The Pontiac Ventura was a name used from 1960 to 1977. It began as a high-content trim on the Catalina, served as the inspiration for the Grand Prix, and from 1971 was applied to Pontiac’s version of the Chevrolet Nova.
Pontiac Ventura at a glance
| Maker | Pontiac, General Motors |
|---|---|
| Years | 1960–1977 |
| 1960 form | custom trim package on the Catalina |
| Wheelbase, 1960 | 123 in B-body |
| Bodies, 1960 | Vista four-door hardtop, Sports Coupe two-door hardtop |
| Price, Sports Coupe | $2,971 |
| Trim, 1960 | deluxe wheel covers, sport steering wheel, tri-tone Morrokide |
| Trim years | 1962–1970 on Catalina models, optional 421 HO V8 |
| From 1971 | Ventura II on the X-body, the Pontiac Nova |
| End | 1977 |
Based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Ventura.
History of the Pontiac Ventura
1960: a Catalina with everything
The Ventura was introduced for 1960 as a custom trim package on the Catalina’s 123-inch B-body, available only as a Vista four-door hardtop or a Sports Coupe two-door hardtop. It offered all the Catalina’s standard and optional equipment plus unique exterior identification, deluxe wheel covers, a sport steering wheel and distinctive tri-tone Morrokide upholstery. It cost more than the longer Star Chief but less than the top-level Bonneville. The Sports Coupe listed at $2,971 before options, which included several radios such as the battery-operated Sportable dashboard unit, an electric extendable aerial, air conditioning, tinted glass, bucket seats, a Safeguard speedometer, Magi-Cruise cruise control, power windows, steering and brakes, and a choice of heaters.
The inspiration for the Grand Prix
The Ventura’s sales success influenced the introduction of the Grand Prix in 1962 as a custom-trim coupé on the Catalina platform, while the Star Chief became the entry-level trim of the Bonneville. From 1962 to 1970 the Ventura continued as a trim option on Catalina models wearing its own nameplate, and it could be ordered with the Pontiac 421 HO V8. In 1964 the 2+2 was introduced with very similar equipment to the Ventura but with bucket seats front and rear.
1971–1977: the Pontiac Nova
For 1971 Pontiac moved the name to its new X-body entry, the Ventura II, a version of the Chevrolet Nova. It stayed in the range until 1977, when it was replaced by the Phoenix; the Ventura II kept the compact rear-drive formula through the 1970s, sharing its body with the Nova while wearing Pontiac front and rear styling.
Design and features
- Luxury on a Catalina: the 1960 package added deluxe trim and tri-tone upholstery.
- Grand Prix forerunner: its success led directly to the 1962 Grand Prix.
- 421 HO option: the trim could be ordered with Pontiac’s big high-output V8.
- Nova connection: from 1971 the Ventura II was Pontiac’s version of the Chevrolet Nova.
- Phoenix successor: the X-body car became the Phoenix for 1978.
Pontiac Ventura versions
- Vista hardtop and Sports Coupe (1960): the two original bodies.
- Ventura trim (1962–70): a Catalina option package.
- Ventura II (1971–77): the X-body compact.
The Ventura was a Catalina trim before becoming the car that inspired the Grand Prix, and it was replaced by the Phoenix. More Pontiacs are in the Pontiac collection.
Sources
- Pontiac Ventura, English Wikipedia: 1960 trim, Grand Prix link, Nova years
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