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I assume that the readership age range for PC are always going to be the same. How would you go about inticing new readers or is that not a need? Do young lads still go out and buy a classic car magazine on the grounds they'd one day like to own a MK3 Cortina, Datsun or Imp?
In view of declining purchases magazine sales (Smash hits and The Face are recent casualities) I wonder whether PC and its ilk can help buck the slide?
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bstardchild
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,945
Club RR Member Number: 71
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Like many above I've been reading/buying PC for as long as I can remember......
However I don't regularly buy a copy now - I stopped buying every copy in 1998 - it's always one of the first mags I take a gander at in the Library (WH Smith) but rarely is there anything in it that causes me to buy it which is a shame cos there always used to be.......
Now this isn't probably what you want to hear but it's the truth
I buy regardless of content every month
Retro cars Evo (on subscription)
And occasionally (determined by content)
Car mechanics (it's very rare now cos it's all too modern in there but it used to be a must have purchase) Car Top Gear (although thats not often now)
Probably a few others but it's very content dependant Autosport just before Le Man 24Hr etc etc
I agree with an earlier post about accuracy - really gets up my nose when the details aren't right and I have never seen any article on cars that I am enthusiastic about that is 100% factually correct (unless I wrote it for them - thats not big headed just if you want to get the facts right ask someone who owns one or more!!!!)
And on that basis (and seeing as others have offered) if you ever want to featureany of the following cars that I stil own
- Opel Monza GSE 1983-1986 - Vauxhall Senator 1987-1994 - Vauxhall Carlton 1986-1993 - Lotus Carlton 1991-1993
I'd be happy to help
Oh and a round of applause for coming and asking our views and welcome
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never actually bought the mag but usually have a quick peek through in smiths see whats in classifieds and if theres anything of interest, nice mag but on student budget lol
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once again rocking with 1117cc and 4 gears!
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K5
Part of things
Drives Vauxhall Ampera and Kadett E GT and sometimes camp out in our 1988 Classic Hymer
Posts: 579
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I suscribe to Retro and sometimes buy other Classic car Mags, I think Retro is a magazine that has captured exactly what is happening to the Classic Car scene. Younger people can now afford those Cars they used to see on the way to school, ie people in their 20,s and 30,s like me. We are not content to read about yet another Flat Cap MG etc. We want our Cars to perform almost as well as out Modern cars and that means looking towards modern technology. So more items on things like that would be good. Oh yes and if it has anything on SD1,s namely Vitesse i,m sold!
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Retro Classic cars and parts found, bought and sold from Catalunya. PM me for more details.
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I assume that the readership age range for PC are always going to be the same. How would you go about inticing new readers or is that not a need? Do young lads still go out and buy a classic car magazine on the grounds they'd one day like to own a MK3 Cortina, Datsun or Imp? In view of declining purchases magazine sales (Smash hits and The Face are recent casualities) I wonder whether PC and its ilk can help buck the slide? Was just thinkin that. If kids cant be bothered to buy a mag its not good, that was emap too , not as good obv though! I think in order to spend 3.80 or similar you usually need a good reson, I either buy nowt or 3 or 4 which is a wallet smacking 16 quid Retro cars seems to fit our age group perfect, but it not a fave mag and only buy it if a car in there inspires me.
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it doesn't matter if it's a Morris Marina or a Toyota Celica - it's what you do with it that counts
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Fascinating feedback, people. Really useful and interesting to hear your views. Right, I'm still in the office and it's 7.30. I'm off home. I can tell I'm going to spend far too much time in this forum.
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I used to read PC, and still pick up the odd copy.
I agree with Mr HoTWire "the classic car world doesn't start and stop with British cars of the 70's. What would be interesting would be possible a couple of pages each issue for British cars, French Cars, German Cars, Japanese Cars, Eastern Bloc Cars.. etc. etc. "
Thats my only gripe really.
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The lurker formerly known as Cappuccinocruiser.. or wedgedout..
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as others have said, well done for coming and asking us face to face - that takes balls.
i got a PC sub for xmas a few years ago and still have it but in 05 i seriousily considering canceling it and getting a Retro Cars sub. PC has become really dull. I used to really look foward to the mag and read the articles and now it comes through the post and goes on a pile that i will read eventually. the only thing i always read is Memory Lane and Rust In Piece. the problem is the amount of articles covering the same genre of car. it is, just dull. for me the best years of the mag was when Will Holman was in charge... it had spirit and quite a 'young' feeling where nothing was planned and it just happened as it did. intereresting and obsure vehicles like Skoda's, Tatra's, Volvo's etc. the main featured cars now are MGs and Rover's...nice enough as they are, once you've seen one every month it get a bit boring. I also think the mag could do with being jazzed up, on the floor next to the current PC is the Retro Cars mag with the green Dolly on it and RC looks hugely more appealing. it has a nice glossy finish and looks to be fun and action packed. i hope PC can be turned around and become popular again, because, right now, it isn't anything special at all....
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briefly put...
the editor who took over after Will bored me senseless, the mag made owning an old car seem a chore whereas before it was an adventure, aint bought it since, don't even flick through it in the newsagents any more.
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Hmm, tough one to answer as like a few others on here I've not bought a copy in quite some time. I confess to being a follower of PPC and Retro - I like older cars with the Q effect! I did flick through one recently as it caught my eye that it had a Saab 99 Turbo in (my own weapon of choice) and was suprised to see it was one seen in saab circles for sale during last year - it was up for £5k on ebay repeatedly and never sold. Low and behold its in PC with the value stated as £5k. Not likely! And it was irritating to see a comment about engine components being readily available. Yes, maybe for the engine that had been transplanted in the car. Try getting some of the components for the proper engines. Waterpumps for example - genuine ones are the proverbial poor quality wobbly children's play pony poo, and aftermarket ones are only available from a couple of places. As for the shafts that drive them - good luck! I'm looking to get them remanufactured as you just can't get them. Accuracy in a magazine is important - and just one small section showed to me a couple of errors. I used to read PC regularly a few years ago, but I do have the lasting memory of it being full of Morris Minors and MGB's. Hopefully that's not the case now I did mean to send in the pic of my car as found for the "rust in peace" section - but never got around to it: www.nutcase.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/pic1%20garage.jpg
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I always have a look at the latest copy of PC when it appears at the newsagents, as well as all the others, but there just doesn't seem to be anything that interests me enough to buy them. The same goes for most of the other car magazines - and that Octane magazine is right up its own , aint it? How many MGB articles can there be left to do, it must be the most unimaginative choice of classic in the world and any mag with one of those on the front is a definite no-no. I have to agree with the earlier post about Quentin Willson's articles, far too samey and he has a bottomless pit of money to throw at old cars and will never get his hands dirty. Thing is, the internet means that everyone can find out about their favourite car at the click of a button, and with forums like this a whole world of information is instantly available. That's where car mags are losing out. Mind you, a mag is easier to read when you're sat on the bog! Kev.
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Last Edit: Feb 2, 2006 20:58:05 GMT by rovamota
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RetroMat
Posted a lot
Column Shifting!
Posts: 3,444
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I don't' think i've ever brought a copy of PC, occasionally i look though it in smiths, but appart from the rust in piece bit nothing ever really catches my eye. There seems to be little to encourage younger readers. I currently subscribe to retro cars which along with retro-rides forfills my needs.
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When I first got interested in cars, I used to read Diesel Car Magazine (in the days when it was based in Somerton, before Future bought it). It was a really grimy read, and I don't mean you got oil stained hands from it! What it was really informative down to being practical about fixing faults in detail. Model reviews were detailing the mechanics, and also providing the costs of spare parts, and how much services cost etc. When I read PC I do miss the grime aspect which seems to have gotten a little lost. Bits I like are the old photos and street scenes, club news, readers cars, rust in peace and those Haynes cut aways.. In the last three issues that have dropped on to the door mat have made me wonder if I should renew subs though. I was horrified to read about the staff capri being taken for an MOT with completely knackard flexible brake hoses. (Jan 06). Surely these are basic checks any serious classic owner would be doing under a car before MOT, including looking for corrison - especially when the MOT costs so dam much!!!! I have to say switching off to the more modern classics, Feb 06 K reg Volvo, J reg Range Rover, K reg Mitsubishi, K reg Ford, getting the picture all run around parked in Sainsburys car park nothing really unusual and interesting going on. Some of the product reviews are getting boring, especially when as in this months Rust Proof Your Car, Bilt Hamber Dynax S50 is used and Dinitrol with more of the can and label in the photo than what there is of the car (freebies ) becuase in the same the test doesnt really rate rust product my Bilt Hamber or Dinitrol - but their distinctive blue packing is always slapped through every article mentioning rust. Do we need product review for things like Pliers? Sanding disks? you just throw them away and buy another pair there so cheap. Final note if the cars gets any more 'modern' then perhaps it should be practical bangers? Rant over,,,,, apart from that I still read it for all the bits I like.
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bstardchild
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,945
Club RR Member Number: 71
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I don't want to threadjack but Top man for taking a picture of it as you found it ;D
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I was horrified to read about the staff capri being taken for an MOT with completely knackard flexible brake hoses. (Jan 06). Surely these are basic checks any serious classic owner would be doing under a car before MOT, including looking for corrison - especially when the MOT costs so dam much!!!! Why were you 'horrified'? He took his car for a test, and it got pulled up on the brake hoses, so he had to replace them. OK I suppose he wishes he'd seen them rather than the MOT man, but he's told us all about it, pretty routine occurrence that. Its certainly happened to me plenty of times. Agree with your other points mind, specially about the product tests of pliers and what have you, WTF is that about? I'm NEVER going to read a product test on pliers, just out of principle!
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1972 Fiat 130 1985 Talbot Alpine 1974 Lancia Beta Saloon 1975 + 1986 Mazda 929 Koop + Wagon 1982 Fiat Argenta 2.0 iniezione elettronica 1977 Toyota Carina TA14 BEST CAR EVER!!!!!!!! 1979 Datsun B310 Sunny 4-dr 1984 Audi 200 Quattro Turbo 1983 Honda Accord 1.6 DX GONE1989 Alfa 75 2.0 TS Mr T says: TREAT YO MOTHER RIGHT!
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It just seemed to stink of slap happy, from telling us he'd given it several coats of paint, but not looked at the basics! It could of been rusty strut mounts, then the paint job wouldnt of been so rosey when the welder had finished. After all he is working for a motoring mag as what seems a semi profession I just guessed he might of been a little more willing to prod everything and get it right first time with a little passion for old motors!!! perhaps they should give me a job?!?! hehe
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Shortcut
Posted a lot
I won't be there when you cross the road, so always use the Green Cross Code.
Posts: 3,037
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hello mat :-)
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This space available to rent. Reach literally dozens of people. Cheap rates!
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Tell you what. Over at PC towers, they must think we are a right moaning bunch of old women. Still, at least we are honest.
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Oh my in the space of 'alf a day this thread on page four already! I hope PC know what they've done! ;D Don't know if this helps but I used to be an avid follower/subscriber of Practical Motorist in the 80's and then switched to Practical Classics (what happened to that mag? prefered it to Car Mechanics as PM covered the odd classic as well) then in early 90's I switched to Jalopy. And please some members stop complaining about MGB's I agree they've been done to death in mags but I look upon the MGB GT as another 25-30year old 'banger/fun' coupe as the Ford Capri, Opel Manta and Toyota '1st Gen' Celicas.
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LOL - I think its proven that he isn't go to please everybody no matter what he does!
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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