Hot Rod Empire

Robert E. Petersen and the Creatin of the World’s Most Popular Car and Motorcycle Magazines

by Matt Stone with Gigi Carleton

Motorbooks, Quarto Publishing Group, 2018, [First Edition], ISBN 978076036069, colour and black and white photographs throughout, black and white photographic endpapers and title pages, hardcover with embossed decoration to front, dustjacket

Near Fine Condition, minor edge and shelf wear, no inscriptions, dustjacket shows minor edge and shelf wear (See photographs)

“Robert E. Petersen, a young SoCal-based photographer and Army Air Corps vet, noted the rapidly growing hot rod scene in and around Los Angeles.  His first move was to organise the Los Angeles Hot Rod Exhibition in 1948.  His second, and brilliant, move was to debut at that same event the first edition of Hot Rod magazine.  From this launchpad, Petersen Publishing Company would grow to become the most influential enthusiast publisher in America.
Petersen’s magazines were rallying points for all aspects of the car, truck, and motorcycle hobbies, nurturing, and promoting car building, racing, show events, and more.  Hot Rod, Motor Trend, Car Craft, Motorcyclist, 4-Wheel & Off-Road, and some seventy-five other enthusiast titles dominated magazine racks and provided substantial influence over transportation and numerous other hobbies.”