Author Archives: Tabitha

TBD
The Octane Lounge Aug 3, 2015

Overview

Don’t wait for stories to appear in the store when you can become a member of Wheelbase Media’s weekly news service and save more than 50 percent while gaining instant access to the new features as they’re produced. Click here to get started.

If you are not a member of the media, but still wish to read this and other feature stories from Wheelbase Media, visit www.theoctanelounge.com to subscribe to Auto Shift Weekly newsmag, available for your Apple iPad or for your home PC or laptop in pdf format.

Description

It’s a global mess that involves millions of cars, their owners, Volkswagen’s financial health and reputation, and probably an entire industry that is trusted to somewhat self-regulate yet has a history of using creative ways to flout the law.
This is the tip of the iceberg.

Please contact us to order this feature.

2016 Mazda6
Aug 3, 2015

Overview

If you are not a member of the media, but still wish to check out some of our stories online, visit www.theoctanelounge.com, which is owned by Wheelbase Media.

What is Auto Edit?

Welcome to AutoEdit, a new and slightly more irreverent weekly feature from Wheelbase Media.
Rather than your pages being a collection of random auto stories, the AutoEdit feature is intended to be the glue that holds it all together. Just as your editorial page is intended to be the pulse of your newspaper, Auto Edit can also be the pulse of your auto pages.

Auto edit runs 500-550 words and is all about your readers becoming more familiar with our key staff members via their personal views on the automotive world. Of all 18 of our weekly features, AutoEdit is the only one intended to provide weekly commentary. Journalistically speaking, this is just common sense since such commentary does not belong in our other news-type features.

Whether your readers agree or disagree with what’s written, they’ll know exactly how the writers of AutoEdit stand on their chosen topics. And, quite frankly, a little spirited debate is a healthy thing and that seems to be missing from more and more newspapers these days. AutoEdit is all about soul, getting back to the basics of solid content and showing readers that there are real people behind the nine-point typeface.

Story Intro

Accolades and awards in the automobile business only go so far, it seems. Mazda has discovered this when it comes to the sharp-looking/driving Mazda6 mid-size sedan.
By all accounts, the much-decorated Mazda6 should be running with the pack leaders that include the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion and Nissan Altima, but that’s simply not the case. Each of these mid-sizers outpace Mazda’s offering, in some cases by a sales volume ratio of nearly eight to one. Even perennial back markers Kia Optima and Volkswagen Passat have the drop on the Mazda6 by a wide margin.

Please contact us to order this feature.

Shift!
Aug 3, 2015

Overview

If you are not a member of the media, but still wish to check out some of our stories online, visit www.theoctanelounge.com, which is owned by Wheelbase Media.
Use: Media professionals demanding automotive content on technology and vehicles designed to reduce pollution and save readers money.

What it is: The first “green” feature. One of our most popular new weekly features takes a look at the auto world from the unique perspective of fuel efficiency and technology as it relates to the environment, from hydrogen, hybrids, electric power and other alternative methods of propulsion. “Shift” is exactly that: a shift in thinking. What will the vehicle of tomorrow look like? Your readers can find out today in Shift. This predesigned module can be used as-is or reconfigured to fit just about any space.

Product specifications

Mac and PC page layout with accompanying text and art files for maximum work flexibility.
High-resolution artwork suitable for print.
Includes Photoshop layers file of main “Shift” art.
Multi-platform page layout opens with either Quark Xpress or Adobe Indesign.
Layout is 8″x13″, but can be reconfigured by your designer to fit most spaces.
PDF of layout included.
About 900 words: separate text file included.
Fonts are not included, but we attempt to stay with standard system fonts. If not, just change the fonts to match your style.

Please contact us to order this feature.

WordSearch
Aug 3, 2015

Overview

If you are not a member of the media, but still wish to check out some of our stories online, visit www.theoctanelounge.com, which is owned by Wheelbase Media.

Description

Use: Interactive content for media professionals looking to bolster recurring readership and increase the amount of exposure time for their products, whether print or Web.

What it is: Why are auto publications so dry and so serious? We’re living proof that car nuts have a sense of humor and want to have a little sugar on their Corn Flakes. Your readers will have fun with the “Driver ’s Seat” Word Search as they unearth people, places and events. Driver ’s Seat is just one step in making your auto product more interactive, which provides more exposure for advertisers and more revenue for all.

Product specifications

Due to the highly complicated graphic nature of this product, we do not yet offer a version that can be played online. Instead, visitors to your Web site can print out the crossword and play it at their leisure. Vote yes to having a playable online verion by clicking here.
High-resolution 300 dpi jpg CMYK file suitable for print and Web.

Please contact us to order this feature.

Shrek needed gas, but got a little magic
Aug 3, 2015

Overview

If you are not a member of the media, but still wish to check out some of our stories online, visit www.theoctanelounge.com, which is owned by Wheelbase Media.

What is Auto Edit?

Story Intro

“I have some tools in my van if you need them.”
Susan was heading over to see what was up with my stranded 1955 Chevrolet Two-Ten.
My beloved old crock, nicknamed Shrek because of its ogre-green color and sheer bulk, had been running great all day until it abruptly sputtered and died at the side of the road. My suspicion was that I had run it out of fuel, but since the gas gauge wasn’t working I couldn’t tell for sure.

Please contact us to order this feature.

AutoCross
Aug 3, 2015

Overview

If you are not a member of the media, but still wish to check out some of our stories online, visit www.theoctanelounge.com, which is owned by Wheelbase Media.

Description

Use: Media professionals demanding top-quality automotive content for their print products and/or Web sites. Professional artwork, editing.

What it is: For the auto thrill-seeker, this is one of the most unique additions to your publication. The International AutoCross will test the knowledge of your readers with trivia that scours automobile parts bins, dealer showrooms and the history of people and places that have made the automobile what it is today. Retain readers and have them coming back on a regular basis for more. Like Wheelbase’s other features, International AutoCross comes to you formatted and ready to use.

Product specifications

Due to the highly complicated graphic nature of this product, we do not yet offer a version that can be played online. Instead, visitors to your Web site can print out the crossword and play it at their leisure. Vote yes to having a playable online version by clicking here.
High-resolution 300 dpi jpg CMYK file suitable for printand Web. Postscript file also included for even higher resolution and no bitmapping of fonts.

Please contact us to order this feature.

Boyd Coddington
Legends Aug 3, 2015

Overview

If you are not a member of the media, but still wish to check out some of our stories online, visit www.theoctanelounge.com, which is owned by Wheelbase Media.

Description

During his all-too-brief life he became as synonymous with custom-car building as Mickey Mouse is to Disneyland. In fact, Boyd Coddington, best known as a modern-day blacksmith who could hammer, weld, and sculpt lumps of cold metal into hot works of rolling art, spent a part of his younger life with Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald Duck. Coddington, the man who won the coveted “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Award” seven times?

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Signing up for AAA would be easier,
but in case you didn’t . . .
Full Throttle Aug 3, 2015

Overview

If you are not a member of the media, but still wish to read this and other feature stories from Wheelbase Media, visit www.shiftweekly.com to subscribe to Auto Shift Weekly newsmag, available for your Apple iPad or for your home PC or laptop in pdf format.

Use: Media professionals looking to diversify their automotive readership with women authors who provide their views on a wide variety of topics.

What it is: Courtney Hansen, America’s favorite Garage Girl and the former host of The Learning Channel’s Overhaulin’ auto makeover show, a new-book author and the host of Spike TV’s weekend “Power Block,” has teamed up with Wheelbase Communications for this exclusive column. If you’re looking to build more regular readership and to bring more women into the pages of your print publication and Web pages with the help of a friendly and outgoing automotive celebrity, this bi-weekly column that alternates with our own Rhonda Wheeler is a must.

Product specifications

About 800-900 words; Word text file plus high-resolution art files for print and Web use.
Mac and PC layout with accompanying text and art files for maximum work flexibility.
High-resolution artwork suitable for print.
Coming soon! Multi-platform page layout that opens with either Quark Xpress or Adobe Indesign.

Description

If you looked in my trunk, you would probably wonder if I was preparing for a road-side emergency . . . or a fashion show.
Next to the extra can of oil and some flares, you’ll find a couple of jugs of bottled water, chewing gum, a couple of pairs of pantyhose, a scarf and a belt.
You see, I picked up a few tips from a mechanic friend – a MacGyver-on-wheels type (you remember that TV series, right?) who knows all the dirty little tricks to use when you’re in a bind.

Please contact us to order this feature.

2016 Mazda6
Aug 3, 2015

Overview

If you are not a member of the media, but still wish to check out some of our stories online, visit www.theoctanelounge.com, which is owned by Wheelbase Media.

What is Auto Edit?

Story Intro

By all accounts, the much-decorated Mazda6 should be running with the pack leaders that include the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion and Nissan Altima, but that’s simply not the case. Each of these mid-sizers outpace Mazda’s offering, in some cases by a sales volume ratio of nearly eight to one. Even perennial back markers Kia Optima and Volkswagen Passat have the drop on the Mazda6 by a wide margin.
But for buyers in the know, The Mazda6 is their secret weapon that deftly flies under the radar.

Please contact us to order this feature.

GMC Canyon: 2004-’12
Aug 3, 2015

Overview

If you are not a member of the media, but still wish to check out some of our stories online, visit www.theoctanelounge.com, which is owned by Wheelbase Media.

Description

The Canyon was small, but held its own against the competition, especially when it came to horsepower with either the base or optional engines. A five-speed manual transmission and an optional four-speed automatic were available on all except the V8, but the four-door crew cab came only with the automatic. Four-cylinder models equipped with the manual gearbox earned appreciably better fuel-economy ratings than the automatic, but transmission choice made little difference when it came to the five-cylinder.