Latest Auto News Blog: el camino

See this El Camino. It’s a 1968 SS model. While not exactly a Round Door Rolls it is somewhat of a coveted treasure among aficionados of muscle. The SS belongs to Tim Divers of Divers Street Rods and friends tell him it would be worth more if left unmolested. However because the Camino holds a special place in Tim’s heart (it served as a “tour vehicle” for his band and a college car for his daughter) he says he’d rather hack it up into a rod thus reducing its collectable value and removing the temptation to sell it.

I like the way Tim’s mind works. And what a mind it is. Tim Divers is part Tim Burton and part Sid Phillips yet his creations are not scissor-handed mutant toys but rather kinetic sculptures comprised of jewel-like fabrication and an attention to detail that would rival anything on the lawn at Pebble Beach. Hit the jump to see a StreetFire original production/Will Roegge Joint on Tim and his most infamous project – Ferrambo.

Watch the video and click here to read more about Tim Divers and his incomparable Street Rods. After you’ve watched the video and clicked the link I’d like to know what you think. Do you see Tim as some tifosi have described him, “hillybilly, crack ho, redneck” or as a visionary seamlessly blending segments like some sort of automotive genetic engineer? I choose the latter and I would give anything to drive Ferrambo down Maranello’s Via Abetone Inferiore mad doggin’ the locals and revving the engine. But then, I don’t have much respect for tradition either.

Filed under: Pontiac, Holden

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Pontiac G8 ST

It's been a bad month for Pontiac fans. While begging for money from Congress, GM mentioned its intentions to sacrifice the brand to aid the General's recovery and get a few billion from the feds in the process. Now comes word that GM may keep the brand around, but cut its lineup in half... or more.

Automotive News spoke with Susan Docherty, vice president of Buick-Pontiac-GMC, who said that Pontiac's Aveo-based 2010 G3 will sticker for $15,000, but says it's a short-term product for the brand. Unfortunately, Docherty also hints the G8 Sport Truck's lifespan could be even shorter. "We would be foolish if we didn't take a second look at whether or not that is the right thing to do."

In a separate AN article, Docherty goes even further and suggests Pontiac's lineup could be pared down from six vehicles to a single nameplate. According to Docherty, "We are not going to spend tons of money on product development" for Pontiac and that the Pontiac Torrent will be dropped for 2009.

So what will Pontiac be selling? According to Docherty, the G8 is the most likely candidate for GM's performance brand, and that the ideal future for Pontiac would be "very focused, very specialty or niche."

Gallery: 2010 Pontiac G8 Sport Truck