Exhibit 5.1

Alston&Bird llp

One Atlantic Center
1201 West Peachtree Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30309-3424

404-881-7000
Fax: 404-881-7777
www.alston.com

April 18, 2006

Genuine Parts Company
2999 Circle 75 Parkway
Atlanta, Georgia 30339

Re:	Registration Statement on Form S-8 –
	Genuine Parts Company 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel for Genuine Parts Company, a Georgia corporation (the “Corporation”), in connection with the filing of the above-referenced Registration Statement (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), 8,000,000 shares of the Corporation’s common stock, $1.00 par value (the “Shares”) which may be issued by the Corporation pursuant to the Genuine Parts Company 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). This Opinion Letter is rendered pursuant to Item 8 of Form S-8 and Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K.

     We have examined the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation, the Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Corporation, as amended and restated, records of proceedings of the Board of Directors of the Corporation deemed by us to be relevant to this opinion letter, the Plan and the Registration Statement. We also have made such further legal and factual examinations and investigations as we deemed necessary for purposes of expressing the opinions set forth herein.

     As to certain factual matters relevant to this opinion letter, we have relied conclusively upon originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such other records, agreements, documents and instruments, including certificates or comparable documents of officers of the Corporation and of public officials, as we have deemed appropriate as a basis for the opinion hereinafter set forth. Except to the extent expressly set forth herein, we have made no independent investigations with regard to matters of fact, and, accordingly, we do not express any opinion as to matters that might have been disclosed by independent verification.

     Our opinion set forth below is limited to the laws of the State of Georgia, and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any other laws.

     This opinion letter is provided to the Corporation and the Commission for their use solely in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Registration Statement and may not be used, circulated, quoted or otherwise relied upon by any other person or for any other purpose

Bank of America Plaza	90 Park Avenue	3201 Beechleaf Court, Suite 600	601 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
101 South Tryon Street, Suite 4000	New York, NY 10016	Raleigh, NC 27604-1062	North Building, 10th Floor
Charlotte, NC 28280-4000	212-210-9400	919-862-2200	Washington, DC 20004-2601
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Fax: 704-444-1111			Fax: 202-756-3333

without our express written consent. The only opinion rendered by us consists of those matters set forth in the sixth paragraph hereof, and no opinion may be implied or inferred beyond those expressly stated. Our opinion expressed herein is as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to advise you of any changes in applicable law or any other matters that may come to our attention after the date hereof that may affect our opinion expressed herein.

     Based on the foregoing, it is our opinion that the Shares to be issued pursuant to the Plan are duly authorized, and, when issued in accordance with the terms of the Plan, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

     We consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name wherever appearing in the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

Sincerely,
ALSTON & BIRD LLP
By:	/s/ Laura G. Thatcher
		Laura G. Thatcher
		Partner