OVERVIEW:
Road Test was published from 1965 to 1981 in Los Angeles California. The magazine was essentially a buyers guide and
published objective road test results on U.S. and foreign automobiles. This covered the range from up-scale sports
cars to small economy cars. Each magazine had the following text in the opening pages, "Devoted to automobiles, other vehicles and automotive products, ROAD TEST is designed to present the
complete facts about cars, trucks, accessories, equipment and automotive products without fear or favor." The intent was to be objective and become a trusted
and authoritative source. Early issues indicated the magazine was not funded with advertising. However, it is uncertain if this continued through the
entire publishing cycle.
It started as a bi-monthly magazine and then switched to monthly in 1968. This continued until 1978 when there was a break in publishing. It restarted on an erratic bi-monthly schedule.
OWNERSHIP:
The first publisher was Bill Quinn, and first editor was OCee Ritch. It appears Mr Quinn closed down
Motor Sports Illustrated in November 1964, then used the same
staff to create Road Test in December, 1964.
In October, 1974, Quinn Publications sold the title to George Dougherty. Mr Quinn stayed on as Vice President for a few issues during a transition period, then Mr. Dougherty became the publisher and owner. In short order he hired Steve Thompson as the editor.
But this started a revolving door of publishers and editors. Frank Kirmos became the publisher in 1979 and brought back William Quinn as the co-publisher. Walt Woron, the first editor of Motor Trend, joined the team as the editor. In early 1981, Jim Hall was the publisher, but by late 1981 Jay Sampson became the publisher. This is an indication of a struggling publication, and the title ended in November, 1981.
The table of contents, if available, can be seen by clicking on the icon.
CONTENT COMPLETENESS:
A total of 164 issues was printed from December, 1964 through November, 1981. Cover images are complete for this title except for: 6/81.