The Old Car Hobby: A Magazine That Keeps Knowledge Alive

As we sit here surrounded by the remnants of our past, it's hard not to feel a sense of nostalgia wash over us. Cars, once a symbol of freedom and adventure, have become an integral part of our heritage. For those who grew up in a time before computerized engines and advanced technology, learning how to work on cars was a rite of passage. It was a time when mechanics were revered for their knowledge and skill, and the art of repairing and maintaining a vehicle was passed down from generation to generation.

In this era of electronic ignition and fuel injection, it's easy to forget that there was once a time when cars were simple, mechanical machines. The magazine "Skin Knuckles" is dedicated to preserving this knowledge and sharing it with those who are interested in learning. The magazine primarily focuses on cars from the 1950s and earlier, as well as model T's and other classic vehicles.

One of the unique aspects of "Skin Knuckles" is its focus on practical knowledge over technical jargon. The authors take a step-by-step approach to explaining complex concepts, making it accessible to readers who may not be familiar with the intricacies of car repair. This approach has been praised by enthusiasts and newcomers alike, who appreciate the magazine's no-nonsense attitude and willingness to share real-world advice.

The magazine's commitment to preserving traditional knowledge is evident in its lack of advertising. Unlike many other car publications, which are filled with ads for new-fangled gadgets and gizmos, "Skin Knuckles" is focused on promoting products and services that cater specifically to the old car hobby. This approach has allowed the magazine to maintain a level of integrity and authenticity that is hard to find elsewhere.

The authors of "Skin Knuckles" are passionate about preserving the knowledge of the past and passing it down to the next generation. They take pride in their work, and it shows in every issue of the magazine. From articles on classic car restoration to profiles of legendary mechanics, each installment is filled with engaging stories and practical advice.

One of the most endearing aspects of "Skin Knuckles" is its approachable tone. The authors are down-to-earth and relatable, making complex concepts accessible to readers who may not be familiar with the subject matter. They explain technical terms in a clear and concise manner, avoiding jargon that might confuse or intimidate newcomers.

The magazine's website, skinknuckles.net, offers a wealth of additional resources for enthusiasts. Here, you can find back issues of the magazine, as well as articles and videos on various car-related topics. The site is a treasure trove of knowledge, filled with information on everything from steam cars to electric vehicles.

In an era where technology is advancing at an incredible rate, it's refreshing to see a publication like "Skin Knuckles" that values traditional knowledge and practical advice. This magazine is a must-read for anyone who loves classic cars or simply wants to learn more about the art of car repair. With its engaging stories, step-by-step instructions, and commitment to preserving the past, "Skin Knuckles" is an essential resource for anyone looking to keep their hand on the pulse of the old car hobby.

For Neil, a long-time contributor to the magazine, "Skin Knuckles" is more than just a publication – it's a community. He's been working with the magazine for years, sharing his knowledge and expertise with readers who appreciate his unique perspective. For Neil, the magazine represents a way of life that values hard work, self-sufficiency, and a connection to the past.

The first issue of "Skin Knuckles" is a tangible reminder of this legacy. The magazine's founder took great care in creating an issue that was both informative and accessible. The layout is simple, yet elegant, with clear headings and concise text. The photographs are stunning, showcasing classic cars in all their glory. This early issue sets the tone for what's to come – a commitment to quality, authenticity, and a passion for the old car hobby.

As we look back on the magazine's history, it's clear that "Skin Knuckles" has become an institution within the old car community. From its humble beginnings to its current status as a leading publication in the field, this magazine has remained true to its core values. For those who've grown up with cars but never learned how to fix them, "Skin Knuckles" is more than just a magazine – it's a key to unlocking a new world of knowledge and understanding.

The authors of "Skin Knuckles" take pride in their work, and it shows in every issue of the magazine. They're passionate about sharing their knowledge with readers, and they do so with infectious enthusiasm. Whether you're a seasoned mechanic or just starting out on your car repair journey, this magazine has something to offer.

As I flipped through the pages of the latest issue, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. The stories are engaging, the advice is practical, and the photographs are stunning. This magazine is more than just a publication – it's a way of life. For those who love classic cars or simply want to learn more about the art of car repair, "Skin Knuckles" is an essential resource.

In an era where technology dominates our lives, "Skin Knuckles" represents a refreshing alternative. This magazine values traditional knowledge and practical advice over advanced technology and jargon-filled explanations. For those who crave something more authentic and meaningful, this publication is a breath of fresh air.

The website, skinknuckles.net, offers a wealth of additional resources for enthusiasts. Here, you can find back issues of the magazine, as well as articles and videos on various car-related topics. The site is a treasure trove of knowledge, filled with information on everything from steam cars to electric vehicles.

For those who've grown up with cars but never learned how to fix them, "Skin Knuckles" is more than just a magazine – it's a key to unlocking a new world of knowledge and understanding. With its engaging stories, step-by-step instructions, and commitment to preserving the past, this magazine is an essential resource for anyone looking to keep their hand on the pulse of the old car hobby.

As I closed the latest issue of "Skin Knuckles", I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards the authors and contributors who make this magazine possible. Their passion and dedication are evident in every page, and it's clear that they're committed to preserving the knowledge of the past for future generations. For those who love classic cars or simply want to learn more about the art of car repair, "Skin Knuckles" is a must-read.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enone another episode of Jay Len's garage if you've been to this website before you know we've done about 50 restoration blogs with Neil he's a publisher of skin Knuckles magazine which is really a magazine specifically for the old car Hobby and it's doing things I wouldn't say on the cheap yes I would doing things on the cheap economically economically handson handson uh kind of the way the oldtime mechanics used to do it and uh although we've done all these restoration blogs everything from spark plugs to working spray guns or painting whatever we've never actually talked about the magazine so I thought we'd do that today it's called Skin Knuckles it's only available by subscription and it's like having an old guy in your garage looking over your shoulder nobody's older than me that's right and uh the Magazine's been around since 1976 1976 we're our 38th year J right that's pretty cool and it's all not overly technical articles but certainly tech technical enough so the average home mechanic can follow it absolutely well when when the magazine started back in 76 fil named Bill Cannon started the magazine he was of the Aerospace Ed uh Aerospace industry industry and most of our subscribers were as well they were metallurgists and chemists and Engineers designers and they want it technical they want it very very technical today's hobbyist is is more casual right um out of necessity when you and I were growing up when we were learning cars we can go into the corner service station stand over mechanic's shoulder and watch him adjust the points right no more yeah now they call the cops if you stand over their shoulder and watch them do stuff and you're not supposed to be in this area because our insurance doesn't cover there's a whole bunch of reasons oh yeah everything is electronic everything is computer what module do you change it's it's a different world somebody has to tell Young people how to do it how do you adjust the points how do you Gap a spark plug how do you do a set of breaks and the magazine deals primarily with cars 1950s and earlier no catalytic converter cars no computer cars just old cars that maybe if you're a young person your grandfather or great-grandfather had and is still in your family and how you keep it running and how do you maintain it and that's kind of the fun of uh the old car hobby there's nothing new or modern in this magazine that's good because a lot of times you know the knowledge Skips a generation I meet Kids all the Time who like cars and their dad didn't not how to work as screwdriver so they have to kind of go back and relearn all this stuff and it you know it doesn't talk over your head it can get technical but they always go back to the beginning and explain uh what it is and something else that we do and I'm I'm very very insistent on this when we do a job we start at the very beginning and we go all the way through the job to the completion we don't say pull off the brakes the brake drums we start with Jack up the car take off the hub caps take off the wheel because if somebody's never done it before they've got to know these things and that's an oversimplification but we've we've got to start at the beginning and take them take them all the way through yeah and the nice thing is these are guys that want to pass along the knowledge I I know Neil he's cheap he doesn't pay very much to do these columns so consequently these guys do it because they love the Hobby and they don't want to see it die out basically they want to see it be passed down to the Next Generation so the cool thing is it's all here and all the back issues are available right right matter of fact Jay this is a copy of our very very first issue okay much like the clothes Neil and I are wearing this hasn't changed either look I okay this is the first we're not quite faded or is this the first issue oh gosh I don't know yeah nobody does a lot of upgrades here this is what worked and by it'll keep working again work PR it work then it'll work now so just you get in there and start working on it now don't you be reading that stupid magazine but that's pretty much it so and that's that's the fun thing about it uh i' I've been a subscriber for years and years and I always I always learn something I always learn a lot because there's a lot of when you mentioned points that was always my Bugaboo I don't know why I was always scared of ignition for some reason the other stuff I can do I always so he tells you step by step how to adjust points or even yeah and I've seen upgrading to electronic ignition in this magazine too so you're not totally well we try to minimize that try to minimize I would prefer to use a mechanical fuel pump to an electric fuel pump I prefer to use a breaker points ignition to electronic ignition yeah but there's some things that and the reason the magazine is thin because it isn't filled with advertising you know most car magazines you get it looks like 200 Pages 150 Pages it's really like 45 pages or 50 pages whereas this it's all information and it's all really useful and the advertisers that we have are all product or service for the old car hobby right right and uh plus there's a lot of interesting stuff there's a story on Henry Miller I want to read that when I just got this issue uh a lot of historical stuff so it's skin Knuckles magazine if you'd like to see this hobby continue this is pretty much uh the Bible you put your hand on this every day before you go work in the garage and and you do it so uh you can get it Well here here's the website online at skin Skin knuckles. net yeah and uh and and check it out I mean I read it Faithfully every month and it's uh there's really a lot of knowledgeable knowledgeable things everything from Steam cars electric cars model T's and just everyday Fords and CH all the way up all the way up so Neil thank you very much thank you pleasureone another episode of Jay Len's garage if you've been to this website before you know we've done about 50 restoration blogs with Neil he's a publisher of skin Knuckles magazine which is really a magazine specifically for the old car Hobby and it's doing things I wouldn't say on the cheap yes I would doing things on the cheap economically economically handson handson uh kind of the way the oldtime mechanics used to do it and uh although we've done all these restoration blogs everything from spark plugs to working spray guns or painting whatever we've never actually talked about the magazine so I thought we'd do that today it's called Skin Knuckles it's only available by subscription and it's like having an old guy in your garage looking over your shoulder nobody's older than me that's right and uh the Magazine's been around since 1976 1976 we're our 38th year J right that's pretty cool and it's all not overly technical articles but certainly tech technical enough so the average home mechanic can follow it absolutely well when when the magazine started back in 76 fil named Bill Cannon started the magazine he was of the Aerospace Ed uh Aerospace industry industry and most of our subscribers were as well they were metallurgists and chemists and Engineers designers and they want it technical they want it very very technical today's hobbyist is is more casual right um out of necessity when you and I were growing up when we were learning cars we can go into the corner service station stand over mechanic's shoulder and watch him adjust the points right no more yeah now they call the cops if you stand over their shoulder and watch them do stuff and you're not supposed to be in this area because our insurance doesn't cover there's a whole bunch of reasons oh yeah everything is electronic everything is computer what module do you change it's it's a different world somebody has to tell Young people how to do it how do you adjust the points how do you Gap a spark plug how do you do a set of breaks and the magazine deals primarily with cars 1950s and earlier no catalytic converter cars no computer cars just old cars that maybe if you're a young person your grandfather or great-grandfather had and is still in your family and how you keep it running and how do you maintain it and that's kind of the fun of uh the old car hobby there's nothing new or modern in this magazine that's good because a lot of times you know the knowledge Skips a generation I meet Kids all the Time who like cars and their dad didn't not how to work as screwdriver so they have to kind of go back and relearn all this stuff and it you know it doesn't talk over your head it can get technical but they always go back to the beginning and explain uh what it is and something else that we do and I'm I'm very very insistent on this when we do a job we start at the very beginning and we go all the way through the job to the completion we don't say pull off the brakes the brake drums we start with Jack up the car take off the hub caps take off the wheel because if somebody's never done it before they've got to know these things and that's an oversimplification but we've we've got to start at the beginning and take them take them all the way through yeah and the nice thing is these are guys that want to pass along the knowledge I I know Neil he's cheap he doesn't pay very much to do these columns so consequently these guys do it because they love the Hobby and they don't want to see it die out basically they want to see it be passed down to the Next Generation so the cool thing is it's all here and all the back issues are available right right matter of fact Jay this is a copy of our very very first issue okay much like the clothes Neil and I are wearing this hasn't changed either look I okay this is the first we're not quite faded or is this the first issue oh gosh I don't know yeah nobody does a lot of upgrades here this is what worked and by it'll keep working again work PR it work then it'll work now so just you get in there and start working on it now don't you be reading that stupid magazine but that's pretty much it so and that's that's the fun thing about it uh i' I've been a subscriber for years and years and I always I always learn something I always learn a lot because there's a lot of when you mentioned points that was always my Bugaboo I don't know why I was always scared of ignition for some reason the other stuff I can do I always so he tells you step by step how to adjust points or even yeah and I've seen upgrading to electronic ignition in this magazine too so you're not totally well we try to minimize that try to minimize I would prefer to use a mechanical fuel pump to an electric fuel pump I prefer to use a breaker points ignition to electronic ignition yeah but there's some things that and the reason the magazine is thin because it isn't filled with advertising you know most car magazines you get it looks like 200 Pages 150 Pages it's really like 45 pages or 50 pages whereas this it's all information and it's all really useful and the advertisers that we have are all product or service for the old car hobby right right and uh plus there's a lot of interesting stuff there's a story on Henry Miller I want to read that when I just got this issue uh a lot of historical stuff so it's skin Knuckles magazine if you'd like to see this hobby continue this is pretty much uh the Bible you put your hand on this every day before you go work in the garage and and you do it so uh you can get it Well here here's the website online at skin Skin knuckles. net yeah and uh and and check it out I mean I read it Faithfully every month and it's uh there's really a lot of knowledgeable knowledgeable things everything from Steam cars electric cars model T's and just everyday Fords and CH all the way up all the way up so Neil thank you very much thank you pleasure\n"