Tom Fredericks '72 offers...
Tom Fredericks '72 offers inspiration to anyone who gets into a '71-'74 Ventura project. His now runs a hot 400 and is knockin' on 11s door. See if it got in when we publish this year's Norwalk HPP Pavement Pounders Shootout series.
Fairly lightweight, great styling, not nearly as common as a Nova
What it's not: A handler; most earlier ones had Chevy engines stock
Engine:
What it probably has: 250 six-cylinder, Chevy 307 two-barrel, Chevy 350, possibly a Pontiac 350 two-barrel or four-barrel
Low-buck upgrade: Super-tune the 350 Pontiac, or swap in a remanufactured 400 four-barrel to replace the Chevy engines.
Suspension:
What it probably has: Pencil-sized front swaybar, soft springs, stock type shocks, no rear bar
Low-buck upgrade: KYB shocks, 1.125-inch-front and 1.00-inch-rear Addco swaybars.
Darryl Sotera's '75 Ventura...
Darryl Sotera's '75 Ventura is another project success story. (You can buy a clean Ventura for less than $4,000 and drive it with the stock drivetrain until you save up for mods.) Darryl runs a potent 455 with #96 heads, a Turbo 350 trans, and a 3.73 rear to post low-12s at 111 mph. Read all about this HPP Pavement Pounder in the Shootout section at high performancepontiac.com.
Why it's a great choice: Uncommon body style in Pontiac circles. It has the same subframe and basic suspension layout as the '70-'81 Firebird, so improved handling can be realized with T/A parts.
What it's not: A Nova
Engine:
What it probably has: 2.5L L-4; 250 L-6; 231 V-6; 301 two-barrel; 305 two-barrel Chevy; 350 four-barrel Olds, Chevy, or Buick; 260 two-barrel Olds
Low-buck upgrade: Swap to remanufactured 400
Suspension:
What it probably has: Soft springs, thin swaybars, and stock-type shocks
Low-buck upgrade: Used T/A 1.25-inch front and Addco 0.875-inch rear swaybars; KYB shocks
We happened upon this Bonneville...
We happened upon this Bonneville at the POCI/GTOAA Co-vention. Though we never found the owner, this Bonne was too cool an example of a budget-based cruiser to ignore. Note the low-buck tires, vintage Cragars, and slight forward rake.
Why it's a great choice: It's hundreds of pounds lighter than the '76-and-earlier models. It's more fuel-efficient, and it handles better. Styling is very muscular for a Big Car.
What it's not: A Chevy, so parts are harder to find.
Engine:
What it probably has: 231 V-6, 301 two-barrel, 301 four-barrel, 350 four-barrel, 400 four-barrel Pontiac, 350 four-barrel Olds, 403 four-barrel Olds, 350 four-barrel Buick
Low-buck upgrades: Swap four-barrel carb and intake onto two-barrel engines; true dual exhaust with twin cats; rejet the carb; recurve the distributor
Suspension:
What it probably has: too small swaybars, too soft springs, stock replacement shocks
Low-buck upgrade: KYB shocks; 1.125-inch front and 1.00-inch rear Addco swaybars
What To Consider When Choosing A '70s Cruiser
Big Ticket Items
Needs serious bodywork due to rust
Needs paint
Accident damage
Dash pad has multiple cracks
Rear main seal leak
Rod knock
Blown head gasket
Blown engine
Blown trans
Blown rear
Worn Or Broken Items That
Are An Advantage To You
Single exhaust system is rusted out
Worn stock-type shocks
Moderate Cost Maladies
Windshield cracks
Rusty and/or bent bumpers
Small dent in one panel
Worn suspension
Items That Look Or Sound
Bad, But Are Fairly Cheap
And Easy To Fix
Worn and torn carpet
Damaged door panels (Firebird only)
Exhaust leak
Squeaky belts
Leaking hoses
Leaking differential cover
Leaking trans pan
Leaking valve covers
Leaking front cover to intake seal