Hemmings doesn't get it

I was looking at a recent Hemmings at my friends house and it was talking about Hershey and the remnants of the 32 coupe people on here mentioned with the sticker that said "God hates a coward". The writer seemed to be in total disbelief anyone would waste their time digging something like this up much less the time it would take to make it usable. I guess this is a good thing for the rest of us that have to build a car from a jig saw puzzle that only a few would dare tackle some of the things we do. Granted $1900 was a little ridiculous for what was offered. I applaud those coupes made up of about 15 different bodies. If you have a dream, you'll find a way to make it happen if your willing to work hard enough.

 

I get my Hemming's secondhand so I haven't seen the article yet. The thing that bugs me is when one of the cars that is built out of 15 bodies looks pretty good there are always plenty of critics to condemn the guy for "cutting up a good one."

 

Hemmings wants you to support their advertisers by purchasing all your products from them, that way they get their cut. God forbid you find something and use it instead.

 

Ouch, not a very nice way to talk about the "The Bible" of the hobby! Hemmings is a great source of info, news and VIEWS. Just like any other mag (and your rights here on the HAMB) the writers are entitled to their opinon expressed through commentary. Of all of the mags out there, I would chalk Hemmings up as one that actually knows about cars. Believe it or not, most of their staff are car people.
As for them "getting their cut" I'm not sure what is meant by that statement. I have bought thousands upon thousands of dollars of advertising with Hemmings and there is no "cut" that you speak of.

BTW- I am in no way affliated with Hemmings, I just grew up with the pub and have gotten to know some staff through my journalistic endeavors.

If you wanna pic on a mag, maybe you should look at something
"ol skool".....

 

You tell em how it is ChevyGirlRox

 

Do many hotrodders read it on a regular basis, or mostly restorers?

 

How many Hemmings staffer's read TRJ?

 

a traditional hotrodder is a restorer.

 

Hemmings has taken a big hit in the last few years, compliments of internet auctions and websites. They used to be the only place to find project cars and parts, while their classifieds now are mostly restored cars with big price tags. They have expanded into different magazines and merged content into their classified publication. They have changed to keep up and keep alive. Lots of good information there. Just remember that that publication was built for the needs of restorers and lots of them still get it monthly. The staff had good people and divergent opinions of what is "right" with a car, but they are still in business and seem to be getting along much better than a few years ago. It's tough to stay alive when technology makes your main business nearly obsolete.

 

I got chewed out internet style for wanting to recover one of the literal wrecks in one of their calendars. They said I should leave it alone, don't find it, as it's a "piece of art". I was looking for the photog to help me find it. bite me hemmings....

 

I agree that Hemming's is a great source for parts and services. Both for restorers and for hot rodders. There are a lot of O.S. guys in there who will never be found in the "Intra-web-net". They were there for many years before the internet explosion and before a lot of us got going in this. They have earned my respect. As far as the opinions of the staff, I'm sure it varies. We all know about opinions by now, right. (yes, mine included) And of course they want you to buy from their advertisers, that's how that businnes works. I'm good for 2 issues a year from them and have dealt with many of their advertisers. Both private and retail. Only good things to say here.

 

Right on Rox...I've had a subscription to Hemmings longer than any other magazine. I've advertised and purchased through them. Like Rox said it's the Bible and has been for years. Take it for what it is.

 

I always wondered how many calls they get about the cars in thier abandoned auto calendars. I always figured they wouldn't tell you where the stuff was at anyway.

 

Hemmings was the sorce before the NET,,an opinion is just that ,and how you let it affect you is just that. We use to get alot of great Mopar stuff thru Hemmings

 

think hard!, what happens when your computer crashes or gets a virus? nothing! you can still pick up a hemming's and read it!

 

I started reading hemmings when I was fourteen or fifteen (over twenty years ago) and still do from time to time. Its an awesome resource still to this day and hopefully will always be. BUT...... you can't beat the internet with a periodical.

 

It seems to me it's mostly older people who aren't so much on the internet who still buy Hemmings. I used to buy often 10-15 years ago. Now with internet I haven't bought a copy in years.

 

Hemmings has changed ownership ... a few times and has changed it's mission as many times also ... to reflect the new owners.

Hemmings was started as a small printed sheet of extra parts that Mr Hemmings had. Then he added other folks parts for a small fee That's when the Bible grew. Mr. hemmings sold it ... and it really grew ... but still was pre internet ... No Visa payments, no phone in ads ... no internet. This was the Hemmings most folks remember. I bought a LOT of Henry Ford parts out of Hemmings ( in the 70's and 80's ) . Hemmings was sold again ... and the new owner brought Hemmings into the internet age and tried to make it a magazine ... that sell parts and cars ... Payment via VISA, internet ad placement ... Hemmings now has it ads on the internet ... It is a improvement ... IHMO ... But ... like everything ... it has grown ... and the prices have grown ... as more and more INVESTOR types have invaded our hobby. SUPPLY and DEMAND ... has run prices of parts up.

If you are selling ... it is great ...
If you are trying to buy ...

 

Regarding the calendar, I guess they might get a few calls, but the "piece of art" thing really pissed me off. If I got the car (a rare one at that) I might use Hemmings to get some parts for it. real car guys wouldn't want to leave a car to rot. Die dinosaur die.

 

Frank, check out the rest of the 32 story on the Hemmings bog.
http://blog.hemmings.com/

I think Hemmings gets it.
The Hemmings Blog is one of my regular stops.
I like Daniel Strohl's work mostly because he featured my truck on page 96 of the Jauuary issue. (Maybe featuring my truck proves they don't get it.)

 

I have never used it.

 

ive never used hemmings once, i go to swap meets, junkyards, word of mouth and the HAMB for my hot rod parts.

jeff

 

i get a couple dozen magazines a month.. hemmings hemmings classics ,r/c, trj and more (primemedia loves me)
some hotroddy stuff and some stock/restorer
any way to get info on swaps and auctions..stock or hot rodded ..tech -new idea...any little tid bit of knowledge is always helpful
....broaden your horizons and open up a little ..
it surprises me when some say they never would look at such and such mag.
don't like a car , article , style, attitude ....turn the page

paperdog

 

I find that Hemmings has excellent, knowledgeable journalism.They're doing something right. They've been around since 1954. They're on their third owner. Old man Hemmings sold out to Ehrich publishing sometime in the 60's. He owned it until he died around 2000-2001. Now the third owner has it.It's only changed hands due to old age and death, not bought out by a larger conglomerate.
They got too big for one publication and branched out with Hemmings Classic Car and Hemmings Muscle Car, both excellent magazines that contain interesting journalism from guys like Ken Gross, etc. I started reading my Dad's Hemmings when they were the same size of "HopUp' when I was 14 years old (1959).

 

First off, thanks for reading Hemmings. I hang out here at the H.A.M.B. as a hot rodder, not as "that Hemmings guy," but I feel I have to respond to a few of the above comments.

Frank-
I wrote that piece about the 32 Ford at Hershey after actually seeing and putting my hands on the heap. Not one square inch of that body was straight, thus my total disbelief. It would have taken months of work to straighten out those panels, thus my stated opinions.

Fraz-
We do things different here at Hemmings. While we support those who support us - the same way Ryan does here - we don't throw shameless plugs around our publications.

1Low - I read TRJ, as do several other editors here on staff. We love hot rods, and we've started to include hot rods in the editorial section of Hemmings Motor News. A few of us on staff would love to publish a hot rod magazine.

Slate (and others regarding the Abandoned Autos) - I get many people wanting to find out more about the cars featured in the Abandoned Autos column and the Abandoned Autos calendar. Those photos are submitted by regular readers around the country, so we refer any requests for information about the photographed cars to the photographer. I don't care much for seeing cars rot either, and I have no idea who told you to let the car sit there.

If you have a beef with Hemmings, I'd appreciate it if you came to me first before airing it here. We've been doing our best to improve the brand since Terry Ehrich died and the new owners came in, and any suggestions are also welcome.

dan

 

Foul,
I was told to leave the cars alone by the Hemmings forum moderator. Since he was a moderator, I assumed he has the authority for the final word. If not, he shouldn't be in that position. I asked politely, as I was looking for a way to contact the photographer (the Cord wreck in So. Utah in the '96 calendar). I was just so put off by the attitude from a company dealing with old cars - another type of company and I would have expected that response. It is a good source for parts, especially for those that use hardcopy resources.