Here’s how Canadian Hot Rods magazine started
I love cars. Always have. From the moment my mechanic dad sat me in his lap and let me steer his 1957 Ford Ranchero I was hooked. In large part that explains this publication.
Dad tried to steer me away from the family business and in a way he succeeded. Instead of turning wrenches I took a shot at turning phrases and became a journalist. After a few years as a sports reporter/photographer for a couple of newspapers, I became the editor of a twice-weekly newspaper in Nanaimo, B.C.
In 2001, I began writing a column called, My Car. . . .with Terry Denomme which featured local hotrods, classic cars, street rods, muscle cars, British cars – you name it. It was an instant hit and is now syndicated in four Vancouver Island newspapers (Campbell River Courier Islander, Alberni Valley Times, Cowichan Valley Citizen, Harbour City/Oceanside Star).
Writing the column did a couple of things; it turned a passion for all things automotive into an obsession and showed me a single weekly column would never do justice to how huge this hobby is in B.C. and Western Canada. There are too many great cars whose stories are going untold.
Now, I’m more of an enthusiast then an expert (though our tech and build articles will certainly be guided by professionals) but I do own a 1967 Impala sport coupe and, as you’ll see in this issue, a 1957 Ford Sedan Delivery. With each turn of the wrench and each article written I learn more and more.
I’ve got a lot of catching up to do, but I never enjoyed university or college as much as I enjoy the lessons I learn each night or Saturday afternoon spent tinkering with my cars.
So, where does this magazine draw the line when it comes to feature content? Well, as the gearhead in charge Canadian Hot Rods and Classic Cars will certainly reflect my tastes, which include almost anything with wheels but leans towards muscle cars, street rods and customs.
That said, I’d like to let the readers dictate, to some extent, the content of this magazine.
That means antique cars, sport compacts, lowrider pickups, foreign classics and just interesting vehicles and car stories in general will always be welcome on the pages of this magazines
This publication also welcomes your contributions, stories and photos.
Monthly features such as Roadside Attractions, Rearview Mirror and CHC Auto Club depend on reader input.
As for the CHC Auto Club, it’s a forum for car clubs from across the country to let other clubs know what’s going on in their communities – from cruise night updates and photos, to fund-raising events and other club projects and club news. Just send us your information or jpeg files to mycarpublications@shaw.ca and we’ll get ’em in the paper.
Eventually, we’d also like to include racing coverage from both the circle track and 1/4 mile realm. If you have items to contribute, please don’t hesitate to give us a call (1-888-753-2111) or to e-mail your information.
In some cases, we’ll even pay you to contribute, either with cold, hard cash in the case of quality feature stories or maybe just one of our wicked Canadian Hot Rods & Classics T-shirts.
If you have nothing to offer us but your opinion, that’s fine because we’d love to hear from you. (Take a look at the contact information on page 2).
I hope you enjoy this debut issue of Canadian Hot Rods & Classic Cars.
It’s been a blast in the same way going 0-60 in the five second range in a T-bucket is a blast – which is to say thrilling and terrifying at the same time. (For more on this, see the article on Trevor Masson’s ’27 T-bucket on page 7). Our goal is to become Western Canada’s gearhead chronicle of record.
Where we go from there is anyone’s guess.
As any guy addicted to this hobby knows, a supportive wife is a must.
Whether you have a backyard full of parts cars or unfinished projects, or a finished car that seriously cut into your vacation and home repair fund, a wife who understands you’re not insane means you’re a lot less likely to develop a close relationship with a divorce lawyer. On page 12 of this issue you will find that, at least at press time, my wife Patty is coming to grips with my passion for this hobby. For that, and for her tireless assistance in putting out this publication, I’m very grateful.
Love you hon – oh, and by the way, if I haven’t already mentioned it, don’t look at the VISA bill this month.
It’s just better for the both of us.