You might remember a little American car called the "Pontiac." (Hint: It came after Pierce-Arrow). Well, some of "Pontiac's" greatest hits will go up for auction in Indianapolis, Indiana at the Mecum Auction there from May 19-23.

Why would the owner of such lovely 1960s "Pontiacs" choose the Mecum auction to sell of his collection? We're thinking it might have something to do with the fact that the "Pontiac" owner in question is titled Dana Mecum, who is not coincidentally the president of Mecum Auction.

Anyway, five of Mecum's "Pontiacs" will cross the block (individually) including the sassy gold 1965 GTO, pictured above. That car, known as "The GeeTO Tiger" was given away as the grand prize of a contest during the 1965 NHRA Indy Nationals and wears gold Hurst wheels and a gold Hurst shifter. The car gets its study from a record, released by the Tigers on Colpix records, the B-side of which was titled "Big Sounds of the GeeTO Tiger," and was a recording of the sounds of the car at GM's test track, with some priceless voice-over work. (You really should listen to it).

Also up for auction will be these racing and/or promotional Pontiacs: 1963 Catalina 421 Super Duty "Swiss Cheese," 1965 GTO Riverside 500 Pace Car, 1963 Tempest Coupe 421 Super Duty and 1963 Tempest Station Wagon.

Go to www.mecum.com for more information.

At a presentation this morning for the Motor Press Guild, Bob Lutz said that GM isn't looking to do clean diesels. "We're going to give that one a miss," he said.

Lutz also noted that the Cadillac XTS, "may or may not have been shown at a clinic in Southern California." For those of you who don't speak Lutz, that's a definite yes. He also prefabricated several references to his impending retirement, but that's not a definite yes. 

Other notable quotes:

"GM's brush with bankruptcy slowed the introduction of the Chevrolet Cruze. "

"There's nothing wrong with GM that good products won't fix."

"All the Harvard Business School people are gone from GM, those that sacrificed products from profits."

At a presentation this morning for the Motor Press Guild, Bob Lutz said that GM isn't looking to do clean diesels. "We're going to give that one a miss," he said.

Lutz also noted that the Cadillac XTS, "may or may not have been shown at a clinic in Southern California." For those of you who don't speak Lutz, that's a definite yes. He also prefabricated several references to his impending retirement, but that's not a definite yes. 

Other notable quotes:

"GM's brush with bankruptcy slowed the introduction of the Chevrolet Cruze. "

"There's nothing wrong with GM that good products won't fix."

"All the Harvard Business School people are gone from GM, those that sacrificed products from profits."

File this one in the "common sense prevails" bin. After Arizona officials installed speed cameras on several sections of the state's highways, motorists revolted. Some challenged the tickets, others didn't even show up at all to contest them. One man resorted to wearing a monkey mask while he sped by the cameras so he could argue that the court couldn't establish it was him.

Normally, politicians might just smugly look past all these antics, but in this case there's a more important reason why they're second guessing their decision. Turns out the speed cameras aren't bringing in enough money. Initial estimates said they might generate as much as $90M, but the actual haul has been closer to $19M. Nothing like a demand of funds to make politicians lose interest.

L.A. Times 

File this one in the "common sense prevails" bin. After Arizona officials installed speed cameras on several sections of the state's highways, motorists revolted. Some challenged the tickets, others didn't even show up at all to contest them. One man resorted to wearing a monkey mask while he sped by the cameras so he could argue that the court couldn't establish it was him.

Normally, politicians might just smugly look past all these antics, but in this case there's a more important reason why they're second guessing their decision. Turns out the speed cameras aren't bringing in enough money. Initial estimates said they might generate as much as $90M, but the actual haul has been closer to $19M. Nothing like a demand of funds to make politicians lose interest.

L.A. Times 

More often than not, when big corporations announce that they've come to an agreement with another company on a major financial transaction, the finalizing of the deal is but a formality.

Not so much with General Motors which watched a deal go sour for Saturn, aborted a deal for Opel and Vauxhall and walked away from an early deal to unload Saab. And who knows what will end up happening with Hummer.

But GM announced today that the deal to sell the Saab brand to Dutch super-car maker, Spyker, has been finalized. When GM said in a statement today, "Going forward, Saab and Spyker will operate under the Spyker (AMS:SPYKR) umbrella, and Spyker will adopt responsibility for Saab operations," you could almost hear the sigh of relief.

More often than not, when big corporations announce that they've come to an agreement with another company on a major financial transaction, the finalizing of the deal is but a formality.

Not so much with General Motors which watched a deal go sour for Saturn, aborted a deal for Opel and Vauxhall and walked away from an early deal to unload Saab. And who knows what will end up happening with Hummer.

But GM announced today that the deal to sell the Saab brand to Dutch super-car maker, Spyker, has been finalized. When GM said in a statement today, "Going forward, Saab and Spyker will operate under the Spyker (AMS:SPYKR) umbrella, and Spyker will adopt responsibility for Saab operations," you could almost hear the sigh of relief.

But wait, there's more! Yes, after parts 1 and 2 of our look at the most ridiculous NHTSA complaints, there are still a few left. Never underestimate the stupidity of the public, or its willingness to complain. Enjoy.   

"THE CONTACT STATED THAT SOMETHING IS RUBBING ON THE RIM AND CHEWING AWAY THE METAL WHEN HE MAKES A HARD RIGHT OR LEFT TURN.  THE FAILURE BEGAN IN JANUARY OF 2007 WHEN HE HAD A LOWERING KIT INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE.  ON ONE OCCASION, THE WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE CONTACT HAD TO JACK UP THE VEHICLE TO UNLOCK THE WHEEL."

"WHILE WORKING ON MY CAR AND CLEANING I DISCOVERED I AM DRIVING A BOMB.  THE BATTERY IS LOCATED IN THE SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT DIRECTLY OVER THE GAS TANK A REAR END COLLISION WOULD SET OFF AN IMMEDIATE FIRE OR EXLPLOSION FROM AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, SPARK, OR BATTERY EXPLOSION,  SHOULD THE GAS TANK OR ANY CONNECTIONS TO BE BROKEN."

"THRU TESTING BY A INDUSTRIAL HYGENIST WE HAVE PROOF THAT OUR HANDICAPPED VAN CUSTOMED IN MISS IN 2005 AND SOLD AS A BRAND NEW VEHICLE IN 2006 WAS IN FACT DEFECTIVE AND CONTAINS MORE FORMALDEHYDE ABOVE HUMAN CONSUMPTION. THIS VEHICLE WAS RETURNED THE DEALERSHIP IN PLANT CITY, FL BY FLATBED SO THAT NO ONE WOULD EVER ENTER IT AGAIN.  THE DEALERSHIP KEPT IT FOR A COUPLE OF HRS AND FLAT BEDDED IT BACK TO MY PROPERTY BECAUSE IT IS HIGHLY COMBUSTIBLE AND THEY DID NOT WANT THEIR DEALERSHIP TO EXPLODE BUT IT IS OK THAT MY HOUSE AND NEIGHBORHOOD HAS THE EXPLOSION INSTEAD.  THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND REFUSING TO SETTLE THRU THE LEMON LAW THEREFORE WE ARE GOING TO COURT.  THIS VEHICLE AND ALL OTHER VEHICLES SHOULD BE RESEARCHED AND FIND THEM ALL AND DESTROYED.  WHY IS THE NTSHA AND OSHA ALLOWING THIS PRODUCT TO BE USED IN HANDICAPPED OR ANY VEHICLE.  THE FORMALDEHYDE AT HIGH TEMP IS A CARRIER OF CANCER.  MY FAMILY HAS SEVERE REACTIONS TO THIS VEHICLE.  I CAN NOT EVEN GO OUT OF MY HOUSE WITHOUT A REACTION TO  THE AIR IN THE FRONT YARD.  THE TEMP IS THE VEHICLE IS OVER 125 AT TIMES.  THIS DEPT SHOULD HAVE ON THE FIRST COMPLAINT COME OUT AND CHECKED THIS VEHICLE OUT AND IT SHOULD NOT BE IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA BUT IN FACT IN THE LOT OF THE DEALERSHIP IN A CORNER WHERE IF IT DID EXPLODE THERE WOULD NOT BE A LARGE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE.  THE DEALERSHIP ALSO HAD TWO EMPLOYEES THAT WERE EXTREMELY EXPOSED LIKE WE WERE AND STILL IGNORE THE SITUATION.  MY NEXT STEP IS THE NEW MEDIA AND TV STATIONS TO BRING THIS OUT IN THE OPEN.  I FILE A REPORT AND BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE HAS FILED THIS COMPLAINT AND MAYBE NOT AWARE OF IT YET YOU HAVE DONE NOTHING TO HELP.  IF YOU CHECK CARFAX IT IS AWFULLY STRANGE WHY E250 FORDS ARE BEING SOLD WITH LESS THAN 20,000 ON THEM AND ARE 2006 BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE GETTING SICK FROM THEM AND DO NOT KNOW WHY.  THIS IS A CUSTOM VAN WHICH IS COMPLETELY RUSTED ON BOTTOM AND WATER MARKS EVERYWHERE AND BUILT IN MISSISSIPPI AND NOT A COINCIDENT."

"I AM A SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY TECHNOLOGIST AND I DESIGNED A TIRE THAT WILL ALWAYS GRAB ON ANY SURFACE, WON'T BLOW OUT AND CAN MAKE ANY VEHICLE CLIMB QUITE ADEQUATELY.  TIRES, THE WAY THEY ARE MADE ARE ACCIDENTS WAITING TO HAPPEN AND DON'T KEEP THE VEHICLE STABLE IN ALL CONDITIONS.  IT IS A COMPANY'S RESPOSIBILITY TO TAKE THE BEST CARE OF THE CONSUMERS NEEDS CONCERNING THEIR PRODUCT.  CHECK MY WEB SITE FOR RESUME AND MORE."

But wait, there's more! Yes, after parts 1 and 2 of our look at the most ridiculous NHTSA complaints, there are still a few left. Never underestimate the stupidity of the public, or its willingness to complain. Enjoy.   

"THE CONTACT STATED THAT SOMETHING IS RUBBING ON THE RIM AND CHEWING AWAY THE METAL WHEN HE MAKES A HARD RIGHT OR LEFT TURN.  THE FAILURE BEGAN IN JANUARY OF 2007 WHEN HE HAD A LOWERING KIT INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE.  ON ONE OCCASION, THE WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE CONTACT HAD TO JACK UP THE VEHICLE TO UNLOCK THE WHEEL."

"WHILE WORKING ON MY CAR AND CLEANING I DISCOVERED I AM DRIVING A BOMB.  THE BATTERY IS LOCATED IN THE SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT DIRECTLY OVER THE GAS TANK A REAR END COLLISION WOULD SET OFF AN IMMEDIATE FIRE OR EXLPLOSION FROM AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, SPARK, OR BATTERY EXPLOSION,  SHOULD THE GAS TANK OR ANY CONNECTIONS TO BE BROKEN."

"THRU TESTING BY A INDUSTRIAL HYGENIST WE HAVE PROOF THAT OUR HANDICAPPED VAN CUSTOMED IN MISS IN 2005 AND SOLD AS A BRAND NEW VEHICLE IN 2006 WAS IN FACT DEFECTIVE AND CONTAINS MORE FORMALDEHYDE ABOVE HUMAN CONSUMPTION. THIS VEHICLE WAS RETURNED THE DEALERSHIP IN PLANT CITY, FL BY FLATBED SO THAT NO ONE WOULD EVER ENTER IT AGAIN.  THE DEALERSHIP KEPT IT FOR A COUPLE OF HRS AND FLAT BEDDED IT BACK TO MY PROPERTY BECAUSE IT IS HIGHLY COMBUSTIBLE AND THEY DID NOT WANT THEIR DEALERSHIP TO EXPLODE BUT IT IS OK THAT MY HOUSE AND NEIGHBORHOOD HAS THE EXPLOSION INSTEAD.  THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND REFUSING TO SETTLE THRU THE LEMON LAW THEREFORE WE ARE GOING TO COURT.  THIS VEHICLE AND ALL OTHER VEHICLES SHOULD BE RESEARCHED AND FIND THEM ALL AND DESTROYED.  WHY IS THE NTSHA AND OSHA ALLOWING THIS PRODUCT TO BE USED IN HANDICAPPED OR ANY VEHICLE.  THE FORMALDEHYDE AT HIGH TEMP IS A CARRIER OF CANCER.  MY FAMILY HAS SEVERE REACTIONS TO THIS VEHICLE.  I CAN NOT EVEN GO OUT OF MY HOUSE WITHOUT A REACTION TO  THE AIR IN THE FRONT YARD.  THE TEMP IS THE VEHICLE IS OVER 125 AT TIMES.  THIS DEPT SHOULD HAVE ON THE FIRST COMPLAINT COME OUT AND CHECKED THIS VEHICLE OUT AND IT SHOULD NOT BE IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA BUT IN FACT IN THE LOT OF THE DEALERSHIP IN A CORNER WHERE IF IT DID EXPLODE THERE WOULD NOT BE A LARGE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE.  THE DEALERSHIP ALSO HAD TWO EMPLOYEES THAT WERE EXTREMELY EXPOSED LIKE WE WERE AND STILL IGNORE THE SITUATION.  MY NEXT STEP IS THE NEW MEDIA AND TV STATIONS TO BRING THIS OUT IN THE OPEN.  I FILE A REPORT AND BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE HAS FILED THIS COMPLAINT AND MAYBE NOT AWARE OF IT YET YOU HAVE DONE NOTHING TO HELP.  IF YOU CHECK CARFAX IT IS AWFULLY STRANGE WHY E250 FORDS ARE BEING SOLD WITH LESS THAN 20,000 ON THEM AND ARE 2006 BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE GETTING SICK FROM THEM AND DO NOT KNOW WHY.  THIS IS A CUSTOM VAN WHICH IS COMPLETELY RUSTED ON BOTTOM AND WATER MARKS EVERYWHERE AND BUILT IN MISSISSIPPI AND NOT A COINCIDENT."

"I AM A SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY TECHNOLOGIST AND I DESIGNED A TIRE THAT WILL ALWAYS GRAB ON ANY SURFACE, WON'T BLOW OUT AND CAN MAKE ANY VEHICLE CLIMB QUITE ADEQUATELY.  TIRES, THE WAY THEY ARE MADE ARE ACCIDENTS WAITING TO HAPPEN AND DON'T KEEP THE VEHICLE STABLE IN ALL CONDITIONS.  IT IS A COMPANY'S RESPOSIBILITY TO TAKE THE BEST CARE OF THE CONSUMERS NEEDS CONCERNING THEIR PRODUCT.  CHECK MY WEB SITE FOR RESUME AND MORE."

In just a few minutes here, the first of many congressional panels will convene to look into Toyota's recall issues. In the hot seat today will be Toyota U.S.A. chief Jim Lentz. He's going to be raked over the coals by various politicians who may or may not know what they're talking about. Should make for an interesting morning.

It begs the question though: What would you ask Mr. Lentz? Are you more concerned about Toyota's explanation of the problem? Or would you be more interested in the conspiracy theories that say Toyota knew it had problems all along? I've got a feeling we'll be getting plenty of both lines of questioning today.