It's apparently hard to match drivers to their wheels. We asked readers of The Augusta Chronicle to select which vehicles were driven by seven well-known local residents. Out of 87 entries, only one, submitted by Grovetown resident Sandra M. Sheppard, got them all. Here's a look at who drives what, and why, and a look at Ms. Sheppard and her ride:
2005 MINI COOPER
THE DRIVER: The Rev. Greg DeLoach, pastor of First Baptist Church
HOW LONG: "It's my second one. I got my first one in 2003; I ordered it from England as well. I totaled it two years later and replaced it immediately."
WHY THE COOPER: "My wife knew I had been wanting one; as a surprise she went behind my back and ordered the car. It was delivered to the church (in Marietta, Ga.) as a surprise because I'd just gotten my doctorate."
I LIKE THE MINI BECAUSE: "It's a wonderfully driving car,;it hugs the road. I feel like it's important to be responsible with fuel consumption, and it meets my needs. It's not a gas guzzler."
IS IT THE CAR PEOPLE EXPECT YOU TO DRIVE? "It's kind of sporty, kind of whimsical. It's probably not a very distinguished car, doesn't look like a preacher's car. Sometimes when I do funerals, I ride with the undertaker because it's kind of whimsical."
MY NEXT CAR: "I'm interested in hybrids, so I'm waiting to see some of the different ones that will be coming out. If I had a wish list I would love an old (Volkswagen) Karmann Ghia. They haven't made them for ages."
1999 LEXUS RX 300
THE DRIVER: Augusta Mayor Pro Tem Betty Beard
HOW LONG: Since 2001
WHY THIS CAR: Her late husband, Augusta Commissioner Lee Beard, chose it. "It's a very durable car, and maneuvering is very easy. It's just a nice car for traveling and just about anything you'd want to do."
IS THIS A VEHICLE PEOPLE EXPECT YOU TO DRIVE? "Well, I hope so. I think so."
MY NEXT CAR: "I have no idea, but it will be reliable. And I will be getting it when the cars I have become unreliable. A car just hasn't been a big deal for me."
2004 NISSAN ALTIMA
THE DRIVER: North Augusta Mayor Lark Jones
HOW LONG: Bought it new in March 2004
WHY THIS CAR: "I chose it for a number of reasons. I like the body style, I wanted a four-cylinder car that I could get a leather interior and a sunroof."
FAVORITE FEATURES: "It's a medium-size car. It's got a very good Bose stereo system in it that I like. I like to play music louder than I should. And I've got a little bit of everything on my CD player. Elvis, Johnny Cash, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis -- old stuff."
IS THIS A VEHICLE PEOPLE EXPECT YOU TO DRIVE? "I would imagine people would expect me to drive a much more expensive and much nicer car, but my father was in the car business for many years and I've always been around automobiles and they really don't mean that much to me."
MY NEXT CAR: "I might consider getting a small sort of crossover SUV if I can get a four-cylinder, but it'll probably be three or four years before I buy another one."
2001 HONDA ACCORD
THE DRIVER: George Bradley, president, Paine College
HOW LONG: Since 2001
WHY AN ACCORD: "They're pretty reliable. You change the oil and get it tuned up and they run forever."
IS THIS A VEHICLE PEOPLE EXPECT YOU TO DRIVE? "I guess not. I think a president is more of a luxury car, but I don't know if that fits my profile."
NEXT VEHICLE: A Honda Accord or a Nissan
1999 LEXUS GS 300
THE DRIVER: Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver
HOW LONG: About five years
WHY THIS CAR: "It was certified pre-owned and came with a warranty. Plus, it had the reputation of being a dependable car,and I got it for a good price!"
MY NEXT CAR: "I'm not sure, but it will definitely not be brand new, as new cars are way too pricey these days."
WHY NOT DRIVE THE CAR THE CITY PROVIDES? "My car works perfectly fine, and it saves the city money for me to drive my own."
1969 PONTIAC GTO
THE DRIVER: Minnesota Fattz, Clear Channel Radio program director and morning-show host
HOW LONG: Since 1997
WHY THIS CAR: "As a kid in New York, my father, Roosevelt Royal, had one, and you always want to be like Dad. My father knew I wanted it, but I was too young, like 14 or 15, and he sold it to my uncle Eddie Royal. I was crushed, crying, I wanted that car so bad. I said if God blesses me one day, I 'm going to buy a GTO if I can afford it. At that time, I wasn't thinking about a radio; I was still in school.
"One day (in 1997) I was driving in Augusta and I saw it at someone's house for sale. I was so excited, I was so nervous, I called (a co-worker) and let him drive it. I came back, bought the car -- it was real rusty and needed a lot of work, but everything was original and the engine was tight. I took it from there straight to a paint and body shop."
WHAT'S TO LIKE: "I lost my father in December, but every time I get in, it reminds me of my father so much. I get in it and turn on James Brown, Otis Redding -- do all the old things my father used to do and I ride out just like that."
MY NEXT CAR: "I love classics. Right now I'm looking for a '69-72 (Pontiac) Grand Prix. That's going to be my next car."
2007 DODGE RAM
THE DRIVER: Dr. Bill Bloodworth, president, Augusta State University
HOW LONG: One year
WHY: "Because it's a truck. Because it was a good deal. Because it has such great features as a six-speed manual transmission, windows that you actually can crank by hand, an oh-so-practical vinyl floor covering and a radio."
IS THIS A VEHICLE PEOPLE EXPECT YOU TO DRIVE? "I don't know, but what else besides a pickup -- or cattle -- would you expect a Texan to drive?"
MY NEXT VEHICLE: "I hope it will be one that gets 60 miles per gallon."
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