Featured Folks Of Interest The Rodder's Journal

"Everything old, is new again"
The printed word is NOT dead!

The beauty of the printed word is simply this, it's not electrically operated, you can hold the book / magazine in your hand, and you can read it by candlelight when the power goes out, if so inclined!
Good on you @Ryan for what you have written and what you stand for!

 

I'm one of the guys who bought a 'lifetime' subscription when they were available. Shortly after, disaster struck... The list of ills that befell them seemed insurmountable, a perfect storm. I'm sure the struggles continue in some form even today. I wasn't one who whined about it, **** does happen and sometimes that's just the way goes.

But when new issues reappeared in my mailbox, my faith in humankind was at least partially restored, something that is sadly lacking these days given the often-poisonous public discourse currently existing. Kudos to Steve for persevering though all the negativity and obstacles placed in his path to his vision, who says miracles don't happen?

THANK YOU!

P.S.... I know it's called the 'Rodders' Journal, but could you sneak in a few more customs once in a while? I'm more of a custom guy...

 

Bravo Ryan. I have almost all of the Rodder's Journals. Been a paid subscriber since about Issue 18 or so. Before that I was pretty broke, and I didn't get them from the beginning. My dad did though. Starting at #1. Let me just state this like you did. It is the best damn thing ever as far as a publication for us traditional gearheads. You can bet your *** that every damn car in the issue will be right on. You won't see billet tilt columns (My Biggest pet Peeve!) or cheesy newer aftermarket wheels and the list can go on. Just pure traditional American hotrod ingenuity at its finest form. I plan to update my subscription this week. If issues 87 is the last one ever get, I will feel like I got my money's worth. I have seen so many whiners about their subscriptions. Give it a ****ing rest fella's. You ain't been ripped off. You have been blessed with what you have got. Enjoy the absolute professionalism of what has transpired. Support it now! I know I will, Nuff said! the curbspeed swede!

 

I got a lifetime subscription when it became available, and never stopped to count issues received. I get my money’s worth with each new issue. I wish them success in continuing the difficult path of producing a quality print product. I miss not having them in South San Francisco where I could drop by to pick up their new offerings and slip covers.

 

Inquired if they were honoring the lifetime subscriptions and have not received an answer. If not Ive got my moneys worth and will just subscribe. At 80 a yearly subscription is all I may need?

 

Ryan , your words on this are perfect.

 

I will always support The Rodders Journal.
Cannot say it enough.

 

True Pete. I can't wait to see the write up on your dragster. I hope you can bring it over to Prescott for Hotrod-a-rama Southwest with the fella's

 

I haven’t made any special efforts, and my magazines are still coming when they are published. I’m 79 with a lifetime subscription.

 

So, several decades ago I was wandering about the Grand National Roadster show. Sitting at a table in a small booth up against a wall in one of the many buildings was Pat Ganahl. He had a batch of promotional material spread out for a magazine project. I asked if he was going to do the writing and he confirmed that he was. I asked who was going to do the visuals and he said Steve ****an. Knowing the skill level of the two I subscribed to the R.J. I trusted that they would come through with a quality magazine. That is what they did.
I love the history of hot rods from yesteryear. I collect vintage speed equipment and own several "historical" hot rods and customs. I spend way too much time and money in their pursuit. I value the time spent with the old guys who were the pioneers from the 1930s into the 1960s. They are mostly gone now. So what is left is memories and a few artifacts. The most accessible thing we have to preserve the fading past is through the written word. So, the programs from shows and races, the periodicals of the time, pictures in s****books and on garage walls, the few books that were published, become the record of what happened. Ever since its inception the Rodder's Journal will be the record of the current times and immediate past. Beyond this, it is well curated, edited, and has top notch photography and graphics. Each issue is of top quality.
When the lifetime subscriptions were offered I accepted the offer. I felt that this was a suicidal business plan, probably born from a need to raise capital. But like at the start, I was willing to take a chance. If i would not get my money's worth I did not care. The enjoyment from all of the past issues would suffice. I think we all need to support the magazine. As a lifetime subscriber the only way i can do this is through the merchandise offered for sale. Now, i do not sport the black t-shirt and shorts uniform currently popular. I will buy something, even if I never wear it or hang it on my wall. I urge you all to do the same.

 

Proud to be Lifetime Subscriber #149....

 

I bought Rodders Journal off the shelf for years, then became a long- term subscriber.
I have every issue up to #83, then, nothing. In February '19 I renewed for a couple more years. Nothing. Spoke with Mike on the phone December '19, was told I was paid up till issue 95. Still nothing.

About a month ago I sent an email through the website, have since swapped a couple emails with RJ customer service. It seems I'm still in their database, but they had no record of my last payments. Sent receipts, and have been informed again that I'm paid up through issue 95. They say I'll be included in subsequent mailings.

I've never met Steve ****an, but he seems to be a standup guy. Rodders Journal has always been in a cl*** by itself, the standard to which other hot rod mags were compared. I hope they survive.

 

My collection starts with issue #9. I don't want to pay the kings ransom people ask for them on eBay, so I keep hoping I'll stumble on issues #1-#8 at a yard sale or a used book store.

 

I love TRJ. I'm a life time subscriber AND I have paid and continued to renew an annual sub for my best hot rod bud here locally.

That said, the Rodder's Journal still has serious problems. Their inability to communicate effectively with their loyal subscribers/ customers being the most painful way they breach the trust. People have good reasons for being pissed.

Also, the guys who have commented on here about how they are life long hot rodders but have let their subs lapse.... are part of the reason TRJ is on the ropes.

Re-sub guys!

 

@Ryan, you nailed it. If people actually knew what was going on behind the scenes, they would have quit a long time ago. It's scarce these days to find people with this much grit with a never-say-die at***ude.

 

I would be perfectly happy with one TRJ issue per year.
Remember when "Hot Rod" used to publish their annuals? I have a collection of them and they're still great reading.

 

Wow, I just received #87 yesterday and it is a knock-out! Those guys are a long ways from perfect but they put out a Hell of a good magazine in this man's opinion!

 

Good message, Ryan. I signed up again.

 

got mine today in northern Illinois!

 

Apparently Rodders Journal now has a staff of two, so with the volume of work on their plates subscriber contact takes time.

Mr. ****an has been scrambling for years now to try and keep the publication afloat and square things with its subscribers. Gotta give the man credit for persisting, he could have thrown in the towell and disappeared.

 

I have subscribed since 1994 and currently have the lifetime subscription. TRJ has absolutely been one of the best ***ets in hot rodding all those years. I get the same giddines for issue 87 as I did those early issues in the 90’s.
I can’t stand all the bickering that goes on regarding the troubles TRJ has experienced. I am forever loyal and would still be happy if we only got one issue a year. TRJ is our generation’s Don Montgomery books. We are damn lucky it still exists and should appreciate every moment, even if it’s a bumpy ride to getting to our mailboxes.

 

I’m in

 

Well said Ryan. I was stoked to see your article in the latest issue. I really enjoy your writing.
As for TRJ, it has completely ruined me for other print magazines. I find almost every other magazine out there just boring now. The history, the pictures, the articles and how it is put to paper is absolutely second to none.
I didn't start reading TRJ until around issue 60 something when I found it at a shop. I was immediately hooked and subscribed. I was lucky enough to score a lifetime membership in 2015.
I contacted TRJ when the **** hit the fan and stated that I would okay with them bailing on the Lifetime membership (It had long paid for itself) and re-subscribe just to support them, they responded immediately saying they would honor my subscription as long as they could.
That says a lot in my opinion.
I hunt old copies at the swap meets in between new issues, that keeps the withdrawals and cold sweats at bay.
Long live TRJ.

 

I subscribed this year for the same reason. I figured for the 60 bucks or 100 or whatever I paid that I was investing in helping something valuable survive. I met Steve at GNRS 75th and could see the honesty in his eyes. I grew up on car mags and TRJ is elite in that realm for my taste. I recieved my 87 a week or so ago and am very glad I subscribed. Will continue to re-up as long as theyre running.

 

I have a huge collection I saved from being destroyed, all in perfect shape inside and out and so beautifully done that I hate opening them up to read in fear of dirtering them or bending a page, silly I know. They are the only thing in my shop I try and keep nice and clean & unmolested!

 

I'll see your Jerry n Burt, and raise you Bogie and Bacall. The look before the whistle. The whistle. It all says, "I get it." Get it?

 

I spoke to Steve back in 2022 at the Louisville NSRA Nationals about my TRJ subscription, and shortly after received an Email from Geoff Miles confirming I was good till #87. A few days ago I received #87, so kudos to Steve and Geoff.

 

I received #87 this week. Outstanding as always, but oddly familiar. Then I realized I had seen it before. I was in Maryland earlier this year on business, and had stopped in at R.J. to renew my subscription. While I was there Steve had let me thumb through a pre-press copy of this edition.

I don’t know Steve, but have stopped there twice in the last couple of years, and had interesting chats with him both times. Always about cool cars and interesting people. Very little about the struggle to survive. It was all too obvious in his eyes and the surroundings that he, and R.J., were still hanging by a thread. But he showed me this issue with what came thru as both pride and relief.

That putting one foot in front of the other, and refusing to quit, he had managed to put another issue in our hands. That should be celebrated. I applaud Ryan for doing so.

I have no idea when or if my subscription lapsed along the way, but I sub’d for two years to be sure I didn’t miss anything, and to support the cause. It’s worth it.

How about this: a Rodders Journal subscription would make a great Christmas gift for gearhead friends and relatives.