Jalopnik: Georgia

What It's Like To Have Your Land Rover Shot At

Mark Arnold — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:20:00 EDT

The video from these Turkish television reporters shows firsthand what it's like to ride along in a Land Rover Discovery while being shot at. They're not sure exactly who it was attacking them in Georgia (country, not state), but we're thinking these guys are just happy to all get out alive. One of them was even shot in the head (!) but evidently it wasn't life-threatening. Does this count as hoonage? Video after the jump. [CNN]

Georgia Teens Firebomb Three Cars, Blame Grand Theft Auto

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:00:00 EDT

One of three teenagers arrested in Milton, Georgia after firebombing two Mercedes and a Honda Accord mentioned learning how to make Molotov Cocktails from the video game Grand Theft Auto. Obviously, the local police chief then went on the expected blustering, red-faced tirade on violent video games. Makes sense, because the information on how to make a Molotov cocktail can't be found anywhere else. Though we don't imagine that violent video games help, nor do we support firebombing cars, we think that blame more than likely rests primarily with the parents. Also, whatever store sold teenage boys rags, lantern fuel and glass bottles of Sprite. [WSBTV via Kotaku]

Hyundai/Kia Pickup Truck Axed For U.S. Market, Georgia Plant Gets Compact Car Instead

Ray Wert — Thu, 08 May 2008 03:12:42 EDT

More boring industry news from Korea — read it if you're interested, move on if you're not. We'd been told a while back by Automotive News and our friends at PickupTrucks.com to expect a pickup truck from the folks at Hyundai or their brand-brothers at Kia. Despite statements from Byung Mo Ahn, the new chairman and group CEO of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia that a pickup was to be built in the Georgia plant, we were told today here in Seoul by Dr. Dong-Jin Kim, Vice-Chairman and CEO of Hyundai that

"we have interest in the pickup truck market and light truck market, but because of oil prices the market is declining. We don't think right now is the right time to introduce one to the market. We investigated when we built the Kia Georgia plant...but in this environment we were forced to give up thoughts of the truck...neither Hyundai nor Kia will produce one...for the U.S."

Well, that pretty much settles that. Now what will Hyundai and Kia do with all that excess capacity in the Georgia plant? Well, Dr. Kim has an answer for that too.

Georgia will be home to

"a new small car. We are planning to have the Georgia plant create...a C-segment car with the excess production capacity."

Nice, a new Kia C-segment car. But wait, wait, there's more. Kia may not end up being the only brand using the platform. Nope, Dr. Kim also told us today

"if the platform is right, don't rule out a Hyundai either."

So there you have it — a pickup truck is nixed and a compact car takes it's place. Given current gas prices, that doesn't sound like the world's worst strategy. In fact, props to Kia/Hyundai for reading the tea leaves and giving us a C-segment car when that's what gas prices and consumer demand are telling them that's what we want. Now if only they make a C-segmentamino out of whatever they end up building down in Georgia — then it'd be pure peaches and cream to us.

Does Your Protege Have Insufficient Cargo Space?

Murilee Martin — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:45:00 EDT

Right about now, it would be easy to make some jokes about moving your sourmash still from one pine forest to another... but there's no need. Simply looking at those Georgia pines, with this fine custom motor vehicle in the foreground... well, these photos tell a long story. We're not dealing with a Protege that's had the trunk converted to a pickup bed here- it's an actual truck bed welded to the ass end of the Mazda, and "ITS ON THERE GOOD!" It's not street legal in Georgia (apparently other states will accept it, though they aren't mentioned by name), but it is "INSANELY RELIABLE." Thanks to Beater Review for the tip! [Craigslist Atlanta; go here if ad disappears]

Georgia Employees in Increasingly Rare Hot Water Over Car Washes

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 14:15:00 EST

Since it hasn't rained in Georgia in something like one million years, the state is on the verge of a Mad Max-esque , post-apocolyptic future. Because of this, ~~Lord Humungous~~ the Governor ordered state employees to stop washing their cars in order to preserve some of the liquid gold. Apparently, not everyone got that particular memo as the Atlanta Journal-Constitution managed to find state employees using their state-issued credit cards for some washes.

Among the perpetrators was Georgia Highlands College President J. Randy Pierce, who claims to have not heard about the particular edict before getting his car washed. Due to his negligence, there was no happy ending after his trip to the Magic Touch Car Wash. The Governor's spokeswoman claimed that employees getting busted for car washes "may be volunteered to be the first to grab a bucket and dredge the dead pool at Lake Lanier." [AJC]

Georgia Randomly Generates Anti-Semitic License Plates

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 13:45:00 EST

The computers at the Georgia Department of Revenue apparently haven't gotten the message that the new south is tolerant of everyone. This may go some of the way towards explaining how one man ended up with the license plate "HA8 JWZ," which we're not going to spell out for you. Of course, maybe they just hate David Berman? The local Anti Defamation League is asking for the state to stop issuing plates that begin with HA8 or H8, which isn't that bad of an idea.

Imagine if they issued plates like "HA8 AMC" or "H8 KITT" or maybe even "H8 BLOG." Clearly, these machines must stopped from spreading the H8. We want to give props to the guy who got the license plate for turning it in, as opposed to proudly displaying it on his rusty S10. [AJC]

Kudzu and Mopars: Georgia Junkyard, 1995

Murilee Martin — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 11:30:00 EDT

As I'm sure I've made tediously clear, I dig the junkyard. Most of my junkyard experience has been in California and Nevada, but I lived in Atlanta for a while and made sure I sampled the flavor of the local wrecking yards during my stay (and, naturally, brought my camera with me). Kudzu on the outside, snakes on the inside!

The Gang That Couldn't Find First: Carjackers Thwarted by Stick Shift

Mike Spinelli — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 07:32:01 EDT

What's wrong with society when carjackers can't even work a stick shift and third pedal. Do they want the world just handed to them? It's true. Two teenaged carjackers from Georgia fulfilled their charter, jacking a guy's car outside a pizzeria. But when one of them jumped behind the wheel and saw that strange, floppy stick and the alien footrest to the left of the brake, they were flummoxed. After several moments of adrenaline-fueled bafflement, the teens hit the bricks and were later captured. Something must be done about this trend of lawlessness. Bob Bondaurant, call the front desk. – Mike Spinelli

Carjackers Can't Swipe Stick Shift [NBC 11 News via Fark]

The Clamp Came Down in Georgia: Bullrun Lunch at the Cop Shop

Davey G. Johnson — Fri, 25 May 2007 15:30:00 EDT

Pal of the Jalop and the first woman ever to be arrested on Bullrun, Annabelle Frankl was taping and riding shotgun when a whole gang of the the ralliers (including their #144 Z06) were pulled over with the drivers taken off in the paddywagon. While Annabelle and Nick aren't paddies (rather Brits of Hungarian extraction), Miss Frankl went and picked up some burgers with all beef patties for the jailhouse rockers. Vomitation was not reported, although we imagine there was a bit of nausea involved. Traffic stop before the jump, aftermath after. – Davey G. Johnson

Related:
Bullrun Update: Baby Out of Jail [Internal]

Texarkana to Atlanta With a Gaggle of Trans Ams

Davey G. Johnson — Thu, 17 May 2007 17:30:00 EDT

Let me have a diablo sandwich, a Dr. Pepper, and make it fast, I'm in a god-damn hurry! – Buford T. Justice

The Bandit Run is winding it's way from Texarkana, where according to Jerry Reed, there is beer, to Atlanta, where they're thirsty. Consisting of a passel of GM F-Bodies, and more importantly, black and gold 2nd-generation Trans Am SEs, the whole shebang will wind up at the Year One Experience. The drivers stopped in Tupelo, MS, and a savvy Motortopia member got a grip of shots. Check it out and keep your hat on. – Davey G. Johnson

Bandit Run Stop in Tupelo [Motortopia]

The Bullrunners Try to Take Their Love to Town, Cops Tell Them, 'Don't.'

Davey G. Johnson — Wed, 16 May 2007 16:15:00 EDT

We just heard from Annabelle Frankl, the first woman ever to get arrested on the Bullrun, that a pack of around 25 ralliers were rolling through a wooded area in the Peach State at around 125 mph. When they emerged from the engorged thicket, the police were waiting in the median and picked off the whole group. The drivers were loaded into the paddy wagon and hauled off while the co-pilots were allowed to follow. A balk on the part of a tow-company owner meant that the cars weren't impounded. Meanwhile, a passel of Bullrunners, including Nick "Now-see-uh und Vomitation" Frankl, were charged with an $1,150 fine. The furriners faced no license penalties, but the American drivers had their driving privileges yanked for a day. Message to devils attempting to speed through the Bandit's home state: carry a Euro license and a few large in cash. – Davey G. Johnson

Related:
Bullrun Update: Baby Out of Jail; More on the 2007 Bullrun [Internal]

They're Thirsty in Atlanta: Last Taurus Built

Davey G. Johnson — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 16:00:00 EDT

Truett Cathy's Ford Taurus has rolled off the assembly line at the Blue Oval's Hapeville, GA plant, and as such, the curtain has been drawn on one of the most revolutionary vehicles in history, as well as the factory that manufactured it, leaving over 1,900 employees looking for work. If we had more money and time, we would pick up a Taurus wagon (pre-ovoid, of course) and a trailer, drive to Texarkana, pick up 2,000 cans of Coors and then head to Hapeville to give everyone a congratualtory/with-sympathy beer. Godspeed, dear Taurus. At least you'll always have a place in the stars. [Thanks to Scott for the tip.]

Last Ford Taurus rolls off assembly line [Internal]

Final Bull Fed to Mass Slaughterer of Chickens: Chik-fil-A Founder to Buy Last Taurus

Davey G. Johnson — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 22:15:00 EDT

Besides humping it over hill and dale in the FJ Cruiser, we didn't find a whole lot to like about Birmingham, Alabama. But one bright spot was the sighting of a bas-relief, 3D Chik-fil-A billboard, a sight familiar from our days in Texas.

Truett Cathy, the founder of the Atlanta-based chain, credits the success of his company with Ford plant workers in Hapeville, GA, who worked across the street from his Dwarf Grill, which spawned the sandwich. As such, he's worked with the people at FoMoCo to purchase the last Taurus off the production line, no doubt to give his hard-working sign-painting inanimate cows some measure of reward. We can't wait for the Chik-fil-A robocalves. Even Wert, we think, would dig those. Meanwhile, One o' them said they'd buy me lunch. But I don't see nobody taking me to Chick-fil-A. [Thanks to everyone who sent this one in.] – Davey G. Johnson

Ford to sell last Ford Taurus to Chik-fil-A founder [Contra Costa Times]

Related:
2007 Jaguar XKR Convertible Revealed! [Internal]

Popular Hot Rodding Puts Another Chink in Primedia's Styrofoam Chinese Wall

Davey G. Johnson — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 05:30:00 EDT

Back when Cameron Evans helmed Popular Hot Rodding, the mag had a real spark to it and some pretty solid momentum going. Once he bailed, it rapidly slid downhill. So somewhat unexpectedly, Johnny Hunkins recently exposed the enthusiast-media game for what it is (basically parts payola) with an evocative quote:

"We go to Year One's super fling every year. During the month or two leading up to it, we're pretending hardship in our publisher's office, begging for airfare back East. The conversation usually goes something like this: 'We're dangerously low on car features, plus we can talk to a bunch of our advertisers at the same time.' (Publishers love to hear this stuff from editors.)"

Brief analysis after the jump.

Like most editorial types in the business, Hunkins probably hates the incessant pressure to feature advertiser product. And honestly, that whole Year One shindig sounds like a damn blast. But either it's one of two things — either Hunkins thinks his readers and publisher are so dumb that he's not gonna get called on it, or he's a ballsy motherfucker. Honestly, we're not sure which.

There are a lot of good people in the enthusiast media. Unfortunately, they're often too low on the totem pole to make any kind of difference, and the lifers, by and large, have sold their souls. Which is a shame, because some of the lifers are good guys behind closed doors, too. We came up on hot rods and musclecars, and once we got inside the journalistic angle of that section of the industry, we were frankly dumbfounded at how completely run by advertising representatives it was. Frankly, it's absolutely shameful.

The 2006 Year One Experience - Calling All Cars [Popular Hot Rodding]

Hands-Free On My Mind: Georgia Military Installation Bans Cell-Phone Yammering

Davey G. Johnson — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 00:58:00 EDT

Fort Benning, GA, has announced a ban on non-hands-free celly convos while on base by either military or civilian personnel. According to the memo sent out by the Department of the Army, individuals who violate the ban could lose driving privileges while on-base, and signs have been posted throughout the facility warning people as such. And let's face it, who wants to deal with surly MPs on a sweltering summer day in Georgia? Not us, brother. Not us.

Fort Benning Bans Cell Phones in Cars [WTVM]

Rebel Yell: The El Busamino of the South!

Davey G. Johnson — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 15:00:00 EDT

Because it's warm in Georgia, El Busaminos in the Peach State don't require additional cab space a la their Minnesotan counterparts. Everyone just piles into the bed, taps the keg and rolls leisurely through the countryside where Yankee madmen like the Classic Car Club Manhattan's Michael Prichinello go buzzing by in a Z06 at 140 mph.

Related:
More El Caminos [Internal]

Oh Man, Bo Darville Would've Dispatched These Guys Right Quick-Like

Davey G. Johnson — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 14:41:58 EST

We're a little bitter at Southern hipsters right now (except for Henry because he's as impossible to hate as he is irascible), but these Georgia kids had a great idea for a speed-limit protest. They drove four-wide on a four-lane at the posted limit and filmed the ensuing craziness, including an Angry White Van Man exploding his mirror on a disabled car on the side of the road. Plus, you know, we'd totally date at least two of those chicks. [Thanks to Nick for the tip.]

A Meditation on the Speed Limit [Google Video]

Babes, Bling and Whatnot: The 2005 NOPI Nationals Supershow

Davey G. Johnson — Mon, 03 Oct 2005 16:22:00 EDT

The Dubspeed boys trod where your friends here at Jalopnik were afraid to venture deep into the Dirty South to catch Atlanta's NOPI Nationals Motorsports Supershow and its blend of bikinis, booty, customized compacts and burning front-wheel rubber. Their gallery is so stupid-large we didn't even get through a tenth of it, but if tuner cars are your thing, here's your own little slice of pixelated heaven.

2005 NOPI Nationals Motorsports Supershow [Dubspeed Driven]