1986 Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2 Aerocoupe
The 1986 Pontiac Grand Prix Aerocoupe 2+2 was built to fix a major issue with General Motors’ G-body coupes (which also included the Chevrolet Monte Carlo). Their blocky, squared-off styling and rooflines simply weren’t very streamlined, and at the increasingly high speeds seen around NASCAR’s large oval tracks, the cars suffered from aerodynamic drag and rear-end lift. Ford’s Thunderbirds were slipperier, and their racing drivers could stay in the power through corners; Grand Prix and Monte Carlo pilots needed to let off through turns.
Just as all of the 2+2 were, this one is dressed in slick silver paint with orange and red stripes and charcoal lower body trim. The front end features a sporty 4-piece honeycomb front grill and oversized air dam, but it’s the bubble window leading to the integrated rear spoiler that really catches everyone’s eye. The large back window does make for a smaller trunk opening under the fiberglass lid but it made for a car with a significantly lowered drag coefficient – just what Pontiac was looking for on the track.
The successful formula remained the same through the third generation cars, but downsizing occurred for the debut of the fourth-gen model in 1978. The boxier and more contemporary looking fourth Grand Prix was a foot shorter than its predecessor, and lost 600 pounds of heft. Another sign of the times (and fuel economy regulation), Grand Prix customers had to pay extra for a V8 engine. Standard from 1978 onward was V6 power sourced from Buick, in 3.8- or 4.1-liter varieties.V8 options started at 4.3 liters with a Pontiac-developed unit, and ranged to 5.0-liters in the 305 Chevrolet V8. There was also a 5.7-liter diesel option should a customer want to pair an awful diesel experience with their downsized coupe. The vast majority of Grand Prix in this generation gained momentum by the grace of a three-speed automatic. More on that caveat later.
This car features the original interior with gray cloth bucket seats. Carpeting, seating, door cards, and dash are all in great shape. This car has been very well taken care-of and it shows inside and out.
If any Pontiac Grand Prix can be dubbed a collector car it is most certainly the one-year-only, limited edition 1986 2+2 Aerocoupe. Introduced at mid-year, the 2+2 sported a wind-cheating aerodynamic front valence and a “glassback” sloped rear window treatment for improved airflow over its spoilered rear end, both intended to make the Grand Prix more competitive in NASCAR competition.
