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, bucket seats with a 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) V8 engine, dual exhaust, heavy-duty front springs as well as unique exterior body trim. It continued on the same platform, but became a separate Pontiac series for the 1966 model year.^[2][3] The 2+2 reverted to an option on the Catalina for 1967^[2] 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+2s 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 V8.

The name 2+2 reappeared briefly in 1986 on the Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2 G-body "aerobody" coupe, of which 1,225 were built.

The designation 2+2 was borrowed from European sports car terminology, for a seating arrangement of two in front plus two in the rear. It was designated officially at Pontiac as a "regular performance" model,^[2] a thoroughly confusing designation for a vehicle that was clearly intended to be to the Catalina platform what the GTO was to the A-body Lemans: the standard drivetrain was a 2-barrel carburetor version of Pontiac's 389 cu in (6.4 L) V8 coupled to a floor-mounted 3-speed manual transmission; 3-speed automatic and 4-speed manual were options, as were a 4-barrel and Pontiac's 3x2 Tri-Power configuration. The suspension was stiffened with heavy-duty springs and a sway bar for improved handling. Starting in 1965 the 389 was replaced by a high-compression 421 cu in (6.9 L) V8, with displacement increased to the 428 CID in 1967.

Although the 2+2 was discontinued by 1968, all options (except the Tri-Power, which Pontiac discontinued after 1966 under a mandate from GM) were still available, and units could be ordered with what amounted to a 2+2 without the badges.

The Catalina and 2+2 were built on the shorter platform, but came with the same 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.^{[citation needed]} The 1986 GP 2+2's were all equipped with a 165 hp (123 kW; 167 PS) 305 cu in (5.0 L) GM V8 and automatic transmission.

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 US 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 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 wheels were used instead of standard 14-inch steel wheels 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-six 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.

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