What does it take to find a 1965 Pontiac 2+2 for under ten grand? It’s going to need to look a little like the car pictured above, which Barn Finds reader Curvette spotted on craigslist in Bremerton, Washington. While the asking price just makes it under our $10,000 standard at $9,500, the car was used as a daily driver for 20 years, has had three engine rebuilds (and at least three engines), one transmission rebuild, and a rear axle rebuild at least once; the mileage is listed as 300,000. Additionally, there is rust – not salt-belt rust – but rust nonetheless. Well, as they say in the business, pay now or pay later. If you like doing your own work, however, this is a reasonably inexpensive down payment on an eventually-nice 2+2.
In all, 11,521 full-size Pontiac buyers ordered the 2+2 package, which added $418.54 to a Catalina Sports Coupe; although Pontiac literature of the time treated the 2+2 as a separate model, it was indeed a Catalina option package in 1965. For that price, you got a standard 338-horsepower 421 four-barrel V8, and so equipped, the 2+2 accelerated to sixty in 7.4 seconds and covered the quarter-mile in 15.8. If that weren’t enough, 356- and 376-horsepower 421s were also available. As I mentioned, this one has has some engine transplants in its colorful past, and the engine compartment now houses a YC-coded 1972 455 with a Rochester QuadraJet (which is running from an auxiliary fuel supply – it is a project, after all). According to the seller, it had a blown 389 when it was purchased, but after a new engine and a clutch installation, it was driven once and parked. It’s a manual steering/manual brake car, but the brakes don’t currently work.
This is a factory four-speed car, which came with a standard 3.42:1 axle ratio, and surprisingly, almost half of 2+2 production was equipped with a manual transmission of either the three- or four-speed variety. The bucket seats are not original to the car, but it had the interesting-but-not-terribly-uncommon color combination of “Starlight Black” with a blue interior. Since the carpet is missing, you can see that the driver’s floor needs replacement, but the rest of the floor is apparently in good shape otherwise; the seller says that the rockers are also solid. The trunk floor and the lower quarter panels have not been so lucky, although the seller has a nice front bumper, grills, and some quarter-panel metal on a parts car.
At some point in the past, somebody added some Grand Prix taillights and a decklid (which needs some rust repair). The original taillights will come with the car, although the GP lamps aren’t a bad “factory” customization. Still, the new owner should put it back how it’s supposed to be.
You may also notice that this 2+2 is an eight-lug car, which limits your wheel choice to one and introduces drum relining into your restoration budget; however, no wheel looks better on a ’65 Pontiac and that is not really an opinion, but a fact. OK, I’m exaggerating, but someone with the means and/or abilities to restore this 2+2 should pick it up and do so. It’s one of those rare cars where you might break even when you’re done, and that’s doing pretty well for our great hobby. And you’ll have a pretty cool 2+2 to show for it.
This is one of my all time favorite Pontiacs. 421 from the factory, optional tripower, this truly was the GTOs big brother. Just look at those lines on the side. Yes its in sad shape, but you can still see the beauty in this beast. The 8 lug rims are an absolute must have too. I’d love to see the genuine wood option on the dashboard. I’m surprised at the lack of power steering and brakes on this one. This is NOT a simple patch it up and drive around job here. It needs a proper restoration. Which I think, finding the right person who doesn’t mind spending the money and the time is what you need here. I hope it gets a proper restoration. And if a 421 can’t be found, that this 455 would be ok. Maybe make it look stock. Great find here ( as usual( Curvette. And also a great write up too Aaron I enjoyed it and I’m glad you have it on here.
Main selling point is the original drivetrain configuration. Now that the 421 is gone and considering how much metal work is needed, it’s not exactly a “collector’s” grade car. It’s going to take someone up for the challenge knowing it’s more about the pride of returning this Pontiac to its former glory and less about a potential return on investment. Hopefully someone is up for it, I think the color combo would make for a stunning car once restored.
One of my all time favorite pontiacs too. Sad to see it in this shape but as they say “find another”. Big project.
wicked ride but it has had its a** handed to it. it will take big bucks to find missing parts but worth it in the end. i am sure not many made and few are left today
Until I discovered the ’66 Ford 7 Litre, and had numerous unfavorable experiences with Pontiacs, the 2 + 2 was my dream car. Still love the looks.
We used to see these come into the dealership for service. One came in on trade. (Automatic transmission) It did not have the 8 lug wheels but it did have a console. (This is the first one I’ve seen without a console.) That traded in car waa rusty and had been rearended so it donated it’s engine and transmission to a ’62 Catalina. It didn’t make the ’62 a 421 SD car.But it sure made it a very nice cruiser! It also beat one of our tech’s 442 in a drag race!
Seems like a rare 4-speed car but it looks to have been used hard and there is a lot of rust!
I hate to say it, but this poor beast isn’t worth rescuing unless you have the ability to do all of the work yourself. I just sold a 2+2 hardtop that needed paint for $24k. Otherwise, the car was in great shape. Unfortunately, the market for these cars has softened in the last year or so. If purchased, I’d live with the 455 and make it least safe to drive. They are special cars, but this one would be a challenge.
Once again Aaron’s aesthetic opinions are totally correct, from the 8-lugs to the taillights. GM’s full-size 2-doors for 1965 are arguably the best looking, best proportioned, best detailed large cars of all time.
That’s a fact. You can look it up.
I have always loved these cars. My next door neighbor had one of these, red with black interior, 421 tri power and the 8 lug wheels. He also had a 66 GTO same color combination. When looking at the two of them side by side the 2+2 just over shadowed the GTO. Sure wish I had the talent and money to bring this one back for no other reason other than there was no other car that would grab me like these did. Somebody please save it. GLWTS
If you have to rebuild the car, You cannot pay all the money for a pile.you will end up damn sorry you even started it. Most people have no idea what it costs.is your time worth less than nothing? Project car, don’t buy it.unless you can drive it.you have to be crazy to pay the prices they want.you need looking after.if you do.seriously.
.
How long is this beast!? Will it even fit in a modern garage?
The body style of the GM 65-68 were some of my favorites. My father had a 65 Catalina and an uncle had a sporty red 65 impala SS.