I think your missing the 50/50 uproar. You guys have decimated two magazines and nothing you ever do will completely correct that. I know there is nothing you can do about it but how would you feel if one day you look at your pay check and it's half of what you normally make. You go talk to the people that took over the Magazine and they tell you "This shouldn’t be a surprise we mentioned a merger on the website" and now you've learned that that the company they merged with is from Mexico. So, than you learn in order to keep both sides of the boarder happy they have decided to pay you half in U.S. currency and half Mexican currency but swear the change is the best and most awesome mixture of two currencies, with a side note that sometimes one type will have a larger sum over the other.

This isn’t about busting on the 5.0 guys (I’ve been there and will be again) or the S197 (I need one!!!) this is about how you guys have been asked to do the impossible. How can you guys be expected to combined all the different and wonderful Mustang body styles that have come and gone and mix in every other kind of Ford. Well the short answer is they’ve made you guys bite off more then you can chew. I know you will never be able to make everyone one happy, but you guys have made almost no one happy. Something I honestly thought would be impossible.

When I first got the “new” magazine I wasn’t to happy but was thinking “hold on give it a chance” but not when you’ve gutted almost everything out of the magazine. What do I mean? Well let’s go through Oval Office read on. Rare Finds why don’t you change this to “whatever the heck Heasley feels like putting on paper” oh wait you did it’s now Heasley files I'm sure he was running out of material, I mean there can only be so many barns with Shelby’s in them right? But dude that was one of the first sections read I have no problem with you adding more mustang years. Heck make it about the awesome stuff Fordlore is made of not “Mustangs best line up in years” That’s an Oval Officer ramble. Heasley I’ve loved your writing but bring back the good stuff.  Now for the one that really hurts Joe’s Garage, Houlahan take this back brother or at least help the man out I’m begging you. Dasilva might be a great 5.0 racer and a god when turning a wrench on a 5.0 but, every time I read his writings, to me he comes off as a Psychologist babbling that whole “and how does that make you feel” trash when it comes to a classic Muscle question instead of the straight answers you used to give Houlahan. I’ll say it once more HELP HIM!!!

You guys will never get us all to become friends Mustang wise, you will always have the Muscle guys laughing at the 5.0 guys who laugh at the Mustang of the 90’s guys who look at the S197 guy’s funny and laugh.  But we do stand on the same Ford line when it comes people like that Blown4.6guy and his British classics, yes the Mustang II guys are even with us I’m sure.

If this is the way it’s going to be then split the magazine one month make a classic ford the cover and have the first 40 pages or so Classic content. The middle pages containing things that would interest both sides such as 5.0’s, smokin fords new and old,  car shows and tech that could slide either way.  The last 40 or so pages could be S197 pages and the ever complained upon Model and just flip the layout monthly.

Im not ready to give up yet, I hope you guys arnt ready either.  

I said I was canceling my sub. but, I waited to see if things would improve...wrong the mag is getting worse with each paassing month. You need more ads.  

ok here we set in the first part of august and still no magazine in my mailbox.  I went back and looked threw my emails and found my confirmation email saying I renewed to modified mustangs for 2 years for 29.95 and that was sent to me in april.  so I looked up my subscription number and it came back with a different persons name and address and also said it was expired.

Mark sent you an email probably a month or so ago and have also contacted subsciber services.  just waiting on word of where my mag is and if I have to go get anouther one of the stand for this month?  

MoFo...

Sorry for this mixup, really, but this is something subscription services has to handle. Sometimes I can do a change of address or verify a subscription length through the same online tool available to the readers (I just do it for them if they can't find it or not sure how to use it). But when you have a situation like yours I think it is best to call direct and skip the middle man (me). If they have questions you can answer right there on the phone. Please call 800-800-4677 and give them the information in your confirmation email. They can also send out missing copies due to this mixup.

The only other thing I can think of is if you signed up/renewed through an outside source and not from us. Then you would have to take it up with THAT subscription agent.

Let me know how the call goes...

Mark  

thanks Mark.  I got an email back from subscriber services, of course addressed to the wrong name, so replied back letting them know and gave them all my info.  looked back at my confirmation email and it came from modifiedmustangs <thanks@primediamags.com>  

hopefully this is threw you all since I went online while my subscription was still active and had the right name on it.  just wondering if during the change over some peoples info got lost or mixed up?  

Mark, sorry you're catching all this flak.  I personally like the new format, but I did like it better before.  I own a 2001 Mustang GT and subscribe to MM&FF, and also own a 66 Galaxie and a 72 F-150 swb 2wd, and a couple of other classics.  I love all Fords, classic and new.  What I can't stand is all the griping by the people who don't like it.   Why do they keep threatening to cancel but still keep coming back to make the same point?  If you don't like it, go find somthing you do like.  But please quit telling me this isn't what you origionally subscribed to, I already know this.  If you don't like it, leave.  

MoFo, Primediamags is, or shall I say "was" us. Source Interlink doesn't want to change any web site names for fear of it not coming up in a search (which is why we're still on M&F's URL when I raised hell about creating a new site for the new magazine). But I digress...

So yes, that's "us" and they should get back to you soon. I'm sure there is some confusion with the merger as well as us buying Vertical Scope (the company that produced the "modified" titles...)

Toby, thanks for your post of support. I appreciate it. Your collection of Fords in your sig line sounds like some fun. Someday I'll have an early Bronco in my collection too!

Have a good weekend guys...
Mark  

I was kind of startled at first when i discovered that mustang and fords mag went a different route. but all the same they're all fords new or old.I just figured either some higher up made the call or they just ran out of material for the older 'stangs.  
As for you silly old folks living in the dark ages calling those photos of bikini clad women "porn" go back to hiding in the amish towns. Playboy is far worse than anything a car mag will show. Grow up and quite yer whining about your "virgin" eyes.  

Mark,

I've been a subscriber to M&F since 1996 and I've subscribed to Modified Mustangs in the past. Good magazine but I'm not into the newer Mustangs like I am the Classic ones...

My subscription ran out so I've been buying M&F at Walmart until I could resubscribe.

Couldnt find it the past couple of months so I looked up the M&F website to see if somthing happened.

Decided to keep an open mind so I found it last night and bought the Sept issue.

I'm not going to complain about the "models" because I also subscribe to HotRod and CarCraft but I was very dissapointed to find one of my favorite mags content to only have 3 classic articles in it and no early model Mustangs featured at all.  

I'll give it till the end of the year before I decide to resubscribe or not but its going to have to have more early model content in it. I count 128 pages and only 12 pages (if I counted correctly) of the early model Fords.

Just for an FYI I did a quick websearch and it seems that the later model crowd that subscribed to Modified Mustangs arent real happy with the classic content now being included either.

On another note I just wanted to thank you for the Inline build ups you've done in the past especially the 3 part article that you did with Mike Winterboer of Classic Inlines last year.

I'm a parts tester for Mike and am currently running his aluminum head on my 66 Mustang. I drag race it all the time and it best pass was a 14.69 @ 90.98 on July the 4th.

If you keep up the inline articles in the new mag would be a definite plus!

Thanks,

Doug L.  

Mr. Houlahan,

Like many others who have posted before me, I appreciate the position you have been put in. It's never comfortable when you are forced to alienate a passionate and focused group of enthusiasts.

I for one will let my long-time subscription run out, but will not cancel it in the meantime. I will no longer subscibe to your publication when it runs out for one reason; it's not the magazine I have subscribed to for so many years. Simply, it's no longer a  magazine that I care to read. From a classic Mustang fans point of view, it just stinks. I'm sure that the new Mustang guys feel much the same way.  I feel like I've been blind-sided with this change. Come on! No warning to us? That's no way to engender good will for your cause. The only reason anybody would give it a chance is they have almost no other choice. Honestly, if you sent your car to be painted green, and it came back half green and half blue, would you continue to do business with that paint shop? Would you accept it when they told you "At least it's half green."

Again, I don't blame you personally and I feel for the position in which you find yourself.

I like new Mustangs. They're cool. But I don't CARE about new Mustangs, and if I did I'd subscribe to a magazine that caters to them. I hope that your longtime advertisers don't jump ship, but you can't blame them if they do. You no longer offer a product that is clearly tailored to their market.

In conclusion, I'd have been much happier if you guys had just cut the magazine back to 6 issues a year. My feelings about the change in format are much more passionate than the wording I've chosen to use here. I'll be first in line when our beloved M&F, or similiar magazine returns.

Thanks for your time.  

Morning guys...

First, I want to thank Mustang_Geez and Sacramento6 for your posts. I understand your feelings and that you want to express them and I thank you for expressing them intelligently and calmly.

Mustang-Geez, when the merger happened the old Modified Mustangs wasn't big enough circulation wise to be in Wal-Mart (Mustang & Fords was). Now that we've explained the merger to Wal-Mart, we're back in there with the new book, so it should be easier to find. The Sept issue, as I explained earlier, had it's classic Mustang feature pulled to make room for other stories and to stay in line with our budgeted page count (it varies every single month). That car will be in October (on the cover as well). Maybe you'll be happy to know there's no late-model Mustang in the Oct issue (went the other direction on that month!)...

What's cool about the new book is that now that six-cylinder tech you like won't go away either. Just like the inline fours and V-6 stuff for the late-model guys, we will cover it all, just not every single month, simply not enough room.

Sacramento6, I'm sure you probably didn't go through the whole eight pages of comments here, but I stated early on that I was informed to not comment publicly or in print about the merger as an office closing and jobs of several staffers were being affected by the merger. Trust me, I asked up the chain as far as I dared wanting to put something in my June column mentioning the upcoming July issue and the new format and I was shot down every time.

What kills me is some forums I've read where people bemoan "I wish Super Ford was still around", well that's exactly what I'm trying to do with what's been dealt to me (and you), is to make it a well rounded all-Ford magazine. I hope that people realize the passion I have for all Fords, and not just Mustangs, and that as long as I am editor of this magazine I will do my very best to cater to all of the Ford-o-philes out there. Classic Mustang, late-model Mustang, classic Fords, late-model Fords, trucks, etc. I know we might lose a few clasic or late-model Mustang fans because that's ONLY what they want to read about, but I think as the magazine gels and the word gets out we'll gain far more Ford enthusiasts as readers. Just like when Super Ford was around, I read SF for my general Ford craving and Mustang & Fords or Mustang Illustrated for my Mustang craving (back then Mustang Monthly was too concours for me, I've always preferred modifying my cars)...

Well, back to work. Thanks again for taking the time to let me know how you feel and I do hope you'll see what I'm trying to do and look at the magazine with an open mind.

Later...
Mark  

I cannot believe this thread has not died and gone away! I think I originally posted on the 1st or 2nd page. Oh well!

I just purchased a 2006 Mustang and along with my 1970 Mercury Cougar I will have a reason to look at the magazine all the way through, cover to cover....although I do not hold out much hope for seeing many Cougars (hint, hint!).

I am looking forward to some neat articles pertaining to my '06 Mustang (again another hint), the modern 6 bangers in them, and hopefully "how to" stuff geared towards the average man with an average substandard budget working in his driveway. When you have lots of maoney, it's not hard to find someone to do the dirty work, as well as the creative work for you.

Thanks,

Steve  

Well after buying Mustang ang Fords since i can remember and finally subscribing the new format now no longer caters for my taste.The excessive adverts the"model" in the middle (yet another thinly veiled advert)and the feature car to advert ratio sickening,its time to call this relationship over.I tried to like the new format but I cant get around this one.Please dont construde this as a poison letter where everyone is at fault'but sought of like when Ol' Yella died we knew it was coming but we couldnt do anything about it,and no I didnt like the outcome.So I bid the crew at "Mustangand Fords " farwell and hopefully the mag grows some legs.For me its Mustang Monthly; not the same but the format and content is suitable.Buy for now Aussie4door73  

Sorry you are taking all the heat on the merger Mark, but after 10 years of subscribing to what was once a great magazine, you have to add me to the list of the people not renewing my subscription.  I gave the new magazine a chance, but still am not thrilled at what I see.  I have heard what you said about "can't we all get along" and I have nothing against the new Mustangs.  They are beautiful cars and my wife is pressuring me to buy her a new convertible.  But I do have issues on several points.  

One of the biggest complaints from your readers over the years was always "you need to feature more Mavericks" or "you need to feature more Galaxy's"  Do you think the new format will allow for that?  I see less room for anything but Mustangs (old and new) and a ton more advertisements.  I own a 68 Mustang Fastback but still want to see the Mavericks, Galaxy's and Thunderbirds too.

I also take issue with the comparisons that the new Mustang owners are just as proud of their cars.  I have worked on my car for over 10 years, doing 95% of the work myself and I am still not close to being done.  It is a labor of love and my favorite way to spend my free time.  On the other hand, another guy gets a car loan, goes to a local Ford Dealer, drives off the dealer lot and straight to the local cruise night.  It takes me hours to get my car ready for a show, cleaning, polishing chrome and trying to hide more than a few flaws.  They drive their car through the car wash.  Of course their paint is flawless.  Lately due to space limitations, several of our local cruise nights have had to turn away many beautiful classics and street rods because every new Mustang and Challenger that has been sold show up and raise their hoods.  They all look factory new and of course their paint is still shiny....it should, it hasn't been around for 40 years.

Old car guys know what it takes to resurrect a basket case car.  If a part breaks on our cars, we may be sidelined for a long time trying to find a correct replacement, while shelling out big bucks.  If a part breaks on the new Mustang, it is simply dropped off at the local Ford Dealer on the way to work and fixed under warranty.  No muss, no fuss.  The dealership will probably even wash it for you to save time getting to the next cruise night.  How can you even compare the work that goes into both types of cars.

Finally, go back and reread your own articles.  In one edition alone, there were three articles about new Mustangs.  Under the upgrade section it lists "a cold air intake and a Bassani exhaust". The next article listed the upgrades as "a cold air intake and a Bassani exhaust".  The last article was different, he added "a cold air intake and 'hoped' to add a Bassani exhaust".  It seems there is nothing else that can be done with these cars.  It should make writing your future articles a piece of cake.  You will be able to cut and paste the upgrades section.

Thanks for letting me say my piece, but if the "powers that be" ever realize what a mistake they have made, I will think about renewing my subscription.  Until then, best of luck.  

Editorial staff,
I have tried to keep an open mind about the new magazine.  I love old mustangs, and like the new ones too.  However, the T&A soft porn is way too much.  I am the father of two young girls.  I recently was reading through the magazine with my daughters near by.   They wanted to know way the "lady" in the picture had so little clothes on.

What am I supposed to say?  The supplier think that I will be more interested in their products if they hire a model to show off her boobs?  I can't offer any reasonable explanation to my 7 and 9 year old daughters.  

Your new format leaves me no choice.  I will not renew my subscription.  It is more important to me to be a better role model for my daughters, than it is to enjoy my only magazine subscription.

A plea to M&F management:  Remember that Mustangs and Fords make this magazine successful, not soft porn and ***

Rod