Re: Car & Parts Out of Business

Posted by BH On 2010/9/3 13:23:05

Sad news indeed, as I have been a subscriber to Cars & Parts magazine, continuously, since 1978 - longer than any other publication.

The advent of the Internet forced a lot of changes on the world of publishing, including the old car hobby. Yet, I always like the great variety of articles on feature cars, history, and how-to in EVERY issue of Cars &Parts, balanced with a healthy and diverse classified advertising section. Also, C&P is what got me to blow-off more than one college homecoming weekend in favor of going to Fall Hershey, and where I learned of the existence of so many Packard vendors.

Alas, C&P ain't what it used to be. Each passing issue seemed thinner than th last, and the classified ads hardly seem worth looking through anymore. With each passing year, I had to question whether or not to renew. Now, I'm sorry that I bothered to renew this year.

Luckily, I also have Hemmings Classic Car to fall back on. I've been subscribing to that one since 1982 or 1983 - back when it was Special Interest Autos.

Still, I think Amos Press is throwing out the baby with the bathwater. With all due respect, the format of the new "merged" publication doesn't sound like something that I will want to subscribe, either. The new title stinks. I suspect the it will tank in short order.

Too bad they thought so little of their remaining print subscribers to not make an effort to ask what they'd like to have.

So long, old friend.