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My introduction

johna
Sep 28 '16 at 23:16 (UTC)
#1

My introduction


As I've just added the ability to include images with forum posts, I thought I might write an introduction post for myself.

I'm John and I have created this website.

I've always had an interest in cars and started collecting car magazines when I was a teenager. My father was a journalist and he used to bring home magazines each month, including Wheels, Modern Motor and Sports Car World. I also collected a lot of 1980's car brochures from motor shows.

Unfortunately later on I lost interest and disposed of most of these in the paper recycling collection. You don't know how bad I feel about this now.

Not long after, when I got my drivers' license, I had a renewed interest and resumed collecting magazines. Fortunately there was still a steady supply from my father's work. I also bought some second hand collections and frequented charity stores, subscribed to the odd magazine, and bought some from newsagents.

At some point in the 1990's I catalogued my collection in a computer programme called dBase, recording each issue and the models and topics covered.

I had 2,000 to 2,500 magazines at one point but then decided to reduce my collection to only the issues that I wanted to retain at the time. Subsequently I sold off hundreds of issues on eBay, including some that I really wish I hadn't like Supercar Classics, Classic & Sports Car, and various Porsche magazines.

Now I have around 1,500 magazines which fit not so nicely on two bookshelves (and a wardrobe). I don't buy many magazines any more, but still look out for bargains to fill the gaps in my collection.

My interest is mostly in magazines from the 1980s and 1990s and I have mostly Australian magazines like Wheels, Motor, Car Australia, Sports Car World, Motor Manual and Best Car & Sports Driver. I also have a lot of UK magazines like CAR and Evo, and have a liking for the UK bike magazines Fast Bikes and Performance Bikes.

Around a year ago I was looking at moving my old computer catalogue onto the web so I could better search and manage my collection and, as a professional web developer, I came up with the idea of this website and have been working on it in my spare time ever since.

Last edited Oct 8 '16 at 11:44 (UTC)