What the hell is going on with Popular Hotrodding??

[Streetking]

Ok, I'm a car guy and love all types of cars but, the last few issues of Popular Hotrodding remind me of Hot Rod magazine of the 80's.. I have always thought of PHR as "our" magazine. Maybe Steve can shed some light on this...

SW

[Steve1968LS2]

Originally Posted by Streetking

Ok, I'm a car guy and love all types of cars but, the last few issues of Popular Hotrodding remind me of Hot Rod magazine of the 80's.. I have always thought of PHR as "our" magazine. Maybe Steve can shed some light on this...

SW

Hmm.. how to say this in a politically correct way where I don't get my ass chewed later...


Ok, newstand sales were a bit down so they instituted a redesign about a year ago and others put input into the magazine. Some thought that the all-g-machine format was hurting us since it was so specific. So the fault with the change lies with those that didn't buy PHR, but were into the g-machine stuff. If our newstand was strong we wouldn't have changed a thing.

In order to draw back readers (like drag racers) the magazine erred to the other extreem by heavily featuring drag cars. PHR also went after more "low buck" driven cars. We were also trying to compensate for the loss of SPORTSMAN DRAG RACING and those readers that like that sort of deal.

Starting around December newstand sales have gone way up. With March being a VERY good month. However, PHR is now moving back to the center and doing more g-machine stuff again (we never really stopped, just slowed). Anyways, I can think of four high end PT cars we are set to feature. The silver/black Mopar from SEMA, the Morrison Vette, The Campbell '69 Camaro, Parson's Nova and few I can't remember.

The fact is that drag race guys buy magazines too and now that we include those types of cars sales have gone up.

I FEEL (just my opinion) that PHR is better when there's a mix of cars and tech. Some low buck, some medium and some high. I also don't mind seeing some street/strip cars with my PT fix. I do not necessarily agree with all the cars we've featured and some did look like they rolled out of the early 90s. lol

Some of these decisions are made by higher management and since we like our day jobs we try their suggestions. lol -- these decisions certainly wern't made by somebody at my pay grade.

Anyways, wait till you see the September issue.. it definetly shows were back into the g-machine stuff.

How was that for an answer? ... I may have to delete this later.. lol

[Streetking]

Thanks Steve, I understand it's alot to do with the "numbers".. I don't mind the changes, but don't leave "us" out entirely..

SW

[ironworks]

how successful was the issue with the build up story of Bob Johnsons cuda? I think the mag needs more build up stories of killer cars. The story on hurricane was cool, but stories with build up pics beat another disc brake install story hands down. Well I know I passed on buying the last 2 issues cuz I can only stand so many big blocks with fiberglass seats and gutted interior drag cars.

What ever you guys were doing in 06 was great I bought an issue everymonth.

[novanutcase]

Gotta agree with Rodger here! Obviously, my tastes lean to the G-Machine style but I also understand that the bean counters need to make sure the financials make sense. I would like to see a mix of G-Machine, Drag, Tech, Home Builders, Hi-Profile, and Pro-Street all under one issue!

John

[TravisB]

im wirth rodger to lets see some more build photos hell even follow the build up cars across the country. Johns Nova is a perfect example who doesn't like to see build pics. Look at martys truck thread on here everyone always checks it to see waht is going on with it. just my .02 cents

[Tony@AirRideTech]

Build up articles are definitely a bonus..... you just cant get the full story on a killer car out in a 3-4 page feature. I am also with Steve on variety. If every car featured has the same LS motor, same T-56 or TKO box, same gauge packages all wrapped up in a different color... It gets old. If you widen the variety of build types and actually pay attention to detail. You can get a lot of ideas. I always tell people that if you want to know what color looks good with what ever color.... pick up a lowrider magazine.......

[Steve Chryssos]

I estimate that there are about 20,000 real g-machine enthusiasts and growing. Contrast that with a 200,000 circ magazine on its way to 100,000 circ and you come up against some easy math. Scary math.

Street/Strip was, is, and will always be king. The g-machine market is tiny by comparison. It is a growing niche, but still small. Swing the camera around and look at Popular Hot Rodding from a different angle. Rather than focus on one build style or another, they have done a good job of featuring cars that are functional. That appears to be their litmus test--function. I'm eager to read about street/strip cars that work as well on the street as they do on the strip. Same goes for Pro Streeters that are genuinely quick, but possess decent street manners. I don't care how cool a pro streeter looks. If it hasn't run a decent number--with proof, I wouldn't let it into the magazine.

Focus on function and it's possible to showcase a wide variety of build styles--not just pro-touring and street/strip. People will dig it cause function works. PHR is already doing this every month. Now they just need to come right out and say it. And then say it over and over again until they create an army of function-first hot rodders. Wear the word "function" out. Burn it to the ground and then move on to the synonyms. "We're doing this because function is important, and cool, and fun." As opposed to...."We're doing this 'cause our numbers are low and our boss made us."

[Garage Dog 65]

I'll agree with Street. I look at and dig all cars that have good design, good execution and that function properly. Doesn't matter much to me the make/mark, type of use, carbs or efi, max dollar/low buck, etc.... I will spend hours looking at stuff that shows a good usage of materials, brain power and that will function as intended every time. Be it a rat rod, muscle, truck or import - building, aircraft or spacecraft....

[novanutcase]

Originally Posted by streetfytr68

I estimate that there are about 20,000 real g-machine enthusiasts and growing. Contrast that with a 200,000 circ magazine on its way to 100,000 circ and you come up against some easy math. Scary math.

Street/Strip was, is, and will always be king. The g-machine market is tiny by comparison. It is a growing niche, but still small. Swing the camera around and look at Popular Hot Rodding from a different angle. Rather than focus on one build style or another, they have done a good job of featuring cars that are functional. That appears to be their litmus test--function. I'm eager to read about street/strip cars that work as well on the street as they do on the strip. Same goes for Pro Streeters that are genuinely quick, but possess decent street manners. I don't care how cool a pro streeter looks. If it hasn't run a decent number--with proof, I wouldn't let it into the magazine.

Focus on function and it's possible to showcase a wide variety of build styles--not just pro-touring and street/strip. People will dig it cause function works. PHR is already doing this every month. Now they just need to come right out and say it. And then say it over and over again until they create an army of function-first hot rodders. Wear the word "function" out. Burn it to the ground and then move on to the synonyms. "We're doing this because function is important, and cool, and fun." As opposed to...."We're doing this 'cause our numbers are low and our boss made us."

Steve you may want to copy this and post it up in your office!

John