Editor's note - I haven't changed my first name, I've just turned over this month's "Up Front" to our newest staff member to re-introduce himself. Damon was on the staff working with Riz right before I got here. When Riz left, it created a vacuum that ultimately put Damon in the editor's chair at Custom Rodder. I'm happy to welcome Damon back and I'm looking forward to his work in R&C. The other change to the staff is that Jim Aust is no longer here. Hopefully you'll still get a chance to enjoy his work, as we're planning on having him contribute. Jim has some big plans in the works that we'll let you know about as soon as he get's them finalized.
Yes, there's another new name on this page and on the Rod & Custom masthead this month-mine. Don't fret, though-Kevin's not going anywhere, and he's still the guy in charge. And while Kevin and I do share the same last name, please withhold any accusations of nepotism-we're not related.
The main reason you're reading my words here this month is so I can personally welcome some of Rod & Custom's newest readers, who happen to be former readers of a little ol' magazine called Custom Rodder, which has since gone to that big newsstand in the sky. Custom Rodder subscribers will now be receiving Rod & Custom in the mailbox, and those who subscribed to both titles will have their R&C subscriptions extended accordingly.
Regular R&C readers may recall my name from my short stint on this magazine's staff a few years back. Two years ago, I left to become the editor of Custom Rodder, a bimonthly publication devoted to '50s and '60s rods and customs. McMullen Publishing launched the latest incarnation of Custom Rodder back in 1991 as a sort of companion title to Street Rodder, which in turn devoted its attention exclusively to '48-and-earlier rods. With so many automotive magazines now under the large Primedia umbrella, however, those in management ultimately saw Custom Rodder as a bit redundant in the overall lineup. Considering Rod & Custom's long-standing coverage of the post -'48 market, it makes sense to steer Custom Rodder readers this direction.
So, what does all this mean for Rod & Custom? Well, don't expect too many radical changes. R&C has been cruising along pretty comfortably lately, and there's no sense messing with success. My main objective will be to make sure the Custom part of the title is represented in each issue, with particular emphasis on all that cool iron from the '50s and '60s.