Pontiac Ventura

Last updated
Pontiac Ventura
1973 Pontiac Ventura Sprint Coupe 350 in orange, front right.jpg
1973 Pontiac Ventura Sprint
Overview
Manufacturer Pontiac (General Motors)
Production1960–1977
Body and chassis
Class Full-size (1960–1970)
Compact (1971–1977)
Layout FR layout

The Pontiac Ventura is an automobile model which was produced by Pontiac between 1960 and 1977.

Contents

The Ventura started out as a higher content trim package on the Pontiac Catalina, and served as the inspiration for the luxury content Pontiac Grand Prix in 1962, then remained as a trim package on the Catalina until 1970. Its name was derived from Ventura, California, joining other similarly derived contemporary models such as the fellow Pontiac Catalina, the Chevrolet Malibu, and the rival Mercury Monterey.

From 1971, the Ventura nameplate was used on Pontiac's version of the Chevrolet Nova until it was replaced by the front wheel drive Pontiac Phoenix. [1]

1960–1970

First generation
'69 Pontiac Ventura.jpg
1969 Pontiac Catalina Ventura
Overview
Production1960–1970
Assembly Pontiac Assembly, Pontiac, Michigan
Arlington Assembly, Arlington, Texas
Doraville Assembly, Doraville, Georgia
Fairfax Assembly, Kansas City, Kansas
Linden Assembly, Linden, New Jersey
South Gate Assembly, South Gate, California
Wilmington Assembly, Wilmington, Delaware
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door hardtop coupe
4-door hardtop sedan
2-door convertible
Platform B-body
Related Chevrolet Impala
Pontiac 2+2
Oldsmobile Holiday 88
Buick Invicta
Powertrain
Engine 389 cu in (6.4 L) Pontiac V8
421 cu in (6.9 L) Pontiac V8
Transmission 3-speed manual
3-speed automatic
4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase 123 in (3,124 mm)
Length213.7 in (5,428 mm)
Width78.6 in (1,996 mm)
Chronology
Successor Pontiac Grand Prix [1]

The Ventura was first introduced for 1960 as a custom trim package on the Pontiac Catalina's 123-inch B-body wheelbase, and was only available as the Vista four-door hardtop, or the Sports Coupe two-door hardtop. [2] It was offered all standard and optional equipment from the Catalina, and added unique exterior identification, deluxe wheel covers, a sport steering wheel, and distinctive tri-tone "Morrokide" upholstery. [3] It was more expensive than the longer Pontiac Star Chief but was priced below the top-level Pontiac Bonneville. [1]

The sales success was influential to the introduction of the Pontiac Grand Prix in 1962, as a custom trim package coupe using the Catalina platform, while the Star Chief became the entry-level trim package of the Bonneville. The listed retail price for the Sports Coupe was $2,971 ($30,599 in 2023 dollars [4] ) before an extensive list of optional equipment, that included several choices of radios, including the "Sportable" battery operated dashboard removable portable unit, electric extendable radio antenna, air conditioning, "E-Z-Eye" tinted glass, bucket seats, "Safeguard" speedometer, "Magi-Cruise" cruise control, windshield washer, under-hood utility light, remote adjustable driver-side side view mirror, power windows, power steering, power brakes, and two choices of heater and windshield defroster selections. [1]

With the introduction of the Grand Prix for 1962, the Ventura continued as a trim option for 1962 through 1970 on Catalina models, wearing a "Ventura" nameplate and could be installed with the Pontiac 421 H.O. V8. [1] In 1964 the Pontiac 2+2 was introduced with very similar equipment to the Ventura while installing bucket seats for both front and rear passengers. [1]

1971–1977

Second generation
1974 Pontiac Ventura.JPG
1974 Pontiac Ventura 4-Door Sedan
Overview
Also calledPontiac Ventura II
Model years 1971–1977
Assembly Van Nuys Assembly, Van Nuys, California
Willow Run Assembly, Ypsilanti, Michigan
North Tarrytown Assembly, North Tarrytown, New York
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door coupe
3-door hatchback
4-door sedan
Platform X-body
Related Chevrolet Nova
Pontiac Phoenix
Oldsmobile Omega
Buick Apollo
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission 2-speed automatic
3-speed manual
4-speed manual
3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,814 mm (110.8 in)
Length4,940 mm (194.5 in)
Width1,839 mm (72.4 in)
Height1,334 mm (52.5 in)
Chronology
Successor Pontiac Phoenix

In 1971, Pontiac moved the name to their new X-body entry, the Ventura II.

1971 Pontiac Ventura II Coupe Puyallup, WA, USA - panoramio (2).jpg
1971 Pontiac Ventura II Coupe

Ventura II production ran from 1971 to 1977. The "II" suffix was dropped after 1972, and the Phoenix name replaced Ventura in 1978. Engine offerings for the abbreviated 1971 model year included a 250 cu in. six cylinder or 307 cu in., only the 307 was available for the Sprint option in '71. For 1972, a Pontiac-built 350 cu in. V8 with two-barrel carburetor was added to the option list and became the base V8 for 1973 and 1974. Transmission offerings consisted of a standard column-shift three-speed manual with options including a four-speed manual, two-speed automatic (with six-cylinder) or three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic (with V8s). The 1973 six-cylinder Ventura was the last Pontiac model to offer the two-speed automatic, a badge-engineered Chevrolet Powerglide, which was dropped completely from all GM cars and trucks after this model year in favor of the Turbo Hydra-Matic. [3]

A Ventura Sprint option package was offered on two-door models 1971 to 1975, including three-speed transmission with floor shift and optional 350 cu in. V8 equipped four-speed, body color mirrors, custom carpeting, all-vinyl upholstery with either the standard bench or optional Strato bucket seats, Custom Sport steering wheel, blackout-grille trim, special striping, blackout grille, and 14x6" (36 cm diameter, 15 cm wide) wheels. [3]

In mid-1972, Pontiac introduced the limited production Ventura SD for the Southern California market as sort of a sporty-luxury compact to counter imported luxury sedans then taking the U.S. market by storm. The SD option added the high-back Strato bucket seats from the Firebird along with a Custom Sport steering wheel, Rally II wheels, uprated suspension and other items. Some 250 Ventura SD's were built for 1972, all at the GM Nova/Ventura assembly plant in Van Nuys, California plant. [3]

In 1973, higher spec cars received a new split grille in the Firebird/GTO style. Lower grade cars retained the split level grille used in 1971 and 1972. The Ventura Custom became a separate series (2Z, versus 2Y for the regular Ventura), carrying a "Custom" script on the rear roof pillar. In addition to the two-door coupe and four-door sedan, a three-door hatchback coupe was added to the lineup. [3]

In 1974, the Pontiac GTO name moved to the Ventura from the intermediate LeMans line. The GTO package gave the basic Ventura a 350 cu in. (5.7L) engine with a four-barrel carburetor of about 200 hp (149 kW). The package also came with a functional "shaker" hood scoop, tri-color GTO decals, Rally II wheels, and special grill-mounted driving lights. The GTO package could be ordered on the hatchback Ventura as well as the base and Custom coupes. [3]

1975 Pontiac Ventura 1975 Pontiac Ventura -- 09-24-2010.jpg
1975 Pontiac Ventura

The GTO was dropped in 1975, along with the Pontiac 350. The Ventura could be optioned with the Buick 350 V8 instead.

The Ventura SJ was a new offering for 1975, when the Ventura and other GM compacts were restyled with new rooflines along with improved suspensions shared with the second generation F platform (Camaro/Firebird), plus standard front disc brakes. The Ventura SJ was marketed as an American rendition of a Euro-style luxury sport sedan that Pontiac created with the larger mid-sized Grand Prix in 1973, as well as a competitor to the new-for-1975 Ford Granada and Mercury Monarch, both marketed as luxury compacts designed to compete with the more expensive imports such as Audi and Mercedes. As such the Ventura SJ included an upgraded interior with reclining bucket seats in either cloth or vinyl along with a center console, rally instrumentation and other items and borrowed the trim package "SJ" from the Grand Prix. [3]

1976 Pontiac Ventura 4-Door Sedan 1976 Pontiac Ventura (1417781011).jpg
1976 Pontiac Ventura 4-Door Sedan
1976 Pontiac Ventura Coupe 1976 Pontiac Ventura rear (14302730249).jpg
1976 Pontiac Ventura Coupe

Only minor appearance changes were made to the Ventura for 1976 and 1977 including new grilles and revised taillights. 1976 saw the inclusion of the Oldsmobile 260 cubic inch V8. For 1977, the Chevy 250 six was replaced by Buick's 231 cu in V6 as the base powerplant and the Chevrolet 305 cubic-inch V8 was introduced as an option. The availability of the 2.5 liter "Iron Duke" 4-cylinder was optional along with the 301 cu in V8. One unique feature for 1976 was the availability of a 5-speed manual transmission (Borg Warner T-50) with the 260 cubic inch V8; it was the standard transmission with the Iron Duke. Under 700 units total with this combination were built in 1976. [3]

At the beginning of the 1977 model year, the Ventura SJ was the top-line model but at mid-year was replaced by the Phoenix, which featured a distinctive center grille and rectangular headlights and the most luxurious interior available in a Pontiac X-body car. Otherwise, the Phoenix was basically a plushed up Ventura much like the Chevrolet Concours was related to the more mundane Nova. [3]

For 1978, the Ventura nameplate was retired and all X-body cars were sold under the Phoenix nameplate through that year and into 1979 with a top-line Phoenix SJ designated as the top-line series.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pontiac (automobile)</span> Discontinued automobile brand owned by General Motors

Pontiac, or formally the Pontiac Motor Division of General Motors, was an American automobile brand owned, manufactured, and commercialized by General Motors. It was originally introduced as a companion make for GM's more expensive line of Oakland automobiles. Pontiac quickly overtook Oakland in popularity and supplanted its parent entirely by 1933, in turn establishing its position as one of GM's dominant divisions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pontiac GTO</span> Car models produced by General Motors Corporation

The Pontiac GTO is a front-engine, rear-drive, two-door and four-passenger automobile manufactured and marketed by the Pontiac division of General Motors over four generations from 1963 until 1974 in the United States — with a fifth generation made by GM's Australian subsidiary, Holden, for the 2004 through 2006 model years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet Impala</span> American full-size car

The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size car that was built by Chevrolet for model years 1958 to 1985, 1994 to 1996, and 2000 to 2020. The Impala was Chevrolet's popular flagship passenger car and was among the better-selling American-made automobiles in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet Chevelle</span> Mid-sized automobile

The Chevrolet Chevelle is a mid-sized automobile that was produced by Chevrolet in three generations for the 1964 through 1977 model years. Part of the General Motors (GM) A-body platform, the Chevelle was one of Chevrolet's most successful nameplates. Body styles included coupes, sedans, convertibles, and station wagons. The "Super Sport" versions were produced through the 1973 model year and Lagunas from 1973 through to 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buick Skylark</span> Series of passenger automobiles produced by Buick

The Buick Skylark is a passenger car formerly produced by Buick. The model was made in six production runs, during 46 years, over which the car's design varied dramatically due to changing technology, tastes, and new standards implemented over the years. It was named for the species of bird called skylark.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oldsmobile Cutlass</span> American car model

The Oldsmobile Cutlass was a series of automobiles produced by General Motors' Oldsmobile division between 1961 and 1999. At its introduction, the Cutlass was Oldsmobile's entry-level model; it began as a unibody compact car, but saw its greatest success as a body-on-frame intermediate. The Cutlass was named after Vought F7U Cutlass, as well as the type of sword, which was common during the Age of Sail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pontiac Grand Prix</span> Automobile model made by Pontiac

The Grand Prix is a line of automobiles produced by the Pontiac Division of General Motors from 1962 until 2002 as coupes and from 1989 through 2008 model years as four-door sedans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pontiac Catalina</span> Motor vehicle

The Pontiac Catalina is a full-size automobile produced by Pontiac from 1950 to 1981. Initially, the name was a trim line on hardtop body styles, first appearing in the 1950 Chieftain Eight and DeLuxe Eight lines. In 1959, it became a separate model as the "entry-level" full-size Pontiac.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pontiac Bonneville</span> Motor vehicle

The Pontiac Bonneville is a model line of full-size or mid-size front-engine rear drive cars manufactured and marketed by Pontiac from 1957 until 2005, with a hiatus for model years 1982-1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pontiac Tempest</span> Automobile manufactured by Pontiac

The Tempest is an automobile that was produced by Pontiac from 1960 to 1970, and again from 1987 to 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme</span> Motor vehicle

The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme is a mid-size car produced by Oldsmobile between 1966 and 1997. It was positioned as a premium offering at the top of the Cutlass range. It began as a trim package, developed its own roofline, and rose during the mid-1970s to become not only the most popular Oldsmobile but the highest selling model in its class.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pontiac LeMans</span> Car models marketed by Pontiac division of General Motors

The Pontiac LeMans is a model name applied to automobiles marketed by Pontiac. The name came from the French city of Le Mans, the site of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world's oldest active sports car endurance race that began in 1923. Originally a trim upgrade package based on the Tempest, the LeMans became a separate model in 1963.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet Chevy II / Nova</span> Motor vehicle

The Chevrolet Chevy II/Nova is a small automobile manufactured by Chevrolet, and produced in five generations for the 1962 through 1979, and 1985 through 1988 model years. Built on the X-body platform, the Nova was the top selling model in the Chevy II lineup through 1968. The Chevy II nameplate was dropped after 1968, with Nova becoming the nameplate for all of the 1969 through 1979 models. It was replaced by the 1980 Chevrolet Citation introduced in the spring of 1979. The Nova nameplate returned in 1985, produced through 1988 as a S-car based, NUMMI manufactured, subcompact based on the front wheel drive, Japan home-based Toyota Sprinter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oldsmobile Omega</span> Motor vehicle

The Oldsmobile Omega is a compact car manufactured and marketed from 1973 to 1984 by Oldsmobile, as the brand's most affordable, entry level vehicle — across three distinct generations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pontiac Phoenix</span> Motor vehicle

The Pontiac Phoenix was a compact car that was sold from 1977 to 1984 by Pontiac. There were two generations of the Phoenix, both based on popular Chevrolet models, and both using the GM X platform designation. It was named for the mythological Phoenix, which would die in a self-inflicted fire and be reborn from the ashes. The Phoenix was replaced by the Grand Am in 1985.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet Monte Carlo</span> Two-door coupe manufactured by General Motors

The Chevrolet Monte Carlo is a two-door coupe that was manufactured and marketed by the Chevrolet division of General Motors. Deriving its name from the city in Monaco, the Monte Carlo was marketed as the first personal luxury car of the Chevrolet brand. Introduced for the 1970 model year, the model line was produced across six generations through the 2007 model year, with a hiatus from 1989 until 1994. The Monte Carlo was a variant of the Pontiac Grand Prix throughout its production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pontiac Parisienne</span> Motor vehicle

The Pontiac Parisienne is a full-size rear-wheel drive vehicle that was sold by Pontiac on the GM B platform in Canada from 1958 to 1986 and in the United States from 1983 to 1986. Right-hand drive models were locally assembled in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa until 1969. For most of its run, the Canadian Parisienne was nearly mechanically identical to the American Chevrolet Impala or Chevrolet Caprice. The Parisienne wagon continued under the Safari nameplate until 1989. Parisienne or La Parisienne means a grammatically female person or thing from Paris, France.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GMC Sprint / Caballero</span> Motor vehicle

The GMC Sprint is a coupe utility/pickup that was produced by GMC for the 1971–1977 model years. The Sprint was renamed Caballero for the 1978 model year, and produced through 1987. The rear-wheel-drive car-based pickups were sold by GMC Truck dealers primarily in the United States and Canada as the GMC version of the Chevrolet El Camino. Trim designations, emblems, and wheel trim differentiate the GMC from the Chevrolet. The vehicles were built on the General Motors A platform through 1981; for 1982, it was re-designated the G platform as the A platform switched to front-wheel drive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pontiac 2+2</span> Motor vehicle

The Pontiac 2+2 is a full size automobile that was manufactured by Pontiac, built on the B-body chassis. It debuted for the 1964 model year as a trim-only option for the Pontiac Catalina, with special door panels, bucket seats with a center console, and exterior badging. Pontiac marketed the 2+2 as the "big brother" to the popular Pontiac GTO.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet Impala (fourth generation)</span> Motor vehicle

The Chevrolet Impala (fourth generation) is a full-size automobile produced by Chevrolet for the 1965 through 1970 model years. The 1965 Impala was all new, while the 1967 and 1969 models featured new bodies on the same redesigned perimeter frame introduced on the 1965 models. All Impalas of this generation received annual facelifts as well, distinguishing each model year. Throughout the early 1960s, Chevrolet's basic body designs became increasingly subtle, while the bright trim that was part of the Impala package added more than a touch of luxury to the look. The same pattern was followed in the interiors, where the best materials and equipment Chevrolet had to offer were displayed. In short, the Impala was on its way to becoming a kind of junior-grade Cadillac, which, for both the company and its customers, was just fine.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Gunnell, John, ed. (1987). The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946–1975. Kraus Publications. pp. 50–92. ISBN   0-87341-096-3.
  2. 1960 Pontiac brochure, storm.oldcarmanualproject.com Retrieved 19 February 2018
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Gunnell, John; Kowalke, Ron (2012). Standard Catalog of Pontiac, 1926-2002 (2nd ed.). Iola, WI: Krause Publications. p. 139. ISBN   978-1-4402-3234-3.
  4. 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–" . Retrieved February 29, 2024.