HOT ROD Mag: don't panic David Freiburger here, editor of HOT ROD magazine. Thanks to all of you who care enough about our magazine to post here. But please, calm yourselves. HOT ROD is not going to become an "import tuner" magazine. We are, however, doing a sport compact performance section on the newsstand, and it will cover both import and domestic performance tech. No lifestyle, no bling-bling, no neon lights and huge wings. The magazine has always been at the forefront of what's happening in the performance street market, and this is no different. Yet we recognize that current subscribers won't care about sport compacts, which is why it will be extra pages in a polybag on the newsstand. Regular newsstand buyers will still get the HOT ROD they are used to in addition to the sport compact section. Honestly, if this is a raging success, I can see some coverage inside the book in 2004. When I spoke to Wally Parks about this, his comment was, "Well, in 1949 we put coupes in the magazine and the roadster guys were so upset we thought we might go out of business." It's 55 years later, and we refuse to go out of business. Again, thanks for the interest. I welcome your comments, and hope to see you at the GSCA Nats. DF
Thanks for writing David. We hope you will not only be a frequent visitor here, but at ALL Buick events in 2003! If Petersen would like to cover the import scene, AND sell magazines too, then why not just start an import version of Hot Rod. Why must the subscribers of your magazine (nearly all of which prefer the current format - with less Chevy coverage of course) pay for coverage they feel could be better spent on more "topic related" material? Thanks. And please try to inform the readers that there is more then a Chevy 350 or a 502 crate motor to choose from.
I WAS a carcraft reader and subscriber since 1995....I ABSOLUTLY REFUSE TO RENEW MY SUBSCRIPTION :af: . Carcraft stinks...hotrod stinks....They bash Olds, they bash Buicks...havent seen a Buick or Pontiac in either rags, an Olds (occasionally)....wake up Peterson Pub..there is more out there then just Chebby, Fords and Imports...sorry guys, just me ranting Larry
C'mon Larry. There was just a 442 clone.... oh yeah. It had a CHEVY motor in it. But, I did just see a 60 Buick with a nailhead in it in one of the rags. Of course, the writer couldn't help but use the phrase "Chevy engine" somewhere in the article, as if keeping the nailhead were a bizarre and unwarranted thing to do...
We can solve all of our problems with these magazine by doing this: Have a group of GSs, GSXs, Skylarks, Riv's, etc... and smokem all out. Let prove to these loser magazines Buicks mean business :TU: Larry
Personally I have noticed hot rod magazine is sort of biased towards the side of the most popular cars out and about...70 chevelle, for example. who doesnt know the ins and outs of a 70 chevelle? or even ANOTHER 32 ford roadster with a 350 chevy engine?!? but, i love car craft magazine for thier wide variety of cars....(strictly my opinion). I have seen more buicks in car craft than in hot rod. I would be sadened and angered to hear that the magazines will switch to the dark side. who gives a **** about ricers?!? the world record for a honda civic 1/4 mile is high 10's!! what is the record for old muscle? its funny how the american corporations work these days..."follow the money at any cost". screw them!:stmad:
Well the editor of "Hot Rod" magazine cares enough about a few Buick guys to post a personal reply on this board. I find that commendable and obviously the 2000 or so members on this board have made their feelings heard regarding the "rumour" about "Hot Rod" magazines impending "change" to the ricer format. We can and have made a difference . I have been reading Hot Rod off and on since 1970. I've seen the dark days of the van craze and yes, I've seen the apparent "bias" towards Chevy over the years. If I like it I buy it and if I don't, I don't. Like it or not, Chevy fanatics have the numbers to influence what content Hot Rod, and other magazines, will print. The editor of Hot Rod now knows we exist and that Buick owners have an opinion about his magazine. We can use this forum to run them into the ground about their coverage or we can use this as an opportunity to show Hot Rod what they are missing by not featuring Buicks. I suggest anyone who feels they own a "magazine quality" Buick to reply to David Feiburger's email. Attach a photo of your Buick and who knows what might happen?
which mag are you referring to? CC had a W30 442 with the original engine last month (and it looked awesome, may i add)
