VW Trends

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue May 01, 2001 9:51 pm

Thanks!I will pass on your comment to the rest of the folks at the magazine.
I have already taken several features of some Super Beetles, so look for them in future issues of VWT.
Thanks again for the great comment!

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Kathy Jacobs
SEVWC / VW Trends

Spyke · Post by **Spyke** » Tue May 01, 2001 10:19 pm

While I may have criticized them in the 356 vs type IV thread, I sure don't mean to put the magazine down as a whole. I dropped my Hot VWs subscription some time ago and now VW Trends is the only American VW mag I read. (I also like VolksWorld and pick it up each month)

I put together a club newsletter every month (VVWCA's Vintage Voice) and can imagine what it takes to put out a magazine. Lots of work, not many people. I'm sure they're not doing it for the money(!) and I commend their efforts also.

-Craig Kenfield

tuna · Post by **tuna** » Tue May 01, 2001 10:30 pm

Speaking for myself, VWT is doing a good job from what they were doing a few years ago. The cars are of a great quality and the photography is appealing. The same goes with HVW.

I've been an off-and-on reader of Hot Rod magazine and Street Rodder, and what struck me is how these magazines play a more active role in fostering up-and-coming trends and sharing them with the readers.

An example of this fostering, for instance, is the June 2001 issue of Hot Rod that I picked up today. They are highlighting the new trend of hot rodding station wagen muscle cars of the '60s. Though there are a few people building these cars, HR gathered about half a dozen feature quality wagens and showcased it to the public. This will surely influence many other hot rodders out there.

The Power Tour has created a trend towards hot rods that are reliable and comfortable. I've even seen this trend spilling over to the VW world.

When was the last time you saw HVW or VWT feature a German Look style Bug? I believe HVW had one last year. How many feature cars are there, besides the desert runners, that are running Type 4 engines? The DKP style cars (one of my fav's) were becoming a trend in the early 90s, but only within the last couple of years have they really acknowledged it.

There is a growing trend of customized 411 and 412s in the UK. How about showcasing this to the American readers? TotalVW featured a great wagen last year, and there is a 2-door fastback that is regularly seen in event coverage. There's also a great 2-dr fastback from France that would complete a trio of cars. It might inspire some readers to find a 411/412 and make their own custom.

I know that Kathy is a contributor to VWT and that VWT's Dave Cormack is a frequenter to ShoptalkForums, so I hope that maybe this forum can play a role in making the magazine even much better.

That's my opinion.
Tuna

Darryl · Post by **Darryl** » Wed May 02, 2001 12:18 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Jake Raby:
VW Trends is the only mag that has been open minded enough to listen to the desires of the aircooled enthusiast, and leave water cooled for their sister publication.

I have never had a subscription to any VW mag, and I probably never will. If I was going to subscribe, Trends would be the one...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Mr. Raby,

You are sadly mistaken, Trends has been the universal mag for the VW World. Hot VW's dedicates their time towards Cal- Look and historical VW material as well as up to date trends and racing. Rarely a water pumper graces the pages of Hot VW's.....unlike Trends, in my opinion features H2O monthly and way too often!

By the way, what service would my T1 need after my trip to Maple Grove? You never answered. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Paul Illick · Post by **Paul Illick** » Wed May 02, 2001 6:39 am

Hey Dave, Tuna's got a real good point. Trends, right? Why not do more on T4's and the Eurolook? It seems to be what's coming, on this board and others. Heck, send Kathy over to report on some of the shows in Europe (she'd volunteer, wouldn't she?). Your readers who don't read Voldsworld or Total VW would be surprised to know what some of those guys do. Remember how your eyes glazed over to see another '56 Chevy in Hot Rod? I think a lot of people would be intersted in something other than just the Cal Look.

Ron · Post by **Ron** » Wed May 02, 2001 7:36 am

I'd like to see a new mag start up. One that features more "street beat", "readers rides" instead of cars that were sent here for interior, there for paint, over there for the engine and trans to be put in with a total $$ investment in the tens of thousands and near zero personal man hours. The whole idea of a VW (IMO) is it's simplicity and owner manipulated style. I realize a new mag is expensive, maybe the new t-4 website will eventually fit the bill. I still subscribe to them all, (except the French ones, can only look at pics and understand a few engine specs). Keep the new and old trends coming mags.

Alexander · Post by **Alexander** » Wed May 02, 2001 8:28 am

I guess there is more about Callook because there are hardly any Eurolook cars in North America. Most of the Eurolook cars are still in construction. The Eurolook cars cost more to build as well so many will not go for it.
I would love to see more Eurolook cars featuring parts from Germany that you can not get in the States as of yet. I hope to have my car featured when it is done. It will take me another year.
Another thing I would like is that Trends could feature parts from Europe so the readers could get an idea on what is out there. I would love to help with that since my car features a lot of German parts and I have a good relationship to some of the top German tuners.

Alex

[This message has been edited by Alexander (edited 05-02-2001).]

stevestromberg · Post by **stevestromberg** » Wed May 02, 2001 9:23 am

I took my Mini-Buggy (Powered by a 700cc BMW motor,Leading link frontend,IRS rear,It was built to fit in a full size pick-up bed) over to HVW office (at the time I lived two miles away), they were not interested in even looking at it.I found this strange as it always draws a crowd due to its small size(every kid wants one because it is there size). I figure that they didn't see $$$$ signs in their filling their pockets so they did not even want to look.So much for the name Dune Buggys and Hot VW's. Steve

[This message has been edited by stevestromberg (edited 05-02-2001).]

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed May 02, 2001 10:38 am

Send me over to Europe! Sure I wouldn't mind, just would have to Drag my husband with me!!!!
But, I don't see that happening, unless I pay for it!
I beileve in the July 2001, you guys will be surprised with the Type Iv coverage. I beileve there is some feature cars from Europe in there.
As for featuring cars that one person did and no one else. Those are some times hard to find. YOu have to take a good look at the cars, before even approaching them! I have taken quite a few features already of Daily Driven cars, that you all will see eventually.
I haven't find a Type IV powered VW yet to feature, but I know I will pretty soon. I already know of a bunch of them in the works.

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Kathy Jacobs
SEVWC / VW Trends

Specky VW freak · Post by **Specky VW freak** » Wed May 02, 2001 11:02 am

Hi Guys,

Great to see increasing interest in the States for Euro/German look cars and 411/412's.

For your info, VolksWorld recently shot the photos for a feature on my Euro/German look two door 412 sedan. The article should be published in the next three months ie. anytime from the July issue onwards.

I've another custom 412 currently in build - expect to see that featured some time in the future too.

Neal

Hot Wheels · Post by **Hot Wheels** » Wed May 02, 2001 11:21 am

Personally i like to see things that are visually appealing and highly functional. Show queens and woods beaters are the extreme ends of the spectrum but there seems to be a fucus in the truck world as well as Hot Rod to find well built usable machines even if thier use is specificly for sand, mud or asphalt. When mine is finally done i would like to be able to enter it in a show and not be laughed out, go racing and keep in the upper middle of the group and still be able to hop in and take the family uptown for ice cream once and a while. Its a challenge to build somthing that can do respectably in many areas and not become focused on one are of performance. I like to see anything innovative whether i like it or not something can be learned and used later. I have entire bound folders of issues i liked from over the years that have been saved just to steal an idea here and there for future projects.

VWTrends · Post by **VWTrends** » Wed May 02, 2001 11:29 am

Thank you all for your positive comments. It is interesting to see how many people appreciate the work that goes into our magazine each month.

Next month (the August issue) we will be featuring the German Look (or Porsche Look), and from here on out we will be regularly featuring cars built in this style.

As well, we have nothing against Super Beetles (I even own one), and we will be featuring one on the cover in the coming months. Also, we will be starting a Super Beetle project soon.

And Jake Raby was right, we do not feature watercooled cars in our magazine anymore. Our readers didn't want to see it, so we are now a completely aircooled-only magazine.

Thanks for reading, and if you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please feel free to let me know.

Ryan Lee Price, editor
VW Trends magazine

Post by **Tom Notch** » Wed May 02, 2001 1:12 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Steve Arndt:
Constructive criticism here.
I can sit down at Hastings or B&N and read through it very quickly. .......I want lots of content and I'm willing to pay a buck more an issue or whatever.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hmmmmm, is your support in the form of purchasing the mag or sitting at the store and reading it then returning it to the shelf? Not quite clear if you are supporting more content by the contribution of cash for their overhead which would allow more for content.

I myself just sent in a subscription.

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Tom Notch
Tom's Old VW Home