This just in from our fine feathered friends at Jalopnik that Pontiac, the GM auto maker about to become extinct, will construct only 2000 G8 GXP and Solstice Coupes for its final year.

According to Jalop – “Pontiac will only build 2,000 Pontiac G8 GXPs and Solstice Coupes, ever, Buick/GMC/Pontiac marketing chief Cheryl Catton just informed us. She also called them potential “collector items.” Time to get to the Pontiac dealership while those still exist.”

The latest of General Motors’ casualties is the Pontiac Vibe – which has been ordered to cease production. But since the Pontiac label is scheduled to be eared form existence by year’s end what’s the point of stopping production now? According to Automotive News: “Pontiac spokesman Jim Hopson stated GM would stop production of the 2010 Pontiac Vibe in August. Although he hinted production could be extended to build up Vibe inventories for the Canadian market, any such move would only be temporary.” So long, sweet Vibe – may a flock of automotive angels sing thee to thy grace.

1977-78-79 Trans Am – Smokey & The Bandit

Not only a General Motors icon but a legend of the film industry. Smokey and The Bandit fans world wide join clubs and create replicas of the classic Trans Am from the hit Burt Reynolds/Jackie Gleason comedy. The only thing more iconic than the car is that Firebird hood logo – at least it was during the 80′s, when you weren’t cool unless there was a mural painted somewhere on your ride.

1982 Firebird TTop – Knight Rider Style

Firebird Trans Am variants remained popular throughout the 1980′s thanks to NBC’s Knight Rider. Just like Bandit fans, there is a global following made up of KITT lovers who transform their Trans Am cars into personalized Knight Industries Two Thousands. One thing that always bugged me – couldn’t NBC give Michael Knight a larger ride? He always looks so scrunched up in that car.

1980-82 Pontiac Acadian – Chevrolet Chevette Knock-off

My father used to rock a Chevrolet Chevette – or “The Shitter”. Not the best from GM, Chevettes were cheaply made and not well received. Pontiac’s version, the Acadian, was produced for Canadian car buyers, and were latched to the back of tow trucks just as often as the Chevy.

Pontiac Trans Sport – A Minivan for the GM Crowd

When soccer moms needed a Minivan to get their kids to school, but don’t want to go down the Caravan or Sierra route, there was Pontiac’s 1990 Trans Sport van. The roomier interior may have been a plus, but they probably should have invested in flame-retardant materials.

Pontiac G6 – Hertz Favorite Rental Car

I have been a rental customer of Hertz since I was old enough to not pay that extra charge for being under 25. Since the introduction of Pontiac’s G6  it has been a favorite of the car rental company, and I have driven a few. I must admit it’s a nice car, at least to drive for a weekend. There seem to be a good amount on the roads, so perhaps they have some staying power – though not enough to make GM feel the make’s worth keeping around.

1980′s Bonneville – The Boxiest of Boxy 80′s Cars

The Bonneville claimed Pontiac’s longest run from 1957 to 2005. Our personal favorite generation came during the late 70′s thru mid-80′s. The boxiest of sedans had horse power under the hood and comfort in the back seat (and LOTS of back seat, that thing was huge!) The Bonneville had staying power, literally, as we see many mid-80′s Bonne’s still on the streets today.

Pontiac Vibe – The Hipster’s Hatchback

Want a Toyota Matrix but don’t have a money? Try out a Pontiac Vibe! One of GM’s answers to the growing want of hatchbacks for younger drivers, the Vibe (which is also slang for a self pleasuring device) features 5-door design and sporty interiors. 2009 looks to be the last for this hatchback, however, so you college grads may have to look towards Saturn…I mean Saab…I mean…damn.

Pontiac’s First Car

Pontiac’s name was taken from Chief Pontiac, an American Indian chief who led an unsuccessful uprising against the British shortly after the French and Indian War. Pontiac, the brand, was introduced by General Motors in 1926 as the ‘companion’ to GM’s Oakland Motor Car line. The Pontiac Coupe (shown above) was the first in an 80-plus year reign that has been put to an end thanks to America’s automotive financial crisis.

According to Detroit News: General Motors says it will cut 21,000 U.S. factory jobs by next year and phase out its storied Pontiac brand as part of a major restructuring effort needed to get more government aid.

General Motors Corp. launched its bond exchange offer this morning to its holders of $28 billion in unsecured debt, offering them 10 percent of the equity in the company and accrued interest — in an effort to avoid a bankruptcy filing before the end of May.

GM also confirmed the morning it plans to phase out its 83-year-old Pontiac brand by 2010, while it plans a final resolution for its Hummer, Saab and Saturn brands this year.

The rumors of Pontiac’s death may not have been so greatly exaggerated this time around.

Bottom line: hurry up and get those G8s while they’re still around. If this is true, they’re going to be selling at fire-sale prices.