TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG BURNING ODOR. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING, SMOKE APPEARED THROUGH THE AIR VENTS AND THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND OBSERVED FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO DAMAGES OR PERSONAL INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER LOT. IT HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211,000.