free sportz magazines

[hls30.com]

A fishcrow, but it doen't read back copies of SportZ!

Will

[hls30.com]

Quit looking to see what I am doing-you copycat!

[Bambikiller240]

Never heard of one of those. (just googled and learned they are a small crow local to the S.E. US.) http://www.birds.cornell.edu/crows/FishCrow.htm

The correct answer to the Q is..............a Swallow!

[hls30.com]

I thought it might be the Gull..p! Fishcrows travel in packs and chase off storks.

Will

[EScanlon]

...

no matter how much 240Z stuff we put in the magazine, it won't change the advertising part of it.....advertising will always lean towards the 350Z....

This is perfectly understandable. Simple economics at work, and if you add more 240 items, it would be hard to offer the 350 advertisers a justification for the price of their ads. To state it a bit more plainly, 350 advertisers won't advertise in a 240 magazine, or vice versa. Maintaining the balance is going to be hard specifically because of the lack of 240 advertisers.

Even if you went by % of total ad $, the 350 would still win out. But sometimes it seems as though the only items about the 240-260-280 and the Z31 are the ads.

Suggesting that you allocate a given amount for each (240 / 260 / 280 and the 2+2's, 300 Z31 and Z32) of the models would be almost impossible to maintain fairly. But if you address "general" type issues while using one of those vehicles you'll help "correct" that imbalance.

...

it is very hard to depend on outside sources (owners) to get early gen articles from. A lot goes into writing an article. You have to make sure to fully document everything which slows down the process. We have a few writers that can do this, but not enough to have something on the 240 on a regular basis. The project car will ensure that every issue from now on will have something for everyone.

....

No argument that you have had some excellent articles, and undoubtedly they'll continue and hopefully improve in quantity. Quality need not be that major of an issue if you put smaller articles in. The fuel vent hose article that was in one of the first issues is a classic. Sadly, you wrote it in such a manner that anything further on the topic will appear to be a "repeat". Then again, that's the excellence in your articles working against you.

You peruse this forum on occasion (I presume), so you can readily see that there are a myriad of "small" topics that, when illustrated or narrated in a magazine format would allow you to fill that small chunk of your magazine that could be devoted to the "early" cars.

Surely one of your editing staff has the skill to "ghost" write from the topics posed on the web.

Single uncomplicated articles can be derived without having to relate it all to a thesis on the subject. As an example, address the "simple" items that are so mundane that everyone ignores them BUT they tend to be the most asked about.

Ideas like the "Hand Throttle or Cruise Control" with regards to the Series I; "Adding an aftermarket stereo" could encompass several of the models, "Paint Care: Clay or Polish?" applies to ALL. Any one of these, coupled with a few pictures could SURELY be a page or two, especially if you target the advertiser for the article.

While I laud your intent to maintain a high standard of editorial excellence, don't forget that by limiting yourself to only the most "perfect" of articles, you limit your resources.

...It's about taking something from nothing and being able to drive it across the country without worrying about how far it is to the next exit with a gas station.

And just maybe, we'll learn something new along the way.

I'll be looking forward to your write ups, but I'll disagree on the "nothing" clause of your statement.

2¢

Enrique

[RAZ1]

Tom (240ZX), what a sexest remark, . Actually those woman do work on there cars and a couple of them know as much as most guys do. And they also aren't afraid to drive them like some guys I know and have seen at Z events around the country. And before you jump down my throat, I said some, not all.

When was your picture published? I would like to see it. We don't publish a picture of anyones car unless they sent it to us. And we don't pull them from websites. They are too lores for printing.

Don't be sorry for speaking your mind. I'm not when I do. So here it goes.

As far as our articles being beginner stuff, which ones in particular? We can't re-invent the wheel. It's been 35 years since the Z came out and just about everything that has been done to a Z has already been documented. I can't do a how-to on how to rebuild a L6. First, it would take to long (to write it, that's what books are for) and second, you guys would eat us alive if we missed one thing or a typo gives you the wrong information. We have to keep in mind that there are alot of people that know very little about their car and we have to think about everyone, not just the 20% that do know everything.

I'm going to be doing a how-to on a carpet install in conjuction with sound deadening material. Granted, this would be considered beginner stuff in my eyes, but I don't think that should keep me from doing it so that our readers can decide to do it themselves.

My 300ZX vented rotor upgrade on a 1st gen Z was so easy I was afraid people might think it was a joke. But I also understand that there are people that would look at that and say it's too much work.

I could write an article on how to hide your wiring harness from the firewall forward or show everyone how to re-route your brakelines so that you don't have them running inside the engine bay. But these kind of articles go beyond the norm and are not as easy as just taking a wrench to something. And if someone thinks the vented rotor upgrade is hard, re-routing brakelines would be considered insane. I know, I've already done this stuff.

Anybody that is mechanically inclined, will probably think all our articles are too basic and that's okay. But there might be some hope for us since I consider 80% of the questions asked on Z forums to be basic, which tells me that someone might learn something from the magazine. remember, not everyone surfs the net.

Granted, everything I say can be considered bias, but it doesn't make me any less of a Z car enthuiasts. I will continue to plug along because I feel that this might be the last chance for a Z magazine to survive and will do anything it takes to make it succeed. I'm thankful that there are people out there that think the same way.

Thanks for wishing us good luck, we can never have enough of that.

Enrique (EScanlon), you bring up a lot of good points.

We have done quite a few crossover articles, but if it's not specific to one generation, people will still say it is not about their car.

I visit ClassicZCar, zcar.com and Hybrid Z at least 10 times a day. If I were to take something from a website and have it redone for the magazine, people would scream bloody murder that we ripped it off and that we should be ashamed of ourselves. We have to be very carefull about that kind of stuff.

The 240Z project car is going to allow me to look at the little things as well as the big ones. Some parts of the project will focus on a specific area of the car and some will talk about just one thing on the car. The car was choosen because it addresses a lot of needs that are common to just about every 240Z that hasn't been restored yet. Such as rust issues (nothing major, but enough to replace some sheetmetal), body work (lots of it), engine work (yet to be seen how much), brakes, interior work (all of it), minor electrical issues and the fact that this car has the carberation system from a L20A, which if I'm correct was not available on Z's in the US. So one of the first things I'm going to try and do is track down where it came from. And for now, I think I'll keep that setup because it's different. I hope I can find a rebuild kit for it.

If you saw the car (and you will see pictures of it in the Summer 2005 issue) you will see that this truely is a "project" car and I have my work cut out for me. The word "nothing" was not out of disrespect, but for stating a fact. One good note, the slotted mags look to be in pretty good shape.

I guess I'm done for now. I can always chime in sometime down the post. Keep in mind that critisim (good or bad) is a good thing. It only helps to make us better.

[hls30.com]

You go Art! Just like criticism, any coverage is good coverage!

Will

[texasz]

...Perhaps, which is why we are making an announcement, lips sealed for now, in the not-so-distant future. Let's just say our early gen Z fans will not be dissapointed...

A new magazine maybe? In any case about when might we expect the announcement to be public?

[RAZ1]

I guess the only reason I subscribed at all was because the mag happened to put a picture of my 240 in it, and without even asking permission to use my photo...what's up with that kind of business?

Hi Tim (240ZX). I did some checking and I found the issue (Spring 2003, pg 9) with your car in it. Just to let people know we just don't randomly take images and use them whenever we want. You sent us the picture of your car as part of our Z Sightings response. I figure you must be aware that anytime you send a picture to a magazine, you are at the same time giving them permission to use it. That's what Z Sightings is all about.

The last thing I want is for people to think we are out to scam them.

[EScanlon]

...snip

...As far as our articles being beginner stuff, ...

...just about everything that has been done to a Z has already been documented....

...you guys would eat us alive if we missed one thing or a typo gives you the wrong information. ...

...keep in mind that there are alot of people that know very little about their car...

...Anybody that is mechanically inclined, will probably think all our articles are too basic...

...I consider 80% of the questions asked on Z forums to be basic, which tells me that someone might learn something from the magazine. remember, not everyone surfs the net. ...

...If I were to take something from a website and have it redone for the magazine, people would scream bloody murder that we ripped it off and that we should be ashamed of ourselves. We have to be very carefull about that kind of stuff.

...The 240Z project car ...

parts of the project will focus on a specific area of the car and some will talk about just one thing on the car. ....

Just a couple of thoughts on the "bullet" points I picked out from your reply:

Yes, many of the articles will be "beginner" stuff. Most of your readers will not have been actively involved in car mechanics when the car was new and therefore will need that beginning stuff.

As far as "everything" being documented... I beg to differ on two counts. If that were the case, then someone someplace would say "look it up in .... book or magazine", and also some of the issues we're dealing with today are as a result of the AGE of the vehicle and therefore would not have been an item to address in the 70's and 80's.

Regarding Typo's, yes they occur and also differences in opinion which to some will be as blatant an error as if you said get a STANDARD took kit to work on the Z. However, if you limit the amount of detail on some of these articles you won't run into the problem of detail nit-picking. There are items that it would be ludicrous to detail and others where it's critical. Head bolt torque specifications are critical, tightening bumper bolts on the other hand is not (and I don't wish to quibble about the "meaning" of TIGHTEN).

In my opinion that many people don't know much about their car is one of the most important services that your magazine fulfills. Sometimes it takes a simple straight forward article in a magazine to trigger a person into researching and finding out more. That's where the books come in. As you pointed out, you can't re-build an engine for an article without it becoming a permanent fixture for a couple of years, but you can gloss over it and give the book references you use to back up what you did.

Mechanically apt people look at your magazine in order to see what others have done. They know or at least should realize, that those with less aptitude NEED those basic items pointed out. As you pointed out, 80% (by your estimation) of the questions asked on the forums are "basic", yet they seem to come up time and time again. If a mechanically able person is using your magazine as STUDY material, it's so that he can "improve" upon your design.

As far as taking something from a website: I don't imagine that you would literally cut and paste the thread. I'm suggesting that you check out the Technical Articles section of this site and others and see WHAT has been posted, give it a brush-up to correct items that may have changed due to time and / or experience and publish them for those people who don't cruise the net. Heck, use it as a publicity plug for the website and you might generate some revenue, or site the various websites as contributing sources and let them get new members.

Lastly, since you are doing a project car, why not publish a request for submissions on wanted items to cover and if possible suggestions? You mentioned the carpet kit and sound deadening. If you buy a carpet kit from one of the vendors it's as simple as emptying water from a glass, but if you are planning on doing your own CUSTOM install... now you're talking an article.

As far as sound deadening, there are many ideas as to what's basic, what's required and what's a no-no. Check out the sites, you might find that the article(s) literally write themselves.

And to close, that's a possibility right there, what about you hosting a story submittal forum here. You could use it to "seed" your writers or maybe you'll find one of the posters with the right kind of skills to submit it.

Enrique

[Mike]

Don't listen to all the whining and complaining SportZ. Great magazine, love the 350Z and you guys do a great job.

Ditto... I am glad there is a Z magazine that features early Z's at all. The magazine is very well done and it has survived for this long...

The publishers are going where the money is. Wouldn't you? I mean, it's not cheap to publish a magazine and pay for salaries. Start spending more money on early Z stuff.... attract advertisers..... write articles..... keep the subscription.... etc.

It's really a catch-22. If you stop paying for the subscription, the potential market declines. And, this means that early-Z advertisers won't pay ...

I seriously doubt that revenue from subsriptions keeps the magazine going. It's the advertising.

It's the same problem we have here at the websites. If you want to see more early Z stuff... CONTRIBUTE. Either help out by subscribing, write some articles, or help by giving information about the mag to Zcar businesses.

And, don't forget our website... we are looking for a big supporter to keep us going. Midwest Z was helping a lot, but, we know they just slipped off the face of the earth.

Anyway... my point is that stopping your subscription will actually harm the issue more than help it. If you want to see more earlyZ info... write to these guys. Hell, RAZ1 is part of the magazine... We also have a forum for the mag here....

[RAZ1]

Enrique, you are hired!

here are my thoughts on your points:

"Yes, many of the articles will be "beginner" stuff."

Very true, I have to think about the whole, not part of it.

"As far as "everything" being documented..."

I might have been a bit vague with that comment. What I meant, is that I can fix just about everything that has to do with the car by just doing some research at book stores and looking at other magazines. Just because it's not directly related to the Z doesn't mean I can't figure out how to fix it You take the information that's out there and adjust accordingly.

"Regarding Typo's, yes they occur and also differences in opinion"

You'd be amazed at some of the letters and emails we get whenever we make the slightest error. if there is one thing I've learned, people are passionate about this stuff.

"In my opinion that many people don't know much about their car is one of the most important services that your magazine fulfills."

That is the way I approach it. Some of our most popular articles were the fuel tank how-to, the steering wheel how-to and the troubleshooting the electrical system article.

"Mechanically apt people look at your magazine in order to see what others have done."

Nice idea, but they are usually the first to try and tear us a new one. When I said 80%, I didn't mean that they weren't important, just that the answer can be found in any number of repair manuals on the market today. The internet has made it easier to just ask the question and wait for the answer. Why buy a manual when you can get the information for free.

"As far as taking something from a website: I don't imagine that you would literally cut and paste the thread."

We have agreements with some of our writers. One in particular is Joe Demers. When he writes an article for us he agrees to not post it on a website until after the issue it is in has been released. A lot of people that write articles are quick to post them on the web, when in fact I would love to publish them in the magazine first and after the issue is in the mail, they can do whatever they please with it. You have to be on my end to fully understand how many people are out there just waiting to catch us in what they would consider a major mistake.

You would not believe how many people come to use through the internet asking to write articles. We are always glad when they do. But the problem is when we contact them and say it is a go, all of a sudden they fall off the face of the earth and we never hear from them again. I'm guessing they weren't expecting us to say yes. The people that write to us in letter form are usually the serious ones.

"Lastly, since you are doing a project car, why not publish a request for submissions"

I will probably do that after the first article. The first article will have no wrenching involved. It will be taking a look at the car and letting the readers see just what this car will need. After that I'm open to suggestions. But readers have to keep in mind that this will not be a ground up restoration and that we should be looking to do things to the car that are going to make it road worthy and look decent doing it.

Keep in mind that when a magazine has a project car, advertisers want to be involved. So a lot of the parts needed are supplied in exchange for publicity, like the carpet kit and sound deadening material. And yes this article will write itself. I always check out the sites to get ideas.

"what about you hosting a story submittal forum here"

Not a bad idea as long as people don't get scared off when they realize what it takes to fully document a article, ie: hires images of the entire process, notes on top of note on top of notes so that you can go back and write the article after the job is done. And lastly, not being scared that your writing skills might not be up to par with what you think the magazine is looking for. Remember, that's what editors are for. I'm not a professional writer by any stretch of the imagination, but you would be hard pressed to tell after the editors get a hold of it.

Mike, more good points:

"Ditto... I am glad there is a Z magazine that features early Z's at all."

Our hardcore supporters with 1st gen Z's see it that way and understand what we are trying to do.

"The publishers are going where the money is. Wouldn't you? I mean, it's not cheap to publish a magazine and pay for salaries. Start spending more money on early Z stuff.... attract advertisers..... write articles..... keep the subscription.... etc."

So true, without the 350Z, there is no Sport Z. It is a proven fact that you can't produce a niche magazine if a car has been out of production for 30+ years. Aftermarket companies aren't interested in creating molds and machining parts for such a small market. Junkyards will only have a certain number of years before there stock piles go awayand along with it the avenue to cheap parts. I'm a 1st gen Z guy and if there is one thing I have learned is that we are cheap bastards and want everything for nothing, well just about. And for the majority, if you say that's not true, you're kidding yourself (how many just laughed when they read this sentence?).

"It's really a catch-22. If you stop paying for the subscription, the potential market declines. And, this means that early-Z advertisers won't pay ..."

Soooooo true, I would like to think that patience is a virtue and as the magazine continues to thrive, our core supporters will reap the benifits. Remember, any exposure the early Z can get will create a better awareness to the general public making it move away from the cult status and into the coniousness of the mainstream. The 350Z does more for the older generation Z's then you might think (this subject is for another discussion). Can anyone tell me why no other major publisher has ever tried to market a Z magazine? Hell, I haven't figured that one out yet. You would be surprised that even with the internet and all the Z people on these sites, it's just a small percentage to the number of Z owners that don't even know that there are dedicated websites, Z clubs, national conventions, local shows, etc. That is where we (SZM) comes into play. By being on the newstands we bring an awareness to the general public that could care less about surfing the net. We can't stop people from jumping ship and we understand if they do. It just means that we have to work that much harder to get someone else to jump aboard.

"I seriously doubt that revenue from subsriptions keeps the magazine going. It's the advertising."

Sooooo true again. All magazines have to be advertising driven or they are doomed to fail. The more subscribers you have the better chance you have of attracting advertisers. There is a reason why Car & Driver and MotorTrend can sell yearly subs for less than $10. You are just a number in their database to justify ad costs to advertisers.

We brought the G35 into the fold without taking any pages away form the Z. We did this by expanding the pages. By doing this, we attracted 6 new advertisers instantly. Smart move or selling out? You be the judge.

"Anyway... my point is that stopping your subscription will actually harm the issue more than help it. If you want to see more earlyZ info... write to these guys. Hell, RAZ1 is part of the magazine... We also have a forum for the mag here...."

Mike, I knew there was a reason I like you. Like I said, I visit these sites constantly and will always respond if questions are asked. the hardest thing for us is people who assume the worst, post it online and we find out they never contacted to find out what's really going on. And we all know that everything posted on the web must be true (not).