From a peak of more than 96,000 cars in 1966, production of the Pontiac GTO fell to just over 7,000 copies in 1974. The muscle car craze of the 1960s/1970s had passed and the GTO quietly slipped into the history books. In its last year, it was based on the compact Ventura, a rebadged version of the Chevy Nova. Enthusiasts weren’t happy with this change and stayed away in droves from dealer showrooms. This last-gasp GTO is a documented car, but it’s not original as a Firebird 400 cubic inch V8 has replaced the car’s only motor that year, a 350. Located in Melbourne, Florida, this modified example is available here on eBay where the “no reserve” auction stands at $16,600.
The GTO had been on a downward spiral for eight years when it was finally canceled in 1974. At first, the insurance industry had caught on to the liability that muscle cars represented and jacked up rates. The car builders began to downgrade the performance of all domestics to produce fewer emissions, thus being more friendly to the environment. A stock 1974 GTO was a mere shadow of its prior safe, and they were barely able to break 17 seconds in the quarter mile. The new, smaller GTO was intended to compete against the Plymouth Duster 360 and the AMC Hornet X, but the numbers didn’t materialize and the GTO as we remember it would be gone.
While this GTO looks good at a glance, we’re told that the body and paint are far from perfect, but certainly passable. The floors were replaced last year along with the passenger side rear quarter panel. Some filler material is present. This was the result of being a Georgia car for most of its life. The hood is not original and is a stock Ventura hood that the seller cut a hole in to accommodate the Grabber scoop on the replacement engine. From what we can tell, the interior is fine and the red upholstery is a nice contrast to the mostly original white paint on the exterior.
Besides a motor swap that provides more power than before, the seller has replaced quite a lot of parts to keep this machine going as a weekend cruiser. Some of these items include new wheels and tires, brakes, carburetor, radiator, water pump, timing chain, headers and exhaust, and a lot more. We’re told it’s a great running machine, but when pushed it’s not going to pass by many gas stations. While the seller regrets putting this Pontiac up for sale, he/she has run across a “dream car” that will require future time and money.
I like this, but I have to wonder why is the shifter so rusty? With all the new interior, it really stands out, and causes me to think that there ay have been some water intrusion. GLWTA!! :-)
It’s in Melbourne Florida humidity and sea air on a quiet night you can hear it rust
Humidity.
Possible reflection from red interior causes rusty appearance.
My buddy’s brother bought a 74 gto in the mid 80’s and still has it.Light yellow with the shaker hood.
While the ’74 GTO’s production volume of 7058 is undeniably sad, it represents a substantial increase, percentage-wise, over 1973’s 4806 connolade GTOs.
OMG… colonnade. I should really stay out of the liquor cabinet.
And it’s also more than 1972’s 5807 units.
Having owned three GTOs …a 64 and two 65s…I can say the 73 was the ugliest model pontiac ever made… hideous..the 74 model wasn’t a bad looking car..it just wasn’t a GTO…
My first “fast” car was a red 74 Ventura with a gto nose. Man I loved it sold it to my brother he swapped in a 455 had to weld a chain to the frame cause we kept breaking motor mounts. Bought it back a few years after but the tim nice had gotten to it real bad. Someday as a tribute to my brother I’ll get another and go.on.power tour for a memorial for my brother. Open headers will light the undercoating on the floor on fire too ask how I know that one lol.
Nice Nova
Grabber? No
Shaker? Yes
Did he buy it in Pennsylvania? I sold a light Yellow 74 GTO in the mid eighties, bought it new in 74.
Sad ending to a great reputation until the Holden GTO.
I had a 74 with rare hatchback, automatic, and white vinyl top over fern mist green paint. I loved that car. Not much power, but fun to drive.
like……..
Love these! My second favourite next to a 1973 GTO 4 speed which I own. Light car with some solid modifications and you will have the FASTEST GTO ever! I had a 1970 Oshawa built GTO that was such a POS and turned me off of Pontiac for 20 years.
the hood is FACTORY….. NOT an owner add on, borrowed from the TA
I bought the Ventura with the GTO package brand new in 74 ended up rebuilding the engine a few years later and found out that it was considered a small block 400 it had 400 Pistons and 400 heads on a 350 block I love that car it was awesome in the snow I wish I still had it.
had the hatch ina nice green w/the 350, auto w/the split grill (’73? 4?). Seems thru this last gen there were lots of options’n changes. Car was somewhat over powered in that every stop required a lill attention to keep grip on pulling away. Car seemed light and quick, wished for better stock suspention/breaks.
Looks like a Nova with a 73 TransAm nose- kind of-