Wahooptie offers phat ride
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They’re hard to miss: two 15-year old Lincoln Town Car stretch limos, one bright green, the other bright orange, with ‘Wahooptie’ written in large 3-D letters on the side panels.
What the heck is a Wahooptie?
“It’s from ‘hooptie,’ which is hip-hop slang for a big a** old car,” says Bartley McGowen (right), 29, who, with his partner, Joseph Mills (left), 25, launched the unusual taxi service this past summer. “And then, of course, Wahoo.”
McGowan says he had the idea about eight years ago when he drove a bus while going to UVA, but he never followed through. Two years ago he ended up buying an old purple limo (the orange Lincoln) from a punk rock band who used it to tour; then he met Mills, who’s a bit of a mechanic, and the two were on their way.
“It’s more about the ride than getting to point A or point B,” says Mills, who repaired the cars and outfitted them with sound systems, Internet access (you can IM for a ride from your computer), and added assorted other bells and whistles. “We’re in the process of fixing up a Suburban and a ‘68 Cadillac, and I recently found a 1976 Checker cab on E-bay. We like the idea of using these older, cool cars that usually just ending up sitting around on used car lots.”
McGowen says they get a lot of UVA kids during the school year– surprise!– but also a mix of folks going to the airport, going out or coming home from parties, the Downtown Mall, or from Club 216.
In case there’s any doubt, the Wahooptie is a real taxi service, complete with a meter up front– and they’re on-call 24/7. Mills says it’s a little more expensive than other taxi services in town, but there are no extra charges for late night rides or hauling luggage. Plus, you get all that leg room!
To get yourself a phat Wahooptie ride, give ‘em a call at 434-249-TAXI, or check out their website at wahooptie.com.
I’ve been in Wahooptie twice. It’s fantastic and an easy way to keep the evening safe!
Great service! I used them last night and they were incredibly quick picking me up and very professional.
I’d like to see a hearse brought into a rotation. Throw some neon lights on that bad boy and you’d have a line waiting to ride in Wahooptie!!!
These guys look a little familiar. I think I’ve seen them hanging around music venues….like the Pavilion.
I think what McGowen means is it’s hip hop slang for “I totally stole the idea.”
http://www.hooptieride.com/
I think what lifted means is “I’m jealous and want to bring everyone down to my level.” Have you compared the websites? Seriously, these guys have put some thought into this…
http://www.wahooptie.com
Hooptie Ride and the “Hooptie” name are protected under United States Trademark Law. Letter of ‘Cease and Desist’ is in the mail. Stay tuned, loyal Hooptie riders and new Wahooptie patrons…After all, any publicity is good publicity!
(to Wahooptie guys Bartley & Joseph: let’s work this out like gentlemen, with sense and sincerity.)
-D.Rob, founder.
the original Hooptie Ride® service.
Hooptie Ride Dude, you really need to get some clarification on infringement laws, (and not from some dude, who’s in law school). Hire a real lawyer. Anyway, I’m sure you noticed that the name of the Taxi service in C’ville is called, “Wahooptie Taxi†yours is called “Hooptie Rideâ€. From what I can tell, you don’t offer regular service in C’ville and they don’t offer service in B’burg.
If anyone should be upset at this whole thing is the Honorable Sir Mix-A-Lot; you seem to have lifted the title of his 2000, multi-award winning song, “My Hooptieâ€.
WHOOPTIE guys, I suggest you operate as you are and let hooptie guy try and sue you. Your website and services offered blow away anyone in this area. Actually, what you guys ought to do is buy another 2 limos, offer service in Blacksburg and call it “WaHokie Taxiâ€
PS: I like big butts too…