1960 Pontiac Ventura

[Tommy Nolen]

I realize this isn't the type car that most consider a muscle car but to me it is, this is the forerunner of the GTO. I purchased this car this past winter and plan to freshen it for showing later this year or next.
It is a 1960 Pontiac Ventura, 425a motor with a T-10 4 speed transmission and a 342 posi rear. The car was also special ordered with non available paint. 1960 Pontiac's that were red were Cornada Red which was close to Chevrolets Honduras Maroon, this car was ordered 1959 Pontiac Mandalay Red which is close to Chevrolets Roman Red or a bright red. PHS can not document this car as their records do not go back beyond 1961 however I am fortunate to have the original paperwork from the date of sale. Actually, the gentleman's dad that I bought the car from owned the Pontiac dealership that sole the car new. His dad is now deceased and the dealership no longer exists but he has tons of old paperwork from the dealership and was able to locate the orginal order form for the car plus the form that the Service manager approved the car for delivery. We have the original keys plus other items from the day of delivery.
1960 was a first for many things for Pontiac, they were really beginning to get involved in NASCAR racing, this was the first year for the 425a motor, 389 cubic inches, 348 horsepower and 425 foot pounds of torque with 3 carbs. It was also the first year for the optional 4 speed transmission, I was able to obtain a letter from Pontiac stating that only 722 cars were built with the 4 speed transmission in 1960. On the cowl tag, by the word Paint is stamped SPECIAL. This was also the first year for the 8 lug wheels and this car was ordered with them also. The wheels that were used in 1960 were a one year only wheel, they were also used the first part of the 61 production but then changed to a slightly different design. The 60 wheel is now extremely difficult to find. Just thought some of the Pontiac guys might enjoy this.