1961 Pontiac Ventura Hardtop

The 1961 Pontiac Ventura had the same dimensions as the Catalina and came standard with an overhead valve 389 cubic-inch V8 engine rated at 215 horsepower. They had chrome outline moldings for side spears along with Ventura script inside the spear on the door. Venturas had two round taillamps and full Deluxe wheel discs, which helped distinguish them from their Catalina siblings. The interiors were trimmed in three-tone Jeweltone Morrokide and included a custom steering wheel and an electric clock.

For 1961, two body styles were available including a 2-door hardtop and a 4-door Vista Hardtop. Pricing began at $2,975 for the 2-door while the 4-door sold for $3,050. A total of 27,209 examples were sold with sales between the two bodystyles being almost equal.

This particular example is a numbers matching 2-door Bubble Top with a rebuilt 389 cubic-inch engine offering 318 horsepower. There are three 2-barrel carburetors, 8 lug wheels, white sidewall tires, power steering, power brakes, and an original interior.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2014