[Tin Injun Tom]

Anyone ever hear of a Gold Aniversary Ventura? This clown claims not only that, but says it's a "GTO". And he doesn't know what year the car is, apparently.
Obviously a '76, which would be the correct year for 50th aniversary.
http://ww2.collectorcartrader.com/de...?adId=90273258
I'd love to inspect this car in person, although I know it can't be legit.

[nonnova]

The ad claims it's a '77 but the frontend is a '76. It's got the Sprint stripe on the hood.
At best it could be a dealer installed package (graphics?) like the '77 Sprint package.

[Tin Injun Tom]

It looks like a very nice Ventura, but I think the seller doesn't have a clue.

If it were a "Gold Anniversary", wouldn't you think the color would be gold, ala the 50th Anniversary GP. Unless some dork gave it that paint job.

I like the pic of the '77 you posted but I would rather have a factory Sprint package.

[Colin]

Cant comment on the anniversary deal but Im sure that it is NOT a GTO.

[nonnova]

Originally Posted by Colin

Cant comment on the anniversary deal but Im sure that it is NOT a GTO.

Yeah that's for sure!

[Tin Injun Tom]

Originally Posted by Colin

Im sure that it is NOT a GTO.

We all know it's not a GTO as far as PMD is concerned.

I have seen numerous dealer installed apearance packages, just like the one on the Ventura "Sprint" pictured below. In 1979, Coe Pontiac in Grand Rapids Michigan converted several '79 Grand Ams into "GTO"s. They removed all the Grand Am emblems and installed GTO decals in their place.

It's not out of the realm of possibility that this '76 Ventura was born into the same type of conversion.

[73sprint]

After viewing this vehicle I had to speak to a family friend who is a retired GM executive.He has no recollection of a 77 GTO or a Golden aniversery ventura to say the least. This guys must have posted this verbage,just to lure in a prospective buyer...

[Colin]

Originally Posted by Tin Injun Tom

We all know it's not a GTO as far as PMD is concerned.

I have seen numerous dealer installed apearance packages, just like the one on the Ventura "Sprint" pictured below. In 1979, Coe Pontiac in Grand Rapids Michigan converted several '79 Grand Ams into "GTO"s. They removed all the Grand Am emblems and installed GTO decals in their place.

It's not out of the realm of possibility that this '76 Ventura was born into the same type of conversion.

Will that make that specific car more valuable? I seriously doubt it.

[Tin Injun Tom]

Me too.

[Stuart]

John Gunnell's book "75 Years of Pontiac-Oakland" shows there was a special trim package available on Venturas in 1976...the one in the ad does indeed appear to be the special trim package for 1976. From the book: "There was a special appearance group package available on Ventura two door models only. Included were blackout finished sections of the hood, deck, and lower body perimeter. In addition, the roof pillars were done in black." There were 28,473 two door coupes made, but no breakout is given for the trim option.

[Colin]

Originally Posted by Stuart

John Gunnell's book "75 Years of Pontiac-Oakland" shows there was a special trim package available on Venturas in 1976...the one in the ad does indeed appear to be the special trim package for 1976. From the book: "There was a special appearance group package available on Ventura two door models only. Included were blackout finished sections of the hood, deck, and lower body perimeter. In addition, the roof pillars were done in black." There were 28,473 two door coupes made, but no breakout is given for the trim option.

Thats interesting........maybe the car is some sort of special edition after all.

[wytnyt]

someone will come along and buy it thinking they have a real gto

[Tin Injun Tom]

My late uncle had a '76 coupe that was pretty much a plain jane Ventura, inline six automatic. One thing that stood out though, was it had a indian head graphic decal on each C-pillar, as part of the original stripe package. That was back in 1980. I've never seen another 75-77 Ventura with one like it. Probably dealer installed.

[nonnova]

Originally Posted by Stuart

John Gunnell's book "75 Years of Pontiac-Oakland" shows there was a special trim package available on Venturas in 1976...the one in the ad does indeed appear to be the special trim package for 1976. From the book: "There was a special appearance group package available on Ventura two door models only. Included were blackout finished sections of the hood, deck, and lower body perimeter. In addition, the roof pillars were done in black." There were 28,473 two door coupes made, but no breakout is given for the trim option.

The stripe on the hood looks the same as the 1975 Sprint package. It appears the only difference in the '76 Special appearance group package and the '75 Sprint package is the absence of the Sprint decals on the pass. side of the header panel and the fenders below the Ventura tag and the color offerings.

[Tin Injun Tom]

Thanks for putting those pics up, nn.
That orange '76 in Minnesota looks identicle to the one in Florida. Makes me wonder if it could be the same car that migrated down there. If it is a different car, then we know that it is most likely a factory color & stripe package.

I came across a '75 Sprint, same color green as the one in the thumbnail, beside the road in 1998. There was no engine in it, although it was originally a 260, with factory stick. Interior was gutted, and you could tell it was not likely to see a public road again. Maine vehicle safety inspections.
I've got some photo prints of it tucked away somewhere.