1960 Pontiac Ventura Vista

• The first year production Ventura examples are of high interests
• One of only 28.700 first series Vista examples built
• A new high-level Pontiac remained in production only for two years
• Built on the famous “Wide Track” chassis
• A 6,4 liter V8 engine with 287 PS
• Original unrestored condition, almost impossible to find another example in Europe
• Other features: possibility of assisting with transport, storage and Trusted Checkout payment

The Pontiac Ventura was first introduced for 1960 as a new higher priced model. The brand’s 1960 redesign was one of GM’s best that year and the Ventura ably showcased the Pontiac look, much flatter hood and trunk surfaces and limited trim flourishes. Venturas rode on a shorter wheelbase and were available as four-door “flat top” Vista hardtop sedans and two-door hardtop coupes. More than 50,000 were built during the model’s first series, with an even split between the two bodies.

The late 1950s was a good time for Pontiac. With numerous wins, ranging from NASCAR to the local drag strips, Pontiac was regarded by many as the performance division of General Motors, especially following the introduction of its famous “Wide Track” chassis layout in 1959. The cars that were built on these chassis were often credited as being the best-handling full-size cars in the industry.

Pontiac’s success continued in 1960 with four NASCAR Grand National victories, Mickey Thompson’s quadruple Pontiac V-8 Challenger land-speed record car, and Jim Wagners’ NHRA Top Eliminator drag racing title.

The Ventura engine options were plentiful. A 389-cid V-8 came standard with a two-barrel carburetor good for 215 hp. The mill could also be configured to generate from 283 up to 348 hp depending on carburetion and transmission, with the Tri-Power setup being the top of the line. Despite having a three-speed manual transmission as standard equipment, virtually all Venturas were manufactured with a Hydra-matic shifter.

Pontiac changed the model and downsized the Ventura in 1961. From a design perspective, a divided grille was introduced, as were sculptured side panels. And following the 1961 model year, the Ventura became a trim package on all Catalinas except for the convertible, until 1970. These cars were technically a Catalina, they only carried the Ventura badge.

So only the early Pontiac Venturas are of high interests and they remain affordable entry points into early 1960s American high-level motoring. We have never heard of another early Ventura for sale in Europe.

The Ventura was the first luxury car built by Pontiac, the car has a luxury electric watch, very comfortable seats covered in a quality three-tone leather upholster. The options included electric mirrors, a central door lock was also available, the windows go all the way down into the doors together with the chromed frames and optional electric powered. The cars could have also a powerful A/C from the factory or a built-in radio. Also the exhaust had two options, quiet for comfort or dual for lauder expression.

The owner is a classic US cars lover and he fell in love with the car, when he first saw pictures of the car on the internet. It took some time, but he was lucky and managed to find an example in Europe. He had to buy the car together with his wife and this Burgundy Red Pontiac drove them to their own wedding. This couple has a big passion for 8 cylinder cars, which they collect since the beginning of the 90's. We have added also pictures from their wedding with the car into the gallery.

The car is in an unrestored original condition with all the chrome coated parts in very good condition. The same is it with the original leather interior. The ventilation works perfectly. On the other side the unrestored condition has also some disadvantages as is a minor corrosion level, minor oil leakage and the gearbox needs also some adjustment, although it is still in a working order.

Altogether it is very difficult to find such a nice first series Ventura in original unrestored condition. And not only in Europe.

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