It is often said that racing improves the breed, but what works on the racetrack might not be so effective in the dealer’s showroom. Such was the case with the 1986 Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2. The company designed the car’s distinctive aerodynamic profile in a quest for success on NASCAR’s superspeedways, but the vehicle failed to ignite excitement with the buying public. By the time production ended, a mere 1,225 buyers had been willing to hand over the cash for a car that sacrificed practicality for performance gains. Barn Finder Larry D has once again demonstrated his ability to spot the interesting and quirky, so thank you for referring this one to us, Larry. The owner has decided to part with his Pontiac, so he has listed it for sale here on eBay. It is located in Cortland, Nebraska, and while he has set the BIN at $16,500, there is the option available to make an offer.

The owner supplies a single photo that shows this Pontiac’s entire exterior, but this shot gives us a clear view of the styling feature that polarized potential buyers. During the early 1980s, Ford’s Thunderbird was successfully demolishing the GM opposition in NASCAR competition. This was primarily because it features a more aerodynamic profile than that possessed by the models produced by Pontiac and Chevrolet. The margin was not significant on most tracks, but on superspeedways like Daytona and Talladega, the gulf was a yawning chasm. No lesser authority than Richard Petty had been bending the ears of the powerbrokers at Pontiac in a bid to help them to understand the problem, but it took the company until 1986 to produce their better mousetrap. By restyling the rear of the production version of the Grand Prix, it was apparent that these changes could significantly improve airflow over the rear of the car and the back spoiler. The result would be a significant increase in rear downforce and better speed in the corners at critical tracks like Daytona. While it was effective, Pontiac’s solution was less than elegant. Rather than making wholesale changes to the rear sheetmetal of the “notchback” Grand Prix, the company developed a fastback-style rear window that achieved the same outcome. However, it came with some compromises that further alienated some potential buyers. While the rear glass gave the impression that the 2+2 might be a hatchback, the glass was fixed. The changes didn’t reduce overall trunk space, but the revised trunk lid opened barely wide enough to slide the space-saver spare in and out. If owners wished to carry bulky items, these needed to be placed on the back seat or sent to their destination by other means. Pontiac made some further aero tweaks to the front of the 2+2, but these were nowhere near as controversial. The owner of this Grand Prix confirms that he has treated it to a repaint in its original shade of silver, as the car suffered the common issue of peeling clearcoat. As a result, it presents nicely, with no paint or panel issues. The vehicle remains rust-free, while the graphics and stripes look crisp and clean. The exterior plastic shows no evidence of UV deterioration, while the Rally II wheels and glass appear flawless.

If the 2+2’s styling didn’t win it many friends, its performance credentials failed to help its cause. Pontiac offered the car in a single mechanical configuration, and it wasn’t the most potent on the block. For the original owner’s $17,800 initial outlay, their Grand Prix’s engine bay was occupied by a 305ci V8 that produced 165hp. The rest of the drivetrain consisted of a 200-4R four-speed automatic transmission, a 3.08 Posi rear end, power steering, and power brakes. Even with the improved aerodynamics, the 3,600lb 2+2 was not going to set the world alight when pointed at a ¼ mile. That journey took 17 seconds, reinforcing that this was by no means a muscle car. This was in the same year when Buick’s Grand National could complete that journey in 15.2 seconds. That demonstrates that there can be a world of difference between a genuine performance car and one that is produced as a homologation special. Ignoring this for a second and examining our feature car more closely, we find that its drivetrain offers potential buyers plenty of good news. The owner claims that it has a genuine 61,826 miles on its odometer, and judging by the documentation that he includes, he may be able to confirm this. I have spotted the Dealer Invoice and the Build Sheet, and there are other items that I can’t identify. The car runs and drives perfectly and should be considered a turn-key classic.

The further we dig into this Pontiac, the more it seems that potential buyers won’t need to spend anything beyond the purchase price. The original cloth upholstery on the seats is in good order, with only some minor wear visible on the bases and outer bolsters of the front buckets. The remaining upholstered surfaces are in excellent order, as are the dash and pad. The carpet exhibits a few small marks, but this is no surprise when you consider the pale shade that Pontiac chose for these classics. Apart from appearing in excellent condition, the interior comes with an impressive array of comfort features. These include air conditioning, power windows, power locks, cruise control, a leather-wrapped tilt wheel, a remote driver’s mirror, a comprehensive gauge cluster, and an AM/FM radio and cassette player.

I’ve probably been pretty harsh in my treatment of this 1986 Grand Prix 2+2, and for some, that may seem unfair. However, this probably has less to do with its controversial styling and more with what I see as a lost opportunity for Pontiac. The company had more potent motors in its armory, and you would have to wonder how much better the 2+2 could’ve been had the 210hp version of the 305 as featured in the ’86 Trans Am found its way under the hood. Even for these perceived shortcomings, the car remains a rarity, with the Pontiac Historic Services confirming that 1,225 examples rolled out of showrooms and into the lives of eager buyers. They have remained largely forgotten and unloved, but values are beginning to increase slowly. This one is priced right at the top of the market, but its odometer reading and overall condition could justify this figure. If values continue to climb, buying a spotless example now might not be a bad move. Would you be willing to roll the dice on this one?