1974 GTO -- In the Beginning

In the Beginning

The Background

The 1974 GTO

In the Beginning

Time Goes By

Shows & Awards

PHOTOS: INSIDE | OUTSIDE | ENGINE | TRUNK

The Ventura Sprint started its life in Willow Run, Michigan on October 2, 1973 (click this link to see the window sticker) and was shipped the following day to Major's Garage Ltd. in Mariapolis, Manitoba (Canada). Click on the
FACTORY license to learn more about the Willow Run Assembly PLant.

One of only 346 Sprint optioned Venturas produced for 1974, this car had been in the original owner's family since new. Murray Brown proudly acquired the car in July of 2002, and the modifications will ultimately result in a GTO "clone".

Although the car has been kept in reasonably good shape for almost three decades, it did show a little wear and tear.

At some point the water pump and alternator had been replaced. The exhaust system was not as per the factory original; it had become a dual exhaust. The interior had been partially replaced, with a new headliner and reupholstered seats.

The General Motors "X" body cars all had the same fault -- prone to rusting, especially in the rear quarters. The most recent owner had replaced both rear quarter panels and the area above the rear wheel wells prior to a complete repainting in the Spring of 2002.

There were only two "faults" with the car. One was a minor water leak into the trunk compartment. The results of continual water infiltration can be seen in the appropriate trunk photos.

The other "fault" was with the heater controls. One of the control shafts had been broken at one point in time, and would not allow the driver to adjust one of the three heating and cooling adjustments.

Click here for more pre-restoration photos of the EXTERIOR, INTERIOR, TRUNK and the ENGINE COMPARTMENT.