When I first saw this car, I thought it was a mis-named Chevrolet Nova. After doing some research, I found out that the Ventura version of the X-body “compact” was actually produced from 1971 to 1977, even spawning a GTO version for 1974 only. While this one isn’t a GTO, it did have a lot of desirable options from the factory. The Ventura is stored in Nokesville, Virginia and has been listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding is currently at only $255, but there is a reserve that I’m guessing is quite a bit higher than that. I was surprised to see that this car was originally equipped with a Pontiac (not Chevy) V8 engine, a 4-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, power steering and power disc brakes! That’s quite a specification for any car, especially one in the smog-controlled 1970’s. The car has been stored indoors since at least 1997. Unfortunately, the rust bug has bitten anyway, although I don’t think it’s anything that couldn’t be solved with some patch panels and judicious body work. I’d really like to see this one restored to stock configuration and used to surprise unsuspecting Nova lovers! Thanks goes to Jim S. for the tip!
while it may have been a nice car when it was newer, it looks beat today It needs way too much rust repair bid is at 1525 now, certainly wouldn’t go much higher than 1700. … you can put lipstick on a pig……
Chevy Nova
Pontiac Ventura
Buick Apollo
Olds Omega
GM badge engineering at its`finest.
you beat me to it
but sort the names and you spell…. N ova O mega V entura A pollo = NOVA
apollo became skylark
in trunk OR hatchback, with optional tent option! (i have one for sale (tent option that is) long before the aztek and XUV did it!)
Judging by the pin striping and license plate, somebody loved this car once. But that was 18 long long years ago.
Of course it has a Pontiac motor because it is a Pontiac Ventura. A Nova look a like and one year only a replacement for a discontinued GTO. If this car was stored inside it was put away wet and why would the seller buy the car 10 years ago and never touch it. Sounds fishy to me but maybe ebay scams have just made me wary in my old age.
One of these (73 or 72 model) was used in “The 7 Ups” in one of my favorite movie chase scenes – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vACWV5sRcY – love the sounds
Wonder why the front end sets so high? And FYI this is the first year for a hatchback and the Pontiac 350 was the largest available engine. The one thing that worries me is the rust directly below the side windows, the hatch area looks good.
A good friend of mine has two of the ’74 GTO versions…..one is totally stock and the other has a built 455 under the hood….both are in great condition and amazingly according to the VIN #’s were built on the same day!
I’d actually like to have a Buick Appollo, just to be different. Too bad I haven’t come across any lately.
In ’75 they changed the name of the Apollo to Skylark
I would love to have one of these. Would make a nice home for my 488 stroker motor when I retire my wagon. Not this one though.