College graduation was coming up, and I needed a job–stat. But what?
A journalism degree from the University of Georgia was heading my way, but what did I want to cover? To help make me marketable of sorts, I minored in criminal justice and also took the full slate of photojournalism classes.
But I wanted to cover cars, too. Or, …
I still think of all the cool parts that passed through my hands at Automod–and I could have bought it at cost.
We’re talking Kamei air dams for ’80s Accords, Zender aero parts for VW Rabbits, Momo Benetton wheels and shift knobs. We also had a good supply of NOS Cibié lamps.
Somewhere I have an Opel Amco shift knob. It might be in the garage. I should go look.
Where’s my time machine?
We didn’t do much in wheels–just not our thing–although we could purchase directly from Panasport.
We had a set of these in stock, though. I want to say 15x7 4x100. If I could find that set now: Nardi road wheels by BBS.
I love this kind of thread. Back in college in the 80s I was so crazy for cars I would buy parts/pieces from car catalogs and put them on my desk so when I was studying I could dream about the day that I could actually have a car to put them on. Behold my Bosal Brospeed exhaust tip that sits on my computer desk to this day 40 years later. Brand new, never used. I don't recall using Automod but I used MG Mitten out of California quite a bit. I still have a Momo steering wheel and a set of Konig wheels that I purchased back then and have never used. Mi first car purchased out of school at my first job? A new 1986 Honda CRX Si. Many others since then. My education worked out well for me. 
Wow, I remember those tips.
LOLing at "Brospeed". That name just says it all, doesn't it?
In reply to David S. Wallens :
I really miss Kamei air dams and rear spoilers.
In reply to Woody (Forum Supportum) :
I’d still kill (well, not really) for a Can Caddy. 
Both of my CRX's have this wheel...period correct.
Love it!
Hello Kitty horn button is top boss!
Memories come flooding back, I remember visiting Automod when location was right off P'tree Industrial.
I bought a good few little knickknacks, and a bunch of copies of Classic & Sports Car magazine that y'all would rip the cover off and sell for $2.
By far the most significant purchase I ever bought at Automod was a special order Personal Dakar, and it turned out to be my favorite steering wheel of all time!
Ran that thing forever too...
...and then I needed another because it got so well worn!
At the time when I decided to buy a new one Automod had relocated to Road Atlanta and the leather Dakar was NLA so I got the alcantara version, but for whatever reason couldn't bring myself to use it so it still sits new-in-box at my storage unit, I need to go look 'n see if the Automod receipt might be tucked inside the box too.
Surprisingly little info online with regards to Automod so articles like this are totally awesome!
Thanks.
David S. Wallens said:We didn’t do much in wheels–just not our thing–although we could purchase directly from Panasport.
We had a set of these in stock, though. I want to say 15x7 4x100. If I could find that set now: Nardi road wheels by BBS.
These are what Axe Healey has on his mini.
Brand new never worn Momo promotional t-shirt from the 80s with a Momo shift knob box and a new never used 1987 Mazda Rx7 Turbo shift knob replaced with the Momo shift knob that was in the box when I purchased the car. My first of two rotaries. 
Do you remember a place in Buckhead called Roadshow? A very good friend worked there back in the early '90s. It was a killer place for cool car stuff, especially BBS wheels.
In reply to Oldboy Speedwell :
I worked at the shop from 1992-94. It was in Brookhaven, right off PIB. I don’t remember selling the coverless magazines, but we had a pretty decent book rack. I still have a few purchased during my time there: a few Weber manuals and those road test reprints on Spitfire and MGB, I think.
And, you’re right, there’s little out there about Automod. I remember writing something about the shop for Creative Loafing. I’m guessing I have a copy somewhere. This is pre-internet.
Oddly, I can’t recall taking any photos there, either.
This is my Sentra SE-R, and I’m 99.99999999999% sure this is my first autocross.
Noticed the magnetic on the hood. It’s currently in my garage. I didn’t have Konis, though. I must have grabbed the sticker.
Andy Hollis said:Both of my CRX's have this wheel...period correct.
Whether it's from Momo, Sparco or one of the other steering wheel manufacturers, this style of three-spoke, suede-covered wheel fits almost anything and is great to use.
dyintorace said:Do you remember a place in Buckhead called Roadshow? A very good friend worked there back in the early '90s. It was a killer place for cool car stuff, especially BBS wheels.
I remember the name, and pretty sure we occasionally bought and sold to them.
Back around this time, Atlanta was covered up with cool car stuff. It’ll come to me later, but we also had a place that pretty much catered to autocrossers on the north side of town. We did some business from them, too. My Sentra’s SuperTrapp came from them. So did the pedal covers currently in my Miata. (They were originally in the SE-R.)
We also had several Datsun shops, with a few just focused on Z-cars. Miata and Mazda shops, too. Killer car scene.
Update: That autocross shop was called Sport Auto. More in a Miata update.
Looks they also sold Momo. I’m going to assume they bought their Momo through us since we were the W/D for the area.
Anyone remember any of these publications?
David S. Wallens said:I remember writing something about the shop for Creative Loafing.
Creative Loafing! My sister went to school at SCAD and we always grabbed a creative loafing when visiting Savannah.
In reply to Feedyurhed :
IIRC, Black Dragon was part of Victoria British/Long Motor Company.
In reply to Oldboy Speedwell :
And glad you like the Hello Kitty horn button. Pretty sure that’s from eBay–like, back in the day eBay.
Can I hang with the cool kids?
David S. Wallens said:In reply to Feedyurhed :
IIRC, Black Dragon was part of Victoria British/Long Motor Company.
You are correct.........they also had a sister publication for the Datun/Nissan Z car which lasted a few more years than the Mazda catalog.
In reply to GPz11 (Forum Supporter) :
Of course. (Although not sure I’m cool enough.)
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