We’ve covered before how the 1980s Pontiac 2+2 was a half-hearted attempt by GM’s Excitement Division to hang off of the coattails of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo Aerocoupe. The modifications to the basic Pontiac Grand Prix were solid tweaks that had input from Richard Petty, who wanted to be faster on track, but the 165-horse 305 that Pontiac used in the 2+2 was sorry, even by 1980’s General Motors standards – and that’s saying something. You could get a front-drive Quad-4 powered Oldsmobile Calais with that kind of horsepower figure, with a lot less weight to tug around.
This particular 1986 still carries around most of the look, but unlike most of these rare homologation specials, this one has seen a fairly rough life. The paint is showing off clear peel, the seats have been swapped out for a newer set of leather chairs, but the real work lies with the powertrain: out went the 305 and 200R4, in went a 400ci Chevrolet small-block and a 700R4. It isn’t a Pontiac 400, but it is a damn sight better than the 305 was, that’s for sure! The 700R4 is even sporting a functional Hurst Lightning Rods shifter, a piece reserved for the G-body Hurst/Olds. Underneath, Global West tubular suspension, Eibach springs and Bilstein shocks lend credibility to the seller’s claim of a road racer that never saw a track.
It’s rare enough to be unique, but nowhere near nice enough to worry…that sounds like a recipe for fun. We’d clean up the paint, sort out the interior, and have a blast ripping this Pontiac around. We are curious to know what kind of power the 400 is pushing out…there is always room for improvement and the 700R4 can take the abuse. Pontiac didn’t have the guts to make the 2+2 as gutsy as it’s glory days suggested it should, but here is the opportunity to go for broke. Make King Richard proud and Dave Nutting jealous…you know you want to!
eBay Link: 1986 Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2
That’s actually a really good deal for a fun car.