Today marks my final day as Managing Editor of The Truth About Cars. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that when I forwarded a snarky letter I'd written to Car and Driver complaining about their lack of editorial direction to some guy at a web site I'd just discovered, it would lead to this. It's been a wild roller coaster of a ride, occasionally aggravating, usually entertaining and always educational – but never boring. I'm going to miss it. A lot.
The decision to leave TTAC didn't come easily. In fact it took an offer of considerably more money and some pretty sweet benefits to pull me away. (OK, so I'm a sellout.) I won't be writing a lot or working in an automotive-related field, so I'll have some adjustments to make. By far, the biggest will be going through Farago withdrawal.
I can't say enough good things about Robert Farago. Yeah, he can be stubborn, opinionated, hard to get along with and a real pain in the ass at times, but he's also one of the best persons I've ever had the honor of working with. You'll never find anyone as dedicated to anything as he is to this site. Nothing gets published that he hasn't read and approved (and usually tweaked at least a little). And yes, he really does read every single comment. Robert Farago is TTAC.
Robert liked the snotty letter I sent C/D and asked me to write something for the site. When I finally realized he was serious, I submitted my first article. I didn't think it was very good but he saw something in it, worked the Farago magic on it, published it, then asked for more. I was hooked and he knew it.
As the site grew, he approached me about being the part-time Managing Editor. I thought he'd lost his mind, but I agreed to give it a try. Then when the State of Georgia did me a favor freed me to pursue other opportunities by abolishing my position, he offered me the chance to do it on a full-time basis. My momma mighta raised an ugly child, but she didn't raise no stupid one. I jumped at the chance.
I think almost every pistonhead has a secret fantasy of being an automotive writer. I've been lucky enough to live that fantasy. And because of Robert and TTAC, I've had the chance to rub elbows with journalistic giants like Stephan Wilkinson and Brock Yates. I've also worked with some of the best writers on the web. Guys (and gal) I'm going to miss all of you. It's been a genuine pleasure. And thank you, Robert for believing in me and giving me the chance of a lifetime.
To our readers all around the world, a big word of thanks. This site wouldn't be what it is today without you. I can't count the number of times Robert and I have gotten emails expressing wonder at the quality of comments and the depth of discussion found here. And they were spot-on. You won't find another site in the blogosphere with the brilliant readers and civil discourse you'll find here.
I know TTAC will go on without me and do just fine. Justin will keep things flowing smoothly and the site will continue to grow. Hopefully some of the changes Robert's visualizing for the future will come to fruition. If so, the TTAC experience will only get better for everyone.
Yes, I'm going to miss all of this. But don't think you're getting rid of me that easily! I'll still be lurking in the shadows, making pithy comments occasionally and calling bullshit when necessary. I'll also continue doing the "By the Numbers" and inventory/sales per dealer editorials every month and working with the Ten Worst and Ten Best Auto awards. Basically, if it's a job for a spreadsheet monkey or involves a poll, I'll most likely be involved somehow.
You'll also see a review from me from time to time, so don't be surprised when you see my byline pop up. I'll no longer be here on a daily basis but I'll still be around. TTAC's like a drug — easy to get hooked on and tough to walk away from, and I'll still have to have my regular fix. So until I see you again, take care, drive smart and keep on tellin' the truth!
Back atcha, Frank. It’s been an honor.
Frank, you’ll be missed. Stick around as much as you can.
Frank, we’ll miss you and I wish you well in your post-TTAC life.
If the picture is anything to go by, you’re going to a better place!
It’s not really good bye.
I know I can still bug you on MSN for technical specs of cars that were obsolete by the time I was born . =D
What was the displacement of that Chrysler six pack again?
But yes, thanks for the contribution to TTAC.
Frank, god luck in your new job. Many thanks for your work at TTAC, and looking forward to more material from you!
I’m personally sorry to see you go, and really glad you came aboard. You’re a great writer, a smart writer and clearly a genuine car nut. You’ve helped make this site ubiquitous in my life: just last night my buddy and I were discussing an article about Chrysler trying to sell the Viper “brand” and we both immediately agreed “I can’t wait to see what the TTAC crew has to say about this!”
Best of luck, Frank, and thanks again for being a big part of the best car site in the universe.
Glad to see you’ll still be contributing, especially with “By the Numbers” which a closet numbers-geek such as myself loves. Good luck with the new job.
As we say in the UK “See ya later, mate!” :O)
Always a pleasure reading your blogs & editorials and always a pleasure arguing with you!
Good luck to you, sir. I thoroughly enjoy your writing, and look forward to your occasional contributions.
Frank, I’m a daily reader, but rarely comment. I couldn’t see you go without this post:
THANK YOU!!!!!!
Frank,
It has been a great pleasure reading your articles and your personal correspondence with me. I will miss your presence here everyday but I am glad you will contribute from time to time. Best of luck to you and yours and I’m sure I speak for RF and everyone else that you are always welcome here.
Thank you Frank for getting me started here. Its been an honor to work with you, and thank you for all the advice, whether automotive or Air Force, couldn’t have done it without you!
Frank,
Your work at TTAC has been top-notch and it’s obvious you’ll be missed by both the staff and the B&B. Thanks for helping to make TTAC what it is today, and best wishes on your new job.
Aufwiedersehen! Thanks for all your help, and all the best down the road. How can two years go by so fast? Scary.
Paul
I haven’t been with TTAC as a reader/poster for a real long time, but its now my go-to car site, and your contributions are a big part of that Frank. Best of luck.
Speaking for your fellow numbers geeks and spreadsheet rats, we grok the left-brain side of the peculiar business we all know love, and rant about. Thanks for keepin’ it real, yo. Walk steady.
Frank,
your writings are insightful, colorful, and informative. best of luck to you sir. talk sometime…reach me at 586-914-2842.
Buickman
What a big loss for us. Best of luck, Frank!
Thank you, and best wishes.
I have never seen the referenced letter to C&D. Maybe TTAC should post it? Please?
Also, has anyone else been having HTTP403 error messages recently?
Yuppie
I have never seen the referenced letter to C&D. Maybe TTAC should post it? Please?
Here ’tis:
I once had a beloved Doberman. She was smart, fiercely loyal, and my constant companion. Alas, as things tend to go, she too soon came to the end of her days. She started losing her eyesight, only wanted to lay on the couch, and in the end began having seizures and became incontinent. She was no longer the loyal companion I once knew. I knew it was time to let her go. I cried on the way home from the vet’s office.
I once had a favorite car magazine. It was smart, irreverent, fiercely independent, and it was the only source I needed for automotive information. Alas, as things tend to go, though, it fell into the mainstream. It stopped building off-the-wall project cars like Boss Wagons and dual-engine CRXs, and started reporting on overpriced tuner cars where the only price of admission is too little taste and too much money. It no longer provides in-depth road tests and analytical reports, but now wastes its efforts on flashy page layouts with no real content and 2-page-long “preview tests” written by PR departments. It once offered biting editorial content but now its editorial pages read more like term papers written by first-year engineering students. It was once the home to satirical masterpieces like the Denbeigh Super Chauvinist Saloon, the “Dan Gurney for President” campaign, and the Anti-Destination League. Now the best it can do is piddle on the couch with content like the pathetic Ford Futura wagon spoof and whining over the size of cup holders or the absence of a telescoping steering wheel. And now the bean counters are running the show, having fired Brock “The Assassin” Yates. I can’t continue to watch it slide into the pit of mediocrity. It’s time to let go. This time, though, I’m not crying.
When my subscription runs out, I won’t be renewing. I’ll check the newsstands from time to time to see if anything has changed, but I’m not holding a lot of hope for a miracle. I enjoyed my many years with Car and Driver. It’s too bad it no longer exists.
Darn, I really liked your writing.
Good bye, good luck, and don’t be a stranger.
Frank, this is a sad day.
Thank you for all of your hard work at ensuring the site’s success.
I look forward to hearing from you in the comments section.
Best of luck for your future endeavours.
Kurt
You will be sorely missed Frank. Good luck in your future job. And be sure to keep good comments coming, your only a mouse click away like the rest of us reading in our cubicles at work. Man you weren’t kidding about this site being like a drug addiction sometimes.
It’s been a pleasure reading your writings, Frank. You’ll be missed. All the best to you.
Good Luck and Godspeed.
And stay off the Connector this weekend!
Best of luck, Frank.
Good to know we’ll still see you ’round these parts, even in a reduced capacity. Hopefully TTAC will someday get big enough to make you regret the move!
Best of luck.
Frank: Thanks for everything, and best of luck.
Good luck and Godspeed!
Hmmmm
*Sheds a quiet but long tear*
Man… Frank…
Sorry to see ya go.
TTAC has some if not THEE best auto-content on nthe web. The mags are doing decently, and I only speak for R and T and CAR magazine. The rest.. I wouldnt wipe my dogs ass with.
I.. live and breathe cars. I think of them as a live unto themselves. I cant.. imagine writing and or enjoying much else.
I hope you enjoy your other endeavors. But none with be more exciting as.. forcasting the demise of some of the worst car makers in the US.
Frank,
Thanks for all the great stories. Look forward to more, don’t be scarce.
Best of luck Frank. Thanks for all you’ve done and glad you will still be writing for TTAC.
I just don`t get it, why that guy in the pic is in a car? He is either blind, or orientation challenged. never mind, I get it, behind the girl in pink bra there is his wife sitting. Or , for heaven`s sake, his mother .
Godspeed, Frank Williams.
Au revoir? C’est pas possible. mais, si vous devez aller. Bon chance!!!
an excellent “truth-telling” letter to C&D btw. thanks for sharing. and thanks for sharing you poingant thoughts, witty remarks, and colorful metaphors . . . they (and you) will be missed.
I read every review and editorial and almost every comment on this site. I almost never post. I would be remiss if I did not say that I am sorry to see you go. I always look foward to reading your work. Thanks for the TBAG and TWAT awards and all your insight. You will be missed.
Man, this sucks.
I liked reading your stuff, Frank.
Good luck in your new venture.
Best of luck! We’ll miss your insight.
Even if the news will likely be depressing, I now look forward to the next By The Numbers.
I like the letter to C/D, and feel pretty much the same about the magazine.
Glad you’ll still be around from time to time – espeically doing the “numbers” bit.
Thanks for the hard work and the pics; you know what we like. :)
Best of luck, Frank!
Frank – I think all of us have immensely enjoyed your presence here, so I hope your new duties allow you to stop in occasionally, if only as one of the many posters. I’m sure that Mr. Farago will continue to produce the best auto-content on the web, but we’ll certainly miss your slant on things.
Very best of luck in your new endeavor; it’s always nice to get a raise and be appreciated for what you do.
Frank, congratulations, but sorry to see you go. I’ll confess to not being as tuned in to the names associated with TTAC, but I consider it a must-read for anyone interested in the car biz. There is an undeniable grin I get every time I visit here. Ironically (perhaps not) this was once the core value of C&D.
One thing that is worth mentioning, is that beyond the nice letters seen here, one of the legacies of yours and Robert’s work, is that the obviously bright (and sometimes snotty) responses to every story, make for a wonderful reading experience. The quality of readers you attract, who become part of the fabric of each article, makes the old dynamic of print media seem dead, dead, dead. When the blog model works it’s a beautiful thing. And baby, this blog is work’n.