Speed Mechanics magazine Volume 1, Issue 1, January 1953

Photography by author.

One additional item I found at the flea market, in the pile of boxes destined for the dumpster that I discussed in An emergency automobilia and tool rescue effort, was deserving of its own blog. Among the mountains of stuff was the first-ever issue of Speed Mechanics—a Hot Rod-style bi-monthy magazine.

This is the TOC for this issue.

Produced by Hobby Publications Inc. in Silver Spring, Maryland, the editorial headquarters was in New York, infusing the publication with an East Coast flavor via some feature stories and opinions, and balancing the package with West Coast editors based in Los Angeles, providing their articles.

Here’s a hot rodder’s dictionary circa 1953. See how many of these terms you recall using.

An editorial direction that leaned toward the grassroots hot rodder who liked to get his hands dirty, two tech stories accomplished that goal in this issue – “A Fast Car Needs Better Shocks” and “Push Button Doors.” This magazine also made an effort to welcome newcomers to the hobby via stories like “So You Want to Build a Hot Rod,” “A Speed Shop in Your Own Garage” and “Speed Mechanics Dictionary.”

The uncredited opening editorial discusses some of the identity issues and misconceptions that hot rodders faced, including the possibility of legislation in New York to curtail their activities. It then counters with the importance of maintaining the freedom for people to improve their cars in all areas, and how those resulting advancements can make cars better in the future.

Overall, Speed Mechanics Volume 1, Issue 1, January 1953 contains a wealth of interesting information in just 34 pages. I’m not sure how long the magazine lasted, but I’ve seen issues listed online up to the mid-1960s.

Have you ever read Speed Mechanics? What were your impressions of it?

See original article at" https://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2016/08/02/speed-mechanics-magazine-volume-1-issue-1-january-1953/