OVERVIEW:
Ray Brock worked for 20 years at Hot Rod and other magazines for Petersen Publishing Company.
After his service ended with the first closure of Rod & Custom magazine in 1971, he started his own company and published
Rod Action magazine. Mr. Brock chose street rodding for his new venture, as Pete Petersen didn't necessarily like his
former employees to compete against him. Since Pete wasn't as interested in the street rod trend, Mr. Brock's choice wasn't likely to generate a
competitive response from Petersen Publishing.
Brock Publishing Company was located at 3400 Irvine Ave, Newport Beach, California. LeRoi "Tex" Smith was the editor. Other staff members included Dick Wells and Brian Brennan. Brock recruited Tex Smith from TRM Publications.
Rod Action was first printed in August, 1972. It, along with Street Rodder, really captured the energy and passion in the early street rod movement. They were both "first movers".
In late 1973, Brock sold the endeavor to Challenge Publications in the San Fernando Valley. Challenge Publications was managed by Edward Schnepf as the publisher. Challenge also published Air Classics, Sea Classics and other boating and airplane titles.
Mr. Brock was supposed to receive $5,000 for the sale but was never paid according to Tex Smith's book. Smith and Brian Brennan continued as employees of the new company. A year later (late 1974), Tex Smith left and turned over the editor role to Mr. Brennan.
The magazine was later re-titled as Street Rod Action in February, 1989.
The table of contents, if available, can be seen by clicking on the 
icon.
PUBLICATION DATA:
The publisher provided net paid circulation data to Oxbridge Communication's The Standard Periodical Directory from 1988
through 1989. Annual print volume was reported as 140,000.
CONTENT COMPLETENESS:
The publisher printed 192 issues from August, 1972 through February, 1989. Magazine covers are complete up to the date the magazine was re-titled.