OK guys, you've all been total angels about sending in precise tech info and great photos for your Readers' Rides entries. In fact, because so many of you are submitting such awesome material, we needed to find a better way to fit more of y'all into these pages. You guessed it, new format! Here's the deal, you still have to send in top-quality photos, but instead of the lengthy impersonal tech-sheet format you used to find here, your ride will be summed up in 50 words or less. Now just because I'm summing up your car in 50 words or less doesn't mean that you have to. I still need stories, adventures, and woes. It can be "free form"; just make sure to include your tech info. If you'd like, at the end of your letter, you can sum up your ride in your own 50 words or less, and if I can't think of anything better, I'll quote you. Just keep 'em coming. And remember to take good photos. It doesn't matter how cool your car is or how creative you were with your entry, if the photos suck, you're outta luck.-Taylor Vlahos
Think Outside Of The Box, Er, LetterIn a quest to get more information out of you, here are some ideas to get on my good side (in addition to a quick tech rundown and good, clear, well-composed photos). These ideas won't necessarily get you in, guaranteed, but they will make me feel loved. Nothin' wrong with that.
* You can send a virtual tour of your ride a la videotape. Take us along for a dragstrip pass or a marathon burnout (Keep it legal. If you pull a bonehead move, HOT ROD isn't responsible). But if we dig it, we'll put it up on the HOT ROD Web site
* Got a big cam? Prove it. Send me an audiotape of your car idling
* If your car inspires you spiritually, write a poem about it
* It's always upsetting when people send in their actual timeslip for their quickest e.t. That copy is special. Frame it in the garage. Don't give it to me. Make a photocopy
* Think you're hot stuff? Send a photo of yourself next to your car. I'll never run it, but I've got a space on the HOT ROD bulletin board with your name on it
* Have you documented every little thing from day one? Send a photo album with captions
* Blew something up? Authenticate the carnage with photos or send me a finger-painting using the mess it left on your driveway
* Use that Edelbrock Victor Jr. intake box or NOS Top Shot box you've got lying on the floor to package your info. This will intimidate all the other editors on the floor (they'll think I'm building something sick) and significantly help my image.
Send your entry to HOT ROD Readers' Rides, 6420 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048. Or you can e-mail your info and high-resolution JPEG photos to hotrod@primedia.com. Sorry, but we can't return photos.