{"product_id":"hot-rod-empire-paperback","title":"Hot Rod Empire: Robert E. Petersen and the Creation of the World's Most Popular Car and Motorcycle Magazines - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eMatt Stone\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003eGigi Carleton\u003c\/b\u003e (With), \u003cb\u003eEd Iskenderian\u003c\/b\u003e (Foreword by)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eHot Rod Empire \u003c\/i\u003edetails Robert E. Petersen's creation of Hot Rod Magazine in the 1940s and the Petersen Publishing empire that grew to the mainstream juggernaut we know today.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe end of World War II marked the release of pent-up war-years energy and the desire to \u003ci\u003elive\u003c\/i\u003e. For many this meant indulging in long-denied purchases, like a new car. For another group, including young vets, it meant \u003cb\u003ea return to car building and racing\u003c\/b\u003e. Money, exciting new cars, and speed parts all flowed freely in \u003cb\u003epost-war America\u003c\/b\u003e. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eRobert Petersen, a young SoCal-based photographer and Army Air Corps vet, noted the\u003cb\u003e rapidly growing hot rod scene \u003c\/b\u003ein and around Los Angeles. His first move was to organize the Los Angeles Hot Rod Exhibition in 1948. His second, and brilliant, move was to launch at the same event the\u003cb\u003e first edition of \u003ci\u003eHot Rod\u003c\/i\u003e magazine\u003c\/b\u003e. From this launch pad, Petersen Publishing Company would grow to become the most influential enthusiast publisher in America. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003ePetersen's magazines were rallying points for all aspects of the car, truck, and motorcycle hobbies, well as nurturing and promoting all aspects from car building to racing to show events. \u003ci\u003eHot Rod, Motor Trend, Car Craft, Motorcyclist, Off-Road and Four Wheel Drive\u003c\/i\u003e and some 75 other enthusiast titles \u003cb\u003edominated magazine racks \u003c\/b\u003eand provided substantial influence over transportation and numerous other hobbies. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eHot Rod Empire\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003e celebrates the birth and explosive growth of the transportation hobby\u003c\/b\u003e under Petersen's watch.\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMatt Stone\u003c\/b\u003e (Camarillo, CA), former executive editor of \u003ci\u003eMotor Trend\u003c\/i\u003e magazine, has been a professional automotive journalist and photographer since 1985. He is the award-winning author and photographer of several books, including Motorbooks' best-selling \u003ci\u003e365 Cars You Must Drive\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eMcQueen's Machines\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eMcQueen's Motorcycles\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eHot Rod Empire\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eThe IROC Porsches\u003c\/i\u003e. He is the co-author, with Preston Lerner of \u003ci\u003eWinning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eHistory's Greatest Automotive Mysteries, Myths, and Rumors Revealed\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eGigi Carleton\u003c\/b\u003e, for more than 40 years, worked at Petersen Publishing Company as Margie and Robert E. Petersen's executive secretary and personal manager. She started there as a temp, working on organizational details for the Motor Trend 500 stock car race, sponsored by Petersen Publishing, at Riverside International Raceway each year. She was then hired by the Petersens as their full time \"right arm\" in the administration of all executive aspects of the business and many of their personal and philanthropic activities. Post the Petersens' passing, she is now president of the Margie and Robert E. Petersen Foundation, and was lifelong friends with the Petersens.\u003cb\u003eEd Iskenderian\u003c\/b\u003e is one of the founding fathers of the aftermarket speed equipment business, and a worldwide legend in the field of high performance camshaft design and production. \"Isky\" launched his business in the late 1940s, using a single homebuilt cam grinding machine, in a small, dirt-floored shop in the back of a friend's tool and die company. His Isky Racing Cams, still a world leader in the high performance camshaft business has sponsored many famous, championship winning Bonneville and drag racers, including the late Mickey Thompson and Don \"Big Daddy\" Garlits. Iskenderian, now 97 years old, still runs the business that bears his name.\n        \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 208\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.57 x 9.25 x 7.52 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e October 01, 2024\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42163974504583,"sku":"9780760397367","price":47.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0601\/2623\/2711\/files\/b2d44db30bdf81aff716ed0989080fdf.webp?v=1733301784","url":"https:\/\/booksby.splitshops.com\/products\/hot-rod-empire-paperback","provider":"Books by splitShops","version":"1.0","type":"link"}