Jim,
I was about to subscribe to the excellent offer you have on-line for Custom Classic Trucks, and was asked if I wanted to get CLASSIC TRUCKS as well.
Having the current copy of each in hand, I'm trying to figure out how each fills a different marketing niche. Both are published by the same company, both cover custom and stock trucks, both offer some technical advice, both cover installs of aftermarket parts and accessories, and both offer pretty much the same adverts.
So why have two magazines when one would do? Seems to me that in "trendsetting California" it would be political suicide to have twomagazines published by the same people, covering the same market niche.
I don't which one to send my money to. I'd rather see you combine the content of both into one magazine, saves trees, ink, gas, money, time, storage, postage, etc.
I know the one you edit is the better one but the other guy John Gilbert feels the same way about his rag as well I'm sure.
Another pet peeve I have about auto/truck magazines like these: all the jargon!
Your readers are not all 13 to 15 years old. It seems to me you could cater a bit to the section of your readers who spend money with your advertisers. Maybe I'm all wrong but I would think that would be the ones who have well paying jobs, a discretionary income, and own homes. Those people are well over 30 years old.
For example repop? You meant repro and so on. Why can't you say reproduction? Stop crapping on the language OK? I am assuming you took a couple English classes in high school; you did didn't you?
I would hope someone with a college education would speak and write better than that. I know you have to talk to your readership "on their level," but your entire audience isn't in the 7th grade, and raising the bar of conversation skills wouldn't be a bad idea considering the language usage I hear at auto/truck gatherings. Many talk just as you write. They sound uneducated, and they are decidedly not so. This kind of "jargon creation" goes on in most all auto/truck enthusiast magazines, which is the biggest reason I stopped subscribing to Super Chevy back in the '80s.
How about showing some respect to the language we all worked hard to learn and use?
Doug Nathan
Via email
Hi Doug,
In all honesty, in my 14 years as an editor I really thought I'd heard it all-apparently not.
P.S. You may want to run your next letter on proper English use through "Spell Check" before you send it-it may have more of an impact that way (as you may notice, I did it for you this time).'
RIZ
Hi Riz,
My son and I need some advice on what I suppose you would call the basics of truck ownership. In 1976 I bought a '66 Chevy Stepside, shortbed three-speed pickup. About 14 years ago, I had the engine rebuilt (a 232ci inline-six, 80,000 miles), the rust spots patched, the bed replaced, installed seatbelts, and turned it over to my son who has driven it ever since. Our dilemma is: What do we do next with an only occasionally driven truck? We would like to keep the truck in good shape and as original as possible, with maybe a little more zip.
A few questions: Do you think it needs rewiring? Should we consider tuned intake/exhausts for the six? CT had an article several years ago about this, which I saved. If yes, will the drivetrain take the stress? We're not hot rodders, but ... .What about tires and wheels? Any pointers, recommendations, or direction you have would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Zach Wilson II and Zach Wilson III
Hi guys,
Sounds like you've got yourselves a nice little driver there that doesn't seem to need too much other than your continued care.
To your questions: As far as the wiring goes, the first thing to do is give it as good an inspection as you can. Tending to any fraying and or cracked insulation would be a good idea. A new harness may be a great idea as well if you guys are experiencing any malfunctions in that regard.
Improved breathing, both intake and exhaust, is about the most straightforward performance improvement you could do-aside from keeping the engine in tune and properly lubricated. If you're looking for a bit more pep that'd be a great (and cost-effective) upgrade.
A minor performance bump (like intake/exhaust upgrades) should in no way overstress your current running gear. If it does, then whatever lets go was about to anyway-don't forget, these babies were built as workhorses to begin with and rough-duty use was sort of built into their design and manufacture.
As far as tires and wheels are concerned, that's more of an aesthetic subject. My only suggestion is to make sure you upgrade (as I'm sure you must have over the years) to modern radials over those early bias-ply originals
So bottom line-just keep on treating your classic to the type of care you've afforded it all these years and you'll both continue enjoying it for years to come!
RIZ