Pontiac 2+2

Pontiac 2+2
Overview
Manufacturer	Pontiac (General Motors)
Also called	Parisienne 2+2 (in Canada)
Production	1964-1967 in the U.S.
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size car
Body style	2-door coupe, convertible
Related	Pontiac Catalina
Powertrain
Engine	Pontiac V-8, OHV
Transmission	3 or 4-speed manual, automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	121 in (3,073 mm)
Length	214.6 in (5,451 mm)
Height	48.001 in (1,219 mm)

The Pontiac 2+2 is a full size automobile that was manufactured by Pontiac, built on the B-body chassis. It debuted for the 1964 model year as a trim-only option for the Pontiac Catalina, with special door panels, buckets seats, and center console and exterior badging. Pontiac marketed the 2+2 as the "big brother" to the popular Pontiac GTO.^[1] Beginning in 1965 the name Catalina was no longer found on the car, although it was still an option on the Catalina. The 2+2 was equipped with a 421 cu in (6.9 L) engine, dual exhaust, heavy duty front springs as well as its own outer body trim appointments. It officially became its own series in 1966,^[2] on the same platform, but reverted again to an option in 1967^[3] and was discontinued in the United States the same year due to poor sales. It continued as a series in Canada until 1970. All Canadian-built 2+2's were equipped with a Pontiac body on a Chevrolet chassis, with the full range of Chevrolet engines available from inline 6-cylinder to Big block V-8. The name 2+2 reappeared briefly in 1986 on the Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2 G-body "aerobody" coupe, of which only 1,225 were built.

Design

The designation 2+2 was borrowed from European sports cars (i.e. Ferrari, Morgan) with seating for four: two in front plus two in the rear. It was designated officially at Pontiac as a "regular performance" model,^[4] and was intended by Pontiac to be to the Catalina platform what the GTO was to the Lemans. Standard on the 2+2 beginning with the 1965 and 1966 models was a high-compression 421 cu in (6.9 L) V8 powered through a 3-speed manual transmission, with 3-speed automatic and 4-speed as optional equipment. The standard engine for 1967 was 428 CID. Consumers also had the option of ordering an array of induction setups including a single 4-bbl carburetor or a 3x2 configuration, called Tri-Power. The suspension was stiffened for improved handling with heavy duty springs and sway bar. Although the 2+2 was discontinued by 1968, all options (except the Tri-Power, which Pontiac discontinued after 1966) were still available, and units could be ordered with what amounted to a 2+2 without the badges.

Exterior

The 2+2 was only available as a hardtop coupe or convertible. Distinguishing a 2+2 visually from a Catalina were faux louvers on the fenders or quarter panels. Annual changes meant the look and placement of the louvers were on different locations on the fenders from one year to the next. 1964 was the only year that the 2+2 came without them. Along with the badges that appeared on the fenders, hood, and interior to identify the 2+2, other details that appeared included a metal trim that ran the full length of the car, along the lower body line and skirt on the 1965 and 1966, and at mid-door height on the 1967. Another distinguishing feature was the pin-stripe trim package offered on 1965-67 models.

Interior

The sport interior was equipped with individual bucket seats. Automatic transmission cars had a column shift as standard equipment, console and floor shift were optional. Manual transmission cars had a floor shift as standard equipment. The console was an option. The elegant Catalina dashboard was carried over as well, and fitted with fully functional gauges. Other optional features included a console-mounted vacuum gauge, to monitor efficient engine use while driving, and a tachometer mounted at the top left corner of the dash fascia and later the hood, as an option in 1967.

Power plant

The Catalina and 2+2 were built on the shorter platform, but came with the engine options as the larger Pontiac Bonneville model. The smaller 389 cu in (6.4 L) engine was standard in the Catalina, but not available in the 1965-1967 model 2+2s. All Canadian-built 2+2s were equipped with Chevrolet engines. The 1986 GP 2+2's were all equipped with a 165HP GM V-8 and automatic transmission.

1964

Pontiac offered the 2+2 as a trim option only in 1964. Most of the trim specifics were found in the passenger compartment. Without the 2+2 badges on the outside, it looked like the base Catalina. Standard was the 389 cu in (6.4 L), OHV Trophy V8, rated at 283 hp (211 kW) with a Rochester 2-bbl carburetor, and a 3-speed transmission controlled by a floor shifter mounted through the center console. A 4-speed was available at extra cost, as was an automatic.

1965-67

1965 Pontiac 2+2 coupe 421 CID tri-power

1967 Pontiac 2+2

1968 Pontiac 2+2

Pontiac dropped the "Trophy" name for the 1965 model year, but it was also the year that the 2+2 was assigned its own power plant, the 421 cu in (6.9 L) "2+2 V8". Identifying the 2+2 was by the louvers that were incorporated into the bodywork. Standard features included heavy-duty springs and shock absorbers, a 3-speed synchromesh manual transmission (a 4-speed with a Hurst shifter was optional), dual exhausts, and a performance axle ratio of 3.42:1. A new Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmission replaced the Hydramatic. Car and Driver (March 1965) tested a Catalina 2+2 and recorded a top speed of over 130 mph (210 km/h) and a 0-60 time of just 3.9 seconds.^[6]

Canadian 2+2

In 1967, GM of Canada debuted the Parisienne 2+2, based on the Parisienne series that replaced the Parisienne Custom Sport from a year earlier. All Pontiacs manufactured and sold in Canada were unique from their U.S. counterparts as GM of Canada fitted re-proportioned US Pontiac bodies to the Chevrolet Impala chassis and drive trains. Canadian purchasers of the 2+2 could therefore order any Chevrolet V8 engine option like the 283 and 327 in³ small-block engines, or the 396 and 427 in³ "Mark IV" big-block. The trim options were slightly different as well, with Chevrolet's 15-inch Rally rims were used instead of a standard 14" steel rim or the optional Pontiac Motor Division's Kelsey-Hayes "8-lug" integral wheel/brake-drum sets. A 250 cu in (4.1 L) 155 hp (116 kW; 157 PS) straight-6 engine was standard in 1967, which meant that the Canadian 2+2 was a Parisienne with louvers, exterior and interior badges, as well as bucket seats and center console (which were options on the Parisienne) as standard equipment.

1967-70

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pontiac 2+2.

• www.Pontiac2plus2registry.com - A website dedicated to preserving the history & lore of the Pontiac 2+2

References