Pontiac 2+2 - Design

Design

The designation 2+2 was borrowed from European sports cars (i.e. Ferrari) with seating for 4: 2 in front plus 2 in the rear. It was designated officially at Pontiac as a "regular performance" model, 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 models was a high-compression 421 V8 powered through a 3-speed manual transmission, with 3-speed automatic and 4-speed as optional equipment. Consumers also had the option of ordering an array of induction setups to feed it, like a single 4bbl carburetor or a 3x2 configuration, called Tri-Power. The suspension was stiffened for improved handling with heavy duty springs and sway bars. Although the 2+2 was discontinued by 1968, all options (except the Tri-Power, which Pontiac discontinued in 1966) were still available to consumers, and a purchaser could still order 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 was easy, simply by spotting the tell-tale "shark-gill" louvers on the fenders or quarter panels. As 2+2 body styles were re-worked yearly like clockwork, so too did the look and placement of the louvers, as they had a tendency to be placed 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 after 1965.

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 also 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.