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Complete Kit car Mag'
TPG - 13/2/11 at 09:52 PM

Bit late this month? Any news?


trextr7monkey - 13/2/11 at 10:02 PM

Yeah , thinner with more adverts!
(Well that was my perception from a quick scan in Smiths)
atb
Mike


Talon Motorsport - 13/2/11 at 10:09 PM

wait till the 18th.


loggyboy - 13/2/11 at 10:13 PM

Pehaps it should be renamed 'incomplete kit car'?
Still better than recycling old stories ala Total (sh/k)itcar.

Or are they all as bad as each other and should taken as they are.


ashg - 13/2/11 at 10:31 PM

had mine 2-3 weeks ago i would ring them its out the 3rd friday of every month.


quote:
Originally posted by trextr7monkey
Yeah , thinner with more adverts!
(Well that was my perception from a quick scan in Smiths)
atb
Mike


anything to back that comment up? it really hacks me off when people slag ckc off without any grounds to back it up other than an off the cuff ill informed comment. i read it cover to cover every month and dont recall any reprints or an increase of adverts and its always the same number of pages.

ckc are the sponsor of all the major kitcar shows that everyone attends and enjoys, without the sponsorship money that is generated from the low percentage of on subject adverts they publish, there wouldn't be any shows. what would you prefer no adverts or no shows? as i can assure you its where all the advertising money goes!

having met the ckc team several times and wrote the odd article for them now and then. i can honestly say i have never met a more dedicated bunch of people. they are dedicated to the magazine and more importantly totally dedicated to the kitcar scene/industry, trying to ensure its future by constantly aiming to push it more and more mainstream to lure newcomers to the scene.

i refrain from comment about other magazines but ckc are certainly not the bad guys and the mag is always a good read along with my other ppc subscription.

[Edited on 13/2/2011 by ashg]


MakeEverything - 13/2/11 at 10:32 PM

I bought PPC today for the first time......

Im a bit disappointed that it has a large spread on the mercedes estate on steroids that we were all talking about three weeks ago, Project Phoenix which is a cut and shut Audi Quattro, a rather sparse Rolling Road directory, and a review on (wait for it) socket sets.

When i used to own classic cars, the old classic car magazines (Particularly the MG and Mini ones) always had interesting build diaries and loads of technical tips. The magazines nowadays dont really seem to have much. Maybe im looking for too much?

Anyway, im still looking for a magazine to subscribe to (About cars!!).

ETA: some of the technical guides are interesting though.

[Edited on 13-2-11 by MakeEverything]


BenB - 13/2/11 at 10:37 PM

I must admit I've given up on the kit car (and now PPC) mags.
Kit cars mags were just a build followed by "and it drives like it's on rails" (IE no tech / engineering talk) whilst PPC is loads of arsing about with cars but nothing ever getting finished- got enough of that in my own garage. Must admit our own finest PPC contributor is quite funny though
BTW what happened to Ed? Is he buried in Will's garden? Very strange. Perhaps he's locked in the back of the yank tank?


hillbillyracer - 13/2/11 at 11:29 PM

I aint read any of the rivals in a while, getting on a year but I do still think PPC is among the best, on the other hand some of the minus point listed above are fairly valid! Not finishing projects is the big one, & a bit more insight into the technical side of things would be good. On the other hand when reading it you get the feeling it's written by blokes who just enjoy mucking about with cars in the same way we do, there's a comic angle to much of it & I like that, I want to be entertained!
I dont see much dispointing about the Merc estate, I enjoyed the article & the discussion on here had no effect on it. I'd rather they found interesting cars like that in this country if they're to be found but I've little against featuring stuff from elsewhere either & there's been some good stuff in PPC from Sweden. They seem to breed fairly nutty petrolheads up there!
The quattro is no cut & shut though, a proper re-shell (though I'm curious as to how they sort the ID, registration etc)
ED has left PPC a few months back, could have been to work for a mag about American stuff.

I've not read any kit car mags in along time, just not enough different things to keep me interested!


skydivepaul - 14/2/11 at 09:35 AM

bring back CCC!
best car mag of its time, and also in the track and race car guise.
always had lots of build and tech info including kit cars

have not found a suitable alternative as yet


trextr7monkey - 14/2/11 at 10:13 AM

quote:
Originally posted by ashg

quote:
Originally posted by trextr7monkey
Yeah , thinner with more adverts!
(Well that was my perception from a quick scan in Smiths)
atb
Mike


anything to back that comment up?
[Edited on 13/2/2011 by ashg]



Er yeah, quite a bit actually, we took out a sub at one of the shows a few years ago, after a few issues I kept getting a sense of deja vue- same ads - [yes I know they keep production costs down and for the occasional purchaser they maybe a god send, but repeated every month it is just filling space,we all have the web for ordering stuff anyway]
Also lots of the editorials were thinly veiled visits to the advertisers, the for sale sections were full of ads which were displayed every month until they sold...., there was even a blke dismantling decent kits to build a new one!

In the spirit of being pro active and not just grumbling tomy mates I contacted the mag with my observations along with some items I personally thought would help to improve it, in fairness they listened, said they would beef up on the technical stuff and the "how to..." , and try and include more regional news ( what's happening in Scotland this month? )they offered me a refund and asked if I might pen the odd bit of input. I said I would hang out for the rest of the subscription to see the improvements, I'm afraid I didn't see massive progress so didn't renew.
They contacted me via an e mail recently to see if I wanted to give it a go, we discussed our points of view and agreed to differ.
We do subscribe to Classic Ford and Private Eye and read both cover to cover so thats where my cash is going.
I agree with your comments re staff and enthusiasm but the mag does need to improve, in my opinion
atb
Mike


AdamCKC - 14/2/11 at 04:22 PM

...and, to answer the original question, it's not late this month!

It comes out on the third Friday of the month (which, as Talon said, is the 18th). Same number of pages as usual

[Edited on 14/2/11 by AdamCKC]


amalyos - 14/2/11 at 04:24 PM

quote:
Originally posted by skydivepaul
bring back CCC!
best car mag of its time, and also in the track and race car guise.
always had lots of build and tech info including kit cars

have not found a suitable alternative as yet


2nd this, really miss Track and race car.......


adithorp - 14/2/11 at 04:39 PM

quote:
Originally posted by trextr7monkey
...after a few issues I kept getting a sense of deja vue- same ads - [yes I know they keep production costs down and for the occasional purchaser they maybe a god send, but repeated every month it is just filling space,we all have the web for ordering stuff anyway]
Also lots of the editorials were thinly veiled visits to the advertisers, the for sale sections were full of ads which were displayed every month until they sold....,


So your complaint is that (kit car related) companies place adverts every month, the articles in the mag are about kit cars (and therefore involve some of the kit car related companies) and people re-advertise thier cars in the classified section untill they sell?


TPG - 15/2/11 at 12:07 AM

No.Where I was going was, With most magazines the "Months" issue comes out towards the end of the preceeding month . Fo rexample the issue with Febuary on it normally comes out in late January and so on......Clear as mud eh?


AdamCKC - 15/2/11 at 12:14 AM

quote:
Originally posted by TPG
No.Where I was going was, With most magazines the "Months" issue comes out towards the end of the preceeding month . Fo rexample the issue with Febuary on it normally comes out in late January and so on......Clear as mud eh?


I've been in this game a decade and it's never been clearly explained to me.

However... as I understand it, our March issue will come out on the third Friday of February. That means it will still be on sale in March, and therefore it will always look in date (or ahead of its time) during it shelf life.

QED, no?


TPG - 15/2/11 at 11:51 PM

Yes,Thats where i'm at. Where is the Febuary issue? I have the January copy. I'm trying to find a picture of the Febuary issue front cover to see if I can question the family on where it is..... I've not seen it in the shops and the CKC website is still showing Januarys.


Macbeast - 16/2/11 at 12:22 AM

Bought in W H Smith about 10 days ago.





TPG, if you U2U me your address I will post it to you.

[Edited on 16/2/11 by Macbeast]


Miketheconn - 16/2/11 at 09:48 PM

February's has been on sale at Knutsford services for the last few weeks but I didn't buy it because I was convinced I had a copy at home. Just checked and its Januarys. I'll pick up a copy on my travels.

May I say I realy enjoy the technical articles and I stock pile the magazines (much to my wifes anoyance) in case I need to refer to them at a later date. If I ever get off my arse and do something that is


trextr7monkey - 16/2/11 at 10:13 PM

quote:
Originally posted by adithorp
quote:
Originally posted by trextr7monkey
...after a few issues I kept getting a sense of deja vue- same ads - [yes I know they keep production costs down and for the occasional purchaser they maybe a god send, but repeated every month it is just filling space,we all have the web for ordering stuff anyway]
Also lots of the editorials were thinly veiled visits to the advertisers, the for sale sections were full of ads which were displayed every month until they sold....,


So your complaint is that (kit car related) companies place adverts every month, the articles in the mag are about kit cars (and therefore involve some of the kit car related companies) and people re-advertise thier cars in the classified section untill they sell?


Aldithorp: Yeah you are getting the picture there!
Why pay for the same ads every month etc
Why do you want to read an article about some kit car dealer beside a 2 page ad of his current stock which then... ahem, appears in the article as well?
BTW Did you use that plastic we handed over at the White Swan?
atb
Mike


TPG - 17/2/11 at 09:00 AM

Thanks Macbeast. I'll contact the office now though.I'm on sub's. I was in the same state of mind as Miketheconn

quote:
Originally posted by Miketheconn
....... ...it because I was convinced I had a copy at home. Just checked and its Januarys.


I needed to know what I was missing.It has been late a couple of times in the past but turned up and of course,then I have realised its late.This is what happens when your on extra nights.Your thought train is mashed.


AdamCKC - 17/2/11 at 09:21 AM

TPG, give the office a buzz on 01903 236268 and they'll get it sorted. For future reference, it's due out on the third Friday of each month so as a subscriber you should receive it on (or sometimes slightly before) that date


adithorp - 19/2/11 at 09:20 AM

quote:
Originally posted by trextr7monkey
Aldithorp: Yeah you are getting the picture there!
Why pay for the same ads every month etc
Why do you want to read an article about some kit car dealer beside a 2 page ad of his current stock which then... ahem, appears in the article as well?
BTW Did you use that plastic we handed over at the White Swan?
atb
Mike


Milke, It's Adi not Aldi... although given the number of thier cheap tools around the workshop and cheap biscuits consumed around here (there's a store next door) I can understand the confusion. ...and I've never been to the White Swan so you've definatly confused me with someone else

I'll agree that there is a regular repeat of articles about visits to a particular KK dealer, but thier rather eclectic stock does make interesting viewing. A little more focus on the details of the rarities might go someway to offsetting the underlying advertisment value as for as readers are concerned. Journalistic integrity is always a trade off to staying in business though and our subscriptions alone won't keep Adam in a job

My copy arrived yesterday as it happens. Nice Fury pictured in the "advertorial" for the CKC/Omex trackday


TPG - 19/2/11 at 09:22 AM

quote:
Originally posted by AdamCKC
TPG, give the office a buzz on 01903 236268 and they'll get it sorted. For future reference, it's due out on the third Friday of each month so as a subscriber you should receive it on (or sometimes slightly before) that date


Thanks,I'd done this on Thursday midday.Febuarys back issue and new March issue,annnnnd the Teeshirt arrived next day.Hows that for service?


kj - 19/2/11 at 04:17 PM

Just got this months, check the ad on the back page, thats all i;am saying


Alan B - 19/2/11 at 04:49 PM

quote:
Originally posted by skydivepaul
bring back CCC!
best car mag of its time, and also in the track and race car guise.
always had lots of build and tech info including kit cars

have not found a suitable alternative as yet


Agree 100% mate.....I loved triple C....best magazine ever.....(that was about cars, obviously...)

Alan


spriteracer - 21/2/11 at 04:22 PM

I subscribe to CKC and always wait eagerly for it's arrival! I'm away from home this week though so it's waiting for me there but in my Kit Car free holiday accomadation I decided to buy a mag from WH Smiths, thought I would give 'Kit Car' a go after a few years of not bothering.

Won't be buying it ever again.

Full of little whines and moans and snipes at CKC, which I thought was only happening years ago because the publisher had a gripe at the former 'Which Kit' editor, the spelling and layout is still worse than my spelling (which is pretty poor at the best of times!) and why is there a section about untrained teachers working in schools these days?

waste of £4.50

rant over


tilly819 - 21/2/11 at 05:01 PM

have to admit iv given up on them all,
they are all the same,

repeated, non useful, and in some cases just plane wrong

i will admit there have been some good articals but i can count them on one hand

oh and did i mention that they are horrendously over priced

then there is the adverts, yes they can be useful

BUT

ITS A MAGAZINE NOT A F******* SALES CATALOGUE
If they put in some decent content then they would not need to fill it up with adverts to make money because more people would buy it, inevitably it would still be full off adverts since that the greedy human way but at least there would be something good to go with it

sorry about that but seriously magazine people BUCK UP YOUR IDEAS and give us something we actually want to read.!!!!!

Rant over




A very dis-pleased X customer




tilly


AdamCKC - 22/2/11 at 09:15 AM

quote:
Originally posted by tilly819
have to admit iv given up on them all,

repeated, non useful, and in some cases just plane wrong



I can't help wondering... how long ago did you give up on the magazines?

CKC has NEVER repeated features (and never will). We have listened to readers who have asked for more technical features and now have a large, dedicated technical section in every issue. And, while it's impossible to avoid errors completely, we have never, ever printed a feature that's 'plain wrong.'

quote:
Originally posted by tilly819
oh and did i mention that they are horrendously over priced

inevitably it would still be full off adverts since that the greedy human way



You won't find many monthly magazines for less than £4.25, and certainly none that cover an industry as tiny and specialised as the kit car market. And, trust me, if we were motivated by greed we wouldn't have chosen to go into kit car publishing. A gravy train it ain't! Despite that, CKC invests heavily not only to attract existing kit car fans to our magazine, but also to attract new blood to the industry as a whole. The most public example of this is our large displays at both the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Revival, but there's plenty more that goes on behind the scenes.

quote:
Originally posted by tilly819
sorry about that but seriously magazine people BUCK UP YOUR IDEAS and give us something we actually want to read.!!!!!



As I said, we do listen to our readers. What would you like to see in the magazine?

[Edited on 22/2/11 by AdamCKC]


DRC INDY 7 - 22/2/11 at 08:50 PM

Over to the moaners to actually contribute some good ideas about content for the magazine rather than the easy cop out (its crap)


stevegough - 22/2/11 at 09:16 PM

My CKC arrived on friday last week - I have no complaints about the mag at all, except that they are always writing new articles about new cars and they don't take twelve - page chunks out of previous reprints, staple them together with some 8 - page chunks and a whole page devoted to telling everybody how good they are with a couple of lines slagging off their competitors.

Just not good enough - get a good photocopier and a big stapler and sack Ian, John, John and that little twerp Adam - somebody or other and you can reduce the price 'cos you don't have to pay anybody to research and write copied articles, do you?


Xtreme Kermit - 22/2/11 at 09:58 PM

CKC is still the best kit car mag on the Market. Mine arrived yesterday

Not sure about some o Tiff's comments, but still a good read.


russbost - 22/2/11 at 10:06 PM

I think some of you are forgetting just how tiny this marketplace is. If the magazine was any cheaper I very much doubt any more people would buy it. Obviously it carries adverts for kitcar related products - it's a kitcar magazine remember! Yes some advertisers obviously have some input to the magazine - if I was paying for a 1/2 or 1 page ad every month I think I'd expect some support from the magazine I was thus supporting; that's called business!

My personal view is that CKC produce a quality magazine with reasonably informed input (John Dickinson [name/sp?] knows his onions) & if kitcar owners don't support the magazine you'll lose it - end of - which would be a great shame. I'm not going to comment on any of the other magazines as that's not what the post is about.


AdamCKC - 23/2/11 at 10:04 AM

quote:
Originally posted by stevegough
that little twerp Adam


Oi! I resemble that remark!


kj - 23/2/11 at 10:27 AM

Its got to be the best one about, not like Kitcar which is all ads re-prints and slander.

I think Adam you should put a poll up to see what people want and try and meet the reqiurements (hard to keep everone happy i know).

Almost forgot get some shows up north, Harrogate was a good venue.


TimC - 23/2/11 at 10:28 AM

Obviously key to the magazine's success in the future will be the removal of any sort of deliberately ironic text.


Neville Jones - 23/2/11 at 10:47 AM

Adam,
Could you please tell us how many magazines you sell every month? Real world, actually paid for at newsagents or by subscription, not numbers printed. Thanks.
Nev.


martinq357 - 23/2/11 at 01:09 PM

I agree, CKC is by far the best kit car mag on the (very small) market.

I was heartily fed up with the high end, big budget builds that seemed to dominate KitCar and (despite a change of Editors) the continued ceaseless and unprofessional slating of CKC. There also seemed to be a lot of reprints and pages dedicated to the antics of a contributor in North America with little or no bearing on the UK scene. KitCar have come up with a few interesting articles, but didn't seem to feature that many home builds or budget solutions to problems.

CKC seem to put a great deal of effort into covering all aspects of our scene, which can't be easy to come up with each month and I'm especially looking forward to the Exocet build as it uses an MX5 donor, which going forward is near the top of likely donor vehicles.

For the record, I've just renewed my subscription and look forward to the latest mag arriving....

Martin.


kj - 23/2/11 at 02:28 PM

What makes me laugh about kitcar magazine is when i have looked at in the shop as i would not buy it is that when people write a letter about the re-prints they can't be bothered to write a new reply they just print a reply from one of the lasts mags.

I would like to see some real budget builds and not people who just chuck money at a car and bolt it together, people who either build a budget locost or breath life into a dutton or jago etc.

Should be a few people out there with old kit cars to get back on the road, but i imagine that they feel a bit intimedated by the people with the money cars would say, just get back to the roots of it.

If you take a look on that auction site you can see many of unfinished kit cars and one off's buy one and feature it, put the passion back into it.


ashg - 9/3/11 at 05:57 PM

kj if thats what you want you really need to buy ckc. john is rebuilding an old kit that he rescued, last year i scratch built a haynes roadster for 3k. this year i am building an exocet and the target is around 2k.

the more input we have from you guys the better the magazine will be its about the kit car industry so essentially that means the manufacturers and YOU lot. if you see something cool or interesting let us know, if you have a crazy project on the go let us know.

http://www.completekitcar.co.uk/contactus.html


mistergrumpy - 9/3/11 at 07:37 PM

From the way you're referring to to yourself and the mag as "we" and let "us" know are we to presume you're officially on CKC's books now Ash?


kj - 9/3/11 at 08:03 PM

I do buy ckc and find it the best Ash seen your haynes build which looks a good honest build on a budget and the teams builds/projects, but seams that some people they feature who are building on a budget if you can call 8 - 10k + a budget or people who get a kit in a box and asemble it not realy building ?
Why don;t they put a what do you want to see in the future page which we can send back or a on line poll?, its a good mag and hope they keep it up.