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                                February 9, 1999



Allied Holdings, Inc.
160 Clairemont Avenue, Suite 200
Decatur, Georgia 30030

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have examined a copy of the registration statement on Form S-8 proposed to
be filed by Allied Holdings, Inc., a Georgia corporation (the "Company"), with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), relating to the
registration pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), of 350,000 shares (the "Shares") of the
Company's Common Stock, no par value per share (the "Common Stock"), reserved
for issuance in connection with the Allied Holdings, Inc. 1999 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan (the "Plan"). In rendering this opinion, we have reviewed such
documents and made such investigations as we deemed appropriate.

We are of the opinion that, subject to compliance with the pertinent provisions
of the Securities Act and to compliance with such securities or "Blue Sky" laws
of any jurisdiction as may be applicable, when certificates evidencing the
Shares have been duly executed, countersigned, registered, issued and delivered
in accordance with the terms of the Plan, the Shares will be duly and validly
issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock of
the Company.

We are members of the Bar of the State of Georgia. In expressing the opinions
set forth above, we are not passing on the laws of any jurisdiction other than
the laws of the State of Georgia and the Federal law of the United States of
America.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion or copies thereof as an exhibit
to the registration statement referred to above.


                                Very truly yours,



                                /s/ Troutman Sanders LLP