Vehicle 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 35 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 with the original space-saver spare still in
place.
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 BFGoodrich Radial T/A performance
radials.
Documented with a copy of the 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!
