Billionaire investor Carl Icahn today raised his offer to acquire automotive parts and services chain Pep Boys (NYSE: PBY) to $16.50 per share in cash, trumping a rival offer of $15.50/share by Japanese tire giant Bridgestone.

Both Icahn and Bridgestone have very deep pockets and while its left to be seen how this battle plays out (Bridgestone has until December 23rd to propose a higher offer), those investors who bought into Pep Boys towards the end of last year as part of a long-term plan or short-term trading strategy are looking at a sweet gain of more than 60% should Icahn’s deal go through.

The long-term attractiveness of the automotive parts and services business together with potential synergies from each bidder’s respective existing businesses business undoubtedly led them to knock on Manny, Moe and Jack’s door, and while I did not make a call to go long Pep Boys, this whole scenario makes me feel more confident on the prospects of Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC) as an attractive long-term investment.