This 1971 Pontiac Ventura 11 was a family project that was being passed from one generation to the next over several decades. Recently it had come to the Rogue Valley as a project for a dad and son to work on together and finally start driving. It had been parked for a bit before arriving, so there was sorting that was on going. This past fall, unexpectedly, another loss occurred and the family realized they no longer had someone capable of working on it and asked us to help out.

It is a 1971 Ventura with a 455 V-8 and 4-Speed under the hood. There is a factory engine emission sticker on the radiator support bracket that list’s the engine as being a 455 as can seen in the images, but it would be impossible to know if this is the correct engine for the car. It is definitely in there and a Pontiac big block, but I do know if it is the engine the car was born with. I was told the 4-Speed Manual transmission is a Corvette item, again there is no paperwork or receipts to show it. It is a 4-Speed Manual and shifts very smoothly. There is a label in the trunk that states the car is equipped with a Posi-Tac rear end but it has not been verified to be so equipped at this time.

The car was painted at some point in the past, not the best work I have seen. There are no signs of rust or impact anywhere on the body, but the masking job was poorly done. Most of the rubber seals are still in need of replacement, but the body is very straight and sound.

The Hood is a head scratcher, at least for me. From what I have read, the Hood was offered in 1974 as part of what Pontiac labeled as a “GTO” model. The odd part is that it has the correct cold air intake system assembly for the air cleaner for this 455 attached to the hood. It looks like factory work though it cannot be correct from what I read on line.

The car drives and runs well, everything works including the stock front Drum Brakes. It has not been verified as having a Posi Rear End, but the motor runs smoothly, the transmission shifts well and clutch action is good. There is a strong smell of coolant that exits the exhaust when it is warmed up but the radiator level does not appear to be changing.

The selling price is $16,000. The VIN# is 21371W263423. Please come by and see at Automania LLC, 895 SE Gladiola Drive, Grants Pass, OR 97526. http://www.automaniagp.com 541 479 8888 Oregon Dealer DA1297.

Automania LLC is a Consignment Oregon Dealer selling quality, privately owned vehicles including Aprilia, Buell, BMW, Citroen, Ducati, Harley Davidson, Honda, Hummer, Kawasaki, Moto Guzzi, MV Agusta, Nissan, Ossa, Piaggio, Suzuki, Triumph, Vespa, Classic Hot Rods, Buick, Dodge, Ford, Chevrolet, Lamborghini, MG, Packard, Porsche, Rover, Shelby, Toyota, Triumph, Volkswagen and any other vehicle of interest