1974 Pontiac Ventura

Description

It's time for you to choose your own adventure. Do you want to be part of the Nova crowd that's around at every car show? Do you want to be a standout on your own? How about both? This 1974 Pontiac Ventura has all the fastback style of the GM X-Body crowd, but in a package that is much more unique and affordable.

The smooth elements in the correct, resprayed shade of this Carmel Beige coupe really brighten up in the sunlight, especially against the excellent camel vinyl top. The paint is in great shape, body gaps are straight, doors close flush, and the bright work shines wonderfully. It has the same silhouette as the now-legendary compact and fast Chevy Novas, but the front end has an aggressive look that Pontiacs always brought to the table. Light and muscular, the Ventura gets all the Pontiac design cues right, from the split grille and hood bulge up front, to the taillamp design that was inspired by the 1st generation Firebird. The Rally II wheels are another great visual link to Pontiac's muscle car tradition. They have a stylistic flair with the PMD (Pontiac Motor Division) center cap that gives them a hint of indestructible industrial design.

Step inside this Ventura, and you'll see even more Pontiac performance car touches that make this car so cool. The interior keeps a similar color pattern as the exterior, with plush tan carpeting against Camel vinyl seats and door panels. Every place that vinyl touches is nice and tight, shows very well, and is built for durability, and despite a reputation as an economy car the cabin feels much more upscale. The driver gets a soft touch original Pontiac steering wheel and a few cabin comforts thanks to the stock AM radio, factory A/C (needs service), and a tall automatic shifter for easy-to-reach shifting. The backseat area barely looks used and an appropriately-sized trunk is nicely preserved and includes a factory original spare.

The 250 cubic inch inline-six isn't going to roast the tires, but it is the original engine the car came with from the factory and it's plenty torquey to make the Ventura feel quick around town. The orange engine enamel advertise that this is indeed a GM motor, the same corporate powerplant used down the street at the Bowtie factory. The engine bay is tidy but not show-ready, and a weekend of cleaning and a little paint would pay big dividends if you wanted to use it for preservation class judging. The original air cleaner and stock carburetor are up top, it still runs a correct-style distributor and ignition system, and it fires right up and really runs great. Reliability is bulletproof and parts are still easy to get, making this a great choice if you like to drive, and with the TH350 automatic transmission, it's easy to handle. Power steering and power brakes drastically improve the driving experience, making this Ventura the top choice in the garage for a cruise of any distance. Rally II wheels add a sporting touch and sit on a set of 215/60/15 BFGoodrich T/A whitewall radials.

Honest, solid, and affordable, this Ventura is a great choice for the "dare to be different" crowd. It's the perfect way to have something a little unique that still fits in with any car show crowd. Call now!!