When it comes to Pontiac classics from the 1960s, the GTO, Catalina, and Bonneville receive the most attention. And that’s alright since all three nameplates are downright iconic. The Grand Prix is also remembered, but we can’t say the same about the 2+2, a short-lived full-size rig.
Introduced in 1964 as a trim-only option for the Catalina, the 2+2 was restricted to the two-door coupe and convertible body styles. However, it was more than just a two-door Catalina. The 2+2 featured special door panels, bucket seats with a center console, and unique body trim. It became a stand-alone model in 1966 but reverted to an option on the Catalina in 1967.
Pontiac marketed the 2+2 as the “big brother” to the GTO. The latter was highly popular at the time, and Pontiac aimed to provide a similar performance-oriented package to customers who wanted a full-size family car. The recipe wasn’t successful, though, and Pontiac discontinued the 2+2 after the 1967 model year due to poor sales.
The nameplate moved 27,673 units over four years, a tiny figure at the time. For reference, the Catalina sold nearly one million units over the same period. GTO sales were also significantly higher at 286,460 examples (1964-1967).
Some 60 years have passed, and the 2+2 is pretty much forgotten compared to other Pontiacs from the era. And many vehicles have been abandoned in junkyards or barns. But fortunately enough, some diehard enthusiasts appreciate the 2+2 and do a great job maintaining survivors or fully restored rigs. If you haven’t seen a nice 2+2 in a while, this 1965 coupe will blow your mind.
Spotted by YouTube’s “DezzysSpeedShop” at what appears to be a public auction, this Poncho is one of those classics every barn-found vehicle hopes to become. It’s been restored to a perfect finish inside and out; it still retains most of its original components and has quite a few cool features to brag about.
The light pink color is the first that catches the eye. It may seem to be an aftermarket hue at first glance, but that’s only because it’s a very rare paint option. It’s called Iris Mist and was only offered for the 1965 model year (one of 15 colors available then). Chevrolet offered an identical hue called Evening Orchid that year. There are no records of how many 2+2s were ordered in this color, but I don’t remember seeing another one so far.
And don’t let the color fool you—this Pontiac is quite the muscular full-size rig. That’s because it packs a 421-cubic-inch (6.9-liter) V8 topped by a trio of Rochester two-barrel carburetors. A brand-new option in 1965, the Tri-Power setup delivered 356 horsepower, 18 more than the base four-barrel engine. Pontiac also offered an HO variant with 376 horsepower. This Pontiac most likely has the 356-horsepower version. It’s also a solid driver’s car thanks to a four-speed manual gearbox.
How rare is this 2+2? Well, Pontiac sold 11,521 units in 1965, the nameplate’s best year. Of these, 6,205 units had a manual gearbox. However, this figure also includes the three-speed manual, as well as convertible models. There’s no specific body style and gearbox breakdown to run by, but we could be looking at one of fewer than 4,000 made with this body style and gearbox. The color likely narrows it down to a two-digit figure.
There’s no info on whether this 2+2 sold at the auction event it was spotted at, but if it did, someone bought a really nice classic. Hit the play button below for the full walkaround.