Introduction
Welcome to the charming little town of Oxford, Mississippi. Nestled in the heart of the magnolia state, it’s a place of rich literary history and southern hospitality. But, there’s one thing about Oxford that makes it a small town sensation – the Yugo.
The Yugo: A Brief History
The Yugo, a small, cheap car produced in Yugoslavia, began importing to the United States in 1985. For Oxford, the Yugo became an enormous source of pride, with the first dealership in North America opening in 1986, along with its very own car club. Despite being known for its affordability, the Yugo became infamous for its reliability issues, and soon enough the Oxford Yugo dealership fell victim to the Yugo’s epic failure. The dealership ended up closing down in 1991, but the memories of the Yugo still live on in Oxford.
The Oxford Yugo Car Club
One of the most notable things about the Yugo in Oxford is the famous Oxford Yugo Car Club. Founded by a group of local Yugo enthusiasts, the club brought the community together to share their love for the car. The Yugo car owners would gather for rallies and parades, showing off their beloved cars in all their glory. The club even had their very own logo featuring the tagline “Yugos for Life.” To this day, the Oxford Yugo Car Club is still active in the community.
The Yugo in Popular Culture
Over the years, the Yugo has become somewhat of a pop culture icon in Oxford, popping up in various movies and TV shows. Perhaps the most well-known instance of the Yugo in pop-culture is its appearance in John Grisham’s 1991 novel “The Firm.” In the book, the protagonist, Mitch McDeere, drives a Yugo and even trades it in for a newer model in the end. The Yugo has also made appearances on other TV shows such as “The Simpsons” and “Trailer Park Boys.”
The Yugo’s Impact on Oxford Tourism
The Yugo has undoubtedly played a significant role in Oxford’s tourism industry. Oxford is a popular destination for fans of southern literature, such as William Faulkner, and fans of the Ole Miss Rebels football team. And for Yugo fans, it’s a must-visit destination. The Yugo has brought so much attention to Oxford that it’s even been featured in travel guides and ranked as one of the best small towns in America to visit.
The Yugo’s Legacy in Oxford
Despite its reliability issues, the Yugo has left a lasting impact on the community of Oxford. It’s become a symbol of pride for the town and has created an unbreakable bond between the people of Oxford and their beloved Yugo. Even though the dealership may have closed, the memories and stories of the Yugo still live on, and they always will.
The Funniest Things About Yugo Oxford MS
While the Yugo is undoubtedly a source of pride for the people of Oxford, it’s also pretty darn hilarious. Here are just a few of the funniest things about Yugo Oxford MS:
#1. The Yugo Can’t Retrieve My Account
One Oxford resident shared a hilarious story about their Yugo experience: “I was trying to log into my account once, and it asked me to enter the make and model of my first car. I put Yugo, and it said ‘Sorry, that’s not a valid make and model.'” I guess the Yugo’s not quite famous enough to make it onto the drop-down list.
#2. The Yugo is a Great Conversation Starter
If you’re looking for a way to strike up a conversation with someone in Oxford, just mention the Yugo. People in this town love to talk about their experiences with the car, whether good or bad. It’s like a secret handshake that only Yugo fans can understand.
#3. Yugo Jokes are Out of This World
If you’ve ever heard a Yugo joke, you know how terrible (and hilarious) they can be. Here are a few of the best:
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Why did the Yugo come with rear window defrost? To keep your hands warm while pushing it.
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What do you call a Yugo with a flat tire? Totaled.
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Why do Yugos have heated rear windows? To keep your hands warm while pushing them.
#4. The Yugo Makes for a Great Photo Opp
No trip to Oxford is complete without a photo of the iconic Yugo. Visitors can snap a picture of the car at the Oxford University Inn and Suites, where the car sits proudly on display. It’s the perfect photo opp to show your friends just how much you love Yugo Oxford MS.
The Best Yugo Oxford MS Memes and Tweets
Of course, we couldn’t talk about the funny side of Yugo Oxford MS without mentioning its extensive online presence. Here are a few of the best Yugo memes and tweets:
#1. This Yugo Painting is Worth a Thousand Words
#2. Can You Match These Yugo Interior Fabrics to Their Correct Decades?
#3. This Tweet Nails the Yugo Experience
“Driving a Yugo is like riding a bike, except the bike might fall apart at any moment and leave you stranded on the side of the road.” – @jonesem76
Yugo Oxford MS vs. Other Small-Town Fads
The Yugo may be unique to Oxford, but it’s certainly not the only small-town fad out there. Here’s how Yugo Oxford MS stacks up against a few other famously quirky small-town attractions:
| Small-Town Fad | Town | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Giant Ball of | Darwin, | A giant ball of twine that has been continuously wrapped since 1950, now weighing over 17,000 pounds |
| Twine | Minnesota | |
| Cadillac Ranch | Amarillo, | A ranch with ten Cadillacs buried nose-first in the ground. |
| Texas | ||
| Leaning Tower | Niles, | A half-size replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. |
| of Mississippi | Mississippi | |
| The World’s | Aurora, | A giant concrete rabbit that sits abandoned in the woods. |
| Largest Rabbit | Nebraska |
Conclusion
From its beginnings as a symbol of Yugoslavian affordability to becoming the heart of Oxford tourism, the Yugo has had a strange, sometimes hilarious, and undeniably charming presence in Oxford, MS. If you ever find yourself in this small town gem, be sure to take in all the Yugo has to offer. Just don’t try to do it in a Yugo, or you might end up stranded on the side of the road.
References
- http://www.oxfordyugocarclub.com/
- https://www.cars.com/reviews/the-yugo-has-the-last-laugh-1420680691005/
- https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a28631388/the-cult-of-the-yugo-the-car-everyone-loves-to-laugh-at/