can weigh in here on what else needs to be done to this build to make it appear totally authentic.
The seller has listed many things done to the car, including the installation of a functional Shaker hood. But here’s a funny one: He says that the car was recently repainted by a professional, but two lines later, he says “paint and body [are] nice but not show quality.” So what did he do, hire a pro who is just not that good at prep and/or paint? The list of negatives go on, and slowly a picture emerges: this is an amateur project that is like a lot of cars are, ninety-percent finished. Are you the one to bring it up that final amount? That’s where the hassle always comes in. Add to that the disclosure of rust and body filler, and you’ve got a car that reads as less desirable with every new line of ad copy. Oh well. At least he’s saved you from disappointment. Should you throw down on this car now, you’ve been apprised of the truth.
Green lipstick on a pig. Way too much money for a car that has a had lots of corners cut.
Steve R
Never know true colors in photos, but this looks to me like a one year color Chevy used called “Lime Yellow”…I bought a 74 SS that color. Ugliest color I’ve ever seen on a car! Now mine is painted Marina Blue. The shaker hood is a real plus, as is the hatchback, but the interior looks terrible. I think I’d pass on it at $20K+.
“cool floor shifter” but it’s an automatic ?
Not worth the money but I have to admit I like it. I couldn’t see evidence of bondo and the underbody looks solid. At least the seller is honest. Put in a period correct floor shifter get the wrinkles out of the carpet and have some fun.
If you look at the bottom of the doors there is more filler then metal. I would be afraid of how much more rust it has covered by a quickie paint job. At 20K, no way.
And then one day you find, 10 years had got behind you,,A tribute? More like an epilogue. Hard to think, it was only 10 years since we went from cultural icon, to badge engineered Nova. It was clearly a last gasp marketing ploy to see just how far the industry had sunk. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the “Nova” type cars, but the miracle of the GTO had faded and along with it, the musclecar as we knew it, was no more.
Indeed..a tribute to a car that was little more than a trim package in 1974?I would rather pay much less, get a basic N-O-V-A car that had solid bones and refurbish it..Maybe had a 383-stroker motor to give it some beans, and I wouldn’t be above what this seller is asking.
You give gto a bad name! Sound familiar?
I had a 74 GTO in 1974 and while it was nice, it wasn’t the GTO of the previous years at all. It was just a gussied up nova. Not to knock a nova, but it was no GTO.
Basically a last grasp at glory that was gone.
Wisdom for car manufacturers is knowing when the party is over, it’s really over.
I got corrected in another site the other day for calling the Ventura, Nova’s hipper cooler cousin. I like it but will keep it to myself.
@Nelson. I actually like that!!! Sorry that happened to you, but I think you’re pretty accurate there. The Ventura had some unique features, especially the grill treatment. I’d call thay a fair statement.
Ventura definitely a better looking car than the Nova, like all Pontiacs then, were better looking than their Chevy, Olds, Buick counterparts. JMHO
Having owned a 72 Ventura back in 77, I’ll second that comment! Way better looking than the Novas
I agree, i like the sheet metal of the Ventura better. It’s not so plain. I don’t like calling it a GTO even if Pontiac did.
Ventura was a series in its own right in 1960 and 1961, before becoming a deluxe interior option for Catalina from 1962-70. Also, the last Oldsmobile 6-cylinder engine was made in 1950. This generation of Ventura used Chevrolet’s 250 and Buick’s 231.
I really don’t mind this. Put new carpet in for your asking price.
FWIW, the first Venturas were the performance version of the Catalina, with most having the higher compression 389, 4-barrel and the majority were hardtops. They were powerful and attractive cars.
For this kind of money you are near or in Firebird/Camero territory. I think this is a 10K car at best. What he is asking is pie in the sky money for this car.
Living in Mn., it always gives me pause when I see “rust repairs, & bondo evident”.
But, like someone said, the seller did take pains to point out the faults.
I don’t like the floor shift setup. Looks like it’s missing a 3rd. pedal. Lol!
You have to give the seller props for mentioning the shortcomings of this car.
Most of them are things that you only find out about after buying the car and having it delivered.
My friends brother had a ’73 hatchback Ventura 350 4 brl 4 spd with a 10 bolt posi with 3:73s it was a screamer and a blast to drive . His sister could wheel it very well too it was burnt orange white gut , cragars pretty car I would love to have it today .
That’s a LOT of bondo! If one could get this car for a few thousand, it might be worth it for restoration. But as is, that price is ridiculous!
had this car (the bottle grn color) no shaker hood but the hatch & pedestrian 350. Even w/that the car was way over powered (dont no rear end gear). Every stop light start-up spun the tire, no matter how careful U were.
Price has been lowered to $18,500. still a little high.