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I've subscribed to this mag since Issue 1 and I do really like it. I am nervous to open debate about it all over again, as we all seem to go round in circles on this subject. However, I have finally realised why, personally for me, it doesn't quite get me as excited as it should. The features do not really bring the cars to life. I think this is because there is very little space given to experiencing the cars and actually driving them. A lot of the write ups just feel like an interview with the owner, running through the spec sheet. That's interesting, but more of an opener to the exciting stuff surely. I want to know how these things drive, what they sound like, how quick, how noisy, how they handle, how they ride. I want to be taken on a journey in the car. E.g. Martins Toledo in this issue. I KNOW it's a great car, but the feature did nothing to convey the most important bit, the drive. This for me, is the fundamental reason that I could live without the mag these days.
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Last Edit: Nov 9, 2011 14:58:25 GMT by alolympic
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The features do not really bring the cars to life. I think this is because there is very little space given to experiencing the cars and actually driving them. A lot of the write ups just feel like an interview with the owner, running through the spec sheet. That's interesting, but more of an opener to the exciting stuff surely. This is true for almost every mag I read though. It is part of the reason I do some writing occasionally, I get fed up with the "and then he did this, and then he fitted that, and after that broke, this other thing was done."... with little about the passion behind the car or the experience of being in it. Classic and Sportscar is one of the exceptions to this, but then they have massive distribution, lots of advertisers and a reasonable budget to spend. I feel for the Retro Cars guys, they are on a shrinking budget and their aspirations for the magazines out strip their funding to produce it. There is so much they want to do, but they are limited by the decreasing magazine market and the fact that publishers are tightening their belts. Couple this with the rising cost of paper and you basically end up with thinner magazines that can't fulfill their own desire for awesomeness. They guys at Retro Cars do great work every month and I'm always happy to buy the magazine. The more we as a car enthusiasts community support them, the better the magazine will be.
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Yes, that’s very valid about wanting to know how they drive, but as you know the build is often very interesting too. If the writer’s worth their money (not that that’s a lot these days) then they should be able to work out what is the most interesting part of the story. For example, do you really want to know how quick a stockish Beetle is or are you more interested in how the guy went half way around the world/cancelled his wedding to go to a swap meet to find a certain part? As an aside, if I’m being honest and I’m sure I’ll get shot down in flames for it, it probably wouldn’t make for entertaining reading to talk about how a fair number of modified cars drive. I think the truth could certainly hurt in some cases! I spent years praising the virtues of very highly modified cars, carefully avoiding the fact that a good number headed for the hedge/oncoming traffic whenever you put your foot down, the new wheels and suspension combination ruined all hope of handling, or the engine ‘conversion’ ran so rough you had to creep up on it to get it to start. Fair play, they were all a giggle though. Of course, you’ve also got the feature where you turn up to do the shoot and it’s impossible to report how a car drives. Such as the car has no MoT, no insurance, it’s raining or the chap just thinks you’re going to shoot it on his drive in the 30 minutes before he has to go out…
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The features do not really bring the cars to life. I think this is because there is very little space given to experiencing the cars and actually driving them. A lot of the write ups just feel like an interview with the owner, running through the spec sheet. That's interesting, but more of an opener to the exciting stuff surely. This is true for almost every mag I read though. It is part of the reason I do some writing occasionally, I get fed up with the "and then he did this, and then he fitted that, and after that broke, this other thing was done."... with little about the passion behind the car or the experience of being in it. Classic and Sportscar is one of the exceptions to this, but then they have massive distribution, lots of advertisers and a reasonable budget to spend. I subscribe to Evo and Octane, very different market, but they succeed at what I am saying. I read road tests in Evo, sometimes starting out with very little interest in the car, but the quality of the writing (mostly) makes it worthwhile. It's all about an interest in driving. Practical Classic doesn't offer any of this either but that still seems to be successful, so not saying my wish is a recipe for success. I wish Retro Cars success too, just thought I'd mention where I think it is lacking for me though. If the writer’s worth their money (not that that’s a lot these days) then they should be able to work out what is the most interesting part of the story. For example, do you really want to know how quick a stockish Beetle is or are you more interested in how the guy went half way around the world/cancelled his wedding to go to a swap meet to find a certain part? Yep, accept that, which is probably why it took the XE Toledo for it to click with me. Here is a very exciting car to drive, however I didn't pick up on that experience. Fair play, if a car has not been modded to 'go' then concentrate on 'show' - I just don't think the 'go' is being covered where it would make the best read.
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btw, this is in the shops today. ;D
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Last Edit: Nov 10, 2011 10:44:56 GMT by dbizzle
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Nov 10, 2011 13:10:53 GMT
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Got my copy too.
God I miss the Datsun but it's a great write-up for when I did own it and on Dan's Celica too.
Had to wipe a small tear
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Enjoy the ride
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skinnylew
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 5,606
Club RR Member Number: 11
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Retro Cars mag - Dec '11skinnylew
@skinnylew
Club Retro Rides Member 11
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Nov 10, 2011 13:14:59 GMT
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Purchased it today, good read as always
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dja121
Part of things
Posts: 40
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Nov 10, 2011 15:43:25 GMT
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cant wait to get a copy
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speedy88
Club Retro Rides Member
"Nice Cortina mate"
Posts: 2,296
Club RR Member Number: 118
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Retro Cars mag - Dec '11speedy88
@speedy88
Club Retro Rides Member 118
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Nov 10, 2011 16:27:20 GMT
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Got mine! Plenty of interesting cars in this issue.
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