JIM MCFARLAND'S INFLUENCE WENT WAY BEYOND HOT ROD MAGAZINE.

Jim McFarland, the multitalented, multifaceted Texan who enjoyed several careers in the automotive performance industry, passed away in October 2023 at the age of 88.

-  DREW HARDIN

I had the privilege of working with him off and on since my Petersen Publishing career started in the mid-1980s, and I spoke to him several times about his tenure at HOT ROD.

McFarland came to HRM, and California, on a dare. In the mid-1960s he was working at the University of Texas as a part-time teacher, having completed a degree in mechanical engineering there. "I had two uncles who were professors at the College of Engineering at UT, and I was trying to follow in their footsteps." He had been a reader of HRM ever since he was a young hot rodder, "and the guys I was running with at the time said, "You like HOT ROD magazine so much, why don't you send them a story?"" He did, about a Buick engine swap he had recently done on his '55 Chevy. Not only did editor Bob Greene accept the story, but he also invited McFarland to Los Angeles for a job interview. "It was a shock," McFarland admitted. "I couldn't even believe it for a while."

McFarland rose through the HRM ranks quickly. He joined the staff as an associate editor for the November 1965 issue, was promoted to technical editor for the July 1966 issue, and then was the magazine's editor from January 1967 through April 1968.