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.

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.

[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.

The designation 2+2 was borrowed from European sports car terminology, for a seating arrangement of two in front plus two in the rear.

The Catalina and 2+2 were built on the shorter platform, but came with the same engine options as the larger Pontiac Bonneville model.

[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.

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.

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.

Car and Driver (March 1965) tested a modified[6] Catalina 428 and recorded a top speed of 130 mph (210 km/h) and a 0-60 time of 3.9 seconds.