Special credit: I’d like to thank Puchverkstan.se for uploading digital versions of every PuchJournalen issue.
Puchjournalen 14
When the most noteworthy thing to talk about is an ad for acne cream, you know this issue’s not going to have much going for it.
Because yes – there’s an ad for acne cream in this issue:
However, this one is relevant, unlike the wart removal cream ad in issue 13.
After all, acne is a struggle for many teenagers. I’m not sure how effective this particular brand is, but the ad seems relevant to the target audience.
It’s also important to note that helmets became compulsory for moped riders in Sweden on September 1st, 1978 (when this magazine was released). Because of this, this issue has an entire page dedicated to helmets:
Puchjournalen 15
There’s more bicycle-related information in this issue than in previous editions – there are four entire pages dedicated to Puch bicycles.
Interestingly, Puch started out as a bicycle company before they started making mopeds and scooters.
But there are still sections about mopeds – in the form of a tutorial about doing a paint respray. It even comes with a coupon for paint and a helpful paint cheat sheet.
Or at least, I’m sure it was helpful in print form. In digital format, the text has more pixels than a Sega CD game. If you can read any of this, consider yourself lucky:
The most interesting part of this magazine is the back cover, where they talk about the United States and mention how the moped has become more popular.
Of course, this was about two decades before The Moped Army (or The Decepticons, as they were originally known as) were formed.
Did you know that back in 1979:
- The Puch Maxi was the most popular moped in America?
- There was no age to ride a moped in the state of Indiana?
- There were 8 different Puch models available for the American market?
Puchjournalen 16
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No – it’s Puch Man! But who is Puch Man?
In a nutshell, “Puch Man,” (AKA “Puchmannen”) is some superhero. But what are his powers?
I don’t know because they don’t announce them. And that’s because this is a contest.
Yes. This is a contest where people are supposed to give a backstory to Puch Man, including superpowers and his mission in life.
However, even if they bring it up again when they announced the winners in Issue 17, they never mentioned who Puchman was or even superpowers were.
And just like Issue 15, there’s a part in the back where they talk about mopeds in other countries – and this time, it’s Germany’s turn (specifically, West Germany, since the Cold War was still on at the time).
Did you know:
- There are 3 different moped classes in Germany?
- MOFA – top speed of 25 km/h & pedal start
- MOPED – top speed of 40 km/h & pedal start
- MOKICK – top speed of 40 km/h & kickstart
Puchjournalen 17
If helmets were the next thing moped riders had to know about, this issue raises the question about moped rider licenses.
In particular, there’s this article about this school called “Snyggatorpsskolan” in the small Swedish town of Klippan, where the students could take moped riding classes – certificate included.
Sure, this diploma isn’t a license, but I can’t help but envy these students – this is the kind of school that I wish that I could have gone to.
And once again, the back cover follows the recurring theme of talking about mopeds in other countries – and this time, it’s Spain’s turn.
Did you know that back in 1979:
- Spain required all mopeds (known as “ciclomotores” in Spanish) to have pedals?
- Puchs made up 1/4 of all registered mopeds in Spain?
A sneak peek at what’s to come in Issues 18-20:
- Which Puch did the Royal Mail use as delivery vehicles?
- The editor lashes out – against his own readership
- Puch bicycles – made from pure gold
