You don’t have to look too far to see the Aero Coupe referred to as the “Superbird of the 80s.” Similar to all those basketball cards I have gathering dust in the basement, the value rise predicted by pundits never happened for these unusual glass-ensconced Grand Prixs and Monte Carlos, despite having all the hallmarks of becoming the next big collector car. Find one of the 1,225 produced here on craigslist for $3,000.
One of the biggest reason for becoming a sales flop was the simple fact that buyers didn’t like the design. While I find the rear glass section attractive, it was also notoriously faulty and now near impossible to find replacements for. When it comes to producing a car for homologation reasons, the short production cycle usually makes the road cars an instant collectible. It may have been the case for companies like Porsche, Renault and Lancia, but certainly not for Pontiac.
The seller notes that this one is not without its problems. It ran into some computer / ECU related issues, and while the seller remedied this by removing the intake and smog equipment off the car, the lack of signal going to the automatic transmission made shifting impossible. He had big plans to do an engine swap after removing and storing the original engine and transmission, but those plans never materialized. As you can see here, the interior has been torn apart as well. Where to begin on a car like this?
The seller notes the rarity is hard to ignore: “Pontiac had a record of selling 211. This car sold for $18,500 in 1986. It was a no option car, came fully loaded and only in silver. The car came stock with a 305 V8 and a 4-speed auto transmission.” All of this is true, including the high price tag for a car that many thought got hit with the ugly stick. Combined with less than inspiring performance and you have a vehicle that won’t be challenging Superbirds anytime soon. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Jermey for the find.
ÍGiven GM build quality at the time one has to wonder how many of these are left. If anyone was going to get nostalgic for them I would think it would be now. They may have their day eventually though. Who ever thought people would collect old Toyotas? Personally I thought these were ugly when I was a kid in the 80s, the design hasn’t aged well. 3k for it torn apart is just asinine.
Does anyone know where I can get louvers for this?
Nobody made them..not worth the effort for a low production car.
Home Depot?
Another one of these?
These Aero cars (2+2 & Monte Carlo SS) have a few names…fastback, bubble window, glasshouse…it’s love it or hate it.
The back glass look best with a tint. It can be a nice budget summer cruiser or drop in a bigger motor or an LS and have a nice sleeper car. Might not go up in value like a superbird but dealers couldnt give those cars away when they first came out.
^ that’s the first aero g-body I’ve ever seen that I liked.. you’re right the tint helps a lot.
They sometimes look more better in race trim –
Jeepster is on the left with the one we built.
Summer 1986 at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway
My family had an 80’s Grand Prix and although the build quality wasn’t good, I like that GM cared enough about racing to build these fastbacks. At least back then NASCAR was interesting enough that companies felt it worthwhile to build these one-offs.
Yes me too because I wanted one of those when they first came out.Still like those.
Another big reason for the sales flop was that buyers of these types of cars generally consider horsepower important, and you could only get these with the LG4 305, which was weak compared to the 3.8 SFI turbo in the Grand National and even the L69 in the Monte Carlo SS. Even the 442 with its H.O. 307 was faster.
It was all show and no go, even if you liked the style, which as the article points out was controversial.
Another big reason for the sales flop was that buyers of these types of cars generally consider horsepower important, and you could only get these with the LG4 305, which was weak compared to the 3.8 SFI turbo in the Grand National and even the L69 in the Monte Carlo SS. Even the 442 with its H.O. 307 was faster.
It was all show and no go, even if you liked the styling, which as the article points out was controversial.
It’s a tough call. You have to like the design first off, then do something about the power. The interior looks like open heart surgery so it’s a Project. And yes, the cars were poorly designed and produced. I sold my Monte Carlo to a willing buyer who knew the problems but wanted it anyway. God Bless the Hobby.
These cars should have come with the Buick V-6 Turbo.
In any event, they would make good candidates for swapping in a better engine. I could see a Grand Prix as this with a 400-455 cid real Pontiac engine.
Looks like a lot of work to me to put it back together! I think that someone beat these cars with the ugly stick and the stick won!
Is this a re-run?
I dunno. Doesn’t seem like a bad deal to me given rarity. If you’re gonna modify one it’s a clean slate. LS2 or LS3 to double factory power with 4L60E or manual & some sporty buckets for a one of a kind hot rod cruiser for about $10k. If youre a Poncho fan & dig the looks.
400/455 based Pontiac engine.
Interesting: The ad still exists, but the car was removed and an ad for the original engine and tranny have taken its place.
The seller mentions that the car was sold but the buyer wasn’t interested inb the original engine or tranny.
So, that kind of proves that the low production number does nothing for the value of this as an original car.