Magazine Editorials

[HEMI]

So,do you bother to read'em?
Some of Wally Parks early ones were really "preaching to the chior" and self serving,but (and I mean no disrespect here)needed to be done.
Most otherwise just told you what was in whatever mag.it apperared in.I really liked the late Tom Senter's in P.H.R.D.F.'s were good also.Some other's names escape me right now,but there are/were some that were really lame.

[Dynoroom]

Rick Vogelin would tell a story or make you chuckle, I always liked what he wrote.

[KeithTurk]

David never shared what he was going to do his editorial about... so each month it was always a treat to read... Frankly Tonya and I had a contest to see who could get it first...

Simply one of the little treats of our life was knowing David and Rob, and waiting around to see what these Yahoo's had to say each month....

The one time he mentioned what it was about.... it was more to prepare us then anything....

I've had the opportunity several times to be involved in the content... fun stuff...

K

[Scott Liggett]

I didn't start off reading any of the editorials for a long time. About the time Freiburger was heading CC and showed us that rodding should be a gas and even show cars should be driven; I started reading all of them. It didn't matter who wrote em or what mag it's in; I read most of them. I now read all of Glad's stuff, Kinnan's flights of fantasy and Dave's new acquisitions; at least until his last one in a month or so.

I find them far more interesting when we hear anecdotes of their imperfect rodding experiences and love them when they make me laugh. The editorials that are just cliff notes to whats in the issue are a cop out and bore me.

[BillBallinger Sr]

I really liked Tom Senter's writing too. There was a big gap after he passed away. He had a collection of dry lakes still shots out of this world. He had some stuff that went back to AK Millers "belly tank" days. Until DF got the helm, the respect for our heritage was way out of vogue. "Too Tall Ganahl" got his ass kicked for being a little rough on the "Pro-Street" trend, and who could forget the "Caddyhack"? Matt King, how dare you bite the hand that feeds you? 1st commandment, that shalt not piss GM off, and number 2 is Edelbrock manifolds are "completely bolt ons" ignore the man behind the curtain with the dremel.

Fun days for sure. I am not going to say anything bad about anyone, but some were just doing what they were told.

And Dave, was it worth almost being shit-canned for hitting the 200mph club? Goddamn right it was! Thats why you have the utmost of everyone's respect. You had to walk one hell of a tight rope in that business.

[HEMI]

Another one that I like is Cory Farley.He has an occasional collum in AUTOWEEK,and wrote articles for HOT ROD about 20 years ago.
Brock Yates was more good than bad.Also liked Alan Girdler when he wrote for ROAD&TRACK.

[HEMI]

Bill,you are correcet when you stated that there was a HUGE gap when Tom Senter passed away.They weren't all gems,but the one that sticks in my mind was when he wrote of being a pre-teen and helping close off cross streets so his neighbor could do burn outs with a Caddilac powered dragster.

[KeithTurk]

Since we're on the subject... another favorite of mine is Peter Egan.... the guy does stuff I'd like to do... drives cars I like to drive... Rides bikes I'd like to ride... and shares all of it in a tone that seems like the ordinary guy can do it all...

What I've learned in the last 10 yrs... is that a guy can do just that.... whatever the hell he wants to... all you have to do is decide that's what your going to do and build a list of things it takes to make that happen...then knock them down ... one at a time. it's really that damn simple....

K

[squirrel]

Yes Keith, it really is that simple! the one big thing that is so hard to get is MOTIVATION.....if you can turn a project into the most important thing in your life, then you can get it done.

the fun part is keeping the other parts of your life on an even keel at the same time....

Back to the subject though, I've always liked DFs editorials, he has a good way of connecting car stuff to the rest of what's going on.

[BBR]

Not a car mag, but my all time favorite has to be Rick Sieman of DIRT BIKE Magazine fame. Man some of those were funny.

[SpeedZealot]

I know this is supposed to be about editorials. I personally find them enjoyable, and am sure to read them every month. I finally cracked open my Jan issue of Hot Rod, and the caption for the pictrure of the general lee in the top 100 cars, well had tears rolling down my cheek from exssesive laughter... just too much...

[kick_the_reverb]

I normally read them. I always enjoyed DF's editorials more than others. Regarding the imperfections in their rodding - I used to subscribe to Street Rodder for years. One of the final nails in the coffin was Brian Brennan's editorial on how much trouble it was to change wheels and how his rod has 2 different bolt patterns. That along with his constant defense of check-book rodders, was a one of the things that made me realize that magazine is not for me.
Ran

[TheSilverBuick]

I'm a reader and pretty much read them all (except the lame ones in computer magazines, they just don't do it for me). and I like probably 90% of them.

[Freiburger]

The real question (for me, anyway) is if any of you have ever read editorials on the web, or if you would.

[jaybnve]

For me whether I'm interested in the editorial all depends on the editor. For whatever reason, there are a few editors who I read every month, and they are nearly always interesting to me. The rest of the editors are nearly always uninteresting, so I don't even bother reading them after a few months of giving them a try.

In the Car mags, I think that Freiburger and Kinnan at Hot Rod were the most interesting. Two of my favorite recent editorials were DF's column about life at the side of the road, and Kinnan's road trip bringing his new van back from Oregon or Washington or wherever it was. A lot of us have had similar experiences as those described in the columns, and it hits home and makes you laugh. I practically fell off the couch laughing about Kinnan's van that rolled away from him at the end of the trip and hit another vehicle; a perfect example of seizing defeat from the jaws of victory, and I have had similar things happen to me more than once. I love reading editorials like that.

As far as reading online editorials, I'm sure that for me anyway, it would again depend on the editor. That's a green flag to you, DF; I'm looking forward to reading your first column at carjunkietv.com!

[Scott Liggett]

One of things I will miss about Dave leaving HR is his editorials. I think you one left for the Feb issue. If you decide to write one here; I'd definitely would read them.

[KeithTurk]

Yeah David... I'll read it of course.... and the opportunity to have interaction after I've read it... absolutely works for me....

It also means you'll have to be prepared to defend your thoughts virtually instantly... ....

It's going to be interesting to see if that changes the content or prose of the writing....

Ultimately... it's why I'm spending so much time here.... to get to these things that this sight is going to become....

For me ... I've got this picture of Andy Rooney Style Editorials posted to the site for me to gauwk at my leasure... and if I miss the episode.../ editorial... I'll be able to instantly pick it up.

Keith

[BBR]

The real question (for me, anyway) is if any of you have ever read editorials on the web, or if you would.


Yep. Jok Nicholson's for one. (MoparMax)

[BillBallinger Sr]

I would definitely read it!

[Woodward_Dreams]

Editorials are often the best part of some magazines. I think it was always a strong part of Hot Rod. It would be awesome if it was in the form of an email or the main page on this site.

[tiresmoke!]

Dave, that's part of what reeled me into subscribing to Car Craft when you took the helm.......your editorials and all-around communication style connect with us car nuts more than you'll ever realize.

I hope, as I' sure many others here do, that you'll continue your monthly slice of car-junkie(TM.?) wisdom?

It may not happen today or tomorrow, but trust me bro......one day people are gonna refer to you in the same reverence as many do with Gray Baskerville.

*standing by with deflator valve to shrink head*....LOL.....

[HEMI]

O.K. Dave you asked,so here's my answer:Start Writing!You won't have to please "The Suits",unless Chad is wearing one,or P.O. the advertisers(yet).Newsletter would be o.k.,as some might not be interested.
Now my question:What about guest editorials?Obviously they couldn't be just personal rant's.

[orbit]

The real question (for me, anyway) is if any of you have ever read editorials on the web, or if you would.


Yep, I've read web-based editorials, mostly from autoextremist.com, but from other sources as well.

And Dave, I really enjoyed your editorials while you were at Car Craft. I wish that I woulda saved 'em. Man, you made me laugh! I was disappointed when you left CC for sure.

[Tonya Turk]

Yes, start writing. Like Keith said, we would literally race each other to get the new issue and read your editorial. Now it will be who sees that a new one has been posted.

[MikeyT]

Personally the editorials were one of my favorite parts of Hot Rod magazine. i always thought it put it into perspective.

Mike

[DanStokes]

David -
Darn right I'll read what you write. Even that thing on the bathroom wall in Barstow. I'll move my lips, but I'll read it.

All harassment aside, Dave and Rob are probably my two favorite editorialists, partly for the reasons stated and partly because they seem to share some of themselves - who they ARE, not just what the DID. In a world where people (especially semi-celebrities like these two characters) seem to keep themselves private (which is, of course, their right), David and Rob let you know them a bit. I like and respect that - it takes courage.

So thanks and please keep 'em coming
Dan

[Nickdoe6]

Keith,
I'm with you on Andy Rooney. That guy is a freakin' genius.

Nick

[Jim McIlvaine]

Since we're on the subject... another favorite of mine is Peter Egan.... the guy does stuff I'd like to do... drives cars I like to drive... Rides bikes I'd like to ride... and shares all of it in a tone that seems like the ordinary guy can do it all...


K


I've had a man-crush on Peter Egan's writing for years. The guy is simply the best.

[HEMI]

2 of my favorites of Egan's were the one's where he described a hopped up flathead as sounding like a bear growling with a throatfull of honey,and when comparing a Miata with early M.G.'S,Suggesting that Miata owners had some how been taken over by Martians.Great Writing.

[HEMI]

Well Dave,how about it?I'm really intrested in the opportuninty to supply guest editorials.What would be required? PM me if you wish with the requirements.