Throughout the 1960s, the Ventura was a trim option on the popular Pontiac Catalina. It was limited to` coupes and convertibles’ to add an extra touch of sportiness. That goal led to the introduction of the Grand Prix in 1962. The seller’s 1966 Ventura, a one-owner car since 1985, has been in a heated garage for the past 32 years. It will need some tinkering to be highway worthy again. Located in the Windy City (Chicago, Illinois), this viable, easier project is available here on eBay for $13,500 OBO. Who brought us this tip? Mitchell G., of course.
Both the Catalina and Ventura monikers were derived from two sunny, Southern California communities. Ventura-laden Catalinas usually had bucket seats (the seller’s car has a bench up front). Besides that, Ventura badging was everywhere, and many Venturas had Kelsey Hayes wheels (like on the seller’s example). The same 389 cubic inch V8 was under the hood, with an even more potent 421 with Tri-Power available (after all, Pontiac WAS the GM performance division).
According to the seller, this Pontiac hasn’t moved since 1993. Some of the photos show it in another place and all spiffed up, but we suspect those are “before” pictures from better days. The body and Pearl White paint have held up well, with just one spot trying to catch the rust bug. The red interior looks quite good and may only need detailing.
The 389 motor cranks, but it doesn’t get spark. The to-do list – at a minimum – will need to include flushing the gas tank, rebuilding the carburetor (extras are in the trunk), and giving the machine all-new fluids and a tune-up. Doesn’t sound like more than a couple of weekends will be needed, and we suggest you verify the age of the tires.
I’m going to beat Howard to the punch. I can’t get the America song Ventura Highway out of my head right now. ” Ventura Highway…… In the sun shine….. When the days are longer…..” Ok enough of my horrible off key singing. One of my favorite years for all Pontiacs. Full size and intermediate. If you look at the Ebay ad,
theres a Tripower setup in the trunk. I’m wondering if it came with this car? If bought right, and you can get it on the road, clean it up and enjoy it!!! Nice one here Russ.
I just looked at the front seat photo and saw the 1966 Pontiac chassis manual. I remember my seeing my Dads ( he had the exact same one) growing up. I forgot about that book.
Dang it, Dave! Now I’ve got that song stuck in my head..😆
Yes-clean it up and drive it. However installing the Tripower would save gas since it would then run on the 2 bbl.
That is until the driver stood on the gas pedal which most of us would be tempted to do quite frequently I’ll wager!
Sorry Nevada…. What can I say?… It is a good song. And I totally agree with you, the center 2 barrel is smaller than the two outboard ones if memory serves me correctly. With that installed, The Vertical Pedal on the Right becomes WAYYYY more fun!!!!
-Dave
Try to get it running, make sure it’s safe, install the Tri-power, I’d insist it comes with the car, then drive it. I like the vintage Cal Customs valve covers, they pair well with the 8 lug wheels and multi carb intake. There isn’t really any reason to do more than that, by leaving it alone, other than elbow grease it’s more than likely you could get this car on the road at a relatively low total outlay.
Steve R
Too much trouble to take the car cover off for the picture!
This is the kind of car I miss working on. Chances are if it isn’t getting spark it either needs new points and cap and rotor or a new coil.
You mentioned ignition points. I was helping out at the tire store for a week a few years ago. And noticed that we had a 1965 Chevy coming in for a tune up. I made sure that I tossed my dwell meter in the car for “the lesson in old car mechanics”. Sure enough, I ended up installing and adjusting the dwell while the “young guys” watched and shook their heads. Russ, you mentioned making sure that the tires were current. If anyone wants to know how. I will be happy to give a lesson in “DOT reading”
I do! I do! But this site STILL hasn’t given me or Ken your email address! 🤬
Or much more. Maybe it did not get oil and the pin on the distributor gear sheared off!
going into chicago for visit end of month …will call if can get a phone number before ..
Was this car equipped with fender skirts? If so WHERE ARE THEY? Those side body lines look so much smoother and just flow beautifully to the rear bumper wearing the side skirts and looks like a big chunk was cut off without them. The Tri Power would be a MUST HAVE and a 421 would be found and rebuilt stronger than stock and put on a stand anxiously waiting for Winter!
@William Milot
I googled the Pontiac Ventura and the Catalina. It appears the Ventura did not come with skirts, which makes sense since it’s suppose to be the sport version of the Catalina. Catalina did come with skirts, but, being 1966 I’m sure you could order them or delete them for any car in the Pontiac lineup.
I agree Angel. Todd asked if we wanted to swap emails with you, Ken and I. I authorize it. But never received any contact info. As far as reading DOT numbers on tires for date purposes here it goes.
On both side walls there is a “DOT” number. However on one side only will be a longer DOT group of numbers and letters. That s the one you need to be concerned with. On that line the last 4 will be the date code. 1022 would be the 10th week of 2022. If there is only 3 numbers at the end that tire was built (and yes tires are built) that tire was built before this century. Remember that tire industry guide lines state that no person should have anything to do with a tire over 7 years old. (it’s not a law, but the guide line is there for a good reason) I have seen brand new tires (meaning never used, installed on a wheel and stored in a cool dry place out of the sun) Mounted, had failed when inflating on a rim for the first time! Any tire over 7 years old is not to be trusted. This is only true for passenger and light truck tires. Tires for other purposes have different life spans. However just because a tire is on a large class “A” motorhome, that this rule still applies. I have seen what look like new Michelin tires on class A that looked great. But the sidewalls on the inside (out of the sun) ready to split and let go. That brand is the worst for that condition. Again ANY PASSENGER CAR AND LIGHT TRUCK TIRE OVER 7 YEARS OLD IS NOT TO BE TRUSTED!!!
THAT CONCLUDES YOUR TIRE LESSON FOR THE DAY.
nice piece.65 is a better-looking model, but this is still nice. what would a Pontiac be if there wasn’t a TriPower on it or near it. leave this be. clean it up make and safe and enjoy it. sell the TriPower to help with repairs. they only look good not worth the trouble they cause
@Wayne
🍎 and here’s an apple for the teacher. Thanks Wayne, very informative.
You made me think (God forbid!) The tires on my SUV are 7 years old and both, the front and the rear on the passenger side have slow leaks. I need to put air in them at least once a week.
Most likely bead leaks. (Alloy wheel corrosion) When getting your new tires. Make sure to ask the tire shop to take a wire brush to the bead areas on all your wheels and then put bead sealer on all the bead areas when installing the new tires. Not only does it help seal the bead areas. But also helps fill in the voids left by the corrosion.
Thanks for the apple!
Contrary to what Wayne has said (and Im an actual teacher lol) I think the “7 years” on tires as an expiration is almost 100% made up by the tire industry to keep their stock in rotation.
Im basing that on 50 years of driving experience with over 70 cars and trailers (because the addiction is real) and my current vehicles which include an 81 Corvette with 25 year old tires and a junk trailer we use for water hauling that has 30 year old tires.
Tire ‘expiration’ has almost nothing to do with age and everything to do with environmental conditions and use. In the case of the Vette, the tires are almost never in the sun (northern Canada) because its stored indoors 99% of the time and they barely get 500 km a year on them. They not only look brand new, they show zero signs of cracking and the rubber remains appropriately soft as the day I bought them, not hard or brittle.
On the other hand the 30 yr old trailer tires have been outside in all kinds of weather including hot sun, brutal cold (-40c) and covered in snow and water with not even a fender to protect them. They look like hell, but they still hold air. But every month they endure a 3000 lb load and make a short slow trek to our house hauling water. Do I think they’re going to last? No, I fully expect one to blow out every time I use the trailer. But I dont care since we’re on a private road going less than 15 mph.
All that to say, Ive never had a tire blow out, and the only flats Ive had were due to poor mounting or punctures. The industry WANTS you to rotate your tires but changing them SOLELY based on date of manufacture is foolish and a waste of money.
Ps. I’ve done 120 mph in the Vette and yes, Im still alive because I trust my judgement more than the internet and an industry with an obvious vested interest.
Noted Rodknee; maybe tire quality was better in previous decades? I’ve seen a few Harleys in last 10-15 years develop dry rot looking condition well within 7 years of age, mandating fresh rubber. Of course, the stakes are the highest on 2 wheels. I have 11-year-old tires on my old Pontiac Grand Am; I’m gonna use visual inspections since tread depth is like new. If this build is right, the tires will be laid down on the pavement one burnout at a time.
A Corvette is a very poor example of what an “average” tires sees for usage. The wider wheel means less sidewall flex between the bead area and breaker strips in the shoulder of the tread. Also, most likely you have performance tires on your car. The breaker strips in the shoulder are heavier/stronger than the average tire. Again, keeping the sidewalk flex to a minimum. Also the Corvette is a poor example because of the size of the tire in relationship to the weight of the car. This also equates to less stress in the tire. You are correct to a degree to environmental effects on a tire. Your car lives in a garage until it is safe from having to hit pot holes in below zero weather. And for the most part searing sun and heat. ALSO any tire subjected to less than 25MPH will carry twice the rated load capacity. And again since your trailer sees low speed and no searing heat. Your example does not fit the “normal” narrative. The guide was discussed for many years (I was part of the discussion) before a final “statement” was published. Because of the thousands of tire sizes, styles and uses, areas of tire manufacturing and the vast differences of manufacturing styles. A group of guides was deemed confusing. PLUS yours and my tires get rotated and tire pressures check regularly. MOST do not. Your and my tires get rotated regularly, most do not. The most contributing factor of tire life is temperature. High speed creates heat. Low air pressure/overloading (which is virtually the same thing) creates heat. Hard cornering creates heat. All these things contribute to tire life. With under inflation (which is the same as overloading) is the highest contributing factor in tire life. Just like low pressure in your automatic transmission (normally caused by too much heat) slowly causes your transmission to fail. The same thing with your tires, and with severely under inflated causing internal sidewall damage.
With so many variables in tire use and design. The industry came up with the 7 year guideline. The insurance industry adopted it also. So no one in the tire business is going to go against the insurance companies.
Any more questions?
I knew a guy that worked at the Sohio gas station around 1970 that had a dark blue. Black bench seat. 421 tri power 4 speed. 66 Ventura. He tried to tell me it was an ex moonshine car from Tennessee. Possible I guess, he was a moonshine drinker.
novawagon what part of Ohio? I’m a NE Ohioan all my life, used to be a lot of Sohio stations… “Sohio Boron fuel, you go, or Sohio pays the tow”
Lorain, Ohio here! SOHIO brings back many memories!
When I was a letter carrier (aka mailman) in St. Pete, Fl. The tires stayed on vehicles until they went bang. True story
Hi, I love Pontiacs. I had firebirds for years! I like the interior. I had 400’s, 350’s a convertible as well! I miss them all! the conv. had shag carpet, took glove box out put the shag in and a cassette player. firebird glove box was a pain in the butt! So, I tied a string to latch hung down under dash. opened every time.