The New Old
Over the weekend I ended up rummaging through a stack of Chevy Highs from the late '80s to our current issues. Nah, I wasn't doing homework per se, but I did want to take stock, if you will, mostly to see where we are today versus the years prior.
What did I learn? Without outlining a complete historical background, I'll just say that with the exception of car styling, Chevy High has always maintained a high level of technical stories from its inception, and we're talking well over 20 years ago. Just as an example, back in the Dec. '91 issue, a story called "In Pursuit of Power" really caught my attention. Despite the black-and-white photography, it was a detailed build showcasing an out-of-the-box 350ci H.O. small-block crate motor with both carbureted and fuel-injected dyno numbers. It didn't stop there. Up next was the addition of a Vortech centrifugal supercharger, which ultimately ended up generating 445 hp and 467 lb-ft.
The trend continued into the late '90s with a variety of small- and big-block engine builds, bolt-ons, and late-model hop-ups for the LT-powered Camaros and Corvettes. There was plenty of show coverage, including some of my favorites: the old-school National Muscle Car Association events featuring Pro Street cars dipping into the 7s at over 170 mph.
Another issue that opened my eyes was relatively recent, Apr. '01. On the cover was an '85 Camaro, which was listed as one of the top budget supercars to get into. Now, that particular issue placed a whole new perspective on age for me. When I was in high school, my first musclecar was 23 years old. It's hard for me to describe just how old I thought that was, except to simply reiterate old!
I've always had a soft spot for third-gens. The first newish car I ever got into was during my freshmen year of college, a 5-year-old '86 IROC Camaro. It was white with T-tops and slammed to the ground with an aftermarket chip and exhaust. And yes, it was quite awesome! Today that sled would be hitting the ripe old age of 22, and honestly, it still seems somewhat new to me.
Fast-forward to this very moment behind the keyboard. I'm proud to say that CHP has maintained its roots. I feel very fortunate to be a part of a magazine with such a strong heritage. If you happen to have a stack of old magazines laying around, send me a note on what stories grabbed your interest and let's talk shop.
Email me: chevyhi@sourceinterlink.com
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