Total Vauxhall

[dan@totalvauxhall]

I am a member of a few vauxhall forums,this on,vvoc,vq9,and a couple of others,I have read every Total vauxhall from the pre edition right up untill 3months ago when you the magazine had a vectra with a garish,graphics on it and yous as a magazine could'nt be bothered to make sure what was being printed was accurate,in this case it was bhp figure that the owner said was 250 bhp out of a 2.2,And when it was highlighted to yourselves the reaction from the magazine was as though you didnt care but anyway what you will find is that Total Vauxhall,seems to be loosing alot of the older more mature readers,who drive the older vauxhall,
And as to hostility towards TV, It isnt just on this forum It is on a few others aswell

That was before my time on the mag so I can't really comment. That doesn't mean I'm not embarrassed by it however, and will do all I can to prevent it from reoccurring. I know the Vectra you're referring to and there is no way that I'd have featured it. Indeed there are a lot of cars already shot and paid for that I simply won't be putting in the mag.

I've yet to encounter much in the way of hostility - quite the opposite. I posted on a couple of forums including MIG (which is one of the largest gathering of Vauxhall enthusiasts) and was warmly welcomed, especially by those who have followed (and enjoyed) magazine's I've worked on previously.

If in 6 months time you still feel that the mag gets its facts wrong, and doesn't cater for a wide range of tastes feel free to email me and tell me I'm doing it wrong.

[v6 steve]

Dan you cant say that TV has a wide range of cars then say that a car doesn't fit into that, that's not wide that's limited range

now you might be passionate about your job as i am of mine, but me car's are more than a job to me and many other calibra owners, and you have came on here saying its out dated, well i'm sorry its a 17 year old vauxhall that iv spent the last 4 years building and won the biggest Vauxhall award with this year not some tin washing machine with a vxr badge on it that iv sent to a tuning shop,

i don't really care that TV doesn't want to feature it as it was only a bonus if it had, and that iv been told by many readers that i would get a feature after winning the Chairman's cup, i'm upset by the quick way that you have came to your decision and your comments about my car, there is only about an hour from me sending you an email with the pics to you getting back with your no, know there is no way that you have spoke or looked at other pics before you answered,

[v6 steve]

That was before my time on the mag so I can't really comment. That doesn't mean I'm not embarrassed by it however, and will do all I can to prevent it from reoccurring. I know the Vectra you're referring to and there is no way that I'd have featured it. Indeed there are a lot of cars already shot and paid for that I simply won't be putting in the mag.

now i thought you said you weren't going to be changing the format of TV an other contradiction

[Fraz]

You know I have read through all of this and I can see only one thing is abundantly clear ...The Calibra is classed as old hat/out of date etc etc ....but the fact remains that this car did win the chairmans cup at Billing this year, now even if you think its out of date surely that fact alone should make it worthy of some sort of recognition in a magazine that is aimed at people who own and modify Vauxhall (of all types and era's) and not just a wee photo in a article about that show. I would want to know whats all been down to make it the best of show and how did he/she/they go about it and what have they all done to get it to such a show winning state

I for one have no interest in a track car (Calibra or other type) but I would rather read about someone who has taken a rather unloved car (again dont matter what ones could be a Astra Van ) and taking that vehicle to the point that it wins an award at the biggest show dedicated to that single car make

which is why I have not bought a car magazine in years, they all seem to go to-wards the same old stereotyped reader. Power has its place but that is covered by quite a few other magazines, this one did start out well enough but that has also went the same way...more of the new type of cars with power being the major factor

anyway its would seem no matter how good your car is once one person has decided its not going in, even though your reasons seem somewhat beyond my understanding

and I dont think you have joined the site to have an accurate feeling for this community, to join just simply to counter any ill feelings at the magazine you work for after the owner of a car you have dismissed as not worthy ...i would think any owner would have similar posts on their respective owners sites and also have negative posts about the magazine. Perhaps your already a member on them therefor you do not get the same hostility as you call it

not the best way to introduce yourself now is it

I also notice we now have one of your writers joining up as well...I wonder why

[v6 steve]

well said Mr N

[Allys Cally]

Why on earth would we fill the mag with less common cars??

maybe because its guys like us that do our best efforts to keep these cars on the roads. i've attended quite a few cruise's this year and apart from myself i've only seen one other calibra in attendance. that other calibra was Steve's.
and you'd be amazed at how much attention they get. reason being because they are a less common car and not everybody has seen one apart from in magazines like TV.
thing most under 20's ask nine times out of ten is "what is it?"
now you mentioned the thundersaloon calibra in this months mag, realistically how many of us are going to see one of them hurtling up the M6???
i had the pleasure this year of driving Steve's calibra to and from Billing and it would surprise you how many people give the thumbs up, noding of heads in approval and even trying to kill themselves trying to take pictures


sometimes its the less common car that attracts the most attention

[Fraz]

oh and before you say ...I do have quick scan through your magazine at the shops, so have seen the content of them over the years...usually it goes right back on the shelf along with all the rest I have picked up to have a scan through. On a few occasions I have actually bought it

[dan@totalvauxhall]

Dan you cant say that TV has a wide range of cars then say that a car doesn't fit into that, that's not wide that's limited range

I can. It IS a wide range - there are no Vauxhall models we wouldn't consider for a feature, we just don't feature every single car sent to us.

i'm upset by the quick way that you have came to your decision and your comments about my car, there is only about an hour from me sending you an email with the pics to you getting back with your no, know there is no way that you have spoke or looked at other pics before you answered,

I've no reason to lie Steve. I was looking through some pictures from the Billing show. And Jamie commented that your car had won the VBOC cup. He also mentioned it that you wanted a feature (presumably Steve McCann told him). We discussed the car, and it was purely coincidence that you emailed me when you did. I'm still not sure why you think I need more time. I can look through some pics and read the spec and know if I want to feature it or not. It doesn't take hours of staring at photos to come to the decision. Occasionally a car may be borderline, and I'll leave it for a few days before coming to a decision, or talk it through with the team, but 99% of the time it's a simple yes or no. There is much I like about your car, I like the engine, I like the passion behind it - but I stand by my opinion that it features some dated styling mods. And I know that that sounds insulting, which is why I carefully chose the words that I did (that you've seen fit to add to your sig).

I've given you my full, and honest answer, and I'm sorry that you're not happy with my decision. But there's not a lot more i can add to it, and there's no other way I can explain my reasons.

now i thought you said you weren't going to be changing the format of TV an other contradiction

I'm not going to change the format. I'm just going to make sure that it's more 'on target'.

[dan@totalvauxhall]

You know I have read through all of this and I can see only one thing is abundantly clear ...The Calibra is classed as old hat/out of date etc etc ...

It's not classed as old hat by us?

.but the fact remains that this car did win the chairmans cup at Billing this year, now even if you think its out of date surely that fact alone should make it worthy of some sort of recognition in a magazine that is aimed at people who own and modify Vauxhall (of all types and era's) and not just a wee photo in a article about that show. I would want to know whats all been down to make it the best of show and how did he/she/they go about it and what have they all done to get it to such a show winning state

It won the cup because it's an excellent show car.

and I dont think you have joined the site to have an accurate feeling for this community, to join just simply to counter any ill feelings at the magazine you work for after the owner of a car you have dismissed as not worthy ...i would think any owner would have similar posts on their respective owners sites and also have negative posts about the magazine. Perhaps your already a member on them therefor you do not get the same hostility as you call it

Yup I've had hostile comment on other similar threads, but in general the majority of the people are at least fair in their criticism, and not to the extent I've had on here.

not the best way to introduce yourself now is it

With hindsight no. I'd have been better off ignoring Steve's email.

I also notice we now have one of your writers joining up as well...I wonder why

Because he feels as frustrated as I do and wanted to comment. We live, eat and breath car mags so it's hard to switch off. I've actually got a mountain of work to get though as it's deadline on Tuesday, but instead I've been coming on here to (seemingly needlessly) defend the mag.

[dan@totalvauxhall]

maybe because its guys like us that do our best efforts to keep these cars on the roads. i've attended quite a few cruise's this year and apart from myself i've only seen one other calibra in attendance. that other calibra was Steve's.
and you'd be amazed at how much attention they get. reason being because they are a less common car and not everybody has seen one apart from in magazines like TV.
thing most under 20's ask nine times out of ten is "what is it?"
now you mentioned the thundersaloon calibra in this months mag, realistically how many of us are going to see one of them hurtling up the M6???
i had the pleasure this year of driving Steve's calibra to and from Billing and it would surprise you how many people give the thumbs up, noding of heads in approval and even trying to kill themselves trying to take pictures

sometimes its the less common car that attracts the most attention

Very valid points, and I don't disagree with any of it. I'll more than happily feature any suitable Calibras that I either find, or that get sent in. I've nothing against Calibras, and think they're one of the prettiest shapes ever to leave the factory.

[v6 steve]

where have you read/seen the full spec of my car ? i sent you a very quick note with about 5 or 6 mods on it thinking you would have got back to me asking more about it,

thats nether here or there now but you cant see that some of your readers voted for my car to win the chairman's cup so wouldn't they like to know what iv done to make it appeal to the so many, and also for others that would like to win the chairman's cup

[v6 steve]

maybe because its guys like us that do our best efforts to keep these cars on the roads. i've attended quite a few cruise's this year and apart from myself i've only seen one other calibra in attendance. that other calibra was Steve's.
and you'd be amazed at how much attention they get. reason being because they are a less common car and not everybody has seen one apart from in magazines like TV.
thing most under 20's ask nine times out of ten is "what is it?"
now you mentioned the thundersaloon calibra in this months mag, realistically how many of us are going to see one of them hurtling up the M6???
i had the pleasure this year of driving Steve's calibra to and from Billing and it would surprise you how many people give the thumbs up, noding of heads in approval and even trying to kill themselves trying to take pictures

sometimes its the less common car that attracts the most attention

Very valid points, and I don't disagree with any of it. I'll more than happily feature any suitable Calibras that I either find, or that get sent in. I've nothing against Calibras, and think they're one of the prettiest shapes ever to leave the factory.

so its just mine thats s**t

[dan@totalvauxhall]

where have you read/seen the full spec of my car ? i sent you a very quick note with about 5 or 6 mods on it thinking you would have got back to me asking more about it,

thats nether here or there now but you cant see that some of your readers voted for my car to win the chairman's cup so wouldn't they like to know what iv done to make it appeal to the so many, and also for others that would like to win the chairman's cup

We're going around in circles here Steve. You listed the main points, the rest i could see for myself. I could tell by looking at it that it wasn't right for us. Your styling tastes differ from mine, I don't know how many more times I can tell you that.

so its just mine thats s**t

No, not at all, it's just not right for us.

[Fraz]

Yup I've had hostile comment on other similar threads, but in general the majority of the people are at least fair in their criticism, and not to the extent I've had on here.

have they had a show winning VBOA winner as the car you have dismissed ??

[v6 steve]

yes my taste is different from yours but who's to say its different from what some of our readers want
and for the 1st time i agree with you my cars not s**t its one of the best vauxhalls at Billing this year, where you at Billing this year ? if you where you will have seen the standard of cars that where in the arena and the amount of people that were voting