Hot Rod, Pro Touring?

[Johnny Blaze]

AS everyone knows, Hot Rod Magazine has been saying Pro Touring is dead. Well, looks like they are eating their words!


This months issue has several PT cars in it, but with a twist. They are not calling them Pro touring or even G Machines. They are now Euro Style.

So, I guess instead of admitting they were wrong, they are trying to give our cars a new label, are are pretending that they are starting a new trend!

Check out this months issue. There are a couple of sweet cars though. I really dig the over the top vette!

[Steve Chryssos]

Hey, in the January issue, they voted Leno's Toronado as Hot Rod of the Year which is one the coolest pro-touring cars of all time. Upgraded handling, acceleration and braking. I would pick that Toro for cross-country driving way before I'd pick any Camaro. Maybe they missed the obvious, but I didn't.

Thank you Hot Rod.

[Johnny Blaze]

Yeah, and now they are calling out all the Poser G machines for their Pro Touring Open Track Day!

How can they call out the posers? I haven't seen them build one.

They also knock Car Crafts Real Street Eliminator, and Make fun Of Project X and PHR in the new issue!

[72.RS/SS]

Hot Rod rag is terrible that's why I dropped my subscription years ago.

[Johnny Blaze]

I only subscribed cause I got an offer to get 2 years for 10 bucks plus a free hat!

[Travis B]

Hot Rod is a decent mag....They always have at least one interesting car, which is more than I can say for other mags

[Steve1968LS2]

No comment... :lmao:

[kennyd]

Hey, in the January issue, they voted Leno's Toronado as Hot Rod of the Year which is one the coolest pro-touring cars of all time. Upgraded handling, acceleration and braking. I would pick that Toro for cross-country driving way before I'd pick any Camaro. Maybe they missed the obvious, but I didn't.

Thank you Hot Rod.
any car other than a toronado , i loved the motor and suspension but i if went by a mirror and seen myself driving that car i would kick my own ass ! lol

[MattA]

The way I read it they were refering to the Ring Bros. mustang as Euro style. The corvette featured is an outstanding car IMHO. It is as detailed as any pure show car, yet he let Stielow ring it out on the track as soon as it was together.

They mentioned an event coming together to allow Pro-touring cars a chance to test their performance. Should be cool to see what comes of that.

[Johnny Blaze]

They mention Euro in several places, other than the mustang.

[Steve1968LS2]

Would "Euro Style" mean that you can only wash the car once a month?? ;)

Sorta funny that they dismiss the build style then try to "reinvent" it with a different name..

[Rubes]

They then mention pro touring by name in the Buick Turbo V-6 article. '...Imagine what a 700HP, 295 pound package could do in a Pro Touring or handling application...'

[1970cuda]

no euro style has hairy wheel wells

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Hot Rod = hypocrite.

[Joey_H]

So if you some garbage in your P-T car would Hot Rod consider that Euro trash? :naughty:

[Nine Ball]

Hot Rod = hypocrite.

Makes sense: HypOcriTe ROD Magazine :spank2:

[gchandler]

They had better stir up some controversy, the magazine industry has to do something to get people talking. Has anyone else noticed how light some of these magazines are becoming.

[MrQuick]

your probably right Geoff, but look, its working. How many of us are going to buy it just to see what its all about.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Makes sense: HypOcriTe ROD Magazine :spank2:

:cheers:

[dropit69]

i got like 2 years for 10 bucks or something only reson i get it..lol

[Bob Johnson]

AS everyone knows, Hot Rod Magazine has been saying Pro Touring is dead. Well, looks like they are eating their words!


This months issue has several PT cars in it, but with a twist. They are not calling them Pro touring or even G Machines. They are now Euro Style.

So, I guess instead of admitting they were wrong, they are trying to give our cars a new label, are are pretending that they are starting a new trend!

Check out this months issue. There are a couple of sweet cars though. I really dig the over the top vette!
Hot Rod still says Pro Street is alive and well..try and sell a pro street car unless it's a Willys..believe me it's dead..they just haven't buried it yet. Love for them to go back and go over their crystal ball predictions for the last 5 years, then analyze if any came true..and what percentage was correct. That 56 Ford Pickup that Tim Allen bought at Barrett Jackson for chump change was in the finals for Hot Rod of the Year..and Leno's Toronado wins it.... Two hollywood guys out of ten..what a coincidence..How about the Alloway built Challenger..the Roy Pickford Nova..the Ring brothers Mustang..and an altered T pick-up drag car is in the finals.. whoa..I do agree with Royce Glader's 29 Pick-up built by Peratt.. It's one of my favorite cars..Hot Rod doesn't even recognize my Cuda as one of the top projects in the country. Just because another magazine has the first shot at a project, doesn't mean that it is not first rate. The Power Tour coincides with Goodguys Indy..guess where we will probably be. There's shows every weekend somewhere in the country, and most weekends there are several to choose from. I have deleted a lot of shows from my schedule because of politics, and other factors. Gotta go where you have fun and they want and appreciate you being there.

[67SSDan]

Yeah I've noticed the magazines are getting a lot lighter here lately too.. interesting.

Maybe they figure they started it all with Stielow... so they should get to finish (rename) it too?

I must say though, IMHO HotRod used to be an awesome mag until the current editor came over (didn't he come over from CarCraft?), and like several of you I've let my subscription go now. PHR and CHP seem to be the only ones doing anything worth while on a consistant basis. Well.. and GMHTP... but you never can find those around hardly.

[Ackattack]

I get hot rod, I've been getting it since high school, so I'll probably keep getting it, though it is not that good any more. I mean they feature a few cars, but that's about it. They always fill half the damn thing with articles from the 50s, that I could care less about (and therefore skip them). What happen to the engine buildup, and other mods to cars (other than simple bolt ons that any body can do with a screwdriver)

I remember one particular in depth article that I'm talking about. Something like "the 350 Chevy should have built". Basically they took a 327 crank, 400 block, some long con rods (from a straight 6 ford I think) and made a kick but 400+HP engine. A little more in depth than what I've seen from them lately (and you can't just do that with a screw driver!!!)

Oh, I do like Hot Rod Power Tour. I went on it in 2002, and would love to go on it again. My car ended up in the mag too (1"x1"....but its still in there)

[vanzuuk1]

I still like hot rod but phr is more to my liking.

I dont know if this is thread jacking, but fscope's camaro is on the cover of car craft.Thumbs up for him.

[Steve Chryssos]

Hot Rod still says Pro Street is alive and well..try and sell a pro street car unless it's a Willys..believe me it's dead..they just haven't buried it yet. Love for them to go back and go over their crystal ball predictions for the last 5 years, then analyze if any came true..and what percentage was correct. That 56 Ford Pickup that Tim Allen bought at Barrett Jackson for chump change was in the finals for Hot Rod of the Year..and Leno's Toronado wins it.... Two hollywood guys out of ten..what a coincidence..How about the Alloway built Challenger..the Roy Pickford Nova..the Ring brothers Mustang..and an altered T pick-up drag car is in the finals.. whoa..I do agree with Royce Glader's 29 Pick-up built by Peratt.. It's one of my favorite cars..Hot Rod doesn't even recognize my Cuda as one of the top projects in the country. Just because another magazine has the first shot at a project, doesn't mean that it is not first rate. The Power Tour coincides with Goodguys Indy..guess where we will probably be. There's shows every weekend somewhere in the country, and most weekends there are several to choose from. I have deleted a lot of shows from my schedule because of politics, and other factors. Gotta go where you have fun and they want and appreciate you being there.

The politics suck indeed. As an insider, I know that Frieburger has done an amazing job of stealing the title back from the beancounters. Compare 2005 to the previous five years. That said, the Allen truck is a joke since it is way older than 2005 while the 29 is absolutely awesome.
Politics aside, the Toro is a great car built by real car people who stretched a frame, cut out floorboards and had to make everything work--Hollywood or not. So two out of ten very cool pro-touring cars is fine by me. Doesn't matter what you call em.

[Norm Peterson]

As a mostly-continuous long-time subscriber, I've come to understand that no matter whatever other automotive directions that HRM may wander off into, its prime focus will always be the straight line/quarter mile. In that respect it's a perfectly good magazine - I'm not too picky about where any knowledge might come from, and there's at least a dollar's worth of that in any given issue. Not to mention that a little exposure to things outside one's own main direction of automotive interest is probably a good thing. Blinders are for horses.

In the meantime, I'll appreciate whatever PT/G-Machine oriented articles/pics/notes/etc., that make it to print. A quick scan of the December 05 issue does turn up quite a bit of relevant information.

I'm seeing worse trends in other magazines (which will remain nameless) - higher page counts with less technical content and formats aimed more as introductions to those with short attention spans.

Norm

[vintageracer]

Steve,

I have to agree, "I" think Hot Rod has become a better magazine over the last several years. So much so that I took their 2 years for $10 bucks deal. The variety, quality of the print/paper, color pictures have all improved. Hot Rod STILL has an uncanny ability to miss the BIG trends in our hobby while they continue to promote the past. However that is to be expected from the oldest rag in our hobby.

Look who runs Primedia? Senior management is still old school/old age and Hot Rod IS Primedia's premier rag. Primedia tends to experiment with trends in their other magazines long before making any major change at Hot Rod. When those changes do occur at Hot Rod, to say the changes are "little late" is being kind!

I think one of the worst mags out there is "Super Chevy". Between all the ads for products and Super Chevy event coverage, the magazine has little or nothing of interest and I like Chevy's!

We consumers sure are a fickle bunch aren't we????

[Johnny Blaze]

If I want a good drag mag, I get car craft! If I want PT I get PHR or CHP. If I want to see a lot of chevys I get Super Chevy, if I want to see old man fluff (no offense to the wiser folks here!) I get Hot Rod.

I understand that Hot Rod may be geared more towards drag racing, although CC blows it away in that aspect, I just find it so funny that they called PT dead, and are now trying to reinvent it!

[Bob Johnson]

As a mostly-continuous long-time subscriber, I've come to understand that no matter whatever other automotive directions that HRM may wander off into, its prime focus will always be the straight line/quarter mile. In that respect it's a perfectly good magazine - I'm not too picky about where any knowledge might come from, and there's at least a dollar's worth of that in any given issue. Not to mention that a little exposure to things outside one's own main direction of automotive interest is probably a good thing. Blinders are for horses.

In the meantime, I'll appreciate whatever PT/G-Machine oriented articles/pics/notes/etc., that make it to print. A quick scan of the December 05 issue does turn up quite a bit of relevant information.

I'm seeing worse trends in other magazines (which will remain nameless) - higher page counts with less technical content and formats aimed more as introductions to those with short attention spans.

Norm
I think the entry that Hot Rod Magazine made in the Challenge that all the magazines had X dollars to build a car to compete in several speed contests that included drag racing, auto cross or somethinghandling, braking etc..Ol Freiberger and crew built a dragster..he won the drag race but couldn't even show on the other parts of the competition....what kind of ignorant strategy was that? I think the bike won it..makes sense..Hot Rod seems to be hopping around trying to find something to hang their hat on..but i agree it is a much better mag than it was a few years ago..I did also renew at that ridiculously low rate..it's cheaper than Charmin at that price..a little slick and coarse though..damn I miss those Sears catalog index pages..they were fine..I wish PHR had half the staff, news stand locations ,etc as Hot Rod, Car Craft etc. they don't have a fighting chance..they do know what their focus is..G-machines..PT..only way to go..

[EPYON]

Well , the thing that Hot Rod Magazine forgot along with alot of other people is "THERE HOT RODS!!!" . Theres no such thing as a $50,000.00 hot rod , period . They lost there way ,it's like being a hard core biker with a $300,000.00 chopper and a silk jacket .I hope you guy's don't lose it to.

[Bob Johnson]

The politics suck indeed. As an insider, I know that Frieburger has done an amazing job of stealing the title back from the beancounters. Compare 2005 to the previous five years. That said, the Allen truck is a joke since it is way older than 2005 while the 29 is absolutely awesome.
Politics aside, the Toro is a great car built by real car people who stretched a frame, cut out floorboards and had to make everything work--Hollywood or not. So two out of ten very cool pro-touring cars is fine by me. Doesn't matter what you call em.
with Leno's pocketbook, General Motors engineers, Jays guys and a whole hoard of other California guys working on it, damn right they got it done..we'll invite Jay over to the Year One Challenge and see if that 4,000 plus # car qualifies as pro-tour..Not taking anything away from the Toronado, because I like it much better than his Buick or the 33 or whatever year Chevy Roadster he had at SEMA..but i don't see that Land Yacht pulling .9G on a skid pan..if he wanted to really impress, it shoulda had 4 wheel drive..with some traction control..he had all the big guns there to do it..now that would impress me..

[Bob Johnson]

with Leno's pocketbook, General Motors engineers, Jays guys and a whole hoard of other California guys working on it, damn right they got it done..we'll invite Jay over to the Year One Challenge and see if that 4,000 plus # car qualifies as pro-tour..Not taking anything away from the Toronado, because I like it much better than his Buick or the 33 or whatever year Chevy Roadster he had at SEMA..but i don't see that Land Yacht pulling .9G on a skid pan..if he wanted to really impress, it shoulda had 4 wheel drive..with some traction control..he had all the big guns there to do it..now that would impress me..

[trapin]

Hot Rod's ripping on Pro-Touring again eh? You guys have got to give them a break and understand that people eventually get old. And unlike people, so do inanimate objects like dishwashers, sub-pumps, air conditioning units, the roof on your house, and even magazines. You see....what we have here is a tired/old drag racing publication that is growing increasingly frustrated with a hobby that has passed them by. So they rebel against it. It's like trying to convince your 85 year old Grandfather that your state-of-the-art Rattle-Trap Gizzard Shad Lure is going to catch more Largemouth than his tried and true slip-sinker/worm and hook method. It's never going to happen. So don't let it bother you. The next time old Grandpa (Hot Rod) starts shootin' off at the mouth, you just smile and pretend you're listening. After all...this might be his last Christmas with us.

:santa3:

[Bob Johnson]

Hot Rod's ripping on Pro-Touring again eh? You guys have got to give them a break and understand that people eventually get old. And unlike people, so do inanimate objects like dishwashers, sub-pumps, air conditioning units, the roof on your house, and even magazines. You see....what we have here is a tired/old drag racing publication that is growing increasingly frustrated with a hobby that has passed them by. So they rebel against it. It's like trying to convince your 85 year old Grandfather that your state-of-the-art Rattle-Trap Gizzard Shad Lure is going to catch more Largemouth than his tried and true slip-sinker/worm and hook method. It's never going to happen. So don't let it bother you. The next time old Grandpa (Hot Rod) starts shootin' off at the mouth, you just smile and pretend you're listening. After all...this might be his last Christmas with us.

:santa3:
Hot Rod is not going anywhere..literally and figuratively..they still own the high performance magazine circulation numbers and no one is even close..you can subscribe for half of what PHR cost..they're on 10 times as many distribution points..and it isn't going to change..they're Primedias Flagship performance book and always will be..gotta love an underdog though

[Steve1968LS2]

<-- Being the underdog just keeps us on our toes :)

[trapin]

Hot Rod is not going anywhere..literally and figuratively..they still own the high performance magazine circulation numbers and no one is even close..you can subscribe for half of what PHR cost..they're on 10 times as many distribution points..and it isn't going to change..they're Primedias Flagship performance book and always will be..gotta love an underdog though

Bob.....the "last Christmas" thing was just a joke. I wasn't predicting that they were going anywhere only to make the point that no matter how hard they pump their Pro-Street fist into the air....nobody's really listening anyway.

[andrewb70]

For what its worth, the new issue of Hot Rod has talk of a Pro-Touring Showdown. It is to be an event similar to Drag Week and more details are to be announced later.

Andrew

[Bob Johnson]

<-- Being the underdog just keeps us on our toes :)
If being an underdog keeps us on our toes,, I missed my calling..should have been a ballerina..245# in a tutu....that'd back buzzards off a meat wagon..but holding those limber legged byatches with their crotch in my face sounds like it's worth the verbal abuse I'd get...put me in coach..I'm ready to play

[Castlesmith]

I like the mag's. I like car coverage for coverage's sake. The truth of the matter is I used to read Hot Rod and other Mag's to get information and see new things. We do that every day here and the need for the printed magazine is beginning to wane if not gone all together. If I want to see pictures of any car, or any possible combination of engine,tranny,forced induction or other mod, I dont go to the newsstand and scour the rack. I sit down at the computer and go to pro-touring .com and ask my friends. While I see the pic's I can talk "type" at the people who did the work and get information. The only thing better is being together at someone's shop with a full fridge.

Just my take on it!

[Derek69SS]

Maybe HotRod is just bitter that PTers make their "Power Tour" look like a cake-walk... remember when it first started, their coverage of the long-haulers was praising them that they built a car that could actually make it the distance, like it was nearly impossible to achieve...

[JoshStratton]

If being an underdog keeps us on our toes,, I missed my calling..should have been a ballerina..245# in a tutu....that'd back buzzards off a meat wagon..but holding those limber legged byatches with their crotch in my face sounds like it's worth the verbal abuse I'd get...put me in coach..I'm ready to play

Ah the ballet. There's nothing like the thrill of watching a bunch of anorexics leaping around guys with bulging genitals

[Steve Chryssos]

I like the mag's. I like car coverage for coverage's sake. The truth of the matter is I used to read Hot Rod and other Mag's to get information and see new things. We do that every day here and the need for the printed magazine is beginning to wane if not gone all together. If I want to see pictures of any car, or any possible combination of engine,tranny,forced induction or other mod, I dont go to the newsstand and scour the rack. I sit down at the computer and go to pro-touring .com and ask my friends. While I see the pic's I can talk "type" at the people who did the work and get information. The only thing better is being together at someone's shop with a full fridge.

Just my take on it!

Most profound. People are becoming less reliant on magazines. The days of typing the following words are over: "This is a camshaft. It makes the valves open and close...Be sure to use cam lube when installing....."
So to compete in an intense multimedia universe, magazines have to change. Hot Rod 2005 has done a good job of testing the waters of change. All that remains is for the magazine to shed its ego.

1) Stop waiting for the cool cars to fall into your lap: Find them. Feature them. I still want to see and read car features.

2) Stop imposing personal preferences: Steve Magnante (gone!) wanted us all to build straight axle vintage drag cars. Matt King (gone!) wanted us all to build beater fox Mustang track cars. David Freiburger likes drag racing and top speed events. As an editor, it's impossible to ignore one's personal preferences. But there are so many different types of hot rods. I want to read about all of them. Street Rods, Pro Street, Rat Rods, 10" tire Super Street, g-Machines, Street Freaks, race cars--you name it.

3) Evolve the hobby at the risk of circulation: No matter where I go, I see that the core enthusiast is still old school street/strip. Top of the bell curve or not, Hot Rod has to piss that guy off!! Show him that there is more to life than 15" Cragar SS wheels, extended shackles, and Predator carbs. Instead, Hot Rod picks on the tiny minority: Pro-Touring. Why? Who knows. Maybe to appease the mullets. Maybe they just like to see us rant. But they oughtta show a little more respect to the forward thinkers.

I'll share this post with David Freiburger at MPMC in January.

[69Nova]

Exactly

[Pro-touring towncar]

No offence to anyone. Hot rod is still biased. Come on the new issues cover is: the engine everyone wants, not me. Hotrod and GM think if you own any GM product you must put in a chevy crate motor. Sorry but If I still owned my 70 GS Stage 1 or my 70 GTO I wouldn't put in a chevy motor.
What about a couple months ago when 75% of the mag was about the NEW 69 Camaro. SO what! grant it it is a new thing repop bodys but almost a whole mag.

HotRod is as chevy biased as they where a few years ago. 90% mostly chevy and chevy crate engines, or what you an do to a new LS1 or put a new crate motor in. the other 10% other GMs, Ford, and mopars.

HotRod did how ever give me an idea with the Buick V6 article. A built V6 with a 6 speed in a 66-67 Buick Skylark/GS pro-touring.

Tim

[zbugger]

...nobody's really listening anyway.
Huh? What? Ooohh.... Mini marshmallows!!!! :yum:

Needless to say, I'm bored with this. I know that Mr. Frieburger has been known to check this site out, so he knows what's going on. He may not want to accept it, but it's here and we're gonna be here for a while. My main magazine is PHR. They cover the cars that I like and they do it well. Not only that, but they are more informative than many of the other magazines. GM High Tech Performance is very similar, but it's all new cars. I get that one so I can read up on what I can put into my older car later down the road. I get Chevy High Performance because it is actually a decent magazine most of the time. It's easy to read too. I get Super Chevy because of the pictures. The writing has become rather pathetic lately and is in no way informative or detailed, to me at least. I'd prefer reading "Green Eggs and Ham" over and over again. Hot Rod, well, I get that one for when I'm sitting on the throne. Best place for the "King of all Magazines".

Anyway, what I'm saying is that each magazine has it's own agenda. At the moment, I'm just glad that at least one magazine accepts the cars we are building for what they are. And no offense to Johnny Hunkins, but we have Cameron Evans and Scott Parkhurst to thank for that. Johnny has just taken it over and brought it to the next level. Thanks for spoiling us. Thanks a lot.

I'm just gonna go on living my life and loving the cars I love to love. We make it what Pro-Touring really is. Not the magazines. Besides, without us, there would be no them.

[Derek69SS]

Hot Rod, well, I get that one for when I'm sitting on the throne. Best place for the "King of all Magazines".I have a laptop with a wireless connection... I no longer need magazines. In fact, I'm sitting on the can right now. :lmao:

[JoshStratton]

Here's a tip! Get yourself a nice TV Tray! Works Great!

[Pro-touring towncar]

I have a laptop with a wireless connection... I no longer need magazines. In fact, I'm sitting on the can right now. :lmao:


:eek: :eek: :eek: :fart: More info than I needed to know. :seizure: :seizure:

Tim

[zbugger]

I have a laptop with a wireless connection... I no longer need magazines. In fact, I'm sitting on the can right now. :lmao:
Shhh.... You'll give away my secret. That's how I stay in the chat room for so long...... DOH!!! I gave it away myself!!! :hand:

[Joey_H]

A wireless connection from the can gives "dumping cache" a whole new meaning. :woot:

[Bigblue73]

The question still remains.....How many of us will "Put up or Shut up" with the new "Pro-Touring Challenge" Hot Rod is doing? I caught the little white typing in the lower left corner of the corvette feature. Call it Real Street Eliminator.....sh*t thats been done before.

[Steve Chryssos]

The question still remains.....How many of us will "Put up or Shut up" with the new "Pro-Touring Challenge" Hot Rod is doing? I caught the little white typing in the lower left corner of the corvette feature. Call it Real Street Eliminator.....sh*t thats been done before.

Exactly. Real Street Eliminator. That "big question" has been answered over and over and over again. Real Street Eliminator, Silver State Challenge, Hotchkis Track Day, Speedseekers, Vince Ortega's Bachelor Party Track Day and dozens of local SCCA and/or club day events that no one ever gets to hear about; or read about in a magazine or on a message board.

So what Hot Rod is really trying to say is: "It hasn't happened until HOT ROD says it happened." And inversely, if no one shows up at Hot Rod's hallowed pro-touring challenge, then pro-touring must suck.

[Steve1968LS2]

Exactly. Real Street Eliminator. That "big question" has been answered over and over and over again. Real Street Eliminator, Silver State Challenge, Hotchkis Track Day, Speedseekers, Vince Ortega's Bachelor Party Track Day and dozens of local SCCA and/or club day events that no one ever gets to hear about; or read about in a magazine or on a message board.

So what Hot Rod is really trying to say is: "It hasn't happened until HOT ROD says it happened." And inversely, if no one shows up at Hot Rod's hallowed pro-touring challenge, then pro-touring must suck.

Maybe I need to cover one of these events and title it "they put up, now shut up" lol

I doubt im eligible to enter the HR event.. who wants to drive my car?? lol

[Bigblue73]

Case in point Steve; It all sounds like the justification of street rodding from way back when....Better chassis, suspensions, brakes, etc. So PHR started a craze and now Hot Rod wants in on the action. Two little kids fighting. Aren't they in the same building anyway?

Those who embrace it....enjoy it. Those who hate it...can't afford it.

[Travis B]

Maybe I need to cover one of these events and title it "they put up, now shut up" lol

I doubt im eligible to enter the HR event.. who wants to drive my car?? lol

that would be a catchy title?

I'm sure you could find someone to run the ***** out of your car

[69Nova]

I doubt im eligible to enter the HR event.. who wants to drive my car?? lol

I'm a good wheel man, and a plus I only weigh 115#'s:drive:

[kennyd]

Maybe I need to cover one of these events and title it "they put up, now shut up" lol

I doubt im eligible to enter the HR event.. who wants to drive my car?? lol


now i would buy that one !
bob's cuda
streetfytr68, camaro
malitude , malibu

[Steve1968LS2]

Case in point Steve; It all sounds like the justification of street rodding from way back when....Better chassis, suspensions, brakes, etc. So PHR started a craze and now Hot Rod wants in on the action. Two little kids fighting. Aren't they in the same building anyway?

Those who embrace it....enjoy it. Those who hate it...can't afford it.

We don't wanna fight with anyone.. it's sorta silly to do since we are all owned by the same big corporation (Primedia).. it would be like Pontiac knocking Chevrolet, what good does it do?

Hot Rod and Car Craft are located in Los Angeles.. PHR, Super Chevy, CHP and such are located in Orange County (about 35 miles away). We never see the LA group.

I want Katz to drive my car :) -- In fact he is on the way here now with Mark to help me move Penny to the shop for a few mods.

[Johnny Blaze]

They Put up Now Shut up, you gotta do that!

[Bill Howell]

Maybe I need to cover one of these events and title it "they put up, now shut up" lol

I doubt im eligible to enter the HR event.. who wants to drive my car?? lol

I will come drive it, Sorry Andrew, I have a bit more "ballast weight" for the right handers.lol

Man, have such an event on this side of the world Steve, and I will be hauling the goat to Orlando for that much dreaded rollbar.
Oh, and don't worry Katz, I will get some 17's too. After driving the car last night in the rain, I am really pumped about how well it handled. I am getting that track "itch". Some one please stop me..............

[Bob Johnson]

We don't wanna fight with anyone.. it's sorta silly to do since we are all owned by the same big corporation (Primedia).. it would be like Pontiac knocking Chevrolet, what good does it do?

Hot Rod and Car Craft are located in Los Angeles.. PHR, Super Chevy, CHP and such are located in Orange County (about 35 miles away). We never see the LA group.

I want Katz to drive my car :) -- In fact he is on the way here now with Mark to help me move Penny to the shop for a few mods.
sorta silly, I agree..but you aren't saying it isn't going on are you? In the old days there was less animosity between competing magazines owned by different companys than there is today when they are under the same umbrella. Case in point...Hot Rod completely ignores my Cuda because it's a PHR project..This isn't a one shot deal either..it happens all the time..if anyone doesn't see this, they need to get their head out of the sand..In the old days top cars used to be in Car Craft, Hot Rod, PHR, and other magazines. When a magazine comes to you now, they want a first exclusive and the others don't want nasty seconds..How many cars do you see covered in all the magazines this day and time?

[Nine Ball]

Mine was in PHR (Feb '05) and Chevy High (Dec '05). Not bad for a dime-a-dozen red '69 Camaro :)

Your 'Cuda should have no problem hitting several magazines, unless you pissed some Editors off in the past, haha.

Tony

[Steve1968LS2]

sorta silly, I agree..but you aren't saying it isn't going on are you? In the old days there was less animosity between competing magazines owned by different companys than there is today when they are under the same umbrella. Case in point...Hot Rod completely ignores my Cuda because it's a PHR project..This isn't a one shot deal either..it happens all the time..if anyone doesn't see this, they need to get their head out of the sand..In the old days top cars used to be in Car Craft, Hot Rod, PHR, and other magazines. When a magazine comes to you now, they want a first exclusive and the others don't want nasty seconds..How many cars do you see covered in all the magazines this day and time?

Sure it goes on.. just recently both Car Craft and HR took swipes at PHR.. I doubt it's true animosity like the old days, but more likely that they think it looks cool. It's tempting to swipe back but we have decided to try the high ground since it really is a loosing proposition for both sides.

Lots of mags won't shoot a car if someone else has already done it, we don't feel that way since OUR readers have not seen it and besides Hunkins will most likely shoot it better.. lol -- Hot Rod knows they should have been all over your car like we were, but we got it first and just because we did it would silly for them to ignore such a pivotal car. Even we like getting an exclusive but we are realistic as well and know there is pleanty for everyone.

Once my 2000 SS got in Super Chevy nobody wanted it. Hot Rod was thinking of putting it on a cover but though nobody would believe I tracked it (even though they found it at a Buttonwillow track day).

[Bob Johnson]

Mine was in PHR (Feb '05) and Chevy High (Dec '05). Not bad for a dime-a-dozen red '69 Camaro :)

Your 'Cuda should have no problem hitting several magazines, unless you pissed some Editors off in the past, haha.

Tony
so was my Battle Axe..but those are sister publications..they probably shared the photography on yours like they did with mine..Hunkins shot it and let Chevy Hi Perf have some photography..and if i recall, CHP used the same Parkhurst written text..I'm talking Car Craft, Hot Rod, and PHR primarily...like they say, better to be pissed off than pissed on..

[Bob Johnson]

the way I look at it, it is beyond foolish to ignore anything Alan Johnson, Troy Trepanier, Eric Peratt, Bobby Alloway, Chip Foose, George Poteet,etc.etc. do. If you don't get the first shot, you should be a politician and get the second shot but do a better job than the guy that got the first shot. Then when the builder has his next project, maybe he'll give you the first shot..ignore him and guess what..My Cuda is Alan's ultimate accomplishment. He is already talking to Doug Cooper about doing a 69 Camaro that will equal or better the Cuda. He readily admits, that's going to take some doing. Cooper is a cool dude with some deep pockets..Alan's among the few hardest working and most talented builders around. If I was an Editor, I'd be serenading his as*...

[Bill Howell]

I am a bit late to the game here as far as the original thread started. I have just last night found a current Hot Rod in the stores here. Sorry, I do not get it monthly.
Anyway, I read the article on the vette, track time, etc. Then I read with interest the last paragraph.
Truth be told guys, there is a lot of truth to what I read. We talk a good game here about what we gonna do, gonna prove, etc, but how many of us are ready to step up and prove to the world we are for real? Who cares if they have built one yet or not? It looks like the gauntlet has been put down, it is up to us to prove just who we are. It also is a prime opportunity for us to show off if we so choose.
I know, I know, this is coming from the self proclaimed Poser. The fact that they think all of us are extremist is a myth and now maybe we can have the chance to actually have a say in what protouring really is and that like any other sport there are variants of protouring, ie. streetfighters, g-machines, and yes, the ever popular driver/poser sect.
Now, will they actually let me put my non roll barred, convertible on the tracK? If they will and if it is anywhere on this side of the country, I promise everyone here now, I will be there. I still do not regret not putting a roll bar in my car, but I understand it will never be a true streetfighter at the same time. Unlike their Prostreet comparison though, they will see my car on their Power Tour this year, and they will see that it is a functional car, made just for such events, and it follows the quote in my signature to a tee. It IS much better in every way than when it left the factory.
I challenge everyone here now, to stop making excuses, get busy on those cars, and lets show the world we are for real. How cool would it be to have them actually get it and understand we are not just talk.
Sorry to ramble a bit, but this is a condensed version of the first post I wrote this morning.
I can think of 15 or 20 cars off the top of my head, here on this site that need to be there. I can think of several more that need to be finished NOW or in the next couple months so they can be ready also.(Not to put any more pressure on you, JP.lol.)
Let's band together everyone, help some member that is close to you finish their project, and show the world who we are.

[Bob Johnson]

I am a bit late to the game here as far as the original thread started. I have just last night found a current Hot Rod in the stores here. Sorry, I do not get it monthly.
Anyway, I read the article on the vette, track time, etc. Then I read with interest the last paragraph.
Truth be told guys, there is a lot of truth to what I read. We talk a good game here about what we gonna do, gonna prove, etc, but how many of us are ready to step up and prove to the world we are for real? Who cares if they have built one yet or not? It looks like the gauntlet has been put down, it is up to us to prove just who we are. It also is a prime opportunity for us to show off if we so choose.
I know, I know, this is coming from the self proclaimed Poser. The fact that they think all of us are extremist is a myth and now maybe we can have the chance to actually have a say in what protouring really is and that like any other sport there are variants of protouring, ie. streetfighters, g-machines, and yes, the ever popular driver/poser sect.
Now, will they actually let me put my non roll barred, convertible on the tracK? If they will and if it is anywhere on this side of the country, I promise everyone here now, I will be there. I still do not regret not putting a roll bar in my car, but I understand it will never be a true streetfighter at the same time. Unlike their Prostreet comparison though, they will see my car on their Power Tour this year, and they will see that it is a functional car, made just for such events, and it follows the quote in my signature to a tee. It IS much better in every way than when it left the factory.
I challenge everyone here now, to stop making excuses, get busy on those cars, and lets show the world we are for real. How cool would it be to have them actually get it and understand we are not just talk.
Sorry to ramble a bit, but this is a condensed version of the first post I wrote this morning.
I can think of 15 or 20 cars off the top of my head, here on this site that need to be there. I can think of several more that need to be finished NOW or in the next couple months so they can be ready also.(Not to put any more pressure on you, JP.lol.)
Let's band together everyone, help some member that is close to you finish their project, and show the world who we are.
you need to subscribe..you paid enough for that one mag over the counter to buy a years sub at their low ball rate. Go to their table at shows like SEMA, PRI, Power Tour, Etc. they give you a T shirt,hat,sometimes a knife, etc and damn near give you the magazine...Hot Rod is much improved as is Car Craft...you get your money's worth for sure..

[Ralph LoGrasso]

I can think of 15 or 20 cars off the top of my head, here on this site that need to be there. I can think of several more that need to be finished NOW or in the next couple months so they can be ready also.(Not to put any more pressure on you, JP.lol.)
Let's band together everyone, help some member that is close to you finish their project, and show the world who we are.

I'm in, Captain. I'll need $50,000 cash, 20 shop hands, a stockload of parts, and 1,500 hours. Provide that, and I can be ready in as little as two weeks. JK LOL, sorry -- lame attempt at humor... I do agree with you, though. I'd love to have my car done and attend one of these events, but unless the event is LATE this year, and in the New England area, it's just not feasable for me. Hopefully some of the other guys can step up, but if not -- oh well. Let Hot Rod talk all the trash they want. While they're parading their chromed frame pro-street pick ups around the fair grounds, hoping they don't overheat on the way home with the 4.56s and 2 speed glide... we'll be the ones tearing up the streets. That's good enough for me...

[Bill Howell]

Ralph, the big issue here is protouring is in its infancy, really. The first power tour had what, 25 or so cars. Some of the more seasoned members can also attest that Prostreet took several years to be more than a RICH MAN's playground. I can remember in the early 80's thinking how can a common man ever afford such a car. So if an event is held anywhere other than the west coast, it will be small. They know that too, that is why I would almost bet they try to do it over this way. They want us to look unprepared, unorganized and clueless. It will make their point of view more pausable. However, if you could make a good showing, it would not be as easy for them to say," See, we told you so!"
I weclome the challenge, we have been wanting a big get together, heck, let them spend the money and do all the legwork, and we will just have to show up. However, we do HAVE to show up. Imagine the look on their faces when Stevo, John, SW, Charley, Frank and others show up with cars that not only look killer, but will put down the numbers too. We have to pull together as a community though if we are going to have a chance. I am ready, well, the goat needs a good wax job first....lol

[parsonsj]

Imagine the look on their faces when Stevo, John, SW, Charley, Frank and others show up with cars that not only look killer, but will put down the numbers too. We have to pull together as a community though if we are going to have a chance.

Amen.

Summertime, eh? Let's see what happens. We should get together and get Katz, Norm, Mark, and some of the other suspension engineers out there too. I'm going to need a LOT of help dialing my car in. It's got so much friggin' adjustment (sometimes I just can't help myself) I could spend months getting it right.

Remember Road Atlanta in April too.

jp

[Bill Howell]

Remember Road Atlanta in April too.

jp

See the thread in racing events, already working on that. :twothumbs

[critter]

I'm new to this site and read this thread with a great deal of interest. You see, I've spent a lifetime working in the media for newspapers. I also freelance some tech storie for another Prime Media property, High Performance Pontiac.

I've read HR off and on over the years. I've never been particularly fond of it. Like all the general interest magazines it was heavily biased toward Chevrolet and I'm a Pontiac guy. Not much for me. PHR would at least acknowledge my marque and Car Craft was more to my taste of grass roots modifications.

Back when I first started working for my home town newspaper the publisher wrote a very unpopular editorial. People all over town were upset and complaining. I was in his office when the phone rang. He answered the phone and told the person he wanted their name up front so he could go ahead and cancel their subscription for them. He didn't even listen to what they had to say.

I looked at him with raised eyebrows. He just smiled and pointed out that if you made them mad and they were talking about you the sales would follow. The simple truth was that for every one that canceled he sold 5 more off the stands at a higher rate of profit. He was laughing all the way to the bank.

Look how much they have you guys talking. ;)

[Bob Johnson]

looking at the vette in Hot Rod Magazine..I have a pet peeve with anything hanging down lower than the frame rails on any car that is well thought out. ...Is that the aluminum oil pan hanging down behind the cross member, just waiting to get knocked off?? Taking 10 inches out of those rear half shafts has them looking mighty short..looks like he could've taken some of that positive offset off those rear wheels and made them longer and made the car work better.. if he goes on a Power Tour, the roads they pick would have that oil pan busted all to hell. I went to his site to look at his customers finished cars....look at the 55 or 56 Ford or Chevy..looks like Big Daddy Roth and George Barris broke out the crack pipe, dropped a little acid and went for it on one of those 5 day TV builds. Been in business since the 80's..only shows 8 cars that satisfied customers have... His 66 vette has the same wheels I had on my 47 Woody..I like his straight axle drag vette.. supposedly fastest street vette in the country. I don't know what Rob Saburoy has vette wise nowdays..Jarvis must not have any of his best finished cars on the site,,what's shown is nothing to get excited about unless you're into 63 Impalas with wire wheels and murals on the hood. The 66 Vette looks better than anything he shows on his site by a mile. Think I'll take a shot at him. :machine: :machine:

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Look how much they have you guys talking. ;)

Exactly. This is all Hot Rod's ploy to gain attention, and get people to go pick up the mag to see what was said. With the internet forums gaining major popularity over the past 5 years or so, there's no doubt that magazines have changed their outlook on the auto industry, and also changed the product they're producing. I'm sure many of them have been suffering from deflated sales, but that's not facts, just a guess. Any press is good press they say, and it works both ways. I'm still not buying, though :).

[vanzuuk1]

Ralph , your up early. I am proud of you. :)

I cant promise to lay down any crazy times on a track, but I plan to do as many autocross events as I can this year. I hope to see some cars from this site , if you are afraid of cones scratching your clearcoat then go to a car show and tell everyone your car is protouring.(thats a friendly dig, dont get offended:))

I agree with critter, at least we are talking about hot rod.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

lol, thanks. I fell asleep early last night and work up early. Just being up at 6AM (not for work or college) is a whole new world for me, haha.

[Bob Johnson]

Exactly. This is all Hot Rod's ploy to gain attention, and get people to go pick up the mag to see what was said. With the internet forums gaining major popularity over the past 5 years or so, there's no doubt that magazines have changed their outlook on the auto industry, and also changed the product they're producing. I'm sure many of them have been suffering from deflated sales, but that's not facts, just a guess. Any press is good press they say, and it works both ways. I'm still not buying, though :).
Ralph are you saying you didn't think the Hot Rod magazine you just bought was interesting? Seems to me like it gets better each month with a few exceptions. The vette was good, Ring bros. Mustang good. Don't know why one of them didn't make the cover instead of that motor..wonder if it's the same way on the newsstand? I let my subscription lapse several years ago but reinstated it a few years ago and have not been disappointed. But I like all kinds of cars if they are well done. Heck I even like rice burners..bikes and cars..I'm not married to pro-touring. It better fits what I like a car to look like and do but no means is it my only interest. I can still get excited about a fast muscle car that's only fast in a straight line..it can still get the old adrenaline going. I also like micro cars..the best collection in the world is about 45 miles east of Atlanta off I-20..if anyone got here early it's absolutely worth the trip. It's not open all the time.

[Charley Lillard]

And i will be stopping at that museum on Power Tour.. museum (http://www.microcarmuseum.com/) :bananna2:

[Bob Johnson]

And i will be stopping at that museum on Power Tour.. museum (http://www.microcarmuseum.com/) :bananna2:
You won't be disappointed.It's unfreakin real..guaranteed you haven't ever seen over half the cars he has in there. and they're supernice Unbelievable what those Europeans were driving after WWII. Woman and kids go crazy over it too..

[Bob Johnson]

You won't be disappointed.It's unfreakin real..guaranteed you haven't ever seen over half the cars he has in there. and they're supernice Unbelievable what those Europeans were driving after WWII. Woman and kids go crazy over it too..
need to find out what time the Tour will be going thru that area..The Blue Willow Inn is very close to the museum. It is an old house and has country style food..fried green tomatoes and all..all you can eat. Maybe get reservations for a crowd..ladies love it..if they ride that distance, need to do a few things they enjoy..

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Ralph are you saying you didn't think the Hot Rod magazine you just bought was interesting? Seems to me like it gets better each month with a few exceptions. The vette was good, Ring bros. Mustang good. Don't know why one of them didn't make the cover instead of that motor..wonder if it's the same way on the newsstand? I let my subscription lapse several years ago but reinstated it a few years ago and have not been disappointed. But I like all kinds of cars if they are well done. Heck I even like rice burners..bikes and cars..I'm not married to pro-touring. It better fits what I like a car to look like and do but no means is it my only interest. I can still get excited about a fast muscle car that's only fast in a straight line..it can still get the old adrenaline going. I also like micro cars..the best collection in the world is about 45 miles east of Atlanta off I-20..if anyone got here early it's absolutely worth the trip. It's not open all the time.

I'm not saying Hot Rod isn't interesting, just that I tend not to purchase it because of their attitude towards Pro-Touring. The last Hot Rod I purchased was probably the August issue, and I purchsed that in June at the Airport before I got onto a plane down to Indiana. I was looking for GM Hitech performance, but they didn't have it, so I grabbed hot rod. It was an "okay" issue, but there wasn't much that I was interested in. A lot of the issue was dedicated to the $5 mil cuda convert, and the rest of the owners collection. It was all cool stuff, but not my personal interest: I do like other types of cars besides pro-touring, though. I especially like late model GM stuff (read: 4th gen f body), and even the older street rods and rat rods. However, Hot Rod's animosity towards pro-touring has always been a big factor in me not taking interest in the mag.

[Bob Johnson]

I'm not saying Hot Rod isn't interesting, just that I tend not to purchase it because of their attitude towards Pro-Touring. The last Hot Rod I purchased was probably the August issue, and I purchsed that in June at the Airport before I got onto a plane down to Indiana. I was looking for GM Hitech performance, but they didn't have it, so I grabbed hot rod. It was an "okay" issue, but there wasn't much that I was interested in. A lot of the issue was dedicated to the $5 mil cuda convert, and the rest of the owners collection. It was all cool stuff, but not my personal interest: I do like other types of cars besides pro-touring, though. I especially like late model GM stuff (read: 4th gen f body), and even the older street rods and rat rods. However, Hot Rod's animosity towards pro-touring has always been a big factor in me not taking interest in the mag.
need to bury the hatchet..Hot Rod magazine has a lot to offer nowdays. this last issue had a lot of interesting stuff...they're starting to come around to acknowledging pro-touring. i wish PHR had the staff, support, budget, circulation etc that HRod has..but they don't and never will. Can't cut off your nose to spite your face..you're missing some good stuff..and it's cheaper than Charmin..little too slick though..could help relieve some tension...wippen your butt with it..you could take the page with Freiberger's pix on it if you're feeling real feisty..not saying I ever did that

[Ralph LoGrasso]

need to bury the hatchet..Hot Rod magazine has a lot to offer nowdays. this last issue had a lot of interesting stuff...they're starting to come around to acknowledging pro-touring. i wish PHR had the staff, support, budget, circulation etc that HRod has..but they don't and never will. Can't cut off your nose to spite your face..you're missing some good stuff..and it's cheaper than Charmin..little too slick though..could help relieve some tension...wippen your butt with it..you could take the page with Freiberger's pix on it if you're feeling real feisty..not saying I ever did that

LOL! :lmao: That's funny stuff. I suppose I should bury the hatchet, but I'm still hesitant to give 'ol Hot Rod a chance. It's funny, though -- Hot Rod was what got me interested in Pro-Touring. I used to read it five or six years ago, and the issue that had Chris Kerr's '68 was what sparked my interest in PT cars. Maybe I'll give them another chance, and pick one up the next time I'm out. If it's no good, I could always heed your advice lol..

[Hot Rod]

:drive2: :3gears: :drive2:

[Bob Johnson]

LOL! :lmao: That's funny stuff. I suppose I should bury the hatchet, but I'm still hesitant to give 'ol Hot Rod a chance. It's funny, though -- Hot Rod was what got me interested in Pro-Touring. I used to read it five or six years ago, and the issue that had Chris Kerr's '68 was what sparked my interest in PT cars. Maybe I'll give them another chance, and pick one up the next time I'm out. If it's no good, I could always heed your advice lol..
by the time you pay for one over the counter you could buy a whole year at the discounted deal..like I say, it's cheaper than Charmin..I've really enjoyed it lately..reading it that is..

[Charley Lillard]

I think I got a 3 year subscription for about 3.99

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Damn-- $3.99 for 3 years. I'd probably buy it just to get a first hand look at all the pro-touring knocks each month. :lmao:

[Charley Lillard]

Do a ebay search for Hot Rod Magazine subscription. There are plenty. Here is one for 3.99 but he also charges 5.00 for shipping. Hot Rod (http://cgi.ebay.com/Hot-Rod-Magazine-Subscription-3-Years-36-Issues_W0QQitemZ6998867966QQcategoryZ29254QQssPage NameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Thanks, Charley. I will probably pick up one of those.

[Bob Johnson]

Thanks, Charley. I will probably pick up one of those.
Now you is a talkin..got you won over..now we got to work on the Frei/whopper..

[Steve1968LS2]

I think I got a 3 year subscription for about 3.99

Damn.. no wonder they sell so many.. thats cheaper than buying old newpapers..

[Damn True]

I noticed that Smith is no longer on the masthead and he is in a number of articles in Car Craft this month.

I sure wish Primedia would put him back on Chevy High. It looks like Ro is no longer there.

Why don't they take Chevy Hi-Tech and combine it with Chevy-hi? With all the LSx and OD tranny swaps going on it seems redundant to have both.

[Steve Chryssos]

Primedia has a reputation for playing a lot of musical chairs--especially with the higher paid talent. Ro is gone. Moved to Florida and doing freelance work.

[Bob Johnson]

talked to Keith Turk about what it is going to take to make The Cuda legal at Maxton..he said Freiburger has another group of magazines that have just been put under his control..better be sweet to him..he's just liable to be the **** over PHR one of these days if not already..I take back that freiwhopper remark..

[Pro-touring towncar]

I wonder if I could transfer the remainder of my Hot Rod subscription over to PHR.

Tim

[Bob Johnson]

I wonder if I could transfer the remainder of my Hot Rod subscription over to PHR.

Tim
Yeah..all $2.00 worth..unless you paid for a ten year subscription..send your request to Freiburger personally..sign it Pro Tour Town Car..damn would I like to be a fly on the wall of ol Fry's office when he read that..

[Damn True]

Another thing about that Vette that kinda bugged me. The only rear-view mirror on it is the one inside the cabin. Having driven a vette of that vintage I question the drivers ability to run safely on a road course w/o being able to determine if someone is coming up on his left or right.

[vanzuuk1]

True, I liked that vette, but it aint gonna be on a road course with a pack of other cars. Just my opinion.

It was still a cool car.

[Damn True]

Well, unless he plans to have the track to himself (maybe he has that kinda $$ I dunno) he will be out there with other cars during open track days. And, if this car is going to be at Friedboogers PT challenge I'd assume there might be other cars out on track at the same time.

[Bob Johnson]

Well, unless he plans to have the track to himself (maybe he has that kinda $$ I dunno) he will be out there with other cars during open track days. And, if this car is going to be at Friedboogers PT challenge I'd assume there might be other cars out on track at the same time.
I'm not putting my Cuda out beside some goober..they can get times from each car..I'm not going to be trading paint with someone in their $5K beast..long track.. a few cars OK .. but no side by side action..i've watched my buddies giving cardiac arrests to the Porsche and Ferrari guys with one of their fast junkers..they get off on it..

[Damn True]

In all reality, the most likely cause of damage to a car during an open track event is a mechanical failure or an off-track excursion not getting hit by "some goober".

Most open track events have "passing zones" on long straights. All I'm sayin is that if this cat was out on a track, his ability to see someone coming up beside him (there will ALWAYS be someone faster) will be comprimised by the lack of side mirrors. IMO that is a safety concern not only for him, but for the people on the track with him.

Now if he, or you have the means to rent a track and have it all to yourself then more power to ya. But if there is going to be a comparison of one car against another lap times ought to be taken under the same conditions.

If a "shootout" was done and everyone had the track to themselves for their "run" the logistics would be a nightmare. It would take all day for everyone to have a couple of "learn the track" sessions then a couple of "tweak and tune" sessions etc.

To say nothing of the difference in track conditions. If you get your run at 8am and somone else runs at 3pm after the track has been run on all day you are kinda comparing apples to oranges.

[vanzuuk1]

True , i know your on the other coast but see my thread in racing events.

[Damn True]

I saw it. If I happen to be anywhere near that coast when it goes down I'll be there.

I'll be the guy sitting on a cooler of beer making wisecracks about your wheels.

[vanzuuk1]

By then I will have made a set of replica rally wheels in carbon fiber to reduce rotating mass.
Probably not, but i will give my wheels a fresh coat of the best spray paint money can buy.

[Damn True]

but i will give my wheels a fresh coat of the best spray paint money can buy.

Yeah buddy!

I still say the best name for your car is "Billet Proof".

[vanzuuk1]

That would be a great name if I didnt have to explain it to the non gearheads.

I like that and "plane jane" or just "jane"(steevos idea)

[Steve1968LS2]

Primedia has a reputation for playing a lot of musical chairs--especially with the higher paid talent. Ro is gone. Moved to Florida and doing freelance work.

You can check out Ro's new column in the April issue of PHR.. lol

He is going to relate stories from "back in the day".. cool stuff, the first story is about the first track flogging of a '69 ZL1 :woot:

[Steve Chryssos]

You can check out Ro's new column in the April issue of PHR..

That's good to hear. He's one of the most talented writers around. And he's from Noo Joizey.

[sinned]

i've watched my buddies giving cardiac arrests to the Porsche and Ferrari guys with one of their fast junkers..they get off on it..
Hey....I resemble that remark. What pisses the high end owners off more, that the junkers are on the track or that they are running side by side with their 100K sport cars? :drive:

[Bob Johnson]

Hey....I resemble that remark. What pisses the high end owners off more, that the junkers are on the track or that they are running side by side with their 100K sport cars? :drive:
lot easier to make a pile of shi* go fast..You haven't got much to lose so you can drive the snot out of it...like going to Vegas, you can bet small and win..put big money down and you get skeered

[Damn True]

So by "goober" you are refering to which: The skill of the driver when compared to you or the cost of the car when compared to yours?

[Steve1968LS2]

So by "goober" you are refering to which: The skill of the driver when compared to you or the cost of the car when compared to yours?

I don't think that Bob was refering to ALL the other drivers.. just the occasional knucklehead that ventures on to the track from time to time. At Buttonwillow we had one, a guy in a Viper that though he was Schumacher.. lol

Almost nailed a couple guys before he was booted.. I think that was the "goober" he was speaking of.. We had the same problem with a guy in a clapped out honda thinking he was racing for a $100k purse..

Remember, this is the internet where it's easy to misread what someone is trying to say..

[vanzuuk1]

Vipers seem to have a bad rap at track days, deserved or not.

[Bob Johnson]

So by "goober" you are refering to which: The skill of the driver when compared to you or the cost of the car when compared to yours?
If he has less driving skill than I do, then he's as goober for sure. Another goober is a racer with an inexpensive purpose built race car wanting to blow away an expensive streetable or exotic car so he can brag to his friends how he just outran a car costing many times what his cost. Another goober is a guy out there driving over his head in anything and wrecking someone else. There are ass holes in inexpensive cars as well as expensive cars.

[Bob Johnson]

Hey....I resemble that remark. What pisses the high end owners off more, that the junkers are on the track or that they are running side by side with their 100K sport cars? :drive:
are you saying you resent that remark or you resemble that remark? If there's anything I can't stand more than a guy with a high buck car and cops an attitude, it's a guy that hasn't hustled in his life and has an attitude toward anyone who has and has more than he has.

[sinned]

I'll let you be the judge...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[sinned]

If he has less driving skill than I do, then he's as goober for sure. Another goober is a racer with an inexpensive purpose built race car wanting to blow away an expensive streetable or exotic car so he can brag to his friends how he just outran a car costing many times what his cost. Another goober is a guy out there driving over his head in anything and wrecking someone else. There are ass holes in inexpensive cars as well as expensive cars.
Ohhh, I resemble a few of those remarks too.:bananna2:

[Steve1968LS2]

I'll let you be the judge...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

I really want to put that in readers ride :D

[Bob Johnson]

I'll let you be the judge...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
i absolutely love rat rods. I can personally enjoy an inexpensive car that's well done much more than I can one of my high buck builds..I'm always worrying something is going to happen to it. I've been rear ended by a guy that hit a car 3 cars behind mine and knocked the other 2 into me. He had $10K worth of insurance..minimal legal here in Georgia. Did 40 K damage to mine alone..I don't worry and can enjoy a well done inexpensive car...note I said well done.. I've seen $10k cars I love..I've seen $300K cars I hate..amount spent is not my main criteria when I pass jusgement on a car.. I love my 66 Rambler, my 40 Ford Coupe rat rod, my 91 Infinity Q45...I like your El Camino. For my taste, front end needs to come down a touch where it caps the wheels at same place as rears do...get a grill and bumper on it and ride.

[sinned]

Thanks Bob, oh it's coming down.

You have my blessings Steve. God help us us all if that is magazine quality....oh maybe you meant in the "never to be finished" edition of readers rides.

[Henry D]

so was my Battle Axe..but those are sister publications..they probably shared the photography on yours like they did with mine..Hunkins shot it and let Chevy Hi Perf have some photography..and if i recall, CHP used the same Parkhurst written text..I'm talking Car Craft, Hot Rod, and PHR primarily...like they say, better to be pissed off than pissed on..

Sorry Bob, but I shoot my own material. :)

[Al Moreno]

are you saying you resent that remark or you resemble that remark? If there's anything I can't stand more than a guy with a high buck car and cops an attitude, it's a guy that hasn't hustled in his life and has an attitude toward anyone who has and has more than he has.
AMEN Brother, bunch communistic, TV watching, couch potatoes complain, jealous son of a beach......... complaining about the guy making it happen.

[preston]

Yeah that article on the orange vette cracked me up. They spend the whole article talkinga bout how its the real deal and do you have the balls to put your PT car on the track, and then you finish the article to realize that's the very first time it was on a track and a had a whole bunch of teething and handling and throttle problems.


A Hot Rod pro-touring event ? You mean like one of the 1000 track days or competition days that occur all over the US every summer ? But only with hot rods ? Cool but not a big deal. NOt worth trailering to California for, I'd rather hit the Shelby MIni-Nats or open track challenge.

That's another thing that bugs me about magazines - they do endless "wine tasting" comparisons of cars but when do you ever see lap times, same track, same driver, same tire type ?

Even those Road & Track "shootouts" usually have a lame road course portion. I mean, for all the **** comparing between car guys, anybody who has raced wheel to wheel knows the whole thing is kind of ajoke anyway.

Just some thoughts - btw here are my credentials, and this car saw the track (and the street) plenty this last year:


http://www.carter-engineering.com/preston67compcoupe.htm

[Damn True]

Preston, you've no need to qualify your comments.

First of all, we are sharing opinions and yours is just as valid as the next guys.

Second, anyone who knows of you and/or your car would regard your commentary as highly credible.

Third...Freiburger is a blowhard.



Hey, please come around here more often. Serious track car info is highly regarded. Check out the "General Tech & Safety" forum. A couple of very interesting threads in there.

[vanzuuk1]

"anyone who would do that do a classic stang..." Sorry thats kind of an inside joke.

Preston, I think of you when I get lazy on my car, You built a sick car in your damn driveway and you just fab up what you need.

Thanks for stopping in on the "friendly" site, I dig all the work you did on your car.

[vanzuuk1]

If anyone wants to know if prestons mustang has a cage... it IS a cage!

[Steve1968LS2]

That's another thing that bugs me about magazines - they do endless "wine tasting" comparisons of cars but when do you ever see lap times, same track, same driver, same tire type ?

Even those Road & Track "shootouts" usually have a lame road course portion. I mean, for all the **** comparing between car guys, anybody who has raced wheel to wheel knows the whole thing is kind of ajoke anyway.


Hey Preston.. Very cool car, I have always dug it :)

We test cars as best we can in skid pad, cones, braking, drag.. the track deal is so subjective plus it would be crazy to organize (not to mention talking owners into it).. I could also imagine it giving our lawyers a coronary.. lol

Where you located? I wish it was in CA.. again, nice car!