RE: 911 fans to get new magazine
Wednesday 5th January 2005
911 fans to get new magazine
Total 911 launches in spring 2005
A new Porsche 911 magazine is due to launch in the spring. Total 911 magazine is "the culmination of a lifetime's passion for the Porsche 911. Ardent Porschephiles Rob Mugglestone, John Francas and editor Phil Raby -- who writes for 911 & Porsche World -- have created Total 911 to provide the Porsche community with the magazine it has been waiting for."
Director John Francas said, "As the title suggests, Total 911 is 100 per cent committed to the design icon that is the 911 – from the first to the latest – in as much detail as you can handle. It will feature stunning photography. The sort of photos we wish we could all take, if only we have the talent, the cars and the locations. Above all, though, we'll give images the space to do them justice.
"Total 911 will be packed with in-depth articles, written by knowledgeable, authoritative contributors. No more thin, shallow features about cars that ‘corner on rails’ or ‘look fast standing still’; a readership focused on one model will expect – and be delighted by – articles which go beyond typical 911 features you’ll have read before.
"Total 911 is international. Cars and drivers from all around the world will feature in the magazine, bringing you some of the best and most exciting 911s the planet has to offer."
Francas said that preview features will soon be on the Web site along with screensavers.
More here: www.total911.com or contact info@total911.com
Discussion
Ettore
I think you answer your own question, when you type GT Purely Pap....
We think a large number of people really like reading about 911s. Sure, people buy 911 & PW. I'm not sure how many want to read about a 924 water pump replacement DIY, or a 968 buyers guide etc. WIth such a huge section of cars to cover, I don't think 911 & PW can cover enough cars in enough detail.
GTPP has some great pictures and some interesting cars, but are a bit short on detail.
The 911 is an icon that is still going strong after 41 years and I think there are enough interesting cars, people and history in that 41 years of heritage to engage and excite a new readership..
I think you answer your own question, when you type GT Purely Pap....
We think a large number of people really like reading about 911s. Sure, people buy 911 & PW. I'm not sure how many want to read about a 924 water pump replacement DIY, or a 968 buyers guide etc. WIth such a huge section of cars to cover, I don't think 911 & PW can cover enough cars in enough detail.
GTPP has some great pictures and some interesting cars, but are a bit short on detail.
The 911 is an icon that is still going strong after 41 years and I think there are enough interesting cars, people and history in that 41 years of heritage to engage and excite a new readership..
johnfm,
Can I just wish you the very best of luck with this venture. I think this magazine is a great idea.
I have a few suggestions, but you probably have these bases covered already:
1) Why not consider proof reading? I mean proof reading by owners of the specific car you are featuring. Too many magazine articles just copy what has been written before in previous articles. This leads to the same mistakes and myths being repeated time and again and it makes me want to shout and scream when I see it happening in relation to a car I know something about. There are many PHers who know stacks about 911s (I know you do too), but why not ask for the input or for proof reading from the register secretaries in the PCGB? Or other experts, eg PHers? You could reward them with a free subscription or something, or even just a name-check at the foot of the article.
2) Please resist the temptation to do an article on every new car that Specialist Cars of Malton get in stock, and then put their number plates on that say "MALTON" in a not very subtle way.
3) Please write articles that are detailed. I mean DETAILED. I want it to take hours to read the article. I want to read stuff I didn't know before. Photography is important, but not as important as detailed acurate info on the 911 you are featuring.
4) Having said that.......please make it a glossy and attractive magazine that will look cool on one's coffee table.
5) Have a letters page.
6) Feature real second hand cars for sale like they do in 911 & PW.
7) Please avoid the "in-joke" type writing that you see in Evo. We aren't bothered about how many Marlboros John Barker smokes, or that biker Hayman for that matter. I believe that a journalist's writing should speak for itself. The Evo writers want to be famous. Having said that, I love Evo. The enthusiasm they have for cars is something I would like to see in your magazine.
8) Why not have a "Readers' Cars" feature every month. I would be very pleased to supply my 993 RS for such an article....just give me a year to fettle the thing to perfection.
I look forward to the first issue.
John.
Can I just wish you the very best of luck with this venture. I think this magazine is a great idea.
I have a few suggestions, but you probably have these bases covered already:
1) Why not consider proof reading? I mean proof reading by owners of the specific car you are featuring. Too many magazine articles just copy what has been written before in previous articles. This leads to the same mistakes and myths being repeated time and again and it makes me want to shout and scream when I see it happening in relation to a car I know something about. There are many PHers who know stacks about 911s (I know you do too), but why not ask for the input or for proof reading from the register secretaries in the PCGB? Or other experts, eg PHers? You could reward them with a free subscription or something, or even just a name-check at the foot of the article.
2) Please resist the temptation to do an article on every new car that Specialist Cars of Malton get in stock, and then put their number plates on that say "MALTON" in a not very subtle way.
3) Please write articles that are detailed. I mean DETAILED. I want it to take hours to read the article. I want to read stuff I didn't know before. Photography is important, but not as important as detailed acurate info on the 911 you are featuring.
4) Having said that.......please make it a glossy and attractive magazine that will look cool on one's coffee table.
5) Have a letters page.
6) Feature real second hand cars for sale like they do in 911 & PW.
7) Please avoid the "in-joke" type writing that you see in Evo. We aren't bothered about how many Marlboros John Barker smokes, or that biker Hayman for that matter. I believe that a journalist's writing should speak for itself. The Evo writers want to be famous. Having said that, I love Evo. The enthusiasm they have for cars is something I would like to see in your magazine.
8) Why not have a "Readers' Cars" feature every month. I would be very pleased to supply my 993 RS for such an article....just give me a year to fettle the thing to perfection.
I look forward to the first issue.
John.
ettore said:
Is there room for another Porker title?
Competition is invariably a good thing but surely 911&PW and GT Purely Pap cover the market?
There is certainly room for another magazine with staff who know what they're talking about. It will also help that the editor actually likes 911s.
I'll be subscribing.
simonharrod911 said:You and me both. So: soon there'll be 911&PW, GTPP, and T911(nem). That's great. A few quid lighter each month but a whole shed load happier with all the articles to learn from and the pics to drool over. Good move John, I hope it's a roaring success for you in 2005.
I'll be subscribing.
I would subscribe because I love most 911's as well)poorcardealer said:
I will subscribe too, its a big ask to fill a magazine with just 911 articles every month isnt it.
Well, this is the thing, there have been so many amazing factory 911s, then there are specials that people have done themselves (993 engined 964 for example), or with help from others (ninemeister springs to mind), then there are RUFs and such like. I know there's a 993 speedster out there somewhere, i've seen a picture. I want to know more!
If you covered the RUF RCT EVO in as much detail as i'd like, there'd be a dozen big, detailed pictures, some "in action" shots, a line drawing of the engine and major components so i can see exactly where the turbo is and how it's plumbed in, hundreds of words, some performance stats in a side bar, another side bar describing RUF and their work, and so on.
Then there's information about "new technologies" like Colin supercharging a 996 to the tune of almost 500bhp.
Think about it...
Best of luck with the new venture Guys 
I am intrigued to see the content to see how it differs from existing porsche publications.
From the previous comments, it sounds as if posters have suggested their favourite bit's from various mags and grouped them together.
assuming this is going to be a niche publication, it will have to try harder against the established competition...perhaps,,,articles on ultra rare 911, taking a 911 to the lemans claasic....driving the Targa Florio for example....
Will it be a UK based magazine or will it have a more international flair targeting Excellence & Christophorus?
I prefer to buy car mags for the train journey home rather than subscription...I have given up on GT purely porsche as it is hard to find at mainline train stations in central london. Hopefully this new 911 mag will be easier to find?
>> Edited by clubsport on Wednesday 5th January 14:06
I am intrigued to see the content to see how it differs from existing porsche publications.
From the previous comments, it sounds as if posters have suggested their favourite bit's from various mags and grouped them together.
assuming this is going to be a niche publication, it will have to try harder against the established competition...perhaps,,,articles on ultra rare 911, taking a 911 to the lemans claasic....driving the Targa Florio for example....
Will it be a UK based magazine or will it have a more international flair targeting Excellence & Christophorus?
I prefer to buy car mags for the train journey home rather than subscription...I have given up on GT purely porsche as it is hard to find at mainline train stations in central london. Hopefully this new 911 mag will be easier to find?
>> Edited by clubsport on Wednesday 5th January 14:06
Good luck with the venture John. I'll buy the first couple of issues to see how it goes.
IMHO 911&PW dropped an absolute clanger when they stopped doing the readers cars section, especially the articles written by 911 owners who seriously drove and modifed them, such as PHer "turbobloke" and that Richard Long chap with the crazy GT3.
DAZ
>> Edited by dazren on Wednesday 5th January 14:20
IMHO 911&PW dropped an absolute clanger when they stopped doing the readers cars section, especially the articles written by 911 owners who seriously drove and modifed them, such as PHer "turbobloke" and that Richard Long chap with the crazy GT3.
DAZ
>> Edited by dazren on Wednesday 5th January 14:20
Seems like there`s plenty of enthusiasm. Still, even ignoring the execrable GTPP, surely it will be difficult to truly differentiate the content from others in the market - even 911aholics tend to have polarised interests. 996/7 owners seem to have relatively little interest in the early cars and the air-cooled purists would rather choke than buy a comfy modern number. Even your new editor, based upon his recent mutterings, doesn`t like anything that isn`t a 964 (or LHD!).
I genuinely wish you the best - far too many motoring magazines are light on interesting and accurate content these days - if you can combine good design, great images and authoritative copy you`ll create a compelling read. Whether the market (both readers and advertisers) is sufficiently broad to cover the expense of launching a new title I wouldn`t know!
I genuinely wish you the best - far too many motoring magazines are light on interesting and accurate content these days - if you can combine good design, great images and authoritative copy you`ll create a compelling read. Whether the market (both readers and advertisers) is sufficiently broad to cover the expense of launching a new title I wouldn`t know!
Oh, and if you think a car is ridiculously over priced, please admit it as it makes you look silly when you gloss over that fact with others (3.8 wood trim interior 993 £54,000) to mention just one. Saying that, I think they sold it 
Without doubt the best bit of the pw magazine was Readers Cars (similar title in another popular publication was also the highlight too)
Why you did away with RC and replaced it with the same three cars every month is beyond belief!
Without doubt the best bit of the pw magazine was Readers Cars (similar title in another popular publication was also the highlight too)
Why you did away with RC and replaced it with the same three cars every month is beyond belief!
Have some of you guys been wiretapping our editorial meetings??...
As some of you have highlighted, there are elements from different magazines that we would all like to see. This is the challenge. What I would say is that a number of your suggestions hit the nail on the head - we are after all Porsche enthusiasts ourselves, and we feel let down by what's available. That's part of the reason we are doing our own.
Some of the features will be VERY detailed. Though not a book, we want this magazine to take more than 10 minutes to read. There will be continuing series, some history, technology and more. We will be posting a couple of sample articles on the website soon - I think you can register interest there to be updated via e-mail.
Re: proof reading - its a good suggestion. We will tend to use just a coule of people, but if you're volunteering, drop me an e-mail at john@9publishing.co.uk
Lastly, thanks for the support of all those who have already subscribed - those of you who want to can do so online at www.total911.com
John
As some of you have highlighted, there are elements from different magazines that we would all like to see. This is the challenge. What I would say is that a number of your suggestions hit the nail on the head - we are after all Porsche enthusiasts ourselves, and we feel let down by what's available. That's part of the reason we are doing our own.
Some of the features will be VERY detailed. Though not a book, we want this magazine to take more than 10 minutes to read. There will be continuing series, some history, technology and more. We will be posting a couple of sample articles on the website soon - I think you can register interest there to be updated via e-mail.
Re: proof reading - its a good suggestion. We will tend to use just a coule of people, but if you're volunteering, drop me an e-mail at john@9publishing.co.uk
Lastly, thanks for the support of all those who have already subscribed - those of you who want to can do so online at www.total911.com
John
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