The Ventura II (later just plain Ventura, then Phoenix) was Pontiac’s answer to the Chevrolet Nova. It was produced from 1971 to 1979 and used the Nova’s X-body and much of its sheet metal. The Sprint was an appearance option that mirrored the Nova SS, even though the GTO was a Ventura only for the 1974 model year. The seller has a sweet 1973 Sprint, which appears to need nothing, and it’s available here on Facebook Marketplace for $32,500. Located in Delaware, Ohio, it’s been on the market for a month (price?).
Between 1964 and 1970, Pontiac did not field a compact car. That’s because the Tempest/LeMans was upgraded to a mid-size package, and no replacement was deemed necessary. But compacts were soon all the rage, and Pontiac took the easy route by cloning a Chevy Nova (as also did Oldsmobile and Buick). Besides a different front clip and taillights, the Ventura also used Pontiac drivetrains, and we assume a 350 cubic inch V8 comes with this car.
Has this Pontiac been restored or is it a super nice original? We don’t know. The seller seems more focused on potential buyers having a cool trade to “catch his eye” and “be real.” In most of the photos, I would have bet the paint color is black, but hints of brown pop up in a couple of pics. The interior is white and black with brown carpeting, at a minimum. The odometer is said to read under 70,000 miles, but the numbers look suspiciously like a placeholder.
Besides a 350 V8, the Sprint has a manual transmission, which we’ll assume is a 4-speed. We’re told everything works as it should and it’s a “super clean” ride, adding up to a great driver. If you’ve been looking for a 1970s Nova SS, perhaps this Poncho will do instead. But we have a feeling the car isn’t moving because of the advertised price. Thanks for the tip, JDC.
Have to agree with the author, seems pricey for a brown car with a sagging headliner. Plastic door panels look good. Looks like a nicely maintained northern car as the plastic interior looks good in the pictures and lack of A/C. Rowing through the gears should bring the smiles per mile!
One thing is sure, that aint no Pontiac motor in there