Image courtesy montecarloss.com
Reeves had an excellent suggestion for this week’s candidate for the Class of 1986: the Monte Carlo Aerocoupe and its cousin the Grand Prix 2+2. Conceived to help the two GM divisions become more competitive against the more aerodynamic Ford Thunderbird that was tearing up the NASCAR tracks at the time, both feature sloped rear glass – a la the Mopar winged warriors of 1969-1970 – yet the two GM G-bodies went about adapting the more aerodynamic rear in different ways. In fact, each division worked on their own aero packages independently; as Jeff Koch noted in his article on the 2+2 in HMM #42, March 2007, the Aerocoupe’s back glass was designed for the street and adapted to fit the race car, while the 2+2′s was designed for racing and adapted to fit the street car.
Still, both homologation special street cars hit dealerships in the 1986 model year. While the Aerocoupe benefited from the 180hp H.O. 5.0L V-8, the 2+2 made do with the 165hp LG4 5.0L V-8; however, the 2+2 exhibited better aerodynamics and slightly better handling characteristics than the Aerocoupe. The 2+2 is also easier to find than a 1986 Aerocoupe: Chevrolet built just 200 of the latter (but continued Aerocoupe production into 1987), while Pontiac built 1,225 2+2s total (2+2 production did not continue into 1987). All 1986 Aerocoupes came in white, while all 2+2s came in silver.
These two cousins certainly exhibit many of the hallmarks of stand-out collector cars: rarity, racing pedigree, unusual characteristics. Does that make them a shoo-in for the Class of 1986? Is one more deserving of accolades than the other? Or do neither of them do much for you?
While you’re answering those questions, let us know your suggestions for future Class of 1986 candidates.