Latest News
2026 Subaru Crosstrek Review
With style for miles and a thundering Tri-Power Tempest 425 V8 under the hood, this 1960 Pontiac Ventura is the definition of a cool car find.
A Great Example of the Golden Era of Cars
1960 Pontiac Ventura – carsforsale.com | Shop Pontiac Ventura on Carsforsale.com
Taking a look over the 1960 Pontiac Ventura currently for sale here on CarsForSale.com, it’s easy to see why the ‘60s are included in the “Golden Era” of automobiles. With style for miles, this Ventura is a stunner. It was part of an all-new Pontiac lineup that year and, making it even more interesting, a one-year-only design. The potent V8 and largely original condition are icing on the cake.
When Pontiac rolled out its new car lineup in 1960, there were a host of improvements over the prior design ranging from notably flatter hood and trunk panels to a fresh headlight design, new “massive” bumpers, overhauled engine options, a Wide-Track wheel design, and a more supple suspension. Also new for 1960 was the Ventura.
Pontiac positioned the Ventura between the entry-level Catalina and larger Bonneville as a “custom” trim package for the Catalina. Adding about $200 to the sticker, the Ventura was offered in Vista four-door hardtop (no B-pillar) or Sports Coupe two-door hardtop body styles. The latter, like the example for sale here, had a starting price of just under $3,000 in 1960.
Options Galore
That extra dough brought all the standard and optional equipment from the Catalina along with unique badging, deluxe wheel covers, a sport steering wheel, and nifty tri-color “Jeweltone Morrokide” upholstery. The list of options on top of that was long and in the parlance of the times, came with all manner of fancifully crafted names.
There was “E-Z-Eye” tinted glass, “Magi-Cruise” cruise control, a “Safeguard” speedometer, and “Wonder-Touch” power steering and brakes. Seat belts were optional as well along with exterior mirrors, and “Circ-L-Aire” heat, air-conditioning, and defroster. There was even a “Sportable” battery-powered radio that could be removed from the dashboard for portable tunes. Of course, the real stars of the 1960 Pontiac Ventura show are the engines.
1960 Pontiac Ventura: Powered by the Tempest V8
Although Pontiac’s famed GTO, which we compare to the Dodge Challenger here, is often associated with the birth of the muscle car era in 1964, the 1960 Ventura was something of a forebearer. That year, it could be fitted with one of six different Tempest V8s that displaced 389 cubic inches.
Power ranged from the 215-horse “Economy Engine” to the thundering “Tri-Power” variant, which today’s cool car is equipped with. Like all Tempest V8s from 1960, it boasted a new divided-flow cooling system, hydraulic valve lifters, new pistons, and a new manifold. It also came with a new carburetion design.
In this case, that consisted of triple 2 barrel carburetors – hence Tri-Power – that punched output up to 318 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque all of which is sent to the rear wheels via 4-speed manual transmission. Not so surprising that Marvin Panch won the 1961 Daytona 500 in a 1960 Catalina – the basis for the Ventura.
As mentioned above, the 1960 Ventura is also unique for being a one-year special. In 1961, the wheelbase shrunk, a new grille was fitted, and the body panels were revised. Along with losing the imposing stance that comes with a car as long as a modern Mercedes S-Class, the pronounced “Vista-Panoramic” wrap-around windshield also disappeared.
This Cool Car Find
Other notable details of the 1960 Ventura currently for sale include a long polished spar integrated into the sculpted hood and a shimmering black paint job that the seller notes has been redone just once from new. The cabin features its original dark red tri-tone “Morrokide” upholstery, a horizontal-sweep speedometer, manual crank windows, and an aftermarket stereo.
The underbody looks to be in excellent shape and highlights the independent front suspension with a coil-sprung solid rear axle. Also worth noting is the dual exhaust system which was optional in 1960. These Pontiacs featured an all-steel body built by Fisher and drum brakes all around.
As noted by the seller, this 1960 Pontiac is a largely original example that, aside from the paint and minor interior items, has changed little from when it rolled out of the factory some 60 years ago. The Ventura would change in 1961 and remain as a trim package on the Catalina until 1970.
The End of the Venture and the Rise of the Pontiac Phoenix
By 1971, the Ventura nameplate moved to the new X-body platform and became the Ventura II before being replaced by the Phoenix in 1977. Though all of these later models are cool in their own right, it’s hard to beat the original Ventura for the combination of eye-popping style, thundering V8 power, and the fun that comes with driving a stick.
For serious Pontiac enthusiasts, don’t miss our coverage of the super-rare 1964 Pontiac Banshee. This one-of-a-kind concept car was close to mixing it up with the likes of the period GTO, Mustang, and Corvette – which is part of the reason it was never greenlighted.
1960 Pontiac Ventura – carsforsale.com | Shop Pontiac Ventura on Carsforsale.com
If you’re in the market for one of these nifty vintage rides, be sure to read up on what goes into sourcing vintage parts as it will become a critical aspect of ownership. And as many cars from the 1960s came with a manual transmission, we have a rundown of how to drive a stick for those looking to learn.
Too bad Pontiac never made a 425. In 1960 the biggest motor was a 389; in 1961 they came out with the 421. Love the car but please check your accuracy.
Thanks for the comment. We updated the article for more clarity. The Tempest V8 was a 389 CID.