Hot Rod Deluxe: Back. Me: Out. You: In?

You probably believe all that Chris Angel **** too, don't you!

Only speaking for myself, as the "truck" comments stuck out like poo-covered zits on a hot chick's *** to me: I've been with the Company for nearly 15 years. I became a trucker 'cuz I wanted to; I truly believe in this particular facet of the hobby and, now 3+ years into it, am very glad I made the move. As it turned out, had I not, I'd likely be living closer to the Bay Area, covering a ton of events year in, year out much like you--actually, exactly like you. Why? Because I honestly enjoy being a magazine editor (more so the writing aspect) and while it's much easier to put out a periodical that you have personal interest in, it's not difficult to produce one that has no appeal to you in that respect--if you know how to do what you do and do it well.

That's precisely why I never thought for a second that Aaron had any business doing HRD. Without a doubt, he had the "mechanical" savvy to do any publication; unfortunately, he put too much emphasis on the lifestyle, or better yet, a lifestyle that he was trying to make his own. It didn't work. DF's a car guy--maybe not so much in the sense that he's a real hand's-on guy all around, but he "knows" cars...as a whole. More importantly, he knows the ins and outs of making good magazines. There are very few people like that around anymore--a "good" magazine isn't automatically a "successful" one. That said, I can't say how HRD would've fared had he stuck around, and that has nothing to do with him. I just think right now might not be the best time to "relaunch" a ***le as such. But as you said, what do I know?

 

I believe you know better than just about anyone commenting as to what the real deal is.
It will FOREVER stick with me that in a sea worshipers here on the HAMB you were the only one beside myself who knew that guy wasn't the real deal. I knew him as a young slick suited ad salesman on Wilshire- no car, no lifestyle- then suddenly he's MR. HOT ROD! And a moderator of this meeting place for REAL gearheads- that myself was getting kicked around in and edited on a daily basis for having differing opinions than the "management". He really didn't fire up the whole HRD circus until AFTER the magazine was dead.
Best line concerning that entire situation that still comes to my mind pretty often is when Rob simply posted "beware false idols". Enough said- and just like Milli Vanilli the whole thing was swept under the rug, he was no longer a moderator and no one spoke that name again. Cleaned up just like a government cover up- "What UFO- that was a weather balloon".

 

It was only a matter of time that he would show his true colors. How can someone (Well maybe if your a teenager) ask how to siphon oil from your engine! I think him and Marcus were good friends (Hahaha!!!). Also, the readers (myself) shouldn't be concerned with the politics of a magazine. I think what draws folks to the indie (lack of better terms) side of mags is just that. I've been on that wagon since the late 80's when music just straight out ****ED! Labels like Estrus (the fire thing was clever), SFTRI, In the Red, CRYPT, etc. were making music Rock again. Hate to say it, but Gear Head was one of the original Drama Queen mags (Oh the stories)

Ken

Ohhh! and Amp Rep

 

Also, you can't bite the hand that feeds you. I love the history of Hot Rods and Customs. I'll still buy a copy of Hot Rod, Cl***ic Truck, Rod & Custom, etc., if there's good content. Back in the 90's Rod & Custom would run the early articles in them. I thought I found gold.

 

Hell yeah, Chris Angel totally rules... and that John Edwards/Crossing Over guy, he's cool...

Actually you were one of the few guys that I could think of that has been p***ionate about your stuff and stuck in the trenches... I always enjoy your editorials... but you can't deny that most of your fellow employees have been on the carousel... Every time a magazine comes across my desk somebody is handing the controls over to another guy or wishing him well on his new adventure at PHR or Cl***ic Snowmobile or whatever... and hey, I LIKE the trucks. Don't get me wrong... I've had several, including a slammed '67 SWB step-side, a '58 Apache and a rootbeer brown '84 Chevy SWB step-box, straight six/ three on the tree and Cragar mags.

It wasn't stab that one area is not as good as another -- just that somebody who comes from a hot rod shop or a musclecar background gets switched to a truck ***le, or a kit car ***le, or a bike ***le, and has to do some catching up. Yes they can do the job, but the Company should let them hang around for a while... that's all.

 

Oh he showed his colors, he was a **** to me at VLV, I kind of wrote him off after that...

 

Yeah like those early Warner Bros cartoons, ****ER!

Ken

 

-Aaron was not a car guy. He never fooled me or anyone I know for a minute. In fact I know a story of how he needed help changing out a car battery.

-Too much emphasis was on "lifestyle".

-This new approach to HRD could be a very good thing. I hope it gets done right. Rod & Kulture without the chicks. I'm not bashing R&K at all. In fact, it's my favorite mag right now.



Personally I buy car mags for cars and girly mags for girls. I am comfortable enough in my manhood to not need the girls in my car magazine to prove anything. Don't even get me started on "lifestyle" ****. I have been a hotrodder through surf, punk, industrial, dreadlocks, mohawks, shaved head and every color hair you can imagine. My taste in music and dress was NEVER related to the car I drove.

Cars is cars


I mean, how seriously can I take myself???

 

ahh... the wolfman.

 

OUT
get me all amped up and pull the rug out from under me.
hey H.R.M.
GO GET FU#%ED!

 

I don't interpret anything I said as ****-talking (maybe you weren't necesarily refering to my comments entirely, I don't know?). But, who's to say Elvis never really left the building to begin with???

 

So tell us more about the new venture David... I'm sick of hearing about Lasky , and I'm all for TV that I can view online!

How are you funded out of curiosity? Is this something you're heading up, or an existing project you're getting involved in?

Again, thanks for the hard work on Hot Rod, Car Craft, etc. not trying to **** up, but you did a bang up job! I'm anxious to see how Kinnan does without you, he seems like a good guy too, hopefully the man doesn't get him down!

Ben

 

Ya back to the real reason for the post......

 

Glad we're back on topic, but at the same time, I'm not sure it's cool to promo my own web site here. My reason for posting was mostly that I'm proud of the HRD re-do, baggage and all, and am hoping that my old company can keep up with it.

For details on my own venture, we have a board live at www.CarJunkieTV.com

 

Liked the 1st one, not the second one so much. I like the idea. infact I felt that they may would lead into a vehicle for us to advertise in.
Not so and we know what happened when it all went away.

I will see what you put togther David,and look forward to it.
Good Luck in your new venture with Car Junkie I wish you well.

 

damn it Tman you had to go there didn't you. I'll check the rag out at the store and make my decission then on wetehr to buy or not. I will keep my opinions until then, however this whole thing is like dejavu.

 

I seriously cannot find any of the cl***is truck mags at ANY liquor stores, grocery stores or book stores (no new copy in 3 MONTHS!!!)- how am I going to find a copy of HRD??? That's probably my biggest legitimate compaint about current magazines.

 

At what point did this go "off" topic to begin with? Wasn't HRD the main focus of this post from the get go? Isn't that what was primarily being discussed? I'm sure there are plenty of PBJ's still left to be given out, but for all the fans who are disappointed, the groundwork for the route this took was clearly laid out from the start--if someone wants to know what the recently departed has in store for the future, PM him, but don't get your ******* all wadded up because some, such as myself, chose to carry on with the main topic, HRD, past, present, and future. I didn't create its past, have nothing to do with its present, but as David himself pointed out, the future is open...

 

I saw it on here a few weeks back, Dave posted on a thread about whether you like magazines are not. It was quite a few pages in, but I was surprised not to hear more about it on here. Just figured that Dave was going to announce it himself in his own time.

 

Would an original HRD be a nice HAMB auction? I have one if so........

 

HRD should be on any newsstand that has Hot Rod. It's on the same bipad.

DF

 

There is always Blacktop Graffiti Magazine

Also it looks like music is a no go. Bands won't get back with me and most people wanted just a hot rod/custom 'zine. Never say I don't listen.

Blacktop Graffiti- Cars With Balls

 

its on the news stands now ..I just saw it ...and its great !

and check out the hot rod on the cover ....

 

check the news stands ...

 

Dave- I want to say thanks for putting in the story on Magnante's Altered Wheelbase Dart in your last issue of 'Deluxe'.Its great to see this magazine come back. I feel it has something for everyone. While Magnante's car is not a rat rod, it is a true representation of "how-they-built 'em" back in the early sixties. Before we started on that car, Steve had it all figured out, no doubt to his access to the many archival photos both he and Hot Rod have.But, with anything, its hard to recreate from grainy photos,so there is a bit of a learning curve. The pictures Randy R did are real nice. I'm sorry to see you leave, but wish you the best of luck in your new position. No doubt we'll see you in the near future.
Dale Snoke
www.thefunnycarfarm.com

 

page 15 of the new HRD shows a Rambler wagon for sale. Only problem is, it's a Studebaker.

 

just bought it...i'm not impressed...just my .02

matt

 

I have to go back to the original HOT ROD mag. At the time there really WERE cuffed levi,s,[cool guys wudnt wear anything else,Levsi], engineer boots w/church key,white T shirts [ w a pack of camels [rolled up on the sleeve]. werent any filters].It featured mainly the BEST hot rods,[cuz most werent]. Yeah and BABES TOO, [without tattoos]also trucks, customs, motorcycles, etc. [no vans tho]A cool babe had a ankle bracelet, not a tattoo [ment you had been in the 'army/navy, ]. The guys had to invent and do there own wrenching and hopping up.Hardly any HR shops, around . 'LIFESTYLE' in them daze we were just getting by.I know, i know, 'here' s an OLDF going off', But I,ve found that today we need specialized mags, can,t do it the old way, I felt i didnt need Hot Rod anymore but wen DF was in , there were just too many good articles that i cudnt p*** it up, And i was buying it off the shelf. So I know Dave can do his thing becuz he knows hot rodding it inhis heart.