Farewell to our favorite magazines....

[Schwartz Performance]

Some of you may have heard that Source Interlink had been changed or sold to The Enthusiast Network (TEN) today.

Several of our favorite titles will RIP, including:

Popular Hot Rodding
Rod & Custom
High Performance Pontiac
Custom Classic Trucks
Modified Mustangs & Fords
Camaro Performers
GM Hi-Tech Performance

For more on the story: http://business.transworld.net/150340/features/source-interlink-media-rebrands-ten-enthusiast-network/

Although internet and social media are killing the paper industry, I'm sure the majority of us Pro-Touring enthusiasts subscribe to a magazine, or at least purchase a few per year off the newsstands.
Who knows what will happen, maybe Beckett Media will swoop in and steal some titles, if that's even possible.

In any case, we're very sad for our friends at Source Interlink who have been let go due to this corporate decision.


-Dale Schwartz

[HellPhish89]

theyre going to GMHTP's content to Super Chevy? somehow.. i doubt that will work out for them.

[shmoov69]

That blows. What about my current subscriptions? Will I get reimbursed?

[TonyHuntimer]

A very sad day indeed...

Tony Huntimer
TestCarDatabase

[protouring70]

Wow. ....this is sad. I really enjoy my magazines. Now what?

[Nicks67GTO]

Well....i guess i better re-subscribe to HotRod. High Performance Pontiac and PHR is going to merge with them.

[damannhw]

Ooh, that's bad news. PHR has been my favorite subscription for years now. I subscribe for 3 years at a time, wonder how they will reimburse us ?

[Torquedork]

Well....i guess i better re-subscribe to HotRod. High Performance Pontiac and PHR is going to merge with them.

My guess is that if you had a sub to either PHR or HPP, you will now get Hot Rod instead. That doesn't mean Hot Rod is going to change their current format.

[BMR Sales]

Automobile Magazine's Staff was let go & their Office was Closed yesterday. Source Interlink screwed the pooch by not evolving. They can re-name everything but when you let go the people that built up the Magazines and replace them with inexperienced hacks, they are going to lose whatever base they already had

[Torquedork]

Automobile Magazine's Staff was let go & their Office was Closed yesterday. Source Interlink screwed the pooch by not evolving. They can re-name everything but when you let go the people that built up the Magazines and replace them with inexperienced hacks, they are going to lose whatever base they already had

You are right but they started moving low paid inexperienced hacks some years ago and the problems started long before Source Interlink paid too much money for the company. Several companies before that started swallowing up the competition and incurring too much debt. Gotta love Business Geniuses. LMAO in a sad way.

[Toadman]

Big... Fat... Drag... Always a happy day when I find PHR or Camaro Performers in my mailbox.

[scott_fx]

Source Interlink screwed the pooch by not evolving.

I don't know if I agree with this. I think they are evolving, just not in the way that is beneficial to 'us'.

[LS1-IROC]

I'm bummed as well 19 year subscriber to GMHTP and long time subscriber to Camaro Performers as well. At least I got my car featured before they shut them down. Supposedly the content will be merged into Super Chevy....I don't see that working too well.

[Torquedork]

It's just bad in all forms with regard to additional jobs and distribution

http://nypost.com/2014/05/30/demise-of-magazine-wholesaler-claims-6000-jobs/

[Schwartz Performance]

I'm bummed as well 19 year subscriber to GMHTP and long time subscriber to Camaro Performers as well. At least I got my car featured before they shut them down. Supposedly the content will be merged into Super Chevy....I don't see that working too well.

We have 2 cars that were already photographed for CHP that haven't made it into print yet.. Now they probably won't be.

I think their term of "merging" the titles isn't going to work out.. There are too many niches here to shove them all together.
What about the guys that subscribe to Hotrod, PHR, GMHTP, and HPP? Too sad...

Can't imagine what the LS1Tech guys will have to say about GMHTP being gone ;)

-Dale
GMHTP

[Todd in Vancouver]

It's very unfortunate and as a multi-year subscriber to Camaro Performers I'm bummed about it going to Super Chevy. I've got two Camaros and that's what I enjoy and while I can appreciate the guy who loves his bubble top with it original vinyl seats I don't car to pay to look at it or read about it.

It doesn't make sense for them to refund our $$ and I'm sure this was covered in the small print of the disclaimer we all agreed to when we got our subscriptions. Fact is we will be lucky to get a substitute magazine and not just be out the subscription fee.

[BMR Sales]

We have 2 cars that were already photographed for CHP that haven't made it into print yet.. Now they probably won't be.

I think their term of "merging" the titles isn't going to work out.. There are too many niches here to shove them all together.
What about the guys that subscribe to Hotrod, PHR, GMHTP, and HPP? Too sad...

Can't imagine what the LS1Tech guys will have to say about GMHTP being gone ;)

-Dale
GMHTP

Same for us!

[CampbellshotrodsAZ]

This is a major bummer for me. PHR, although not the thickest magazine I get, has a lot of good articles and I've enjoyed reading it. High Performance Pontiacs was great as well, and I grew up on Rod and Custom. Camaro Performers is one of my other favorites on the newstand as well.

I just don't like this as a sign of the future anyways. I like what technology does mostly, but we've lost a lot of good things because of it. I look at a computer screen all day, I want to chill at home with a magazine after work. Soon paper magazines will go the way of the Auto Trader, which was something I loved reading growing up every Tuesday when they came out. I also hate what Craigslist has done to the local swap meets, which used to be a great time, and something big to look forward to around here.

[Kcrain]

Well they just lost my business because popular hot rodding was the best. Keith

[mikedc]

PHR had good tech. But they were tunnel-visioned on the same specific kind of build for the last 15 years straight.

[renegade6]

I wonder how many copies of the same magazine I will get because of the merger...

[LS6 Tommy]

PHR has been sending me renewal letters & I just renewed for another 2 clicks. Car Craft just sent my renewal form yesterday....

Tommy

[Project77]

This sucks. I subscribe to Popular Hotrodding, High Performance Pontiac and GM Hi-Tech Performance, as well as Hot Rod.

[Boatmark]

Like many here I subscribe to several on that list . . . I'm surprised how many people's first response (here, and on several other forums) is about what they will or will not get for those lost subscriptions. While good people, several of whom are regulars on here, are losing their jobs.

[Thephranc]

This could be a good thing in the long run. You could consolidate Car Craft, PHR, Street Rodder and Rod and Custom in to one mag since there is so much overlap there. You reduce costs up front allowing for growth later in new media outlets like apps for tablets. The cost to print a mag is way higher then digital formats. Now that said I would much rather thumb through a paper mag while on the throne in the "library" or on those long train rides from DC to NY. We as a society are on the cusp of a major change in how we deliver and receive information. I see this a lot in the sign industry. The pendulum will swing to far to the "new way" and come back to eventually even out and each way will find its best place to get things done.

[Schwartz Performance]

I disagree, the content in all of the magazines differs slightly. Car craft and PHR are the closest ones, but PHR and rod and custom don't overlap at all.
Society is going web based... But I can't really see myself pulling my iPhone out to read a 4 page long magazine article while on the throne.

Source has had the subscribe cost low to get more circulation since $12 a year is cost effective for anyone. Everything is based on ads- and there's a lot of upper management that doesn't really need to be there.. I mean think about years ago when there wasn't. You don't need that many people to run a mag.
The circulation is a selling point for advertisers but it doesn't really help IMO.

Anyway that's my rant for the evening ;)

-Dale

[Bonehead]

Its all about paid subscriptions. All those great deals on $12 for a full year and getting free chachkies doesn't pay the bills. The follow on subscriptions, new subscribers, all of it is how print media survives. The subscribers left, the title died. We didn't buy it/value it. Now they will be gone. Simple supply and demand. No big loss.

[shmoov69]

PHR and CC might overlap a little on tech, but the readers demo typically vary quite a bit between those two IMO. And Rod and Custom was a good rag and just as far away to Street Rodder as CC and PHR IMO. Heck Street Rodder is not much more than a big advertisement/catalog With more "store bought" cars while Rod and Custom is for the more purist hot rod and custom crowd. Gonna miss PHR and Rod
And Custom

[Schwartz Performance]

Good news, we heard today that Chevy High Performance actually did not get cut....


-Dale

[Gus91326]

Bummer. I like PHR- the builds they do bear out that this site should continue to exist; we are all interested in these kinds of builds.

[1966longroof]

Good news, we heard today that Chevy High Performance actually did not get cut....


-Dale

That's good news for them. Because most of the staff was in Commerce, Ga. until 4:00 pm yesterday for the CHP/Lsx Nat's.

[Hemicuda]

Its all about paid subscriptions. All those great deals on $12 for a full year and getting free chachkies doesn't pay the bills. The follow on subscriptions, new subscribers, all of it is how print media survives. The subscribers left, the title died. We didn't buy it/value it. Now they will be gone. Simple supply and demand. No big loss.

Subscriptions are insignificant in terms of the balance sheet. The advertising is what generates revenue. Each page is like real estate to be sold.

[scott_fx]

Subscriptions are insignificant in terms of the balance sheet. The advertising is what generates revenue. Each page is like real estate to be sold.

subscription are significant though. they are guaranteed numbers figures to help calculate how much to charge for that advertising real estate :)

bonehead has a valid point. if the #'s were up it would still be around. sad fact is that the internet (and forums) gives us less motivation to subscribe or purchase magazines monthly. Yes it sucks if your were a subscriber though.

Hopefully this will lead to a new online magazine geared toward the same audience. Get some of some jobs back for the hardworking photographers, editors, writers etc...

[shmoov69]

Seriously tho, I would not "pay" for an online mag, and I have a feeling I'm not alone. Why would I pay when there are places like this (and others) that do almost as good and better than some of the stuff in the mag. If I'm going to be on a computer, I don't want to pay to be bombarded with ads and spam. Plus, there's just nothing like going thru a magazine article over and over, much less it sitting on the table to entertain friends when they come over.

But then again...... I run a carburetor!! LoL!

[scott_fx]

oh i never said anything about paying for it. paid online subscriptions are a recipe for disaster. look at facebook. you dont need to have people pay, as long as it's attractive to advertisers. But you bring up a good idea. forums like these should have an online 'magazine' professionally done of course.

[Steve1968LS2]

Hey, I'm still around :)

[Lenie]

Hey, I'm still around :)

:candle::cool: Hope everything works out for you Steve.

[Kenova]

Hopefully this will lead to a new online magazine geared toward the same audience....
I have yet to find anything on-line that can hold my interest like a magazine. I rarely visit the web sites hosted by the magazines I subscribe to. The one thing that has/is really starting to tick me off is the dreaded line "for more go to (our web site)". I simply couldn't be bothered.
Want me to pay for a webazine!? Sorry, ain't happenin' .

Ken

[72BBSwinger]

I just re upped to PHR for 3 years and 2 yrs of CC. I like PHR for the PT stuff and they always have some cool builds going. CC is building a TT Demon and always seems to gravitate towards low-buck turbo style stuff that is also very appealing. Im not a fan of the money is no object show poodle my checkbook is bigger than yours stuff.

[vintageracer]

4 years ago I sent an email to "5.0" Mustang magazine requesting cancellation of my subscription.

Why???

Ads! Lot's and Lot's of Ads!

So many damn ad's that I sat down and counted the total number of pages of ads and total number of pages of "copy" in that months "5.0" magazine.

From memory there were approximately 108 pages total in the mag. Something like 83 & 2/3's pages of the magazine were advertisements OR the editors/writers pimping a vendor's product There were only 25 pages of relevant copy talking about a 5.0 Mustang in any form or fashion. 5.0 Mustang Magazine is and was no different than any of the other magazines operating model's in the car world in the way the editor's and management of the company put the "rag" to bed on a monthly basis.

Yes I know and have heard all the BS that it takes ad's to generate income to run a magazine. You also need PAID SUBSCRIPTION'S! No subscriptions then ultimately no advertiser's as they will take the ad money somewhere else. Kinda like a swap meet. If you do not have vendor's/sellers at the swap meet it does not take too long before everyone (buyer's) realizes that this swap meet sucks and quit coming to the swap meet. Corvette Expo in Sevierville Tn is an excellent example of a foolish promoter who dumps on his vendors many of whom no longer attend the show and gate attendance (buyer's) has gone to Hell. Sad part is that this WAS the one of the best Corvette shows in the country for many years.

Then you have a 1/2 hour of Spike TV's "PowerBlock TV" or whatever the Hell they call it now. 7 minutes of real car content and 23 minutes of BS commercials and/or the hosts WHORING an advertiser's product. In my opinion the "PowerBlock" is now all but un-watchable!

The Magazine's corporate management, editors and staff did it to themselves and made many of these cherished magazine titles irrelevant in the digital age and a lot of people will be hurt in the process through job loss and paid subscriptions transferring to other magazine titles they do not want!

Do you really think killing magazine titles, firing the staff and changing the name of operating company to "TEN" will solve their problems.

Not a snowballs chance in Hell!

[PT Sportwagon]

Got to figure the one of the only magazines that show the pro-touring world, PHR is going away. I was looking at canceling my HR and going with PHR.

Tim

[68Formula]

I'm also a subscriber to several of mags. Yet PHR was by far my absolute favorite. I think this was a mistake on the publisher's part.

[LS6 Tommy]

My PHR came yesterday. It has a April '16 subscription date & I just got a "Last Chance" renewal form from CC... :dunno:


EDIT-

I just started reading the new (September) issue of PHR. in his "Bangin' Gears", Johnny Hunkins says it's the LAST issue... So, do I get a refund for the next 2 years worth of issues? I guess I'm making a phone call or two tomorrow...


Tommy

[vintageracer]

So, do I get a refund for the next 2 years worth of issues?


Tommy


Hell No!

They will send you some other magazine you do not want to fullfill their subscription obligation OR send you an additional subscription to a magazine you already receive!

[Zspoiler]

That blows.I have been a subscribe for over 30 years to PHR ,and other magazines.I have also seen the demise of Super Stock and other fine magazines.Just less and less magazines to read.

[LS1-IROC]

I will say the last issue of GMHTP sucked balls from a feature standpoint. Wow was it bad.

[LS6 Tommy]

My PHR came yesterday. It has a April '16 subscription date & I just got a "Last Chance" renewal form from CC... :dunno:


EDIT-

I just started reading the new (September) issue of PHR. in his "Bangin' Gears", Johnny Hunkins says it's the LAST issue... So, do I get a refund for the next 2 years worth of issues? I guess I'm making a phone call or two tomorrow...


Tommy


I spoke to PHR yesterday. I will receive Hot Rod for the remainder of my subscription. I spoke to Car Craft today. They are not going away and nothing is changing with them.

Tommy

[48prerunner]

I just found out today about Popular Hot Rodding today when I received a Car Craft instead. I get 4 of the mags on the kill list bummer. I called them up and said I already subscribe to Car Craft, so now my Car Craft sub is good to like 2018 or 19? Wonder what they will give me for the other three I've subscribed to rod and custom and Popular Hot Rodding for more than 30 years. have to see if that's why I got a Motor Trend in the mail today, what do I want with that how is that even close to Modified Mustangs and fords or custom classic trucks. Ok just checked, guess I'm on the phone again what the HELL does Motor Trend have to do with Rod & Custom yeah those two are close, Alfa Romero 4c, and a 29 Tudor they both have four wheels right? I'm not happy! Motor Trend till 2017 I don't think so.

[shmoov69]

I got Street Rodder for the R&C sub that I had. Not happy, but better than Motor Trend...... Which is what I got for the PHR!! DOOH!!

[rickpaw]

I got Car Craft magazine yesterday to make up my remaining subscription of PHR. I actually cancelled CC 2 years ago since their contents did not interest me. Go figure.

[Dave B]

Car Craft will just have to pull up their pants, and become a better magazine. Over the years I've subscribed to most of them, Hot Rod has been a constant for over twenty years for me, but I did enjoy PHR, plus they posted a decent picture of my car once. I currently also sub to Modified Mustangs & Fast Fords, I really hope I don't get Motor Trend...or Mustang Monthly...restored cars are boring.

[mikedc]

PHR's demise does not surprise me at all. They were not balancing the content very well to match the readership IMO.

This is a PT-focused site. How much time do we spend discussing engine builders contests and the finest nuances of building horsepower? That stuff seemed to dominate every issue of PHR for years. This crowd cares more about handling. We probably mess with engines even less than average in the old car hobby because we transplant a lot of near-stock newer engines and buy a lot of crate motors.

When it came to handling, it seemed like the shock absorber advice never went very far beyond, "get some expensive name-brand shocks with external knobs." The overall chassis & wheels advice seemed more focused on "how to cope with a car that is basically over-lowered and over-wheeled for style reasons."

When it came to creativity they had gotten pretty intolerant IMO. They spent more time telling people how to build "magazine quality cars" and telling people what to AVOID, than celebrating novel approaches.

[High Plains Mopars]

Hell No!

They will send you some other magazine you do not want to fullfill their subscription obligation OR send you an additional subscription to a magazine you already receive!


yup, just got my first issue of Car & Driver as replacement of PHR.

[rockytopper]

You guys should have known this was coming I mean when they started featuring Chevy powered olds things went down hill fast lol.

[Kenova]

Wow! What a bunch of knuckleheads! Is anyone in this company paying attention!?
To replace the balance of my PHR subscription they have sent me a second subscription to Hot Rod. Not an extension, but a second subscription.

How/who did those of you that have already changed your substitution get in touch with?


Ken

[Dave B]

Wow! What a bunch of knuckleheads! Is anyone in this company paying attention!?
To replace the balance of my PHR subscription they have sent me a second subscription to Hot Rod. Not an extension, but a second subscription.

How/who did those of you that have already changed your substitution get in touch with?


Ken
Crap, I sure hope they don't do that with me, I got one issue of Hot Rod in the mail today, maybe another will be there tomorrow?

[BonzoHansen]

Luckily the very last phr just happened to be when my phr subscription ran out.

I got hot rod today to replace camaro performers. Nick laccata please take over hot rod....

[CampbellshotrodsAZ]

I got my 1st issue of Car Craft to replace my PHR subscription. Glad they didn't give me a 2nd subscription to Hot Rod, so I'm not down any magazines in my mailbox every month. They're all starting to run a little thin with the exception of Hot Rod. The Car Craft was slightly thicker than the last pamphlet I got for PHR.