This pristine Poncho has been shown only once, at the Super Summit XV car show in June 2007, where it took First Place. After the show, Ted was asked, "What improvements do you plan on making to the Ventura?" He responded, "Improvements, what improvements? It can't get any better."
Ted's next two projects are a '68 Firebird 400 for his son and a '61 Bristol Blue Ventura 348hp, four-speed, 3.90 posi, with 8-Lug wheels and power steering. Although this Pontiac restorer takes full credit for the immaculate work on this Ventura, he said, "None of this would be possible without the help of my friend Mike Scott and my wife, Jerri."
Very few Pontiac owners can brag of multiple stories in High Performance Pontiac magazine. It's a testament to the beauty of the '61 Pontiac, Ted's love for them, and his talents in restoring them that led to this Coronado Red Ventura being featured.
Owner-added Super-Duty aluminum...
Owner-added Super-Duty aluminum factory exhaust manifolds [No. 540297/8 (r/l)] send evacuated gases down through SD collectors [No. 9772354/5 (r/l)], 2.5-inch aluminumized midpipes, Flowmaster mufflers and 2 1/2-inch tailpipes, exiting in the factory location.
A Pontiac super deluxe push-button...
A Pontiac super deluxe push-button radio and manual antenna (code 382) are original.
An original Inland four-speed...
An original Inland four-speed shifter, black shift boot, and white knob get this Ventura noticed wherever it goes. Hurst shifters were not factory-installed in 1961.
Correct 14x6 Pontiac 8-Lug...
Correct 14x6 Pontiac 8-Lug wheels are wrapped in Diamondback 8.00x14 reproduction redline bias-ply rubber with 2 1/8-inch whitewalls.
Ted started with a solid Coronado...
Ted started with a solid Coronado Red '61 Ventura. Teardown began with the front clip and continued to the glass, body trim, decklid and rear bumper.
He stripped the interior of...
He stripped the interior of all trim, gauges, and dash components, leaving only body sheetmetal.
Using a home-made system he...
Using a home-made system he designed for '61 Pontiacs, he hoisted the body off of its chassis. Notice the multitude of factory grease pencil markings on the firewall.
Some suspension components...
Some suspension components were installed and the frame assembly was painted in a red-oxide primer. The wheels and tires are for shop use, and were swiched out later.
DuPont Chassis Black was sprayed...
DuPont Chassis Black was sprayed on the frame and the suspension pieces.
The detailed and rebuilt original...
The detailed and rebuilt original Tri-Power 389ci was then mounted to the frame as was the bellhousing, a Hays 30-pound steel flywheel, a McLeod 10.5-inch clutch, the rebuilt Borg Warner T-10 four-speed trans, shifter and linkage, and driveshaft.
And finally, here's the rebuilt...
And finally, here's the rebuilt Pontiac rearend. Note the Monroe shocks were painted dark green for a stock appearance.