Atlanta Motors: The Little-Known British Carmaker You Need to Know About

When you think of British sports cars, you probably think of brands like Aston Martin, Jaguar, and Lotus. But have you ever heard of Atlanta Motors? This little-known carmaker was founded in the 1980s and produced a handful of sports cars before disappearing into obscurity. But don’t let their small footprint fool you – Atlanta Motors has a fascinating history and some seriously cool cars.

The History of Atlanta Motors

Atlanta Motors was founded in 1986 by Martyn Griffiths, a former engineer for DeLorean Motor Company. Griffiths set out to build his own sports car, using parts from other cars to keep costs down. The result was the Atlanta J39, a sleek two-seater with a fiberglass body and a mid-mounted V6 engine.

The J39 was a hit, and Griffiths went on to build a handful of other cars under the Atlanta Motors name. These included the Atlanta AR7, a convertible sports car based on the J39, and the Atlanta AR8, a more powerful version of the AR7 with a V8 engine.

Despite their success, Atlanta Motors struggled to compete with bigger brands like Aston Martin and Jaguar. In the mid-1990s, the company was sold to a group of investors who planned to relaunch the brand with a new lineup of cars. Unfortunately, these plans never came to fruition, and Atlanta Motors quietly disappeared.

Interesting Facts About Atlanta Motors

1. The Atlanta J39 was based on the DMC-12, the car made famous by the Back to the Future movies. Griffiths used the DMC-12’s chassis and suspension as the basis for the J39.
2. The Atlanta AR7 was featured in the James Bond movie “GoldenEye.” Pierce Brosnan’s Bond drives the car in a chase scene through the streets of St. Petersburg.
3. Atlanta Motors had plans to build a mid-engined supercar called the AR9. The car was designed by noted automotive engineer Peter Stevens, who had previously worked on the McLaren F1.
4. The Atlanta AR8 was featured in the video game “Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit.” Players could race the car against police cars on various tracks.
5. The Atlanta Motors logo featured an image of a phoenix rising from the ashes, symbolizing the company’s rebirth after Griffiths’ departure.

Final Thoughts

While Atlanta Motors may not have the same level of recognition as other British sports car brands, their cars were no less impressive. With their sleek designs and powerful engines, Atlanta Motors’ cars were true contenders in the sports car world. Though the company is no longer around, their legacy lives on through the handful of cars they produced. And who knows – maybe one day Atlanta Motors will rise from the ashes once again.