Among the seventies GM X-Body platform offerings, the Chevrolet Nova generally seems to receive more attention than all the others combined, which is easy to grasp since it remains such a well-known and desirable auto. However, that car’s corporate cousins are deserving of praise as well, such as the Oldsmobile Omega and short-lived Buick Apollo. Another look-alike was the Pontiac Ventura, which is notable for being the base for the GTO in 1974 only. This 1973 Pontiac Ventura here on Facebook Marketplace is certainly no muscle car, but it is the more upscale Custom model, and appears to be a very solid example. This one recently relocated to De Pere, Wisconsin, with the seller aiming for $11,500, but he also mentions O.B.O., so the price may be negotiable.
Our thanks go out to reader Lothar… of the Hill People for sending us the tip here! Although this Ventura is now residing in the Badger State, the owner purchased it in Southern California a year and a half ago, then drove it home. That’s a fairly long hike, so it’s probably safe to say that this one’s still in good condition mechanically. However, it’s equipped with an inline-6 engine, which I think is pretty cool, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the buyer can hardly wait to put a V8 of some sort in the bay instead. There’s also an automatic transmission, which I believe is a 2-speed if paired with a six-cylinder here in ’73.
Plans for a restoration were the owner’s original intention, but he’s since decided to go a different route, with no explanation provided for why this vision didn’t materialize. The driver’s side fender is shinier than the rest of the body, so at least this one panel may have been repainted, but the finish appears to have a consistent amount of fading elsewhere. The sheet metal seems solid all the way around, with the only noticeable damage being a small dent on the passenger-side quarter, or perhaps that’s just how the light is reflecting on this area.
While the interior appears complete and in reasonably good condition, there’s nothing particularly inspiring about the cabin, and it almost seems to be begging for more exciting seating arrangements in the front. However, another option is to leave this one alone for the time being, inside, outside, and under the hood, and just enjoy cruising around as is for a while. How would you move forward with this 1973 Pontiac Ventura Custom?
My father had one with the big V8 in it and it really cooked. The hatch back was handy to carry all the parts and tools he needed to restore a ’40s wooden yacht. As the one who did the shopping for all that stuff I had a great time with that car.
Good looking cars bobhess, liked the Ventura II as well 👍
My Texas grandmother bought her new 1973 Ventura Custom in Slate Green. She bought the color, automatic, A/C, and power steering. What she didn’t know was that she also bought a “sleeper” future GTO (the next year, 1974, the GTO would be placed off the Ventura Custom) complete with Rally II wheels (back in the day when you got 5 – spare too!), 350-2V, split grill, full bumper protection, HD suspension, all but the kitchen sink and power brakes (didn’t like PB). That thing could and WOULD bury that 120mph speedometer. Could almost swear that you could feel the speedometer needle scratching your right foot. Man, just think if that blazing rocket had been graced with a 4bbl!!! What a GREAT time to be a teenager with a “hot rod” grandmaw! Fond memories for sure!
“Grandmaw” would have hung up your wings if you drove her car that way and she found out!
Ya got that right! Thank God cell phones, drones, and cameras EVERYWHERE were still a few years away 😂‼️(Grandmaw lived in “rural” East Texas and of course even there the roads were/are 4 lane but AMAZINGLY not as heavily patrolled by the state troopers like the highways are today. Would NOT try that today – too old anyway! Glad I was allowed to grow up and be here to reflect!)
Add Power Brakes and a Poncho 400, leave everything else alone. Interior looks surprisingly nice, Powerglide should handle the bigger engine. Maybe paint job so colors match. Should end up with a really nice driver for less than $20K.
Did that red ever oxidize. I wonder if it would take well to a good polishing? Scrub that neutral interior and you might have a decent get around car.
These are the cars that got GM in legal trouble, over using engines from different divisions, other than the car that was bought. “Check out my Oldsmo-Let” for instance.. Once the dust settled, GM had to post “engines may be provided by various GM divisions”. This Pontiac is another example with its Chevy six. Not a big deal, these were all NOVAs anyway. (Nova, Omega,Ventura, Apollo).
It wasn’t the Chevy six that caused all the ruckus, but when sb Chevy V8s began appearing in Olds 88s a few years later that caused a stink. Everyone knew what was going on here and it was accepted.
But why didn’t v8s from other GM divisions ever appear in any Chevy?!
Hey, Joe. Back in the day GM allowed their divisions to have brand identity. While sharing certain body structure, axles and transmissions was okay, you bought a B-O-P car for it distinctive engine. Chevrolet was given autonomy by its shear size and didn’t even have a V8 unit ’55. The more premium brands were protected from having to share their most prized possession, the motor. As quality and market share suffered the board decreed that sharing was to become necessary. From then on we began to see divisional engines across all brands and disclosure in the sales brochures. Except for the V8s that never made it into a Chevy. Think 260 and 301.
Pontiac….We build excitement. But not this example. 😂
loved my krazy grn one (lift back). Hated it cuza da bent8. Wish the 292 was in mine.
We did a junk yrd tranny (just 7 y/o) on 2 squared off tele polls ina bank (drive off the rd onto the polls, slide dwn da bank to have free space below) in West (by God) Va (up Bee Run, near Rohr).
Pretty gentile people there (but tough country). Musta had every guy in the neighborhood on one bell housing bolt (6, 3/8ths-16). Lill’st 1 on the top firewall bolt as there is -0- room there fora wrench. 3 were couzins, 3 were neighbors. Represented every house in Bee Run haller. Did the job in 15 min w/just wrenches… boy power’n my 2, 300$ for the whole job/labor’n parts (1980)
loved my grn 1 (lift back). Hated the bent8. Wish mine hada 292.
Did a junk yrd transmis. (7 y/o) labor/prts @ 2, 300$. Up Bee Run, Rohr, in West (by God) Va. Drove off the rd onto 2 squared off tele polls ona bank, (slide dwn it for free space under). One guy each bolt (6, 3/8th-16). Took the whole neighborhood – 3 couzins, 3 neighbors. Pretty gentle ppl (tough country). Went back 3 yrs later for my ‘free storage’ kayak. They’d traded it (“He aint nevah comin back.”) for a dirt bike (much more useful). Land there so steep it hada standard rear sprocket but the gear on the wheel was near 2 ft! Me: “No, I dont wanna bike.” (felt like sayin “but ur sis liked me…”) aahahahaa Male chauvinism wrked there abt as well as it wrks anywhere.
As others have pointed out, some polishing compound for the paint and vinyl cleaner for the vinyl seats would go a long way towards improving the presentation of this car. The Good: Overall condition, parts are easy to find. The Bad: Needs some love for the paint and upholstery, no hatchback, bucket seats or V8. The Ugly: Slightly dirty (especially in the engine compartment), the price is a bit high. The Verdict: A good, solid driver that could be a star with a good detailing. You can either leave it bone stock or restomod it, your call. GLWTS!
i guess the excitement here would be if seller gets his price
Very first new car I ordered while still a senior in high school.
Put $5 down when ordered, a metalic dark blue, 350 4 barrel, auto trans,
PS,PB and duel exhaust. And with Ralley ll wheels and the upgraded
split grill, it was good looking and a fun to drive ’73 Poncho!
It listed for just under $3400.
The 1st of 4 Pontiacs owned and ordered new in 10 years
The only new car my parents ever bought was a 1973 Pontiac Ventura Custom in this same color scheme, same inline 6, etc. Never seen one exactly like it before.
Anybody know why only in ’68 the inline 6 got a much larger air cleaner snorkel opening?
What’s really stupid is that even many big blocks got a tiny snorkel opening like on this Ventura.