[Jerry H.]

After selling the GTO in January I've been Pontiac withdrawal since. I've been on the lookout for the 'right' darksider ever since. I had gotten to where it was hard to get in and out of the GTO so I had been on the lookout for a big Pontiac ever since.

I had promised myself that I wouldn't buy another project car; one that needed a full restoration. Well, this one looks like a full project yet my plans are just to 'rescue' it. I've known this car for almost 40 years. It was right here under my nose, only 10 miles from my house. The local high school vo-tech auto mechanic teacher bought it new at our local Pontiac dealership. (I was able to purchase it from his grandson) He was also a part time volunteer deputy sheriff, hence the antique police radio that is still in the car. The car sat under a pole shed with open sides. It has 136k miles, the engine has never been apart, (yet, it's stuck right now, supposedly it ran fine 6 years ago when it was parked) The interior is in very good condition with only minor wear on the piping on the drivers seat. I believe I could actually save the carpet! Headliner, padded dash, rear package tray are all in very good condition.

It has been in an accident on the right front with a replacement hood and fender and the car was resprayed at that time. Paint is thin a peeling and a few places. One dent in the passenger quarter that I think I or a PDR can get out. The bumpers are straight and nice. One rust bubble on the bottom of the passenger front fender, other than that no other rust. None around the windshields, none except surface in the truck, none in the rear quarters.

First up is to get the car rolling and running. I've already got some tires left over from another project to go on it. Then get it running and get all the mechanics sorted out. Brakes, exhaust,etc. It's still got the original single exhaust pipe on it!

I'm not going to paint it, just polish it out and touch up any bare spots. Clean the interior good and replace the carpets and weatherstrips.

[63gpman]

I like the plan with it!! No need to go crazy, just get it running and driving. Can't wait to see how things go, welcome to the Darkside!!

[Txbobcat]

I guess you are back in the saddle congtats

[Tim Younker]

Welcome back to the Darkside. Keep us posted on the progress. I've always loved the fastback style of the 65/66 Fullsize Pontiacs

[Stuart]

Looks like a nice, solid car. Since it has a single exhaust I assume it has a base 389 engine, and nothing fancy?

[Engine-Ear]

Subscribed!

[OVERULD]

Congrats Jerry! I was having a hard time thinking of you without a Pontiac! Hope to see you and the car at the BOPC

BJ

[The Boss]

Very happy for you Jerry!

[hurryinhoosier62]

Congratulations, Jerry!

[Jerry H.]

Originally Posted by Stuart

Looks like a nice, solid car. Since it has a single exhaust I assume it has a base 389 engine, and nothing fancy?

You are correct. However it is a Ventura but no fancy options, just ps,pb. and wire wheels covers. Local folks remember them on the car since new, it's going to be interesting to see if they are on the PHS or if the were dealer installed. That's what were going back with for now any way.

[Jerry H.]

Originally Posted by OVERULD

Congrats Jerry! I was having a hard time thinking of you without a Pontiac! Hope to see you and the car at the BOPC

BJ

No way the car will make it. Too much to do and I'm just too slow to get it running and cleaned up anywhere near decent by then. I'll come down if it's not the weekend my grandson comes up and the weather is nice.

[mgarblik]

That looks like a solid car. Would like to see some more pics when you get a chance. I had a 66 Yellow Ventura 4 door all through college. 389/290 HP 2 bbl. It was just a great car. Enjoy.

[Jerry H.]

Originally Posted by mgarblik

That looks like a solid car. Would like to see some more pics when you get a chance. I had a 66 Yellow Ventura 4 door all through college. 389/290 HP 2 bbl. It was just a great car. Enjoy.

Was planning on taking some pictures today and the batteries on my camera were dead, and the ones my phone took were so blurry they were terrible. I'll get a few up in a day or so.

[Jerry H.]

Pulled the plugs today and am letting the cylinders soak with PB blaster. I let them soak a couple of days and try to turn the engine over again. I've got a set of BF Goodrich bias ply whitewalls that I'm getting mounted on a set of spare wheels I had laying around tomorrow or Tuesday. Updates to follow.

[Stuart]

That red color seems pretty unusual for a big car of that year, I like it. It seems they were usually painted some more muted color.

[77 TRASHCAN]

Originally Posted by Stuart

That red color seems pretty unusual for a big car of that year, I like it. It seems they were usually painted some more muted color.

My uncle had one, same color, bought it new. He'd had it two years and the muffler started rusting through. My Dad (he had a Skelly gas station)put a Cherry Bomb muffler on it, mostly because he had it on hand, and it was cheap.
Man, my aunt Hated it! It was a lot louder!
I've used auto trams fluid in cylinders to get the hints freed up, always worked unless cylinder had water in it.

Congrats Jerry!

[OZZIEVILLE 67 2 door]

Welcome to the the darkside,a cool cat on the prowl again ..logged in

John L.

[62cat]

Nice looking Ventura. I cut one up about 25 years ago. It was extremely rusted. It had 8 lugs with a 421 HO tri power with a 3sp on the floor. engine went in my 65 GTO. Car was a neighborhood car I remember looking at through my 8th grade school window. Owner lived on edge of school grounds. He wouldn't let me take it out of his driveway I had to part it out in his driveway. Good luck with your new ride.

[gtospieg]

That looks like a great driver....not anxious to do another full resto either...my next one will be a driver

[AROWHED]

Nice. I gots a 66 Ventura parts car if you're looking.