Project car tuner magazine
Project Car Tuner Magazine is a DIY-enthusiast oriented car magazine. The magazine places a strong emphasis on using cars as well as parts that the average reader can afford and modify themselves.
General information
Project Car first began with an issue in winter of 2006, with further issues to follow.[1] The first three issues were published under Primedia, with subsequent issues produced under the Source Interlink Media merger.[2] It was originally published quarterly, then became bi-monthly, but eventually returned to the quarterly format.[3] The magazine began with Ricky Chu, then current editor of Super Street Magazine, as editor and William Law, who made his garage and driveway available for use for the project vehicles (which was fitting, as most readers would be using their own driveways for similar purposes). After Ricky Chu's departure after the magazine's fourth issue, Gary Narusuwa was gradually phased in as editor.[4]
The early magazines contained three project vehicles per issue, and generally featured the step-by-step installation of bolt-on parts and other general upgrades.[5] However, as deadlines became harder to meet and the magazine's base of readers requested more in-depth information and custom fabrication work, later issues shifted to primarily focusing on one vehicle, with another vehicle being briefly featured later in the issue.[6]
Project vehicles
Project Car primarily focuses on import vehicles that fit within the import tuner customization and racing industry. However, the magazine has also featured other vehicles usually not featured in such magazines, such as the Ford Focus, Chevy Cavalier, Volkswagen Golf, Honda Accord, Saturn SC2, etc. The majority of vehicles featured are chosen under the criteria that they are vehicles which readers are most likely to be able to afford.[7]
Notable projects
- The 'Wunderdog' - a Honda CRX powered by a D16 engine which was removed from a dumpster and enhanced with a turbo kit assembled from junkyard parts.[8] It later underwent a further transformation into a show car, winning 'Best EF' at various import car shows.[9]
- Project Black Flag - A 1994 Nissan Sentra SE-R, modified for a Super Lap Battle Event.[10] It went on to compete and place well in an official event, competing among vehicles built with much higher budgets.[11]
- Project Leopard - An Infiniti M30 converted to specs close to an R31 Nissan Skyline, receiving an RB25 engine swap as well as a conversion to Nissan 240SX suspension components.[12]
- Project Corolla - A Hachi Roku SR5 Toyota Corolla converted to GTS powertrain with the help of professional drifter Taka Aono.[13]
Notable sections
General Tech
As well as featuring vehicle-specific information, Project Car also contains multiple General Tech articles per issue. These range from topics such as paint and body work, buying a project vehicle, suspension components and geometry, wiring and electrical systems, buying a JDM engine, fluids, welding, differentials, conversions, and even how to get involved in the vehicle aftermarket industry.
Readers' Rides
Beginning with Issue #4, a section was included with pictures of vehicles submitted by their owners. One of those selected would be the 'Ride of the Month.' The number of cars included varied with each issue. The Readers' Rides section was phased out after issue #15.
DIY Necessities
A running series of articles that began with Issue #2, the DIY section covered basic maintenance tasks for one's vehicle, such as changing various fluids. This series of articles was never completed, with the final installment being made before issue #10.
Competitions
Certain issues of the magazine would be dedicated to friendly rivalries within both the import tuner community and the automotive aftermarket community. These included Honda versus Nissan,[14] Turbo Single-Cam versus Naturally-Aspirated Dual-Overhead-Cam,[15] and turbochargers versus Nitrous Oxide.[16] These issues usually involved half of the magazine staff covering one side, while another documented and worked on the vehicle representing the other.
Featured vehicles
Serving as the spiritual successor to the Readers' Rides section, these articles feature an in-depth look at impressive home-built vehicles, either found locally or submitted by readers.[17]
General writing style
The magazine has multiple writers for various articles, varying from issue to issue. The result is a magazine with varying writing styles throughout. The general tone of the magazine is one of light humor, as the writers often poke fun at one another and the many issues they encounter with their vehicle projects.
The Fall of 2012, Project Car's last issue #24 was released.
References
- ↑ Project Car Magazine #1
- ↑ Project Car Magazine #4
- ↑ Project Car Magazine #10
- ↑ Project Car Magazine #5
- ↑ Project Car Magazine #1
- ↑ Project Car Magazine #7
- ↑ Project Car Magazine #1
- ↑ Project Car Magazine #7
- ↑ Project Car Magazine #12
- ↑ Project Car Magazine #8
- ↑ Project Car Magazine #11
- ↑ Project Car Magazine #13
- ↑ Project Car Magazine #15
- ↑ Project Car Magazine #11
- ↑ Project Car Magazine #7
- ↑ Project Car Magazine #18
- ↑ Project Car Magazine #19