Performance Car
Encyclopedia
Performance Car, commonly abbreviated to PC, was a automobile magazine
from the United Kingdom published by EMAP
between October 1983 and July 1998. As suggested by the title, the magazine focussed on the high performance sector of the car market, from hot hatch
es through to supercars.
A magazine of the same name was launched in 2008.
In 1986, Jeremy Clarkson
became a freelance columnist for the magazine. He would later go on to present the BBC motoring TV series Top Gear, but continued to write for Performance Car until 1994, following the launch of Top Gear magazine
.
In the mid-1990s, the magazine changed its style, aiming to bring in a larger readership. The move backfired, and they later admitted they "went looking for extra readers that weren't there, and pissed off several thousand that were". Attempts to revert back were somewhat successful in regaining readers, but publishers EMAP decided that as performance cars were being covered by other magazines there were not enough readers to justify keeping Performance Car. The final issue, July 1998, was published on before the magazine was merged into EMAP's other motoring magazine Car
. Following one issue of Car with a Performance Car supplement, it remained much the same magazine as it was before, with little influence from Performance Car.
Following its demise, several of the writers from Performance Car, including Richard Meaden and John Barker went on to found a new magazine, Evo, which was launched at the end of 1998 and covered similar topics to those of Performance Car.
Dan Prosser subsequently founded his own online publication, Mud, Snow and Tar.
Automobile magazine
An automobile magazine is a magazine with news and reports on automobiles and the automobile industry. Automobile magazines may feature new car tests and comparisons, which describe advantages and disadvantages of similar models; future models speculations, confidential information and "spyshots"...
from the United Kingdom published by EMAP
EMAP
Emap Limited is a British media company, specialising in the production of business-to-business magazines, and the organisation of business events and conferences...
between October 1983 and July 1998. As suggested by the title, the magazine focussed on the high performance sector of the car market, from hot hatch
Hot hatch
Hot hatch was originally an informal automotive industry term, shortened from hot hatchback, initially coined by the British motoring press in 1984, for a high-performance derivative of a car body style consisting of a three- or five-door hatchback automobile.Vehicles of this class are based on...
es through to supercars.
A magazine of the same name was launched in 2008.
Original magazine
AGB Business Publications Limited launched Performance Car in October 1983. It replaced Hot Car magazine, a magazine that focussed on the tuned & modified car scene. The change of name came about due to a slight shift of focus to manufacturer-built performance cars. Early issues were titled Performance Car (incorporating Hot Car). The editor at launch was Ian Wearing.In 1986, Jeremy Clarkson
Jeremy Clarkson
Jeremy Charles Robert Clarkson is an English broadcaster, journalist and writer who specialises in motoring. He is best known for his role on the BBC TV show Top Gear along with co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May...
became a freelance columnist for the magazine. He would later go on to present the BBC motoring TV series Top Gear, but continued to write for Performance Car until 1994, following the launch of Top Gear magazine
Top Gear (magazine)
Top Gear is an automobile magazine published by BBC Worldwide, and named after the BBC's Top Gear television show. It was first published in October 1993 and is published monthly at a price of £3.95. The major presenters of the television series—Richard Hammond, James May and Jeremy Clarkson—are...
.
In the mid-1990s, the magazine changed its style, aiming to bring in a larger readership. The move backfired, and they later admitted they "went looking for extra readers that weren't there, and pissed off several thousand that were". Attempts to revert back were somewhat successful in regaining readers, but publishers EMAP decided that as performance cars were being covered by other magazines there were not enough readers to justify keeping Performance Car. The final issue, July 1998, was published on before the magazine was merged into EMAP's other motoring magazine Car
Car Magazine
Car Magazine is a British automotive enthusiast magazine published monthly by Bauer Automotive. International editions are published by Bauer Automotive in Brazil, China, Greece, India, Mexico, the Middle East, Poland , Romania, Russia, South Africa , Spain, Thailand and Turkey...
. Following one issue of Car with a Performance Car supplement, it remained much the same magazine as it was before, with little influence from Performance Car.
Following its demise, several of the writers from Performance Car, including Richard Meaden and John Barker went on to found a new magazine, Evo, which was launched at the end of 1998 and covered similar topics to those of Performance Car.
2008 relaunch
Performance Car magazine was re-launched in 2008 by Unity Media. The editorial team was made up of Dominic Holtam, Chris Knapman, Dan Prosser and Max Earey. Dominic Holtam was editor of the publication after his spells at other Unity Media magazines including Performance BMW. His aim was to continue the high quality aspect of the magazine whilist retaining a real world approach. The magazine closed once again at the end of 2009.Dan Prosser subsequently founded his own online publication, Mud, Snow and Tar.