Vette Vues Magazine Critique

[Stuart F.]

Just received the February 2009 edition of the Vette Vues Magazine today. They have a nice article about the 2008 NCRS Convention in St. Louis, complete with a NCRS primer story and a photo spread. For those members that have photos of their cars in the article, some may be disappointed as there are a number of mis-captioned photos. Also, of the stories I have read, I noticed a number of obvious typos which cause one to stumble as you try to make sense out of a sentance. There is a fine article by Kenneth W. Kayser about his successful effort to reassemble a prototype 1956 Fuel Injection unit out of a parts bin. It makes for some interesting reading, and he is to be congratulated for helping re-establish this important part of Corvette history (about a month or so back, I sent him an E-Mail asking if he had any interest in doing a similar project with a post 65 development unit, but he did not respond).

For all you AFB nuts out there, Vette Vues FACTORY FACTS column will publish some service data on the 1964 units (3720S & 3721S) next month. Alan Kaplan writes this column and had a great piece in this months issue that should be of interest to owners of early 64 Vettes with J-65 Metallic brake option. Apparently, a number of early 64's that were ordered with the option were shipped without their power brake units (which was part of the option in 64). The Service Bulletin reads in such a way that the Dealers were only to install the power brake unit if the customer complained. In other words, they paid for the unit in the option price, but would not get it unless they noticed it missing and complained. I guess the service correction was an expensive and labor intensive (expensive)job. The magazine is asking if any owners of early 64's are out there to check if they have the J-65 option, and whether it has the power brake unit on it now.

I have met the Wolf's, Bonnie and William, and they are nice folks. For the most part, they put out an excellent and informative publication in a small package. Perhaps the economy is hurting them as well and they may be short a proof reader or two. I sure wish them luck and expect to see them again at the winter meet in a few weeks. I'll try to quiry them about their situation. I'm sure the fellows with the mis-captioned photos of their cars would like to know why these things happened.

Stu Fox

[Alan S.]

Re: Vette Vues Magazine Critique

Hi Stuart,I can only imagine how difficult it's become to put out a printed periodical as more and more information is published and available on-line.
The points you mention about VETTE VUES only serve to illustrate what a good job Vinnie Peters, and Reba Wittington (proof reader, still?) do on our/their publication.
Regards,
Alan

[Terry M.]

Re: Vette Vues Magazine Critique

Yes, Reba is proofing The Restorer for Vinnie.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Vette Vues Magazine Critique

Sorry for the long thread intro, but as an old retired Tech Writer myself, I tend to babble. I spent many years writing and proofing contracts and proposals, as well as doing contract documentation before moving on to the GM Locomotive Division to write about operating and servicing Diesel Electric Locomotives. I like to forget most of those latter years as I never was much of a foaming rail fan. Through it all I always prided myself in producing typo and data error free manuals - but that was then, and this is know!

I hope some of the 64 owners pickup on the points I mentioned which they might find interest in.

Stu Fox

[Terry M.]

Re: Vette Vues Magazine Critique

Since you have done proofing yourself -- even if only for your own work -- you know how difficult it is. When I was Editor I always believed an extra set of eyes was valuable to an error free (in reality minimal errors) publication. Even with all our efforts, invariably once the magazine was published I spotted something I wished was different in each issue. It just comes with the territory.

[Jim L.]

Re: Vette Vues Magazine Critique

Just received the February 2009 edition of the Vette Vues Magazine today. For those members that have photos of their cars in the article, some may be disappointed as there are a number of mis-captioned photos. Also, of the stories I have read, I noticed a number of obvious typos which cause one to stumble as you try to make sense out of a sentance.

After about 25 years of subscribing to Vette Vues, I stopped my subscription. The sole reason was that the spelling and grammar mistakes had become so numerous that they were a constant distraction. Although there were a few goofs when Jim Prather owned the magazine, the number of mistakes while the magazine was under his stewardship wasn't overwhelming.

Me? The only "F" I got in college was in English Lit. So my standards are pretty low. Yet, in the last couple of years of reading VV, even my meager standards were seldom met.

Jim

[Stuart F.]

Re: Vette Vues Magazine Critique

Terry and Jim;

The best any writer can hope for is that over time they are the only one who knows exactly where all the mistakes are, Ha!

I recently, as a challenge, proofed a book for a friend that he had published and bragged to me that he only found two errors. He would not tell me where they were, but called upon me to test my skills and find them. I found the two plus four more. When I reviewed them with him, he was surprised and a little upset. But I assured him, as Terry said, a second set of eyes will always find something you missed. It's the nature of the beast - how do they say it; "can't see the forest for the trees"?

I guess with VV, it seems they have improved the quality of the printing itself, i.e. paper, photos & type clarity, so now we expect the content presentation to improve as well.

Stu Fox

[Tracy C.]

Re: Vette Vues Magazine Critique

......... I spent many years writing and proofing contracts and proposals............ Through it all I always prided myself in producing typo and data error free manuals - but that was then, and this is know!...........Stu Fox

I know you have your tongue in your cheek, but that made me laugh.

tc

[Bill M.]

Re: Vette Vues Magazine Critique

Gramma and spehling ashide how is the magasine! i sthopped subscribsion yeas ago bechashe it be came boring and uninformative:
Bill

[Michael S.]

Re: Vette Vues Magazine Critique

Bill's post above is easily read and "proof" that spelling and grammar are not important.

Just Ebonics or is Obomics????

[Donald B.]

Re: Vette Vues Magazine Critique

Microsoft Word has a spelling and grammer check - this alone should catch 98% of the errors.

It seems to work REAL WELL when I'm typing!

A college teacher once said - "Mr. Banas, good thing you type these reports. I can't tell if you can't type or can't spell!

[Stuart F.]

Re: Vette Vues Magazine Critique

Michael;

But can you honestly say you can read it as fast? I can't, but then being retired, I have a lot more time to figure it out.

I hope my main point was not lost; that being the info on the 64's. I, being an owner of a J-65 equipped 63, longed for a power brake unit for some 44 + years, or at least until I replaced my metallic linings with Matrix Ceramics this past year. My right leg had to work so much harder than my left that now I have severe Arthritis on the right side of my back which affects my right hip and leg. And I have pressed my gas pedal so hard there is a groove in the floor - just kidding. I just tell that to the Doctor and he says; "oh ya! Maybe that's it!" The main thing is that my clutch leg still works fine and as long as that's the case, I'll keep on pedling!

Stu Fox

[Jim W.]

Re: Vette Vues Magazine Critique

Thanks for the heads-up on the mag. issue. I have an early 64 (Nov 63) with J65 with more than half the wear left; and it does have the original booster. The article should be interesting thou.