{"product_id":"hot-rod-empire","title":"Hot Rod Empire: Robert E. Petersen and the Creation of the World's Most Popular Car and Motorcycle Magazines","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eHot Rod Empire \u003c\/i\u003edetails Robert E. Petersen's creation of Hot Rod Magazine in the 1940s and the Petersen Publishing empire that grew to the mainstream juggernaut we know today.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe end of World War II marked the release of pent-up war-years energy and the desire to \u003ci\u003elive\u003c\/i\u003e. For many this meant indulging in long-denied purchases, like a new car. For another group, including young vets, it meant \u003cb\u003ea return to car building and racing\u003c\/b\u003e. Money, exciting new cars, and speed parts all flowed freely in \u003cb\u003epost-war America\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRobert Petersen, a young SoCal-based photographer and Army Air Corps vet, noted the\u003cb\u003e rapidly growing hot rod scene \u003c\/b\u003ein and around Los Angeles. His first move was to organize the Los Angeles Hot Rod Exhibition in 1948. His second, and brilliant, move was to launch at the same event the\u003cb\u003e first edition of \u003ci\u003eHot Rod\u003c\/i\u003e magazine\u003c\/b\u003e. From this launch pad, Petersen Publishing Company would grow to become the most influential enthusiast publisher in America.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePetersen’s magazines were rallying points for all aspects of the car, truck, and motorcycle hobbies, well as nurturing and promoting all aspects from car building to racing to show events. \u003ci\u003eHot Rod, Motor Trend, Car Craft, Motorcyclist, Off-Road and Four Wheel Drive\u003c\/i\u003e and some 75 other enthusiast titles \u003cb\u003edominated magazine racks \u003c\/b\u003eand provided substantial influence over transportation and numerous other hobbies.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eHot Rod Empire\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003e celebrates the birth and explosive growth of the transportation hobby\u003c\/b\u003e under Petersen’s watch.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"None","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46210622193874,"sku":"9780760397367","price":45.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":46210622226642,"sku":"9780760360699","price":45.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Kobo eBook","offer_id":46210622259410,"sku":"f610d260-05ef-33e4-a2a9-2159902676b9","price":36.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0655\/8980\/5233\/files\/1_f944b15d-8953-42b0-aa63-66aad47a4697.jpg?v=1763437307","url":"https:\/\/www.indigo.ca\/products\/hot-rod-empire","provider":"Indigo","version":"1.0","type":"link"}