I saw Steve Magnante selling Hot Rod Mags at the Pomona Swap meet, he was not amused when I asked him "are you cleaning out your closet". I think he works "or worked" for Peterson and did a TV show called Hot Rod Tv. Hope your doing alright Steve.
Everybody knows the best way to score deals at Pomona is to buy a booth space and get in there earlier than the rest. BTW...his hoodscoop article and the story on the survivor AMC drag car in the April Car Craft ruled...
He's been selling magazines longer than he's been in the biz. He works pretty much freelance these days and can be seen in a number of titles and in a number of TV shows. He was a welcome addition to the Scottsdale auction this year as one of the most knowledgable people they've ever had talking abot the cars. Somehow the British guy in previous years knew NOTHING about hot rods or muscle cars but didn't mind going ON & ON about them.
I hated that british dude. I remember a 69 camaro came up and it was a wierd green or yellow and he was like nah it wont sell for much becuase of the colour. One host was like "actaully that is a copo camaro and is one of the most wanted muscle cars." lol but steve magnante seems like a good guy, somehow he knows and finds where every single American motors is in a junkyard. Also he has a cool obessession with radio delete panels. My brothers got a original one for his 56 chevy, and on barret jackson and in magazines steve's always talking about them. I guess its becuase the real street machines of the day had both the heater and radio deletes.
Well, I am happy that they got rid of the "British Guy." He was a horse's ass!!! But, as knowlegeable as Steve is, he is way too opinionated about how things should be. After all, he is a reporter and should not infuse the reporting with his likes and dislikes. What does it matter if he would do, or not do, something to a car. The owner did, or didn't, and rthe end results are reflected in the outcome of the auction. If people like what they see they will spend their money. If not, they won't. Steve and all the other "reporters" should do their jobs as reporters - report what they see, not what they think we should see and hear.
The Jalopy Journal
