Just a year after being introduced, the 1961 Pontiac Ventura received a redesign that included Pontiac’s trademark “beak” that split the grille into equal halves. Headlights continued to be arranged in horizontal pairs. Chrome markers adorned the front fenders’ leading edges, while the smooth front bumper wrapped around the fenders. The 1961 Ventura retained the 1960’s thin C-pillars and arched rear window as part of the “bubble top” design that allowed more light to enter the cabin, and for a more open feel. The Ventura had its own oval taillamp design, and the interior featured an electric clock, custom steering wheel, and the Morrokide tri-color vinyl interior. Power came from Pontiac’s 389 cubic-inch V8, available with either a manual or automatic transmission. 13,927 Pontiac Venturas were built for the 1961 model year.
Our feature 1961 Pontiac Ventura is an Antique Automobile Club of America Senior Award Winner. It is finished in Bristol Blue over a tri-color blue Morrokide interior. It is powered by a 389 cubic-inch V8 fed by a trio of carburetors that produced 348 horsepower when new. A four-speed manual transmission sends power to the rear wheels. The Ventura is equipped with dual exhaust, power driver’s seat, power steering, tinted glass, a Wonderbar AM signal-seeking radio, and eight-lug alloy wheels wrapped in whitewall tires.
This striking 1961 Pontiac Ventura Bubble Top will cross the auction block at the Mecum Auctions Monterey, California sale taking place August 17th through the 19th. Included in the sale are the full ownership history with copies of previous titles, and a three-ring binder with build sheets.
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Comments
Nice Car, More & More Liking The Old Ones Than What Is Coming New
BUT Miss The 2 Outer Mirrors In Chrome Both Sides, The Buyer Should Buy Separate And Fix Them … !
Beautiful car. One of Pontiac’s best designs.
I especially like looking at the dashboard and engine compartment…. All the things that just worked fine and were long lasting – such as the Generator , 3 relay Regulator (on the firewall), and easily accessible battery in the engine compartment, as well as the functional dashboard were left unmodified….
I wince when I go to Cruise nights and hardly see any original representative vehicles that have been heavily bastardized…
Yes it is true that on some vehicles, it is hard to keep them absolutely historically true – but Kudos to this owner for keeping the car ‘clean’. I don’t mind a modification for an electronic ignition to reduce spark plug changeouts, but in my mind that is about it… I don’t need tons of digital crap in the modern cars I do buy (which happen to be evs but the same principle applies to modern ice vehicles), so I certainly appreciate the original, functional, analog equipment…. The Generator and Mechanical 3 relay regulator I’m sure lasted far more miles than the chintzy alternator/regulators they use today.
This one and the ’63 Grand Prix are the very best Tin Indians imho.
Great machine! So much cooler than today’s cars.
Georgius car. Never gets the credit it deserves.
My mother had a 1961 Chevy Impala bubble-top that had the SS kit added at the dealer. It was Ermine White, red side stripe with a red and white interior. I remember her bringing that car home. She drove that car for 5 years and traded it for a 1966 Chevy Impala SS. Both awesome cars. From that she went to a 1959 Cadillac 2 door.
I sure wish Chevrolet and Cadillac still had great full-sized sedans in their line ups instead of the compact sedans they offer now. We own 3 Cadillacs now, a 2002 DHS, a 2017 CT6 Premium and a 2020 CT6 Premium Luxury. GM bring back some full-sized sedans with sportiness and luxury and we will buy them.