Magazine for nephew

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Backally

Backally

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visiting relatives out west this week, I got a 14 year old nephew who expressed a interest in older cars. His dad has zero interest in them. I would like to get him a magazine subscription to keep him interested. What would be a good one for 60's-70's muscle cars for someone that doesn't have a mechanical background? I was looking at Mopar Muscle but it is probably to much for someone that at this point doesn't know what a torsion bar or air gap means. I would like to lean towards Mopars naturally but not lock him out of others if that is how he leans. What would you get?
Thanks
 
Hot Rod.
The Editor is a MoPar guy, and it's nothing like it was a few years ago, despite the nah sayers (to follow). Just about every issue has stories regarding all three American manufacturers.
 
Hotrod I think that's where we all started, at least I did and I was 13.
 
I'll second the motion for Hot Rod. That's what got me started - besides building model cars as a kid. Most of my basic car knowledge was from the pages of Hot Rod.
This is the cover that first caught my eye in April '63 - I was also 14 years old at the time.
The McMullen '32 roadster is timeless...


View attachment APRIL 1963.jpg

 
Only problem I see with magazines is they are mostly advertisement. Little substance. My 14 year old grandson also has an interest in old muscle cars. I send him models with old magazine info on that particular car. When he is done building it, I send him another.
 
Just get him a few subscriptions. Even though there is a good bit over his head, it's a starting point of finding out a ton of things. He will have to find someone to ask questions to. Friends, relatives, school teachers. If he is lucky enough to get to a track and find a guy willing to answer a few questions he will be in good shape. This, is how I started.

I also had the good fortune of a few good local repair shops that had racers as owners and mechanics that didn't mind answering questions. I did manage to buy them from time to time until there sense of humor and work load had them kicking me out until a better day arrived.

The best learning tool I had ever gotten my hands on was the MP engines, chassis and catalog book. It took a ton of mystery out and added a ton of knowledge in. And this only lead me to tinker more and more. There was no internet. But since there is now, he can read here and else where. Just fore warn him that all the info he reads is subject to not being accurate and/or there is a better way. Or cheaper way, which may not be wise, better or other.
 
Hot Rod. My mind was polluted by my GM exec father growing up, and it was all Gm all the time, Hence, Hot Rod Mag was the one I started on.
 
rumblefish360 said:
Just get him a few subscriptions. Even though there is a good bit over his head, it's a starting point of finding out a ton of things. He will have to find someone to ask questions to. Friends, relatives, school teachers. If he is lucky enough to get to a track and find a guy willing to answer a few questions he will be in good shape. This, is how I started.

I also had the good fortune of a few good local repair shops that had racers as owners and mechanics that didn't mind answering questions. I did manage to buy them from time to time until there sense of humor and work load had them kicking me out until a better day arrived.

The best learning tool I had ever gotten my hands on was the MP engines, chassis and catalog book. It took a ton of mystery out and added a ton of knowledge in. And this only lead me to tinker more and more. There was no internet. But since there is now, he can read here and else where. Just fore warn him that all the info he reads is subject to not being accurate and/or there is a better way. Or cheaper way, which may not be wise, better or other.
Click to expand...

As for getting started in basic nuts & bolts, John Mcgann of Car Craft.. He got a FABO member 0U812/Brian/IMM to be a tech editor. They did a down n' dirty 350 late model ring, with a Magnum 5.9 similar ,to follow. I would start there, go with Hot Rod, & if he's a gear head type,Engine Masters..Mopar Muscle's o.k.,they like high end parts. Doesn't really match, a growing up hot rodder's budget IMHO.
 
I disagree with Mopar muscle being too much. If you read a chemistry book long enough your bound to learn chemistry over time.

My first brush with Mopar magazines was the Jan 2000 edition that covered the Mopar nationals. It left quite an impression on me and I was a teen then.

I ended up wearing it out and had to buy a another copy years after meeting the first copy.

I didn't know anything about cars at the time but over the years I kept going back to that issue realizing new thing I hadn't realized the time I read it before.

In 15 years I went to being wowed and dreaming to now I am building a HEMI car.

Mopar or No car :burnout:
 

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Rainy Day Auto said:
I disagree with Mopar muscle being too much. If you read a chemistry book long enough your bound to learn chemistry over time.

My first brush with Mopar magazines was the Jan 2000 edition that covered the Mopar nationals. It left quite an impression on me and I was a teen then.

I ended up wearing it out and had to buy a another copy years after meeting the first copy.

I didn't know anything about cars at the time but over the years I kept going back to that issue realizing new thing I hadn't realized the time I read it before.

In 15 years I went to being wowed and dreaming to now I am building a HEMI car.

Mopar or No car :burnout:
Click to expand...

Agreed, Rani ,to a point. I was thinking nuts and bolts ,to start..lol.... Let's get the guy started first.. ( ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE DREAMS YOU HAVE,that's why you came here..)
The low buck stuff to start with, to learn.
 
Kids today are better equipped to find info. Now days there is the web, an excellent source for answers. Another necessary tool is curiosity.
 
AHA,, nothing like the feel of paper in your hands. One of my favorites for all around general muscle car info and not alot of tech is Muscle Car Review. That is if it still is in print.
 
Hemmings Muscle Machines is a really good one. Lots of cool cars, history, tech, auction reviews. One of my favorites.
 
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