What the hell is going on with Popular Hotrodding??

[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

[Garage Dog 65]

Even weird $hit like this - when it's done well and works....

[Steve1968LS2]

Originally Posted by novanutcase

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

John

We already know it

Just had our meeting on the next issue.. we will have an minimum of 50% g-machine and 50% "other stuff" in PHR. That's a mix I can live with, especially if the g-machine coverage is top notch.

Oh, and that doesn't include my kingdom know as Hometown Hotrodding.. which is a bastion of g-machine lovin.. lol

You guys will love the September issue.

[Roger Poirier]

Originally Posted by Steve1968LS2

Oh, and that doesn't include my kingdom know as Hometown Hotrodding.. which is a bastion of g-machine lovin.. lol

Steve,

Hometown hotrodding is the best part of the magazine. If I remember this section was outdated before you took over.

I PM you last week at pro-touring. My kid tells me that the past pics you requested of my GTO are available in the size you needed. Do you still want them?

R.P.

[Bill Howell]

Originally Posted by Streetking

The one with mine in it was the best seller!!

SW

I liked that issue best also SW!
Much better cover car than that damn ole cuda.......

[Steve1968LS2]

Originally Posted by Roger Poirier

Steve,

Hometown hotrodding is the best part of the magazine. If I remember this section was outdated before you took over.

I PM you last week at pro-touring. My kid tells me that the past pics you requested of my GTO are available in the size you needed. Do you still want them?

R.P.

Hell yea.. send them pics to [email protected] ... will put ya in the next issue

When I took over HTHR it was an outdated mess.. one page in black and white most of the time. It was like some "chore" that they had to do to make readers happy. It was crap.

It's now one of the best areas of the book and if you check out other books you will see they they are making thier readers rides sections nicer as well.

I love those sections of the book because they are real cars owned by real people. Everyone in this hobby deserves a little ink

[asaenz]

I notice the change too. I have a subscription to the mag.
I was a little down about the shift, as I subscribed for the gmachines. But it is all ok. I'm still keeping my subscriptionm I mean it's like Christmas every month. I always get excited when I see my magazine on the table, my wife is so wonderful. I think a mix is good

a.

[ProTouring442]

I have to admit that I don't subscribe, then again, I don't subscribem to most magazines.

That being said, I am always searching the news stand. What am I looking for? I find the how to stuff interesting when it isn't the same old how to. So, I was thinking...

On each feature car, try to find something kind of unique, I don't care if it's a home-made center cap for a wheel, a custom set of front fenders, an interior mod, etc. Just find something unique and run a "how they did it" piece.

I personally have purchased everything from import mags to truck mags, to kit car mags just for this sort of info.

Anyway, hope this helps!
Bill