End of an era

[VintageMusclecar]

Numerous Automotive publications are getting the axe.

Scroll down to the 10th post in this thread (http://speedtalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=38260&start=150).

[CC Rider]

Wow! Sad news indeed.

[Mayhem]

That sucks. Corporate America is definitely on a downhill slide.
Run-a-muk with greed at the higher levels, and the same old lower level
person that does all the work getting the least pay and appreciation.
There is also no such thing as seniority any more. Everyone is disposable.

[njsteve]

More info here, too:

http://forums.performanceyears.com/forums/showthread.php?t=754474

[novadude]

I really hated the pro-touring direction PHR was taking, but this is still sad. Geez... PHRs Project X is an ICON in this hobby.

[PxTx]

I read less magazines because of great forums like Yenko.net. I share some of the blame for these loss of jobs.

I also think I have developed ADD, following guys like Bang Shift on Facebook, there is a lot of new content to read on a daily basis. I remember reading mags cover to cover, then having to wait for next month's issue to arrive.

Facebook has some great fluff stuff, and the forums have the technical threads. Plus, it seems to be more true to life. Sorry guys.

[XXXGoldL34M20]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pxtx</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I read less magazines because of great forums like Yenko.net. </div></div>

I agree with Paul,
The way of the internet with tons of forums-clubs-groups-images and easy free info from Google to search any topic is the way of the future, magazines will be disappearing as things are a changing.

I myself opened a 1970 Chevelle Super Sport Club on facebook a few years back which focuses only on these cars in pure unrestored stock or restored stock form and I am very surprised 500+ members have a particular interest in this subject. Just goes to show the power of the internet is huge for particular interested subjects were you can visit a particular focused group-club or forum to get much better focused information for what your into. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[Mayhem]

Sad but true and honest. We do most everything on computer today.
I too used to anticipate the next round of magazines coming out.
Now I still have 3 subscriptions, and have only thumbed through a few
of a growing stack.

I suppose this goes along with the pending doom of the USPS mail,
things like the Sears catalog (a childhood Christmas favorite and must have),
and so many other things.

It's the online and superstore era. Places like Walmart are driving all
the small businesses under. Computer is killing the old ways of printed news.
Sadly, our local speed shop is counting it's days, because of things like
Summit and Jegs, people are lazy and just order online, and it is usually cheaper,
much like Walmart, they get it in bulk and beat others prices.

I personally still use our local shop 99% of the time, due to loyalty, very
knowledgeable advise, buying on the spot, and the social act of hanging out
BS'ing while there. Even if it costs a little more. I still support them,
and it will be a very sad day when they close their doors, after 30 years
in the current location, and 25 in a previous spot.

I understand many cities and towns do not have a speed shop to go to, and that
makes the online game convenient. But if you do have one, unless they are crooks or
jerks, you should support them and appreciate them while they are still around.

Of course, the same goes for good food places, and many other things,
so this subject could go on forever. I just hate losing memorable things in life.
I guess much like those Sears Wishbooks, the hot rod mag's will be worth something someday.
Sadly, I just sold a whole box of early 80's mag's for $20 a while back.

OK, i'm rambling.

[old5.0]

Part of the problem is that so many people have simply moved on from the automotive hobby that most of these titles just aren't worth printing anymore.

Take 5.0 for example. I hate to admit this, but the fact is that the heyday of the late model Mustang movement was over a long time ago. It probably ended around the year 2000, when the decision was made to allow ex-IHRA ProMod chassis with turbo'd big blocks into Pro5.0. Just like NHRA in the 60's and 70's, the focus shifted from normal working-class Joes racing cars that regular people could recognize (and afford) and the whole thing turned into a circus, complete with 3000 horsepower, carbon-fiber bodied clown cars. The result is that the late model Mustang thing is hardly even a shadow of its former self, in spite of the fact that the cars themselves are better than they've ever been.

I think 5.0 has been cruising on momentum for a long time, since it's probably been at least a decade since that particular corner of the hobby could support two monthly mags. Maybe leaving MM&amp;FF in it's current format and shifting 5.0 to a more historical focus (think MCR for Fox Bodies) would have saved it, but I understand that idea was proposed and rejected by the bosses at Source.

[427TJ]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: old5.0</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Part of the problem is that so many people have simply moved on from the automotive hobby that most of these titles just aren't worth printing anymore.

Take 5.0 for example. I hate to admit this, but the fact is that the heyday of the late model Mustang movement was over a long time ago. It probably ended around the year 2000, when the decision was made to allow ex-IHRA ProMod chassis with turbo'd big blocks into Pro5.0. Just like NHRA in the 60's and 70's, the focus shifted from normal working-class Joes racing cars that regular people could recognize (and afford) and the whole thing turned into a circus, complete with 3000 horsepower, carbon-fiber bodied clown cars. The result is that the late model Mustang thing is hardly even a shadow of its former self, in spite of the fact that the cars themselves are better than they've ever been.

I think 5.0 has been cruising on momentum for a long time, since it's probably been at least a decade since that particular corner of the hobby could support two monthly mags. Maybe leaving MM&amp;FF in it's current format and shifting 5.0 to a more historical focus (think MCR for Fox Bodies) would have saved it, but I understand that idea was proposed and rejected by the bosses at Source. </div></div>

Well said. Had two new 5.0s myself, an '87 and a '90. Seems like eons ago.