Forged in Print: John Bond, Road & Track, and the Birth of Car Guy Culture

This episode of The Logbook, our History of Motorsports series, is a presentation from the symposium series 'Perspectives on Motorsport Journalism 1952-1972', focusing on the influential role of John Bond and Road & Track magazine in shaping American car enthusiast culture. It explores Bond’s editorial vision, his passionate advocacy for American sports cars, and the magazine's focus on mechanical performance, historical appreciation, and automotive design. The session also delves into the gender dynamics within car culture through the lens of Road & Track, examining female representation in the magazine's content and advertising. The third presenter discusses how car culture is transmitted intergenerationally, suggesting that new definitions of car culture are needed to better connect with younger generations. Additionally, the presentation includes reflections on how contemporary publications like Hagerty are working to engage younger audiences, as well as the broader implications of car culture in society. ===== (Oo---x---oO) ===== 00:00 John Bond and the Rise of Road & Track 02:24 Luke Chennel's Personal Journey 03:51 John Bond's Influence on Car Culture 07:13 Bond's Vision for American Sports Cars 10:19 The Role of Racing in Car Development 15:07 Kristie Sojka on Gender Representation 23:56 Advertising and Gender in Road & Track 31:56 Disappointment in Female Representation 32:41 Dedication to John and Elaine 33:01 Ken Yon's Anthropological Perspective on Car Culture 34:12 Exploring Car Culture Through Different Lenses 37:01 Defining and Undefining Car Culture 43:11 Intergenerational Transfer in Car Culture 50:58 Q&A Session and Final Thoughts 57:34 Sponsors and Closing Remarks ==================== The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net More Information: Visit Our Website Become a VIP at: Patreon Online Magazine: Gran Touring Follow us on Social: Instagram This episode is part of our HISTORY OF MOTORSPORTS SERIES and is sponsored in part by: The International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC), The Society of Automotive Historians (SAH), The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Argetsinger Family - and was recorded in front of a live studio audience.