Evo magazine - seems like everyone's leaving
Discussion
I got Evo years ago, had it on sub for a few years, same with Octane and Land Rover Monthly.
All were good reads and had decent content. All were different but interested me.
LRM and Evo both fell into the same problem of focusing on one type of car more than the others, Evo focused more on super cars then regular ones, LRM did the Defender over the rest of the range. It was a slow change, but it happened.
LRM stopped the monthly trip reports from people doing overland trips in Africa, Asia etc.
Evo stopped the decent group tests and cars the majority of us could afford.
Stopped LRM, then Evo, as I hadn't opened the monthly issues in a long time.
Octane finally stopped because I couldn't afford anything in it and it got depressing..
Strange how they are all owned by the same publisher, both LRM and Evo changed editors and went downhill from that.
Got a call from the Subs guy asking if I wanted to restart them. He got a surprise when I said no as they were crap now and a shadow of their former selves.
All were good reads and had decent content. All were different but interested me.
LRM and Evo both fell into the same problem of focusing on one type of car more than the others, Evo focused more on super cars then regular ones, LRM did the Defender over the rest of the range. It was a slow change, but it happened.
LRM stopped the monthly trip reports from people doing overland trips in Africa, Asia etc.
Evo stopped the decent group tests and cars the majority of us could afford.
Stopped LRM, then Evo, as I hadn't opened the monthly issues in a long time.
Octane finally stopped because I couldn't afford anything in it and it got depressing..
Strange how they are all owned by the same publisher, both LRM and Evo changed editors and went downhill from that.
Got a call from the Subs guy asking if I wanted to restart them. He got a surprise when I said no as they were crap now and a shadow of their former selves.
Not surprised DriveTribe are hoovering up talent with all of Amazon's money. I just hope it turns into something worthwhile.
A website I occasionally look at now, that hasn't been mentioned yet I don't think, is Petrolicious. Pretty good to have a click through once or twice a week.
Another one is Jalopnik, but that's almost completely gone down the s
tter as they refuse to remove Musk's dick from their mouth.
For bikers it's a bit of a wasteland however. Lanesplitter was good, MCN is crap-ish, RIDE magazine is okay but I only ever 'borrow' copies from someone at work who has a subscription (leecher - guilty). I mostly watch YouTube channels on the stuff now though.
A website I occasionally look at now, that hasn't been mentioned yet I don't think, is Petrolicious. Pretty good to have a click through once or twice a week.
Another one is Jalopnik, but that's almost completely gone down the s
tter as they refuse to remove Musk's dick from their mouth. For bikers it's a bit of a wasteland however. Lanesplitter was good, MCN is crap-ish, RIDE magazine is okay but I only ever 'borrow' copies from someone at work who has a subscription (leecher - guilty). I mostly watch YouTube channels on the stuff now though.
iSore said:
Ha!
The other thing about classic mags is that they try to gloss over the fact that some cars were absolute crap when new (see: MGC) with a 'they weren't that bad really'. Read a 1970 edition of CAR and you'll realise the Mark III Cortina was in fact a steaming turd. LJKS wrote an article damning the AC Cobra as being utterly horrid to drive - you won't read this in C&SC.
I buy the odd copy, and Buckley is the first bit I read. He doesn't give a st and says what needs to be said.
That is a good point. However, the glossing over could be down to a couple of reasons, other than justifying the article.The other thing about classic mags is that they try to gloss over the fact that some cars were absolute crap when new (see: MGC) with a 'they weren't that bad really'. Read a 1970 edition of CAR and you'll realise the Mark III Cortina was in fact a steaming turd. LJKS wrote an article damning the AC Cobra as being utterly horrid to drive - you won't read this in C&SC.
I buy the odd copy, and Buckley is the first bit I read. He doesn't give a s
t and says what needs to be said.Firstly, the entire staff of the classics mag could quite conceivably be too young to have experienced the car in period, so the article is based purely on received wisdom and modern sensibilities.
Secondly, perceptions change. What was considered mediocre at the time might suddenly look attractive and feel engaging in the context of modern toss. A Vauxhall Nova was generally regarded as an average effort at the time and was much derided for years after. But I occasionally get to drive one and, believe you me, I enjoy every minute because of the basic, feelsome and spartan experience of it. You are required to drive it, rather than merely and absent-mindedly twist key and go. Therefore, to me, the Nova is a fun and engaging experience today.
s m said:
I guess it would work if I had enough computer storage.... I never find it that easy to hook up old hard drives to 'leaf back' through things I want to look at again whereas mags seem handier
Whatever works for you personally I guess.
i love your posts from yesteryear, always great to see the past in perspective from the time.Whatever works for you personally I guess.
Storage is an issue, as is maintaining your subscription. if you cancel Readly you lose the back issues as they are held on your device, but within their app. I don't care so much as i don't see today's mags as particularly worthy. I'll never throw away the paper ones i do buy as it's great to re-read several years later.
Keep posting, i always enjoy your retrospectives
Digitalize said:
I think this is the first time I've ever seen anyone say a stash of magazines would be easier than digital copies stored on a hard drive! For one you'd need one hard drive to store hundreds of thousands of magazines.
Very true indeed - but digital content doesn't seem to be stored that religiously. I agree it should be a lot easier but it relies on things not being 'electronically' cleared down or 'lost' Even old forums seem to have stuff removed periodically
I know for example that Car and Driver and Autocar websiteshave both put content on the web many years back that you can't seem to find now unless you have a local copy stored.
I think the other guy that posted above summed it up with the Readly sub he had. Once he stopped he lost access to his back issues
Most of the old stuff I see online is individuals having stored particular copies of things they themselves are interested in
Maybe people do store all their digital copies on hard drives? I don't know to be honest. There used to be DVDs /CDs of old EVOs sold in the USA off EBay - similar things ( for any mag ) would be handy but I don't know if I'd ever look back at them. I find the printed things more interesting somehow but I'm lucky I'm not pushed for space
Patrick Bateman said:
astrsxi77 said:
I very much agree with this.
I was no great fan of Catchpole when he first arrived - what does this child know about cars? (even though we're of similar age!) - but was quickly proven wrong. His avoidance of the modern hyperbolic - everything is "epic"..."EPIC" - style is refreshing.
He gets what it's all really about. I've never been one for track battles or any of that crap, completely bores me.I was no great fan of Catchpole when he first arrived - what does this child know about cars? (even though we're of similar age!) - but was quickly proven wrong. His avoidance of the modern hyperbolic - everything is "epic"..."EPIC" - style is refreshing.
Three of his best videos-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkAT82-R0S8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bziUYnN8Mg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCpCbZaD8xc
https://youtu.be/y1LhUzL3qdU
And I also like this one, Caterham in the snow:
https://youtu.be/iXVYFmnJmno
Both worth a look IMO.
dufflecoat said:
Drive tribe is to motoring journalism as Uber is to Taxi's and Air BnB is to Hotels. The community will become the content.
These vloggers will lead a "stream" each and the collaborated content becomes drive tribe. Gives them all one roof and us one portal.
Very smart move and will succeed. Advertising revenue, enormous.
My thinking too. These vloggers will lead a "stream" each and the collaborated content becomes drive tribe. Gives them all one roof and us one portal.
Very smart move and will succeed. Advertising revenue, enormous.
I think it's likely that Drive Tribe will be a little like Facebook/Twitter where content can be liked, commented on, 'retweeted', shared etc. Then there would be 'channels' you can sign up to where relevant posts and content is automatically curated and displayed. Content by selected users (ie. the 'stars', community leaders) would be automatically promoted.
Yes, Pistonheads exists and could fall under the description they posted, but it's obviously miles away in the aim. Readers/users are locked away on the forums where the ability to post content is extremely limited (you can't even embed a YouTube video).
astrsxi77 said:
That is a good point. However, the glossing over could be down to a couple of reasons, other than justifying the article.
Firstly, the entire staff of the classics mag could quite conceivably be too young to have experienced the car in period, so the article is based purely on received wisdom and modern sensibilities.
Secondly, perceptions change. What was considered mediocre at the time might suddenly look attractive and feel engaging in the context of modern toss. A Vauxhall Nova was generally regarded as an average effort at the time and was much derided for years after. But I occasionally get to drive one and, believe you me, I enjoy every minute because of the basic, feelsome and spartan experience of it. You are required to drive it, rather than merely and absent-mindedly twist key and go. Therefore, to me, the Nova is a fun and engaging experience today.
100% agreed on that - well said.Firstly, the entire staff of the classics mag could quite conceivably be too young to have experienced the car in period, so the article is based purely on received wisdom and modern sensibilities.
Secondly, perceptions change. What was considered mediocre at the time might suddenly look attractive and feel engaging in the context of modern toss. A Vauxhall Nova was generally regarded as an average effort at the time and was much derided for years after. But I occasionally get to drive one and, believe you me, I enjoy every minute because of the basic, feelsome and spartan experience of it. You are required to drive it, rather than merely and absent-mindedly twist key and go. Therefore, to me, the Nova is a fun and engaging experience today.
But I wish some writers would be more upfront. LJKS for example thought (and said) that the TR7 was a much better car than the TR6, carefully avoiding any meaningful comment on the styling (controversial/ugly then, striking and quite pretty in 2016).
Some fantastic Catchpole videos from over the years, but these two are definitely standout. If you've not seen them before, definitely take 25mins out of your day to watch:
Aston Martin N430 on Scotland's greatest driving road - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkAT82-R0S8
The greatest driving road in the world? Porsche Boxster GTS on Majorca - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1LhUzL3qdU&fe...
Aston Martin N430 on Scotland's greatest driving road - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkAT82-R0S8
The greatest driving road in the world? Porsche Boxster GTS on Majorca - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1LhUzL3qdU&fe...
astrsxi77 said:
As I get older, my interest in modern cars decreases; their irrelevant gadgetry; the unending bloating; Diesel Sline, Diesel M, Diesel SUV coupe-cross. It's a total bore, as was seeing unjust 5-star ratings thrown about like confetti, so I stopped buying EVO as my interest ebbed away.
This for me, even the "interesting" stuff just wasn't enough to keep the subscription. It's a shame as while my collection isn't big I've still got most issues from late 100's to 200 odd.iSore said:
Ha!
The other thing about classic mags is that they try to gloss over the fact that some cars were absolute crap when new (see: MGC) with a 'they weren't that bad really'. Read a 1970 edition of CAR and you'll realise the Mark III Cortina was in fact a steaming turd. LJKS wrote an article damning the AC Cobra as being utterly horrid to drive - you won't read this in C&SC.
I buy the odd copy, and Buckley is the first bit I read. He doesn't give a st and says what needs to be said.
I notice that too......and quite often the reverse applies. Cars that were really rated amongst their peers of the day......become awfulThe other thing about classic mags is that they try to gloss over the fact that some cars were absolute crap when new (see: MGC) with a 'they weren't that bad really'. Read a 1970 edition of CAR and you'll realise the Mark III Cortina was in fact a steaming turd. LJKS wrote an article damning the AC Cobra as being utterly horrid to drive - you won't read this in C&SC.
I buy the odd copy, and Buckley is the first bit I read. He doesn't give a s
t and says what needs to be said.Strela said:
I've been subscribing to Classic Cars for a couple of years as it is slightly less up its own tailpipe than C&SC. I also think it has more editorial imagination. Every issue a reader gets to drive something off their wishlist, and it's interesting that they put this feature at the start of the mag. .
+1Great section. different, fresh and something i read every word of as it's more genuine and less formulaic.
It's bad news when we're struggling for individual small sections for inspiration though.
lindrup119 said:
Not surprised DriveTribe are hoovering up talent with all of Amazon's money. I just hope it turns into something worthwhile.
A website I occasionally look at now, that hasn't been mentioned yet I don't think, is Petrolicious. Pretty good to have a click through once or twice a week.
Another one is Jalopnik, but that's almost completely gone down the stter as they refuse to remove Musk's dick from their mouth.
For bikers it's a bit of a wasteland however. Lanesplitter was good, MCN is crap-ish, RIDE magazine is okay but I only ever 'borrow' copies from someone at work who has a subscription (leecher - guilty). I mostly watch YouTube channels on the stuff now though.
I'm sure Amazon will be happy with the free advertising they are getting if people think they are behind DriveTribe.A website I occasionally look at now, that hasn't been mentioned yet I don't think, is Petrolicious. Pretty good to have a click through once or twice a week.
Another one is Jalopnik, but that's almost completely gone down the s
tter as they refuse to remove Musk's dick from their mouth. For bikers it's a bit of a wasteland however. Lanesplitter was good, MCN is crap-ish, RIDE magazine is okay but I only ever 'borrow' copies from someone at work who has a subscription (leecher - guilty). I mostly watch YouTube channels on the stuff now though.
coppice said:
Buckley is always an entertaining read but his Poundland sociology on the demographics of who drove what are entirely based on his watching far too much crap TV from 60s and 70s on youtube - hence usually very wide of the mark.
That's a fair post coppice, but having grown up watching the same TV shows the first time around I can see where Buckley is coming from and often enjoy his references, those very same shows had a massive effect on the choice of cars I bought later on in life and it's all wrapped up with the nostalgia for me - my first awareness of the 911 was in an episode of Jason King when he briefly drove a lime green one through the grotty streets of North London.As for Evo, I think I've only ever bought a handful of issues, it just doesn't seem to hit the right spot. I still look forward to C&SC dropping onto the door mat, the reader's wish list in Classic Cars is a great idea and I still buy Octane occasionally if there are one or two articles I'm interested in. There is a lack of consistent quality writing across the board in nearly all of today's car magazines though.
Edited by P5BNij on Saturday 29th October 09:54
Edited by P5BNij on Saturday 29th October 09:55
Edited by P5BNij on Saturday 29th October 09:55
I forgot to mention the best Classic magazine of them all - Supercar Classics. All the best writers from Car (pre its lapse into cliched rubbish ) and superb photography; few ads and creme de la creme cars- including stuff like Lotus 72 and McLaren M8 drives. Very much pre Pebble Beach/ Barn Find/ Goodwood/Coucher/ Buckley era- felt like it was written by your best mates(apart from LJKS , who was your stern but charismatic Latin teacher ) .
coppice said:
I forgot to mention the best Classic magazine of them all - Supercar Classics. All the best writers from Car (pre its lapse into cliched rubbish ) and superb photography; few ads and creme de la creme cars- including stuff like Lotus 72 and McLaren M8 drives. Very much pre Pebble Beach/ Barn Find/ Goodwood/Coucher/ Buckley era- felt like it was written by your best mates(apart from LJKS , who was your stern but charismatic Latin teacher ) .
I religiously bought every issue but sold them all years ago. Great magazine to grow up reading. Most of what I know about classics I got from reading that! Have to agree about Evo and Car as well. I bought every issue of Evo for the first 10 years but rarely bother now. I don't happen to like Porsches or German super saloons so that immediately makes 75% of it immaterial to me. Car is the most painful to watch. I first bought it in the late 80s and religiously bought every issue but, this month, I've decided only to bother if there's anything worth reading in it. My complete collection will be going on eBay, minus anything interesting I want to keep. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff