Pontiac Ventura

[br67]

Hi guys, just bought this builder off eBay and was wondering what year it represents - 70, 71 or 72? Thank you

[disabled modeler]

Brandon....  yes it is supposed to represent the 71,72 body years....your very lucky I have been after one myself for years now to build a family owned car replica with.  Front fenders have fit issues so test fit things but its a decent kit...I had one as a kid once.

[unclescott58]

I'm envious. Always wanted the above and the '76 Ventura. A buddy recently gave me a '76. Built it and brought it to the last MCCM (Model Car Club of Minnesota) meeting. It turned out great. Now I need to find the one you've got, and build it to match my '76.

[cobraman]

It was kind of clever  that GM used the NOVA name to make up the names of the other Nova based cars.  Nova, Omega. Ventura and Apollo.

[espo]

This kit is based off of the AMT '72 Nova SS kit. They shared the basic body but with different front sheet metal much as they did in real life. The fitment problems go back to the Nova kit that had the Drag Racing option. The fenders are not part of the body and are very difficult to align. The front wheel base is also questionable. There is a very nice resin body of the Ventura II  based off of the Nova kit if this one becomes to difficult to get the front end right. It is a one piece body with the grills molded in place.     

[Snake45]

It was kind of clever  that GM used the NOVA name to make up the names of the other Nova based cars.  Nova, Omega. Ventura and Apollo.

I never noticed that!

I drove a '76 or '77 Omega with the 305 Chevy engine for a number of years. It would really scoot! It was probably my 3rd or 4th or 5th favorite (personally-owned) car of all time. I'd happily buy another one of these cars if the price were right and it were it decent shape to start with. Alas, there aren't too many of them around anymore.

[MrObsessive]

I don't get why GM would name one of their cars "The End"!

Edited September 23, 2017 by MrObsessive

[unclescott58]

I don't get why GM would name one of their cars "The End"!

Have you never hear Bill Mitchell, head of GM's styling department at the time story of naming those cars? Bill loved to tell people in his later years, about taking the first initial of each X-body car and noting what they spell. Let's see. You have Nova. Omega. Ventura. And Apollo. What does spell? I wonder?

Mitchell also claimed they wanted to do the same with H-body Vega clones. They got as far as Vega and Astra. The Buick and Oldsmobile versions never made into production. Mitchell would never tell anybody what the planned names for the Buick or Oldsmobile version were. But, I've got my guesses. What are yours?

[Snake45]

I don't get why GM would name one of their cars "The End"!

Same reason they named one "It won't go" in Spanish, I guess.

Nowadays you can buy a car called the KIA. I ain't having it.

[Rodent]

It was kind of clever  that GM used the NOVA name to make up the names of the other Nova based cars.  Nova, Omega. Ventura and Apollo.

The Apollo was re christened "Skylark", so it really spells "NOVAS" 

[martinfan5]

Same reason they named one "It won't go" in Spanish, I guess.

Nowadays you can buy a car called the KIA. I ain't having it.

Nothing wrong with buying a Kia branded car.

Kia has been ranked the number 1 for new model reliability for 2016 , and it looks like for 2017 via JD Power,  so that says something I suppose.

https://www.cnbc.com/2016/06/22/kia-just-accomplished-something-no-automaker-has-done-in-27-years.html

http://www.autonews.com/article/20170621/OEM01/170629948/2017-j-d-power-iqs-kia

 

Edited September 24, 2017 by martinfan5

[russosborne]

KIA also means Killed In Action. I think that was his point. 

Russ

[Snake45]

KIA also means Killed In Action. I think that was his point.

Russ

[unclescott58]

Same reason they named one "It won't go" in Spanish, I guess.

Nowadays you can buy a car called the KIA. I ain't having it.

From what I've read, the using the Nova name in Spanish speaking countries is a bit of a myth. GM knew what Nova meant in Spanish and stayed with the Chevy II name in Spanish speaking countries.

[mikemodeler]

Back to the topic, there were several resin bodies of Venturas on eBay today, one from Jimmy Flintstone and one other resin caster. I did see a sealed version of this kit at a show once, guy wanted over $100 for it!

[br67]

Thanks for info guys. Here's some pics of the kit I bought and I see what you mean about the poor fitment of the front fenders. Luckily I've got an old Amt Nova that will help with the restoration. Does any body have an extra headlamp and an instruction sheet?

[Can-Con]

Snopes pretty well debunks that whole "Nova in spanish speaking countrys" myth pretty well.

Here's a link , interesting reading.

http://www.snopes.com/business/misxlate/nova.asp

[br67]

Mocked up some Pegasus wheels for a bit of fun and inspiration