1973 Pontiac Ventura

The Ventura accounted for approximately ten percent of Pontiac's 1973 production, and prices began at $3,065 for the six-cylinder two-door coupe and rose to $6,000 for the base eight-cylinder sedan. The two-door coupe accounted for 49,153 examples built, and 26,335 were the hatchback and 21,012 of the sedan. The base six-cylinder engine had a 250 cubic-inch displacement and developed 100 horsepower at 3,600 RPM.

The Pontiac Ventura was in production from 1960 through 1977, serving as a full-size model from during the first decade and as a compact for the final years. For 1973, the Ventura II became simply the 'Ventura' and continued to use the 'double-decker' twin slot grille on the base trim level cars. Standard equipment included rubber floor mats, hubcaps, high/low ventilation system, bench seats with cloth and Morrokide trim, deluxe steering wheel, and front and rear armrests.

The Ventura Sprint trim level, available on two-door models, added a Firebird style twin rectangular grille, custom striping, body-color outside mirrors, custom carpeting, custom cushion steering wheel, and 14x6-inch wheel rims.

In 1974, Pontiac moved the GTO name from the intermediate LeMans line to the Ventura. The GTO package included a 350 cubic-inch engine with a four-barrel carburetor and delivered approximately 200 horsepower. It also added tri-color GTO decals, Rally II wheels, a function 'shaker' hood scoop, and special grille-mounted driving lights. The following year, the GTO was dropped, along with the Pontiac 350.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2020