VOA Magazine Ideas

[SmoknTires]

The next magazine is printing and shipping as we speak, and as you (may or may not) know, we're usually building several future Viper quarterly issues (3-6 months) in advance of the last one. Our magazine is no small operation (as you saw in the write up in the last issue). We're currently working on finishing content for the spring issue (to ship in 3 months) and have also been planning content for the coming 6-12 months - and have a topic we'd like to solicit your preferences/ideas on.

Among the things we've always been considering is the fact that there will be less information coming from our manufacturer (given the car is going away). To fill some of those voids, we have some nice ideas we think you'll like (we'll reveal soon) - however, many hands make quick work - and someone may have some great ideas to consider. So thought I'd ask - what types of things do you want to consider adding (categorically) to our magazine. We're looking for foundational items that can occur in each mag (for instance, currently we have a car tech section, regional information section, news stories, event calendar, ads, vendor spotlight, etc.. etc...). What thoughts may you have on new categories, for instance a "member spotlight", or perhaps a car customization section. Things like that. Keep in mind, we need ideas that we can use (meaning, reasonably able to create content - if it's not sustainable then it won't work). So not all ideas can easily work, but many indeed can.

Any thoughts?

Our club has always been passionate about the having not just the best Viper club magazine, but the best car magazine we can produce. Compare ours to any car brans mag, it's truly among the best, if not the best. We want to keep it that way. We have a good recipe, we have the right thickness, the right design, the right content... but we also want components that people want to read about. So let us know your thoughts, any new ideas on what you'd like to see in future mags?

Thanks everyone!

[Angleiron]

A section of "How to's" on the body panels...like taking off the front bumper for all the Gen's. Things to upgrade because the stock items will most likely fail/leak...and how to do it. With the car going away there may not be as many Viper techs around so people will need to know how to do some things on their own. When someone comes up with a fix for a known problem...i.e. Gen IV emergency brake dragging fix or anything similar to this. Start with the most common issues and work towards the lesser common problems.

All of the above would be helpful.

[Kurt]

A "How to" section would be great! I also really enjoyed Maurice's "Memorabilia corner" in some of the California club's regional magazines. Would be fun to see the unique Viper memorabilia that has coincided with the car since the beginning.

[City]

Have we tapped our "tech team" members is a while? One of them may have some particular repair, maintenance and/or modification they'd enjoy detailing in our magazine.

[SmoknTires]

Have we tapped our "tech team" members is a while? One of them may have some particular repair, maintenance and/or modification they'd enjoy detailing in our magazine.

Yes. There is already a tech section in the mag. The Tech Team are the ones who provide it (and it's based on the questions that the Tech Team receives from the club).

[City]

I'll ask SlateEd (my region president) to put something together about our annual Hampton's cruise. Of course, I started it back some 12 years ago and it's always been a big hit. Maybe he (with some pics from me) can draft some "historical" story.

[SmoknTires]

Yep, articles are always welcome. Our regions love to read and see pics about their regions activities, so articles like these are most certainly what we're also looking for (they may not always fit in certain issues but we keep them on hand and can fit them in when it makes sense - the layout of each issue has an impact on what can fit). Thanks a bunch!

And keep the ideas coming. What components could we consider adding? What have you seen in other big name mags that you like? What is useful to be in a mag that perhaps other documents/methods can't fulfil? (and I already heard "centerfold girl" in every issue... sorry, but we can always dream can't we. Family show!).

[BlueAdder]

A section for track rats would be cool.
Of course, we already share stuff online via the Forums but experiences from different people in regards to tracks, settings, tips and whatnot would be awesome. It doesn't have to be a quarterly thing either.
I get the Subaru magazine because the wife has one of those and it's quite cool. Lots of contents there, granted it's not specific to one particular car, they have some pretty neat stuff in there, sometimes not even related to the brand but more like places to go (driving your Subby ^_^ )

Edit: a centerfold girl would be awesome too though

[daveg]

A section of "How to's" on the body panels...like taking off the front bumper for all the Gen's. Things to upgrade because the stock items will most likely fail/leak...and how to do it. With the car going away there may not be as many Viper techs around so people will need to know how to do some things on their own. When someone comes up with a fix for a known problem...i.e. Gen IV emergency brake dragging fix or anything similar to this. Start with the most common issues and work towards the lesser common problems.

All of the above would be helpful.

^^^^^ This.. I would love to see more in depth Tech tips...
Just my 2 penny's...

[LifeIsGood]

...and I already heard "centerfold girl" in every issue... sorry, but we can always dream can't we. Family show!.

Family show? Why is it a family show? Are kids buying vipers now? Is this another case of a huge minority of people making decisions for the vast majority. A lot of people got tired of that in our country and Donald Trump became our President...just saying.

[SmoknTires]

Huh?

[LifeIsGood]

I like hot chicks in magazines and so do others in this thread.

[canadian viper]

how about more build info brake down on the last few years of production. like total build out #s, colours, stripes,.

[bkrone]

how about more build info brake down on the last few years of production. like total build out #s, colours, stripes,.

I would love to see a big edition covering the lifespan of the Viper and the various models/colors.

[ViperTony]

Would a VOA Girl of the month pinup/centerfold be inappropriate? Rate G of course and should include pics of their Viper.

EDIT: Sorry Alex, I see someone already asked. Popular suggestion.

[SmoknTires]

Yeah, I know. : )

While there are certainly women in some photos, mandating focus on having to have a pinup girl in each issue skews us a bit from the intent of the mag (and the club)...

Just as big of an issue (which is true of many thoughts, which are tougher in execution than they seem) is that creating that type of content takes effort. It's not just a pic someone takes via a phone. You have to find a model (and better be a good one), shoot with a decent camera (and someone with talent), etc... You have to deal with location, car, schedules, etc... And most (good) models may want to be paid for their time. It's hard enough doing the car centerfolds that we do.

And in the end, while adding content everyone can agree with never hurt anyone, however adding something that could be deemed offensive sometimes can. We're trying to stay a bit away from religion, politics, and anything that could be construed as sexism. We're a car club first.

Clearly the forums can serve for entertaining some specific tastes. The pages of the mag are expensive, so keep in mind we're looking to add things that the majority would find useful, not offend (or at least easily!), and attempt to serve a necessary purpose. If women are what's needed, there's a pic thread that exists that I'm sure can appease - with far more volume and far riskier content than we could hit in the mag...

Trying to be reasonable. I added to the list anyway though, but I'm just offering an explanation as there's always more to it than it seems!

[BlueAdder]

Yeah, I know. : )
<snip>
If women are what's needed, there's a pic thread that exists that I'm sure can appease - with far more volume and far riskier content than we could hit in the mag...

Trying to be reasonable. I added to the list anyway though, but I'm just offering an explanation as there's always more to it than it seems!

I was kidding with the centerfold thing... I think it's kinda silly to have pin-ups in car mags and it doesn't bring anything to the table really.
I like the idea of the different models of the car, and maybe some history of the car, the different generations, racing history and that sort of things would be nice to read, especially for first (and sadly, last) time owners that only know about the current generation.

[SmoknTires]

For specific articles, the team tries to identify what may be good at a period of time, so I think folks will like the next issue or two... as it takes a look back on the lifetime of Viper. No better time than now. So that's been in the works for many months and we hope people will like.

[Herrsss]

I like hot chicks in magazines and so do others in this thread.

Well I personally would like some beefcake to offset the cheesecake you are looking for!

Honestly I think this is a crazy idea to introduce ancillary topics to the core or our club. We all love the Viper - hell I own 2 roadsters and an ACRX and drive them all ... Oh wait I'm a girl ... Maybe I should trade Em all in for a Tesla??? NOT happening. Just to be clear spousal unit Richard has his own Vipers so mine are legitimate girl toys ��

Let's get back on topic!!

[Herrsss]

Well I personally would like some beefcake to offset the cheesecake you are looking for!

Honestly I think this is a crazy idea to introduce ancillary topics to the core or our club. We all love the Viper - hell I own 2 roadsters and an ACRX and drive them all ... Oh wait I'm a girl ... Maybe I should trade Em all in for a Tesla??? NOT happening. Just to be clear spousal unit Richard has his own Vipers so mine are legitimate girl toys ��

Let's get back on topic!!

P.S. Medusa #1 just turned 18,000 miles today! Love driving that beast!

[Scott_in_fl]

Some things I would enjoy reading/seeing:

1) Need a "Cribs" section -- maybe about homes of owners, but probably better about garages. Could be garages of owners and contributing vendors (Calvo, VE, Woodhouse, etc.);
2) Photography section -- R&T is doing this now, where the first few pages are full format photos of a common auto theme. Invite members (some of whom are very good with a camera) to submit photos of trips, drives, etc. with their cars;
3) Market Report -- highlight some notable sales of different Gen cars and discuss where the value is for used purchase, what problems are common, what to look out for, etc; (the British motorcylce mags do this);
4) Great Drives -- highlight a different state each quarter and discuss great roads, where to stop to eat, great hotel locations, etc. (Porsche used to do this in their Excellence magazine);

[LifeIsGood]

Well I personally would like some beefcake to offset the cheesecake you are looking for!

Honestly I think this is a crazy idea to introduce ancillary topics to the core or our club. We all love the Viper - hell I own 2 roadsters and an ACRX and drive them all ... Oh wait I'm a girl ... Maybe I should trade Em all in for a Tesla??? NOT happening. Just to be clear spousal unit Richard has his own Vipers so mine are legitimate girl toys ��

Let's get back on topic!!

I couldn't be happier for you. You're great...still a vast minority when it comes to viper ownership...my original point. Let's not do something because it MIGHT piss off the .5%.

[donk_316]

Official release of 2013-2017 build data.

Technical history of why certain things were designed the way they are. Why the G5 engine was designed to be supercharged but not persued by the factory. Why was the factory G5 cam so neutered.

Explain the damn 2015+ TA numbering system if there is one or did they just grab a random number off the shelf.

Maybe owner submitted pin up pictures. I could lather myself up in lard and find a super tight leaopard print speedo and work boots... BAM! Instant collectors edition.

[EZ 2B Green]

How about a 1 of 1 column? Highlight a member's 1 of 1 build in each issue.

[Fatboy 18]

High Milage section on what maintenance to expect and recommendations. I would also like to see a region focus, each issue could focus on a particular region, there members and how they roll.
To be honest I was a little disappointed with some previous magazines, yes they are good quality but to have 13 pages of what wonderful awards the magazine won was far far too many pages Also some of us have sent in articles in the past only to find them edited down!

I would also like to see a Vendor article, where the Vendors can tell us how they got in the Viper business their customer base and what they offer,
You could focus on a different vendor in each issue.....Jon B could probably fill a whole issue

Thanks