This Ventura features a Coronado...
This Ventura features a Coronado Red (code L) painted dash, Ventura script, and dual-speed wipers (code 412).
Ted had restored five '61 Pontiacs previously, so performing a body-off on this Ventura was an easy project. After gutting the interior, removing the stainless exterior trim, the front clip, glass, and decklid, his next step was to disconnect the bolts that hold the body to the chassis. Ted then lifted the Ventura up using hooks, Come-A-Longs, and overhead ceiling beams. "I rolled the frame out from underneath the vehicle, and removed the engine, trans, front and rear suspension, and rear end," he says. "Then I sandblasted the frame, sprayed it with a heavy coat of DuPont Primer, followed with DuPont Chassis Black, and began rebuilding the suspension." He sourced new Moog springs and Monroe shocks and he used OE replacement upper and lower control arms and tie-rod ends, but cleaned and reinstalled the original spindles, backing plates, wheel hubs, steering linkage, and later added 8-Lug wheels.
A performance rebuild of the Pontiac Safe-T-Track rear end followed with a Fabcraft-supplied 3.90 ring-and-pinion set, new clutch pack, and 31-spline Moser axles. To keep the body from hanging from the ceiling indefinitely, he lowered it onto a second '61 chassis, to move it around his shop.
In 1961, 13,297 Ventura two-door...
In 1961, 13,297 Ventura two-door hardtops were produced. In base form, they came with a 267hp, 389ci two-barrel engine and carried an MSRP of $2,971. For racers, engine ratings were available up to 368 hp via the over-the-counter Super-Duty program. This example features a 318hp, 389ci Tri-Power engine and a Borg Warner T-10 four-speed.
Ted disassembled the motor himself, and sent the block and crank to Gable Machine of Akron for machining and a 0.060 overbore. The shop checked the alignment of the main bores and cam tunnel, and returned the block to Ted, who installed the number one, two, seven, and eight pistons to determine how much decking was necessary to achieve 0.005-inch piston-to-deck height in each hole. He sent the rotating assembly and the block back to Gable for decking, balancing and a final-hone with a torque plate.
Next, Ted assembled the engine employing original restored and aftermarket parts. A Pontiac Armasteel crank pumps forged factory connecting rods (No. 532294) and Ross lightweight flat-top pistons with full floating pins. Oiling is issued from a Melling 65 psi pump; the windage tray and oil pan are stock.
He also performed the head porting and gasket-matched the intake and exhaust ports. Ted sent the No. 538177 heads to Kris Robinson of American Thunder in Barberton, Ohio, where they were milled to arrive at 65 cc (stock is 69 cc) and provide 11:1 compression. Kris also performed a competition valve job and installed Ferrea SS 1.88/1.60 valves.
Valvetrain action is coordinated by a Comp hydraulic roller with 224/230-degrees duration at 0.050, 0.502/0.510-inch lift, and a 110-degree LSA. Trick Flow 7/16-inch pushrods activate Harland Sharp 1.5-ratio roller rockers that compress Comp 995 springs to open and close the valves.
Inside the Ventura's engine...
Inside the Ventura's engine bay, a Pontiac 389 ci (now 401 with its 0.060-overbore) engine features block code 538181/C6. Originally a 318-horse Tri-Power plant, it now puts out considerably more grunt thanks to port work, a hydraulic roller cam, and a trick exhaust system.
A No. 538202 cast-iron Tri-Power intake gets its bragging rights from three Rochester two-barrels (No. 7013063 front, No. 7019064 center, and No. 7013065 rear). Spark is created with a Pontiac distributor (No. 1110971A) with Pertronix internals, and directs energy through MSD 8mm wires to Champion No. 2014 plugs. Timing is set at 32 degrees total and is all in by 2,400 rpm.
The original Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed trans was sent to Scott Baker of Baker Performance in Akron for a performance rebuild, including new synchro rings, seals, and gaskets.
Ted then reinstalled the engine, clutch, trans, and driveshaft on the frame, and lowered and bolted the body back onto its chassis.
Chip Kramer of Kramer's Body Shop in Massillon, Ohio, handled the bodywork before painting the Ventura. Chip then used five coats of DuPont Red-Oxide Primer, block-sanded the body and followed with Dupont VariPrime sealer and three coats of PPG Coronado Red, wet-sanding with 1500-grit paper between the coats. Next came three coats of DuPont 7500 Clear and progressive grit wet-sanding from 1,000-4,000. A final polishing was performed with Presta compounds.
Ted says that he is very pleased with the final results of the restoration. "I'm completely satisfied with the way it drives and looks. It turned out flawlessly."
 Exterior options include back-up...  Exterior options include back-up lights (code 478) and EZ-Eye glass (code 531). |  Factory Tri-Tone interior...  Factory Tri-Tone interior is unique to the Ventura and is featured in Red and Ivory Morrokide fabric (code 228). This one is equipped with factory bench seats (bucket seats are a rarity) and foam cushions-front only (code 414). |  A Circ-L-Aire Heater and Defroster...  A Circ-L-Aire Heater and Defroster (code 381) provides relief from cold weather. |