Not much inventory left to be had... so if you were craving a G8 GXP, now's the time to jump on one. Pontiac just posted on Twitter it's remaining stock: 16 G8 GXP, 570 G8 GT, 1500 G5, 400 Torrent, 139 Base Solstice Cpe, 160 Solstice Cpe GXP, 350 Vibe, 530 G6 GXP.

Source: Twitter

Last year in Las Vegas, graphic designer Kevin Morgan showed off the first Trans Am rebody of the new Camaro at SEMA 2008. This year he is back with T/A version 2.0 for SEMA 2009. While the original "Phoenix" T/A 1.0 had the Bandit color combo we know and love, a few of the details were off in making it a true '77-'78 Trans Am redo.

For this year's show he's rectified that situation with a new quad-headlight front fascia and a few other changes that bring it more in line with the uber Firebirds we remember from our misspent youths. Slip into one of these black and gold Trans Ams and before you know it you'll be East Bound and Down, calling for the Snowman on your CB to help you stay one step ahead of Smokey. Built in conjunction with fabricator Todd Otto, one-off versions can be ordered to spec, and a kit version will also be made available through Trans Am Depot starting in early 2010.

Source: AutoBlog

Given Pontiac’s demise, it’s clear there won’t be any factory-baked Pontiac Trans-Am coming from General Motors. Enter the aftermarket, which has become suddenly eager to serve buyers wanting a new-school T/A. Indeed, joining the conversion kit offered by Phoenix is this Lingenfelter take on turning your brand-new Camaro SS into the modern Trans-Am of your dreams. The concept debuts in the metal at this year’s SEMA show in Las Vegas.

Of course, Chevy looks won’t do, so there’s a new front fascia, a shaker hood, revised rear quarter-panels, functional front fender vents, and an integrated decklid spoiler. New lighting front and rear as well as 20-inch honeycomb wheels complete the exterior transformation, while new blue woven-vinyl seats and a metal-turned instrument panel add retro feel to the inside. We have to admit, this thing really does resemble the 1970s original, and we like it.

Given the company’s penchant for pumping up horsepower, of course Lingenfelter would rework the engine, too. Under the striped hood—there’s no huge screaming chicken as of now—sits an aluminum 455-cubic-inch (7.5-liter) V-8 block with a lofty 11.5:1 compression ratio, ported-and-polished Lingenfelter heads from the Corvette Z06’s LS7, a forged crankshaft, and high-flow intake. The custom stainless-steel exhaust comes courtesy of Corsa. Power output is quoted at 655 hp and 610 lb-ft of torque, up significantly from the 426 hp of a stock manual Camaro SS. Also present are a new twin-disc clutch and flywheel assembly and tougher rear half-shafts to withstand the extra grunt. Handling alterations are limited to the addition of Nitto tires.

More photos at the source!

Source: Car and Driver

I am without words.

As we all know, the folding of both Pontiac and Saturn has left the small RWD platform without a home. It also left GM's Wilmington, Delaware plant without a purpose. The new DeLorean Motor Company, which we toured last summer, is currently the main keeper of the DeLorean flame and up-keeper of the world's fleet of DeLoreans. They're also producing a small series of upgraded second generation cars. Could they also carry forward the spirit of a company enriched by John DeLorean's vigor and genius?

"JZD always said that the best memories of his automotive career were at Pontiac, and that connection between JZD and Pontiac is probably one of the better known associations among car enthusiasts," said James Espey, Vice President of the DeLorean Motor Company.

The company has released the above drawings and acquired a Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe for evaluation. DMC also says they're excited about the prospect of "putting several hundred people back to work" in Wilmington, though it's unclear at how much capital it would take to acquire the plant and the source of funding for such an endeavor.

Until we get more information we're just going to sit back and enjoy the prospect of GM's Kappa platform getting a second life.

Source: Jalopnik

While we’re still mourning the death of the Pontiac G8 sedan, Holden has launched two special edition models of the Commodore, which the G8 was based on. The two models, based on the SS V-Series Special Edition sedan, Sportwagon and Ute, get styling treatments that are reminiscent of our beloved Pontiac G8.

The models ditch the original Australian style grille in favor of the two-part grille as seen on the Pontiac G8. Basically, the special edition models are a Pontiac G8 without the Pontiac badge.

Full press release at the source.

Source: eGMCarTech

The latest potential contender for muscle-car star status out of California is the Jim Wagners Signature Edition GTO, a car to be built based off original 1969 Pontiac GTO bodies but claimed as "all new from the ground up."

The cars are nothing if not patriotic. They will get a chassis from the California-based Roadster Shop, a Pontiac V8 engine, a Viper-spec TR6060 six-speed transmission, a 3.73-geared Ford rear end and a DSE C6 Corvette front suspension.

Styling touches include an "aggressive" front air dam, custom grilles with electric hide-away headlights and HID headlamps, a functional ram air hood and a custom ducktail spoiler. The HRE-sourced wheels are Jim Wangers Signature Edition Rally IIs, 19 inches in front and 20 in the rear.

The Wangers' interior has leather Recaro seats, keyless entry, air conditioning and "a killer audio system," to modernize the retro-look car. As the company says, "This is the car Pontiac should have made but didn't." Wangers will show off the GTO at a "Tour de Wangers" in Oceanside in mid-October. No word yet on pricing or availability.

Source: InsideLine

Do yourself a favor and look at this eBay ad and try not to laugh. The guy DID do a lot of work, so props there, but really? Really?

Source: eBay Auction

A bit under-developed from what we've seen with renders, but a budget can only go so far. What did he get right? What needs more work? I think we can all agree the front-end really needs a new fascia to take it seriously.

Today marks the last day of production at General Motors’ Boxwood Road assembly plant.

The 62-year-old factory near Newport was a victim of the automaker’s restructuring that has claimed tens of thousands of jobs and will close or idle 14 plants in the next three years.

GM said June 1 – the same day it filed for bankruptcy protection – that it would close the local plant by the end of July. Workers at Boxwood Road built the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roadsters.

The announcement of the closure was little surprise, since GM had already said it would sell Saturn and cut Pontiac from its lineup of brands. But the short timeline for closing the plant “shocked” employees, said James Graves, a 29-year veteran of the factory who works in general assembly.

Source: Delaware Online

Those with F-Bodies may think their cars qualify for cash for clunkers incase they were in poor condition. Think again! It has 1MPG too much. However, CNNMoney thinks the $4,500 return is still too much money to give to that Camaro Z28 owner down the street:

2001 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
Mileage: 16 city, 24 hwy
Trade-in value: $2,700
Verdict: Can't crush itSource: CNN Money

First shown to the public in 1999, the Pontiac Aztek concept car was fairly well received. It featured "Xtreme" futuristic styling and promised maximum versatility in support of a young and active lifestyle for its intended Generation 'X' buyer demographic. No one actually thought Pontiac was going to release it.

But they did. The production edition of the Aztek was launched with the tagline: "Quite possibly the most versatile vehicle on the planet." Versatile? Maybe. Ugliest vehicle to own in 2001? Most definitely.

During a live chat earlier this week, Maximum Bob Lutz said that the Pontiac G8 will be saved as a Chevrolet Caprice when GM kills the Pontiac brand at the end of this year.

“The G8 has finally been discovered by a broader percentage of the buying public. The owners are ecstatic about them, many calling it the best sedan they’ve ever driven,” said Lutz. “We consider it too good to waste. So we’re studying the feasibility of bringing it in as a Caprice for both law enforcement and the public.”

Writing over at GM’s Fast Lane Blog today, Bob Lutz said that the “G8 will not be a Caprice after all.”

“I’d mentioned it, and said we were studying it, giving it a serious look, because a car like the G8 was just too good to waste,” said Lutz. “That’s all still true. But I have to say that, with my new “marketing” hat on, upon further review and careful study, we simply cannot make a business case for such a program. Not in today’s market, in this economy, and with fuel regulations what they are and will be.”

Lutz said that the GM must be very careful as to where it allocates its budgets for the time being. He said that for now the resources must be allocated elsewhere. He reinforced that the move does not mean that GM is backing away from performance or rear-wheel-drive.

“We have a tremendous RWD team in Australia that gave us the beloved G8, a team that we will tap into at some point again in the future for its expertise and sheet metal. Just not right now.”

Source: eGMCarTech

The Pontiac brand may be on its way out the door, but that doesn't mean it can't have one last fling with a renowned tuner. Hurst Performance Vehicles, the legendary shifter company that most recently has made waves with its Hemi Challenger, announced its new H.O. program for the Pontiac G6 and G8. Few details have been released regarding the performance upgrades of the cars, but each will feature Hurst's signature black/gold or white/gold paint scheme, forged alloy Hurst wheels, an exclusive Hurst shifter, supercharged engine, suspension upgrades, and a newly trimmed interior.

To help with the development of the car, Hurst also brought on performance icon "Doc" Watson, who developed such vehicles as the Hurst Hemi-Under-Glass and the 1972 Pontiac SSJ. Only 52 Hurst H.O. Pontiacs will be built along with ten G6 convertibles used as parade and special event vehicles. More details regarding the performance upgrades will be announced on August 1st.


Source:AutoBlog

Though General Motors apparently rejected the first offer a group of investors led by Jim Waldron made for the Pontiac brand, the Michigan car dealer says he’s back with a strong offer that would include the plants and equipment needed to keep producing Pontiacs.

GM has said that it would be willing to entertain offers for Pontiac, though the Detroit automaker has shown far less interest in selling off the historic brand than it has Hummer, Saab and Saturn – all of which have since found tentative buyers.

Waldron, a Pontiac dealer in Davison, Michigan, told Mid-Michigan’s NBC-25, “GM has a history of building a great, great quality car, and then discontinuing it. So we’re going to try to change that history.”

“I found the financing for it,” he said. “I’ve just got to get GM to agree to do something with it.”

However, Pontiac spokesman Jim Hopson said earlier this month that the brand’s small stand-alone dealership count, combined with its lack of unique products, would make it difficult to sell off.

“We can not see how it could be a viable business given the fact that it’s so interconnected with the other GM brands,” he said.



Source:LeftLane News