Hot Vw's Magazine

[Larry S]

I saw some things on Facebook yesterday and I was wondering if anyone knows what is going on. First I heard it was closing and then I heard it was going through some major changes. I know how rumors start and get blown out of proportion these days so I was just wondering if anyone can shed some light on the subject.
Thanks,

Larry

[Brew 66]

Check Hot VW's Facebook!
It's all good!

[Fastbrit]

You reckon... 

[leec]

You reckon... 
[/quote
What's going on then?

[modnrod]

I dropped my subscription a couple of years ago, after getting my first mag in the early 80s.

As much as I love VW hotrods, there is more to the VW world than skinny-front slammed "Resto-Cal" and pages of ads.
Not a criticism, possibly a way forward maybe.........

[Zach Gomulka]

I dropped my subscription a couple of years ago, after getting my first mag in the early 80s.

As much as I love VW hotrods, there is more to the VW world than skinny-front slammed "Resto-Cal" and pages of ads.
Not a criticism, possibly a way forward maybe.........

Yeah, I'd wish they would open their eyes and see that you can have a very cool car that doesn't have shiny paint. They really limit their readership that way, IMO.

[Brian Rogers]

I'm thinking April Fools for the April issue.
But I've been wrong before.

[j-f]

I dropped my subscription a couple of years ago, after getting my first mag in the early 80s.

As much as I love VW hotrods, there is more to the VW world than skinny-front slammed "Resto-Cal" and pages of ads.
Not a criticism, possibly a way forward maybe.........

Yeah, I'd wish they would open their eyes and see that you can have a very cool car that doesn't have shiny paint. They really limit their readership that way, IMO.

 On the other hand, I don't renew my Ultra VW subscription because I found to much rat/slammed/patina bus/bugs article to my taste. It is a very high quality mag, printed on heavy glossy paper,not like US mag printed on rolling paper, with a in depth look from guy's that know their stuff and the scene. They have to follow the trend and the UK is heavy on ratty/slammed ride, but not my taste .
 I like to see a patina, resto-cal, german look, Cal look, camper, bus, bug, T1-2-3-4, vintage and everything in between as long as it is not another rat's ride (or a french look, but I don't buy the French magazine anymore ).

I really like magazine like Car Craft. It's down to earth, average Joe reading with nice tech/paint articles that show the best,better, worst way to do thing. Featured cars are sometime show quality, sometimes not, but the story that goes with make the reading interesting.
I found Hot vw's to take their style for granted. Invariably written the same way, time after time. It's accurate, but lack of originality. And I hope not found rusty slammed ride with a rope or a chain wrap around the front bumper with a single fog light and a roof rack full of junk in Hot VW's... 

[Zach Gomulka]

Agreed on all points.

[Critter1]

HVWs has needed an overhaul for years, IMO. Like it was said above, all articles read the same. Seems they cut, paste and change the name, paint color, engine size and laundry list of shops its been to for the various expensive work done.... It would be nice to see some variety in the way of some tasteful patina car spreads. Plenty of quality, ingenuity and style out there lurking under OG paint & scratches.They usually have a much better story than the checkbook cars. I really hope HVWs is in for some changes that this community can embrace as a whole.

 

[modnrod]

I hope the April Fools doesn't become a self-fulfilling prophecy.........
I bought an Ultra last month or so, there is a lot of slammed rat-looks, but there is still a lot of other content as well.

Funny you should mention Car Craft. In the 90s they were in the same situation, and if it wasn't for Freiburger "Camaro Craft" would have folded, but then he changed the mag within a year to reflect the fun bits of the hobby, made it more inclusive (he even put 5.0L Fords in the damn thing!!!) and changed focus and it's still going today.

[gkeeton@zbzoom.net]

After speaking with some friends that are Aircooled VW shop owners, Hot VW's appears to be under new managagement. There have also been some changes in the line up of editors. Most posts I've read so far about the rumors of the magazine going out of print all agree the magazine does need some changes. If they're going to start shit canning the editors that have been there for years, or some case decades, that have brought the magazine to where it is today, it's going to be a rough/most likely short future.

[Fastbrit]

It's not the new owners who got rid of the old editors – that process started before the sale.

Shin Mukai (TOA International) is the new owner, with Shin Watanabe as editor. Look for some old names back on board (hint: DK, RK, BS...) and some other old fart, maybe. This is the best thing that can happen to Hot VWs.

Oh, and the 'missing' April issue was not down to the new owners...

Support it by buying it.

[kafercup]

It's not the new owners who got rid of the old editors – that process started before the sale.

Shin Mukai (TOA International) is the new owner, with Shin Watanabe as editor. Look for some old names back on board (hint: DK, RK, BS...) and some other old fart, maybe. This is the best thing that can happen to Hot VWs.

Oh, and the 'missing' April issue was not down to the new owners...

Support it by buying it.

I like the sound of that, should make for some interesting (positive) changes!

[Rick Meredith]

That sounds positive

[gkeeton@zbzoom.net]

It's not the new owners who got rid of the old editors – that process started before the sale.

Shin Mukai (TOA International) is the new owner, with Shin Watanabe as editor. Look for some old names back on board (hint: DK, RK, BS...) and some other old fart, maybe. This is the best thing that can happen to Hot VWs.

Oh, and the 'missing' April issue was not down to the new owners...

Support it by buying it.

Unless something has changed recently, it's my understanding your "hinted names" are NOT going to be a part of the new Hot VW's.

[Fastbrit]

Unless something has changed recently, it's my understanding your "hinted names" are NOT going to be a part of the new Hot VW's.

Watch this space... ;-)

[Brian Rogers]

When does this happen? I've still have a bit of subscription left.

[danny gabbard]

I'm new here , Is this magazine about stolen VWs

[Jeff68]

Well no wonder I haven't gotten my April HotVWs mag! I figured something was up....I really hope it gets sorted out and I hope existing subscribers (I have a year left!) aren't forgotten. I grew up reading HotVWs. I know the magazine isn't perfect and it would be great if they update it some, but I really hope it survives!

Thanks for the information Keith!

[Bryan67]

Best news I`ve heard all week!

[deano]

I've been asked to be a contributor, which I am excited about working with the Shins. May issue is now in production, and looks excellent.

[karl h]

been a subscriber longer than i can remember, so this is good news 

[alex d]

This is great news!

[Jeff68]

Great news Deano!! Thanks!

[deano]

I suggest that if you want a copy of the April 2017 issue, you need to find it on the newsstands, as most subscribers will probably not get one. Just FYI. True collector's item.

[kaferdave]

So it's official now?   

[deano]

No, not yet.

[kaferdave]

ooops. sorry, Deano..

[Sarge]