Faculty commencement was developing, and I wanted a job–stat. However what?
A journalism diploma from the College of Georgia was heading my method, however what did I wish to cowl? To assist make me marketable of types, I minored in felony justice and in addition took the complete slate of photojournalism lessons.
However I wished to cowl automobiles, too. Or, actually, do something with automobiles. Promote them? Possibly.
So I positioned an advert within the Atlanta Area SCCA publication: Job wished and prepared to do practically something.
I acquired a name from Brian Hernan, proprietor and founding father of Automod. The corporate offered race and sports activities automotive gear in metro Atlanta. Did I wish to chat? So we did.
I began work the Monday after commencement. I’d work within the warehouse with hopes of turning into a salesperson.
It didn’t contain writing about automobiles, however I figured it might train me extra concerning the scene whereas making introductions. It’d be like grad college, proper?
I discovered rather a lot from Brian.
Automod opened in 1972, so the corporate was 20 years previous at this level. Our buyer base was fairly diverse and welcomed every kind. At anybody time, the parking zone may comprise a Jaguar E-type, autocross-prepped Datsun 240Z and a slammed Nissan Maxima.
Whereas it loved busy walk-up service–no installs–it additionally served as a warehouse distributor for a lot of firms. Brian was very explicit concerning the manufacturers that he carried. For shock absorbers, for instance, solely Koni. We solely carried Weber carburetors, Amco convertible tops and Ok&N air filters.
When it got here to steering wheels, we labored with simply two firms: Momo and Nardi. (We additionally carried Private, Nardi’s different line.)
Brian instilled the significance of a high quality steering wheel and the way the appropriate automotive wanted the appropriate wheel. We stocked the complete strains, together with the related hubs and horn buttons. If I shut my eyes, I can nonetheless image all these half numbers, too.
I spent two years at Automod, leaving to return right here to GRM. I’ve owned wheels from Momo and Nardi through the years, whereas a Momo Prototipo could be present in my Miata.
And whereas on our personal website, I simply seen advertisements from Momo. They are saying which you could’t go dwelling once more, however typically you’ll be able to take into consideration it.
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I nonetheless consider all of the cool components that handed by means of my arms at Automod–and I may have purchased it at price.
We’re speaking Kamei air dams for ’80s Accords, Zender aero components for VW Rabbits, Momo Benetton wheels and shift knobs. We additionally had a great provide of NOS Cibié lamps.
Someplace I’ve an Opel Amco shift knob. It could be within the storage. I ought to go look.
The place’s my time machine?
We didn’t do a lot in wheels–simply not our factor–though we may buy immediately from Panasport.
We had a set of those in inventory, although. I wish to say 15×7 4×100. If I may discover that set now: Nardi highway wheels by BBS.
I like this type of thread. Again in school within the 80s I used to be so loopy for automobiles I’d purchase components/items from automotive catalogs and put them on my desk so once I was learning I may dream concerning the day that I may even have a automotive to place them on. Behold my Bosal Brospeed exhaust tip that sits on my pc desk to at the present time 40 years later. Model new, by no means used. I do not recall utilizing Automod however I used MG Mitten out of California fairly a bit. I nonetheless have a Momo steering wheel and a set of Konig wheels that I bought again then and have by no means used. Mi first automotive bought out of faculty at my first job? A brand new 1986 Honda CRX Si. Many others since then. My training labored out nicely for me. 
In reply to Woody (Discussion board Supportum) :
I’d nonetheless kill (nicely, not likely) for a Can Caddy. 
Find it irresistible!
Hi there Kitty horn button is prime boss!
Recollections come flooding again, I bear in mind visiting Automod when location was proper off P’tree Industrial.
I purchased a great few little knickknacks, and a bunch of copies of Traditional & Sports activities Automotive journal that y’all would rip the duvet off and promote for $2.
By far probably the most important buy I ever purchased at Automod was a particular order Private Dakar, and it turned out to be my favourite steering wheel of all time!
Ran that factor eternally too…
…after which I wanted one other as a result of it acquired so nicely worn!
On the time once I determined to purchase a brand new one Automod had relocated to Highway Atlanta and the leather-based Dakar was NLA so I acquired the alcantara model, however for no matter purpose could not deliver myself to make use of it so it nonetheless sits new-in-box at my storage unit, I must go look ‘n see if the Automod receipt could be tucked contained in the field too.
Surprisingly little information on-line almost about Automod so articles like this are completely superior!
Thanks.
David S. Wallens mentioned:
We didn’t do a lot in wheels–simply not our factor–though we may buy immediately from Panasport.
We had a set of those in inventory, although. I wish to say 15×7 4×100. If I may discover that set now: Nardi highway wheels by BBS.
These are what Axe Healey has on his mini.
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