Thanks for stopping by to check out "Old Red"
This page will be updated as new pictures come along Old Red is currently being put back together and made road worthy once again! First a brief history then on to the pictures.
The History
Old Red was the first and only car my father ever orderd from the factory. Dad took delivery of his brand new 1966 Pontiac Ventura on April 13 1966 (1 year & 1 Day before I came along). The car is a 2 dr hard top with bucket seats, a console, 4 speed, Hurst shifter & a 389ci motor. I remember as a boy sitting on the console of the car learning how to shift, as well as those long road trips to Kentucky sleeping in the back window (those were the days). When the car was 7 years old and I was 6, my Dad sold the car to his Father. I remember crying all the way back to Illinois.
7 years later
After 7 years had past, my Grandfather was getting ill and couldn't drive any more, so Dad purchased the car back from him. I was so happy to see the car come home. She was 14 now and starting to show her age but I didn't care "Old Red" was still one of the coolest cars I had seen with her long low profile and that 389 4-speed was just plain cool!
About 2 1/2 years more
Well have you figured out yet, that my 16th birthday is right around the corner? Dad had a friend that he worked with that dabeled in Paint and body, so he talked him in to giving the old Ventura a once over. Shortly after this the keys were handed over and old red was officaly mine!!!!! That old car and me went everywhere together. I learned alot in that old car!(most of which is better left unsaid). Unfortunatly, the old girl had to set out in the weather and being a teenager I didn't keep it as nice as I should have. After a few years of neglect, I decided it was time to fix the old girl up so I started the tear down. I had grand ideals and high hopes but other intrests and lack of money kept getting in the way.
Almost 20 years later
Well I just turned 40 and the committment has been made the Ventura my FIRST RIDE is being reserected!!! Here are some pictures as it came out of the barn and was geting ready to go to the media blaster. I hope I haven't board you to death and I hope you come back often to see the progress because this time it WILL GET DONE!!
OFF TO THE BLASTER, AND THEN TO GARY'S ROD SHOP See page 3 for the after shots
PAGE 1 THE RIDE
PAGE 2 SHOW & GO SCHEDUAL
PAGE 3 NEW PARTS & BODY WORK
PAGE 4 PAINT
PAGE 5 BACK HOME
PAGE 6 INTERIOR & AUDIO
