"Have you read a vintage (pre-1970 or so) Hot Rod Magazine lately? I mean, really read one? They are capturing. The writing isnt perfectly eloquent, but its so passionate. The photography is awkward and sometimes just plain bad (I love technology), but composition is thoughtful and correct. And this isnt a everything was better back in the day type of deal. These magazines were painstakingly produced with an audience in mind. This was a magazine for the people! I love my old Hot Rod Magazines and I love what they represent. I want desperately to bring that level of consciousness back into the fold. Whats old is new. Wally paved a path and I want to find it and follow. Im not 100% sure how I am going to do it yet, but I am energized and ready to go fellas. Get ready." I'm ready. Just recently read the Feb. '55 HotRod (for the 99th time), Feb '55 Auto Age, and March '55 Aviation Week. I'm not into the everything is old is good theme. The energy and excitement about technology is what gets my attention. Where's the modern day hotrodder that's using current junkyard technology? I know it's not traditional in the sense that it's new tech. The use of what's cheap, available and out there right now appeals to the cheap bastard in me. The siren song of speed and hot rodding is calling. Anyone else hear it? An original thought is very rare. The rest of us can aspire to putting an improvement into the fold by building on the examples of our fathers. What could be done with an injected flathead with a hacked junkyard engine computer? How about a rocket motor using sensors and computer controlled junkyard injectors? I hope not to be banished by mentioning such blasphemous ideas. Forgive, Hot Rod God, I'm a sinner. For my own stuff, I always thouoght about figuring out a hot rod fabbed intake with 3 two bbl throttle bodies. Sensors and computer controlled for max power and efficiency. (Changing my name legally to Max P. Thrust as soon as I win the super lotto) Don't get me wrong. If I could get an intake for my caddy that would fit a 6-71 cheaply with old skool parts, I'd do it. The price of the vintage speed stuff is outta my league, and I gotta good paying job. Vintage will always be my 1st choice. But I think alot more can be gained by using what is out there now for cheap. On the list of future builds is a ecotec and a I-6 aluminum block w/OHC, courtesy of the local scrap monger. My .02. Tonights reading, if I don't pass out, Dec. '54 Motor Trend and all about magnetic amplifiers. Go for it Ryan, I can't wait. If you need a modern day safari squad, the caddy will be good coast to coast soon. I got enuff leave to donate 2 months a year for the cause. Room for 4 + 2 fat chicks. Sorry for rambling on, but this is near to my heart.
I love old Magazines. The way they look, smell, the content, the fact that somebody cared enough to save them for half a Century... I bought my first magazine in '72 and I still own it ( and every magazine I bought after that one ) When I was a kid I'd go to the Bookstore and often I'd find more Magazines than I could afford, and they would take them off the rack for me cause they knew I'd come back to buy them. There are only a couple of Magazines left I feel that strongly about. ( A couple of years ago I had 14 Subscriptions, now I'm down to 3 ) I'm ready to Subscribe to a 4th one...
Also the folks that were working on the magazine. Tom Medley, Rex Burnett, and countless others. But don't stop with Hot Rod, you also have Rod and Custom, Hop-Up, Car Craft, and so on. You can't neglect these men (and women too) that contributed to this passion for countless years. To me Ralph Pole and Marcia Campbell were key players, they had an eye. Ken
The Jalopy Journal
