944 Enthusiast Owner needed for Classic & Sports Car article!
- Thread starter motornoter
- Start date
Copperman05
New member
I think your reading that wrong, I dont think the OP is saying you have to fit ALL of those points in your 140 words, he is giving examples of what your words could be based on.
To me it just seems a bit unfair, chap is writing a article about our cars (a good thing), comes and asks us for some words (another good thing), says let me know any pet hates re these articles (also a good thing), and all we can tell him is how he is going about it all wrong, you dont wanna do it like that! before he's even written the damn thing. Its like we dont wont it written unless its by our exacting standards, I think we should take our 944 heads out of our arses, otherwise why should he, they or anyone else ever ask us again....[&:]
Edd
pauljmcnulty
Active member
Yep, you're right. I do get over-sensitive about it as it's my number and e-mail that gets passed on to people, so I get a number of contacts from people who've read buyer's guides and gone out to buy a car armed with less knowledge than they could have had. Why I expect every article in every mag to be perfect I don't know! [&:]
Would be nice to see the article in advance though, just in case anything glaring is missing, but that rarely happens. I did write to one mag a while ago pointing out some errors, but they told me they'd agree to differ as they wouldn't have got it wrong. Stuff like the S2 being the replacement for the 2.7, those sort of silly details.
Edd,
You're right, good, accurate publicity for 944's is a good thing. But inaccurate, slapdash publicity is a bad thing, and the magazine publishers have little interest in anything other than their profit margins. Inaccuracy is hugely much easier to create than accuracy, and - hey presto! - we have low-quality articles with rather more sizzle than steak (so to speak), produced from the good will and to the detriment of the ownership community.
I'll get my 944 head out of my arse when I think that it's for something that in some way benefits either me or the world of 944's, and has a track record of doing so. At the moment I remain deeply unconvinced - based on previous performance.
Oli.
You're right, good, accurate publicity for 944's is a good thing. But inaccurate, slapdash publicity is a bad thing, and the magazine publishers have little interest in anything other than their profit margins. Inaccuracy is hugely much easier to create than accuracy, and - hey presto! - we have low-quality articles with rather more sizzle than steak (so to speak), produced from the good will and to the detriment of the ownership community.
I'll get my 944 head out of my arse when I think that it's for something that in some way benefits either me or the world of 944's, and has a track record of doing so. At the moment I remain deeply unconvinced - based on previous performance.
Oli.
Copperman05
New member
I think you both have valid points and I'd agree that not all advisory 944 articles are 100% accurate. But in order to help change this I also think we have to work with such article writers, perhaps with some tact. You cant expect to censor every article before it is published regarding our cars. Otherwise I fear the danger is they will blackmark us as a bunch of pretentious sods and never bother to ask again. Surely something that is not good for us, the club or any other Porsche 944 owner.
Yes magazines are for profit, but they are also a good way to promote our cars in the motoring world, if we can keep them onside then we may still be able to have some input and influence on what is written in future.
Edd
Yes magazines are for profit, but they are also a good way to promote our cars in the motoring world, if we can keep them onside then we may still be able to have some input and influence on what is written in future.
Edd
George Elliott
New member
Edd,
think about it, every article in 911 & PW, and from Club source's and officials are 100% free of any inaccuracy. For example you will never read that the 944 series is rear engined or V8. Therefore you are wrong[8|] I happen to support much of what you say, so I'm wrong too.
The OP asked a reasonable question, and has asked direct to the forum not the Club for some reason of their own, and I am glad someone is helping out. The guy is just doing his job to earn a crust like the rest of us.
Frankly, IMO any old car (20 yrs plus) should carry a warning "POTENTIAL MONEY PIT".
But, having covered 430 miles in mine yesterday, I can say they are a joy to drive
George
944t
think about it, every article in 911 & PW, and from Club source's and officials are 100% free of any inaccuracy. For example you will never read that the 944 series is rear engined or V8. Therefore you are wrong[8|] I happen to support much of what you say, so I'm wrong too.
The OP asked a reasonable question, and has asked direct to the forum not the Club for some reason of their own, and I am glad someone is helping out. The guy is just doing his job to earn a crust like the rest of us.
Frankly, IMO any old car (20 yrs plus) should carry a warning "POTENTIAL MONEY PIT".
But, having covered 430 miles in mine yesterday, I can say they are a joy to drive
George
944t
motornoter
New member
Wow, what a response!
Thanks, all, and apologies for posting and then disappearing for 48 hours, I had hoped to follow up quicker, but the last 48 hours have been a nightmare so I've only now had a chance to catch up.
You probably all thought I'd run away with my tail between my legs after Paul's response, but my shoulders are broader than that and I do understand his concerns. I've been writing buying guides, among other articles, for over 20 years and I often look at other magazines' guides, after doing my research, to see if they've mentioned anything I've missed - and sometimes I'm horrified at the errors I find.
As a classic car enthusiast and owner myself first and foremost (currently two Triumphs, a Jag and an XR4i), I know how frustrating it can be to read inaccurate articles and think "if only they'd asked me first". In fact I've been there myself, for years I was the Specials Registrar of the Ford Sidevalve Club as well as being a motoring writer - you may never have come across the glassfibre Specials that were all the rage in this country in the late 1950s, but there were dozens and when they turn up now, most people don't have a clue what they are. It used to drive me nuts that colleagues in the mag business, people I knew, would publish pictures in their magazines with completely incorrect guesses at what the cars were, when all they needed to do was ask me and I could tell them chapter and verse. So, Paul, I do know where you're coming from.
Unfortunately it's also true that the majority of clubs (and I say this as a past Club Chairman, Editor and Registrar, all of different clubs) are hopeless at responding to magazines' requests. If I need something now, and the cars have a forum, that's where I go first, because that's where the active people are. If the Club Registrar is active, he spots me on the forum and gets in touch, as Paul has done - though he's the first to be upset at my approach. Sorry, Paul, no offence intended. But after many, many occasions of waiting in vain for responses to emails or phone messages, or for promises of contacts to be fulfilled, with deadlines looming and often passing while I wait - and occasions when clubs have suggested suitable cars for us to photograph and they have turned out to be far from ideal (I can think of three in the last few years on buyers guides alone), I prefer to take the most efficient route. No reflection at all on PCGB, which is a great club - just that forums guarantee rapid response, and usually a choice that I can analyse and pick the best.
In this case, surprisingly few of you have actually got in touch, but that's OK because Ewan meets our needs perfectly - thanks Ewan.
As to the Buying Guide, I'm more than happy for Paul to read it through before publication. We will of course publish more than 140 words: as has been said here (thanks guys) that is just a panel for one owner's opinion and the crucial point is, I don't expect YOU to write 140 words, when I've finished talking to or emailing you, I'll probably have more like 1400 words to play with, which I will distil down into the best 140 words, and probably use quite a bit of the other info you've given me elsewhere in the guide. And of course, I will also be talking to specialists - which is why I asked for some recommendations, please, somebody?! OK, I'll ask Paul...
Thanks again for all the comments. Forums are there to express yourselves and it's good to hear everyone's concerns about buyers guides, helps us to get things right. As for magazines being all about making money, well that may be it for the shareholders of the publishing company, but most classic mags are staffed by enthusiasts like myself, who love the cars and do the job because it's an excuse to live your dream and spend your life doing something you enjoy. If we were out to make money we'd all have gone and got sensible jobs (like most of you, I suspect) and earned a lot more, but we're not complaining!
Malcolm
Thanks, all, and apologies for posting and then disappearing for 48 hours, I had hoped to follow up quicker, but the last 48 hours have been a nightmare so I've only now had a chance to catch up.
You probably all thought I'd run away with my tail between my legs after Paul's response, but my shoulders are broader than that and I do understand his concerns. I've been writing buying guides, among other articles, for over 20 years and I often look at other magazines' guides, after doing my research, to see if they've mentioned anything I've missed - and sometimes I'm horrified at the errors I find.
As a classic car enthusiast and owner myself first and foremost (currently two Triumphs, a Jag and an XR4i), I know how frustrating it can be to read inaccurate articles and think "if only they'd asked me first". In fact I've been there myself, for years I was the Specials Registrar of the Ford Sidevalve Club as well as being a motoring writer - you may never have come across the glassfibre Specials that were all the rage in this country in the late 1950s, but there were dozens and when they turn up now, most people don't have a clue what they are. It used to drive me nuts that colleagues in the mag business, people I knew, would publish pictures in their magazines with completely incorrect guesses at what the cars were, when all they needed to do was ask me and I could tell them chapter and verse. So, Paul, I do know where you're coming from.
Unfortunately it's also true that the majority of clubs (and I say this as a past Club Chairman, Editor and Registrar, all of different clubs) are hopeless at responding to magazines' requests. If I need something now, and the cars have a forum, that's where I go first, because that's where the active people are. If the Club Registrar is active, he spots me on the forum and gets in touch, as Paul has done - though he's the first to be upset at my approach. Sorry, Paul, no offence intended. But after many, many occasions of waiting in vain for responses to emails or phone messages, or for promises of contacts to be fulfilled, with deadlines looming and often passing while I wait - and occasions when clubs have suggested suitable cars for us to photograph and they have turned out to be far from ideal (I can think of three in the last few years on buyers guides alone), I prefer to take the most efficient route. No reflection at all on PCGB, which is a great club - just that forums guarantee rapid response, and usually a choice that I can analyse and pick the best.
In this case, surprisingly few of you have actually got in touch, but that's OK because Ewan meets our needs perfectly - thanks Ewan.
As to the Buying Guide, I'm more than happy for Paul to read it through before publication. We will of course publish more than 140 words: as has been said here (thanks guys) that is just a panel for one owner's opinion and the crucial point is, I don't expect YOU to write 140 words, when I've finished talking to or emailing you, I'll probably have more like 1400 words to play with, which I will distil down into the best 140 words, and probably use quite a bit of the other info you've given me elsewhere in the guide. And of course, I will also be talking to specialists - which is why I asked for some recommendations, please, somebody?! OK, I'll ask Paul...
Thanks again for all the comments. Forums are there to express yourselves and it's good to hear everyone's concerns about buyers guides, helps us to get things right. As for magazines being all about making money, well that may be it for the shareholders of the publishing company, but most classic mags are staffed by enthusiasts like myself, who love the cars and do the job because it's an excuse to live your dream and spend your life doing something you enjoy. If we were out to make money we'd all have gone and got sensible jobs (like most of you, I suspect) and earned a lot more, but we're not complaining!
Malcolm
Malcolm, thanks for coming back and I suspect we did think you'd gone away thinking, "I wont get very far here!"
I'm sure there are several cars that would be great for photographing (not mine I hasten to add!) guessing you would want a fairly standard one in really good condition (Andy Watson?)
and if you wanted to talk to me my no is in my signature! (I've only had a couple of 944s for four years or so).
There are others who are rather more qualified, however having had them for many years (944Turbo, Frenchy, Diver944 etc)
I'm glad you called back and would like to think we can help.
Cheers
I'm sure there are several cars that would be great for photographing (not mine I hasten to add!) guessing you would want a fairly standard one in really good condition (Andy Watson?)
and if you wanted to talk to me my no is in my signature! (I've only had a couple of 944s for four years or so).
There are others who are rather more qualified, however having had them for many years (944Turbo, Frenchy, Diver944 etc)
I'm glad you called back and would like to think we can help.
Cheers
George Elliott
New member
Malcolm,
re the specialists, you might call Promax Motorsport for a chat, I have found them very helpful over the years.
and, please tell us which issue the article is in.
good luck
george
944t
re the specialists, you might call Promax Motorsport for a chat, I have found them very helpful over the years.
and, please tell us which issue the article is in.
good luck
george
944t
motornoter
New member
Thanks Mike, thanks George!
We actually did the photography last year, before the weather closed in - we try to avoid asking people to take really nice cars out in January and February, you can get lucky with the weather but you run the risk of getting weeks of snow lying on the ground and filthy salty slush on the roads...
The car we photographed is a red S2 Cabrio with cream interior, a past Club concours winner that's in absolutely superb condition - a bit too good to be called a 'representative' example, I suppose, but it certainly looks nice. If I can find the right lead for my mobile I'll post a couple of snaps I took during the shoot.
Is there a list of recommended 944 specialists on here somewhere? So far Porkaparts and Promax are on my list, I know there are others but it's useful to know who's preferred and/or most helpful.
Cheers
Malcolm
We actually did the photography last year, before the weather closed in - we try to avoid asking people to take really nice cars out in January and February, you can get lucky with the weather but you run the risk of getting weeks of snow lying on the ground and filthy salty slush on the roads...
The car we photographed is a red S2 Cabrio with cream interior, a past Club concours winner that's in absolutely superb condition - a bit too good to be called a 'representative' example, I suppose, but it certainly looks nice. If I can find the right lead for my mobile I'll post a couple of snaps I took during the shoot.
Is there a list of recommended 944 specialists on here somewhere? So far Porkaparts and Promax are on my list, I know there are others but it's useful to know who's preferred and/or most helpful.
Cheers
Malcolm
Alex at EMC in Birmingham knows them very well, RPM too.
andy watson
Moderator
Ken & Alan from Autostrasse or Howard from Riddlesdell
And my car is always available for photo shoots [
][][] ( thanks Mike)
And my car is always available for photo shoots [
][][] ( thanks Mike)
Especially with standard Porsche wheels.......[][][]
][][]
Ewan
New member
I did the "owner interview" bit with Malcolm yesterday. We must gave chatted for half an hour or more about my various 944's, such as which models I'd had, when I'd had them, why I changed them, why I chose them, who serviced them, parts availability, costs and so on. Given that he'll have to pick just 140 words out of a long conversation, this part of the article could, frankly, say just about anything.
I hope it simply gives a quick flavour of 944 ownership and what a pleasure that can be. Compared to many other classics featured in the mag, a 944 is a practical, comfortable, useable and readily repairable/serviceable (and in the case of the Turbo, fast) car.
I can't promise we'll all see a huge jump in the value of our 944 stock, but I promise that I didn't knock any particular variant (not even the S2[]).
I hope it simply gives a quick flavour of 944 ownership and what a pleasure that can be. Compared to many other classics featured in the mag, a 944 is a practical, comfortable, useable and readily repairable/serviceable (and in the case of the Turbo, fast) car.
I can't promise we'll all see a huge jump in the value of our 944 stock, but I promise that I didn't knock any particular variant (not even the S2[
]).
Well done for doing that. Hopefully he will pick the right 140 words! I'm sure you'll have given him a good flavour of 944 ownership.[]
]motornoter
New member
OK folks, the article's written and Paul has very kindly checked it through to make sure we've not made any howlers - look out for it in the May issue of Classic & Sports Car, out roundabout the 1st of April.
Thanks again for all your help, and enjoy those 944s! Must confess writing this has left me with an almost irresistible urge to rush out and buy a late Turbo while they're so cheap - but for the sake of family harmony I'll have to resist it!
Malcolm
Thanks again for all your help, and enjoy those 944s! Must confess writing this has left me with an almost irresistible urge to rush out and buy a late Turbo while they're so cheap - but for the sake of family harmony I'll have to resist it!
Malcolm
pauljmcnulty
Active member
Certainly looks good, and Ewan's piece is great. []
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