1986 Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2 Aerocoupe

Description

Homologation specials are nothing new, and aerodynamics have always played a big part in NASCAR warriors, and this 1986 Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2 Aerocoupe is an excellent example. Far less common than their Monte Carlo cousins with only 1118 being built, the Grand Prix Aerocoupes are a very cool footnote in America's favorite racing series and downright cool cars to boot.

The body tweaks to the familiar Grand Prix shape are fairly extensive, and the commitment GM made to winning on the track was surely expensive to put into showrooms. The nose still wears Pontiac's traditional split grille, but it's cleaner and better able to slice through the wind. Then, of course, there's the sloping rear window, which paid big dividends on the track where the smooth flow of air and big ducktail spoiler helped the Grand Prix slip through the air at nearly 200 MPH. This one has been expertly maintained and shows beautifully with a proper silver repaint that's only a few years old. Correct stripes and decals were installed at the same time, so it looks quite fresh and will undoubtedly have a lot of folks doing a double-take when they see it. Fit and finish are above average, particularly for GM of the mid-80s, perhaps because these cars were largely hand-built, and things like the rear deck, nose, and rear spoiler were made of fiberglass, which remains in excellent condition.

The interior was pretty standard Grand Prix fare, with luxurious bucket seats with a bit of aggressive bolstering to help hold you in place. They remain in excellent condition and show only very minor wear, remarkably considering this car is nearly 30 years old. All the luxury features you'd expect from Pontiac's top-of-the-line are part of the package, including power windows and locks, A/C, a tilt column, and a decent-sounding Delco AM/FM/cassette stereo. You also got a full complement of analog instruments in the Aerocoupe, including a tachometer which, like many GM cars of the period, likes to park itself at about 1800 RPM when you turn off the key. The back seat is the same as the formal "notchback" coupe and the trunk is truly massive, provided you can fit anything through the gun slit of an opening. The original space-saver spare is still in place and the trunk mat looks almost new.

The original engine was a wheezy 305 cubic inch V8, but it was replaced a few years ago with a 350 cubic inch GM crate motor that makes a far more robust 300 horsepower. With an Edelbrock carburetor and intake manifold up top, an MSD ignition system, and long-tube headers, it feels a lot more like NASCAR than the original. It's also neatly dressed with a K&N open-element air cleaner, bright red ignition wires, and a few dress-up parts to make it pretty. The nice thing about the small block V8 is its interchangeability, so all the factory equipment remains intact and in its original location, so service is easy and parts are plentiful. The 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission is equipped with a shift kit, so it's firm and precise under load yet cruises easily on the highway. A Flowmaster dual exhaust system gives it the right sound to match its newfound performance and the undercarriage is tidy, if not detailed for show. Factory Rally II wheels look as good on the Aerocoupe as they did on Trans Ams and GTOs of yore and carry 215/65/15 Firestone radials.

Documented with a build sheet and original owner's manuals, this rare Pontiac is an awesome part of history and available for a very reasonable price. Cars this rare and this significant don't often come along, so call today!