'86 Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2 Aerocoupe: NASCAR Legend for the Street
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American
A car brand’s success at a NASCAR race track on the weekend can translate into showroom traffic in the days that follow. Brand loyalty can grow even stronger when automakers release limited-production models that emulate stock cars on the high banks. Consider the 1986 Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2 Aerocoupe recently listed on eBay.
Better Airflow
This Aerocoupe was garage-kept since it was new. It clocked just 61,000 miles in almost 40 years. It is a veteran of the Southeastern car show circuit and is sold with signage detailing facts, figures, and historical tidbits to display at events.
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The Aerocoupe was conceived during a period when General Motors was struggling on NASCAR’s big ovals - opens in new window or tab.—and Ford was racking up wins with its aerodynamic Thunderbird - opens in new window or tab.. The shape of the production Grand Prix (and Chevrolet’s Monte Carlo - opens in new window or tab.) was identified as the culprit. The blocky roof and rear deck area broke uptake airflow, causing the rear end to lift at speed.
Designers determined that the Ford was slipperier thanks to a fastback profile. They designed a large, sloping rear window and a smaller trunk lid for the Grand Prix, which proved effective in testing. To meet NASCAR requirements, approximately 1,200 examples were built for street use with the same aerodynamic tweaks.
Full Makeover
The transformation from Grand Prix to 2+2 Aerocoupe went far beyond fitting a new rear window. The Aerocoupe features a smaller, fiberglass trunk lid, which makes loading bulky items more challenging despite having an unchanged trunk capacity. A fiberglass panel spans the space from the rear seat to the rear window. Up front, a urethane fascia smooths airflow.
Like most examples, this Aerocoupe came loaded with options from the factory, including:
- Air conditioning
- Power seats, locks, and windows
- AM/FM stereo cassette
- Five-spoke wheels
- Tilt steering wheel
- Bucket seats and console
- Full instrumentation
The original 165-horsepower 5.0-liter GM V-8 engine - opens in new window or tab. sits in the tidy engine compartment. A console-mounted shifter controls the three-speed automatic transmission.
A Southern Survivor
This Grand Prix Aerocoupe has been in the Atlanta area its entire life. It has new tires, and it was repainted once. Beyond that, it is bone stock with no immediate needs.
The Aerocoupe was a success on the race track but not in the showroom. Buyers were reportedly put off by the styling tweaks and preferred the standard Grand Prix. Price was also a factor. Modifications and the extensive list of options drove up the sticker price.
With so few built during just one year of production, it is unlikely you’ll see another Aerocoupe 2+2 at the local Cars and Coffee or anywhere else. This car’s combination of low miles, extensive documentation, and a reasonable $18,500 Buy-It-Now price makes it worth considering.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.