Man, it’s getting weird for the dudes and dudettes in the print media. Hell, even the books that exist just to sell other people’s junk are trying to off each other.

What makes us say that? We were forwarded an e-mail sent out by Auto Trader Classics explaining to its readers and subscribers that it was not going out of business. Apparently one of their competitors sent out a letter telling the world that Auto Trader was kaput. They obviously took slight offense to this and wanted to spread the word that the light bill is paid and the doors aren’t locked.

Thus far no one has tried to sabotage us, but then again most people know we’d send Chad over to set them on fire if they screwed with this place.

Here’s the note from Auto Trader.

Dear Valued Customer:

You may have recently received a letter from one of our competitors indicating that AutoTrader is closing down its AutoTrader Classics publications.

I want to take the opportunity to assure you that this information is incorrect and that these are indeed only rumors. While AutoTrader Publishing has made the decision this past year to close some of its classified magazines, all of the publications under the AutoTrader Classics umbrella will continue to be published. Only 6 months ago we upgraded all our covers, began including 40 pages of editorial to 4 of our titles and improved our classified layouts. Consumers have responded very well to these changes and we have seen our circulation grow. We also launched a classic car price guide in the last quarter of 2008.

Not only will we continue to publish the AutoTrader Classics titles, we will continue to make improvements to them so that they are even more valuable to you, our advertisers, by providing even more robust content and improved distribution to help increase circulation to our growing audience of car enthusiasts.

The AutoTrader Classics portfolio consists of 8 magazine titles, 2 price guides, and 3 web sites:

Editorial/classified magazines: Classic Cars and Parts; Mustang & Ford, Corvette & Chevy; Kustoms & HotRods

Editorial Magazines: Milestone Series (Corvette, Mustang, Street & Tuner, Muscle Cars), Racing Milestones

Classifieds Magazines: Deals on Wheels; Truck Race Cycle & Rec. Marketplace

Price Guides: Classic Cars & Parts Price Guides and 1998-2008 Car and Truck Price Guide

Car Enthusiasts Portals: AutoTraderClassics,com, Dealeronwheels.com, RacingMilestones.com

While we are committed to continuing to improve our publications, we are also making a large investment to the AutoTraderClassics.com web site. With more than 700,000 car enthusiasts visiting the site each month and more cars than any competitor, AutoTraderClassics.com provides a true destination for car lovers to shop for their next car or to browse for their dream car. The new site will provide you with an even greater opportunity to get your advertising in front of an active and engaged shopper.

Don’t believe the rumors! AutoTrader Classics publications are not shutting down. In fact, we are more committed than ever to improving and bringing you the largest audience of car enthusiasts online and in print. In April you will see the start of a massive advertising campaign that includes print, radio, TV and on-line advertising. We are making this investment in our brand to increase the audience and our circulation for our advertisers. AutoTrader Classics remains committed to providing car lovers everywhere with everything they need to acquire, own and maintain their cars.

Sincerely,

Rob Huting
General Manager, AutoTrader Classics