The HOT ROD Archives
20 Years Ago
September 2001, 140 pages, $4.99
or those who follow the careers of certain people in the magazine business, this issue is noteworthy because it marks the beginning of David Freiburger’s tenure as editor-in-chief of HOT ROD. David took the reins from former EIC, Ro McGonegal, who moved to Detroit to and magazines. In the editor’s column, David listed his core beliefs. Among them, “Fast is better than pretty, all cars look best in orange, truth is better than fiction, cars should be built to be driven.” That’s an ethos he’s maintained throughout his career, overseeing the aftermarket titles and founding , the (now defunct) magazine and video series. This issue featured extensive coverage from Power Tour, which traveled from Michigan to California with 463 cars making the entire journey. “Readers Prove It” was anecdotal testimonies from fans of the magazine who weighed in on the effectiveness of big wheels (17-inch was big back then!), airbags versus coil spring suspensions, effective cooling system upgrades, and the benefits of an overdrive transmission.
