Tom Shaw's Magazine

[resto4u]

Got mine today, job well done. But still do not understand the ship time delays. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]

[Jeff H]

Just checked the mail, still no magazine [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif[/img] and Tom verified my subscription. How can the delivery times be this delayed? I know I live next to Anthrax central(my mail goes through the Hamilton, NJ post office) but I can't see that causing the delay when others here in NJ received theirs over a week ago.

[Rat_Pack]

Guys,

I hear everyone complaining about TS and his magazine but having no other real options. I have one: I know of a major player in the automotive hobby who has the name recognition, ethics, writing experience, and parts background that has been considering launching a "Rodders Journal" type mag (subscription only) for the last year but only with this twist: no advertising....ever! A "No Advertising" edict is the only true way to get an unbiased opinion at everything (look at Consumer Reports at 21 million subscribers strong), especially in this hobby. All the real numbers for launching the mag have been ran and re-ran and the only unknown is if the old car hobby really wants to put their money where their mouth is and support a real Musclecar magazine that will have a truly unbiased opinion. This magazine would not only contain articles on parts comparisons but also high quality journalism on the industry plus full features of top quality cars throughout the hobby.

Another issue is the fact that if true unbiased parts comparisons were to be printed in a national magazine like this, the fallout to the publisher could be the end of his career if the hobby didn't support him and the mag. Do we really want to support the real truth in this hobby or just keep complaining?

Also shipping delays would not be a problem as what is being experienced by most on this board...............RatPack...................

[55chevy]

I'm interested as well.
Ed [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

[69rsz28]

Sign me up. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/[/img]

[sYc]

Not to put a damper on things, but with 3 musclecar magazines already being published, and hopefully being supported, I do not see how another one could survive. As much as we would like to think that our hobby is king, with a huge following, it is not. We are simply a small niche in the whole scheme of things. And, any publication, unless written by a computer, will be bias. Whether it is for a certain make or model, or even a certain dealer, it will be there. That is human nature.

[Rat_Pack]

As far as pricing it will probably be along the same lines as TRJ and it will be a quarterly magazine. Then it may become something more but I cannot speculate. It really all depends upon what the hobby wants.

Tom, you cannot put a damper on things when the current magazines that are available are no where near the quality of The Rodders Journal. TS has already proven that he cannot deliver what he promised a year ago and is still having trouble delivering it after a few more "promises" less than a few weeks ago. Even Super Chevy, CarCraft, PHR, and even HotRod are not the same quality magazines they were 10, 5, or even a year ago. Before MCR got dumped it was not what it was earlier in its life. How many times can the life history of Don Yenko or Vince Piggins be discussed and told a different way? Not many and I think it has been "over done" far too many times. Lets see articles about the car in the picture, or the owner of the car, or the exact history behind that car, not the story of how similar cars came to be and a two paragraph article about the owner and the car.

As far as being bias, I don't think Consumer Reports is done by a computer and it does just fine. What determines bias in a magazine geared towards telling the truth is advertising. By not having any advertising there cannot be any bias when the facts are laid out.

Are any of those publishers willing to go out and produce a magazine in which they compare the parts of "Advertiser A", who puts up big money each month to help produce that magazine, to a part with the same application from another source? TIf they do, do you think that "Advertiser A" will let them bash the piece of s--- parts they sell and still want to advertise in that magazine? I don't think so. This is something that has been needed in the industry for years and now is the time to see if all of the "bit..ers and moaners" want to see something done about the parts that they buy. Right now there is a person willing to take this chance with great risk to his reputation in the industry.

I for one cannot have enough musclecar magazines. That is like to much fun...........there is no such thing! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif[/img]...............RatPack.................

Lets here some more input from others out there.

[whitetop]

I think for any musclecar magazine to survive they are going to have to take a 180 degree approach to how car features are done today. The days of showing another '70 Chevelle 454 in 2 pages with several paragraphs of script are over...if they want to survive. I'm sick of seeing these type of features and I know I'm not alone. Besides, I have 50 other old musclecar mags in my basement with articles on '70 454 Chevelles in the same light.

Rodders Journal does not just feature a car they give the complete history of the car. The mag has a very strong human interest appeal and sometimes it seems the cars are secondary. For you people that have never seen it it's almost beyond description. A few issues back for instance, they had a feature on a '32 Ford coupe and showed the complete transformation of the car from 1955 up to the present in all it's different stages: under construction, show car days, drag days and back to a show car. The guy who built the car at age 13 had 4-5 jobs to save the money and no one at the local speed shop believed he had the car until he showed up with it. And it was the best detailed car they had ever seen. The feature was 9-10 pages long with 15-20 photos.

Here is how RJ would feature say a ZL-1. Start back in '69-'73 and show how the car was brought home, built in the owners garage, at the paint shop getting lace and endless lines. Shots of the car in the garage circa 1971 with the engine being pulled out or on a car hauler. Pics of the car in '83 being run as a bracket car with SB and how it was finally found and restored with pics. Topped off with lots of history on how each owner modified or restored the car.

Yes Ratpack, I would like to see a "Musclecar Journal"

[olredalert]

------Have been following this thread with interest.Just read thru the current issue of Hot Rod,and have to agree with the former posters.Hot Rod is an Edelbrock catalog nowadays,and,other than habit,I really dont see much reason to read it.What a sad day,as I used to really look forward to recieving Hot Rod and Car Craft.Gave up on Car Craft a couple of years ago after sticking with it way too long.I dont even pick up Car Craft at the news stand and leaf thru it anymore.You cant tell me that Primedia has any journalistic integrity whatsoever.I used to think Larry Dobbs had what Primedia lacks but he took the money and ran as so many others have(cant say I blame him).
-------After saying all this I sort of feel like a dinosaur as it seems that Primedia is actually planning ahead for all us old guys demise so they can concentrate on the so called young guys(demographics ya know).However,the real secret is that there is a whole lot of life left in us geezers,and we still have alot of purchasing power that we can direct any way we want.A Rodders Journal type muscle type magazine could be a very viable alternative to the dreck we are recieving today!..........Bill S

[69rsz28]

Jeff, send me your address and I'll send you mine if you promise to return it when yours arrives. Seriously. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif[/img]