The Pontiac Ventura was an automobile model that was produced by Pontiac. As was common practice at the time, its name was derived from Ventura, California, joining other similarly derived models such as the fellow Pontiac Catalina, the Chevrolet Malibu, and the rival Mercury Monterey. The Ventura started out as a higher content trim package on the Pontiac Catalina, and served as the inspiration for the luxury content Pontiac Grand Prix in 1962, then remained as a trim package on the Catalina until 1970. For 1971, the GM compact Chevrolet Nova was updated, and the Ventura nameplate was used until it was replaced by the front wheel drive Pontiac Phoenix. 1960–1970 The Ventura was first introduced for 1960 as a custom trim package on the Pontiac Catalina's 123-inch B-body wheelbase, and was only available as the Vista four-door hardtop, or the Sports Coupe two-door hardtop. It was offered all standard and optional equipment from the Catalina, and added unique exterior identification, deluxe wheel covers, a sport steering wheel, and distinctive tri-tone "Morrokide" upholstery. It was more expensive than the longer Pontiac Star Chief but was priced below the top-level Pontiac Bonneville. The sales success was influential to the introduction of the Pontiac Grand Prix in 1962, as a custom trim package coupe using the Catalina platform, while the Star Chief became the entry-level trim package of the Bonneville. The listed retail price for the Sports Coupe was $2,971 ($ in dollars ) before an extensive list of optional equipment, that included several choices of radios, including the "Sportable" battery operated dashboard removable portable unit, electric extendable radio antenna, air conditioning, "E-Z-Eye" tinted glass, bucket seats, "Safeguard" speedometer, "Magi-Cruise" cruise control, windshield washer, underhood utility light, remote adjustable driver-side side view mirror, power windows, power steering, power brakes, and two choices of heater and windshield defroster selections. With the introduction of the Pontiac Grand Prix for 1962, the Ventura continued as a trim option for 1962 through 1970 on Catalina models, wearing a "Ventura" nameplate and could be installed with the Pontiac 421 H.O. V8. In 1964 the Pontiac 2+2 was introduced with very similar equipment to the Ventura while installing bucket seats for both front and rear passengers. 1971–1977 In 1971, Pontiac moved the name to their new X-body entry, the Ventura II. Ventura II production ran from 1971 to 1977. The "II" suffix was dropped after 1972, and the