Above 1200 Sq/FT Swanny's Garage Expansion Project

[Swanny1953]

Going back through this thread to check for grammar, spelling and punctuation errors (my mom was an English teacher, so it got beat into me, and I did find a few!!), I noticed I hadn’t shown the last addition to the garage.
While we were on vacation in the Bahamas in early March with Lori’s cousins, a couple of interesting vehicles popped up on Bring a Trailer. The first was a 1959 Chev Impala restomod. It was very nicely done and I decided to bid on it. I tried to be cute and “snipe” the auction in the closing seconds. However, as it was my first BaT experience, I didn’t realize there was a confirmation routine that had to be completed before a bid is accepted, and I cut it too close and the car was sold before I could confirm my bid. Oh well, live and learn. I wasn’t heartbroken as the second car that popped was actually more interesting to me. It was a 1957 Cameo pickup built as a restomod. The auction closed on my birthday and I was the final bidder at a price I thought was fair for the build. It was tough waiting a couple of weeks for the transporter to finally show up!
For those not familiar with the Cameo story, here is a Hemmings article (with links to more info) - https://www.hemmings.com/stories/chevrolets-cameo-combined-style-with-substance/ There were only 2,244 Cameos made in 1957.
Here are a couple of pics -




The truck was built by Moore’s Garage of Belfry, MT. He also built the custom chassis which uses Corvette C4 suspension components. It has the LS3/430 4L65e connect and cruise package. The interior was done by Kevin’s Upholstery which shares space with Moore’s.
This thing runs down the road great! A few weeks ago I frustrated a new gen Challenger as he was trying (without success) to run away from an old truck on one of the twisty roads in my neck of the woods!! I'm very happy with this new addition.

 

[Blackbyrd]

Love the interior on that 57, I have feeling ill be doing a truck at some point.

 

[Swanny1953]

Love the interior on that 57, I have feeling ill be doing a truck at some point.

Thanks - I like/love everything about this one.
I have had a '66 C10 sitting in the garage (now at my son-in-laws) for 25 years waiting for inspiration to attack the metal work needed to get it back into shape. I think John and I are going to wait a few years until the grandsons are of an age to get involved - hopefully, they will be excited about that prospect. As the oldest is 7, it will be a couple of years, but patience is a virtue (at least that's what I'm told)!!

 

[Jayman17]

Great job on your daughter's corvettes, I love the Cameo too! Love those mid 50's trucks, both Chevy and Ford

 

[Bob Heine]

Gary, I was 10 when the first Cameo hit the streets and I was gobsmacked. I was never able to justify a pickup with a family of four but it stuck with me. A few years later Ford and Dodge came out with the slab style pickups but the Cameo was the first I'd ever seen. When I lost my arm I was working on a '55 Bel Air hardtop convertible and my neighbor gave me the 283 from his '58 Impala. I didn't think I could handle a manual but I really didn't want a Powerglide. He found a 4-speed dual range Hydramatic transmission with a small block bellhousing and gifted that to me as well. When my new job was located a hundred miles away my dream car was left behind in its unfinished state.

 

[zmotorsports]

The paint on the Vette's turned out great Gary, awesome job.

Love the new addition to your garage as well. That Cameo is a beautiful looking ride.

 

[Swanny1953]

Gary, I was 10 when the first Cameo hit the streets and I was gobsmacked. I was never able to justify a pickup with a family of four but it stuck with me. A few years later Ford and Dodge came out with the slab style pickups but the Cameo was the first I'd ever seen. When I lost my arm I was working on a '55 Bel Air hardtop convertible and my neighbor gave me the 283 from his '58 Impala. I didn't think I could handle a manual but I really didn't want a Powerglide. He found a 4-speed dual range Hydramatic transmission with a small block bellhousing and gifted that to me as well. When my new job was located a hundred miles away my dream car was left behind in its unfinished state.

Bob, like you, I have always loved the lines of the Cameo. I think the '55 - '57 is my favorite iteration of the Chevy pickup, particularly those with the big back windows.
Oh, and about those that got away - I had a '74 Roadrunner during my college years. It was stolen from a park and ride lot while I was letting my BIL use it, later found sitting on its frame rails (read headers, which had to be replaced) and then used as a second, "fun" car until our eldest was born. I then asked my 16 year old cousin if he wanted the car ("Hell Yeah!!!"), so it went down the road. A couple of years later, he center punched a tree with the front end.
A couple of weeks ago, I got a wild hair to see if I could find a '74 on the internet. Lo and behold, I found one exactly like what I had back in the day. That's unusual in itself, as my Roadrunner had a 318 (only in that last year before unleaded gas) and the bench seat upholstery material is pretty unusual. Here's a link - https://davidsclassiccars.com/plymouth/137714-1974-plymouth-roadrunner-road-runner.html# I have sent several inquiries to the website and have not received a reply, so maybe it's just not meant to be, but some type of response would have been nice!!

The paint on the Vette's turned out great Gary, awesome job.

Love the new addition to your garage as well. That Cameo is a beautiful looking ride.

Thanks, Mike - the work on the Vette's was a labor of love!

 

[Swanny1953]

Guess I forgot to include this in the build narrative.
For years when I hand wash the cars I refuse to run through a car wash, I had to drag out my pressure washer, extension cord and water deionizer, disconnect/reconnect hoses, drain pressure washer hoses, drag everything back - you get the picture, a PITA. I have lusted for a wall mount setup since my neighbor installed one in his new garage a few years ago.
Since we had to do a bunch of Sheetrock work anyway, I asked my GC to tear apart a wall next to the garage door, put in some blocking and run hot and cold water to a mix valve. Here’s the wall torn apart and the blocking installed -

I gave the GC the dimensions I wanted blocked out figuring he would use 2x12, which he did. I didn’t think he wouldn’t **** the edges together in the middle of the blocking, but that’s what happened. Of course, I found that gap when putting up the hose reel!!!
I found the unit I wanted at Obsessed Garage, sold as a kit with all the Prevost tubing and ball valves included. I had to order another stick of tubing and an elbow after the fact for my particular install. This is the completed install -

I did run into a couple of problems with the install. First, I couldn’t get the elbow to seal. I used Teflon tape, more Teflon tape, pipe thread sealant and both in combination - no luck. So, off to The Home Depot for a replacement elbow, which of course sealed.
The second issue was self-inflicted. For whatever reason, I turned on the pressure washer with the plug in the end of the hose. Of course, with more than 1,000 psi of pressure, I couldn’t get the plug to budge!! I had to relieve the pressure by unscrewing the deionizing media canister, which ended up unseating the seal for that unit. Once I discovered that (of course, that was through another leak discovery) and got the seal reseated, it now works like a charm. Note to self - don’t turn on the pressure washer without the wand being attached!!!
One final problem, the inline circuit breaker didn’t work. Found a replacement on Amazon and all works as it should now. I’m very happy with the operation of this unit.

 

[Swanny1953]

Got the window shades back up in the new section. We repurposed windows and the shades from the old section.

That pretty much wraps up the construction related projects.

 

[zmotorsports]

Dayuuum Gary, that's a little spot of heaven right there my friend. Well done.

 

[Swanny1953]

Well ………..
I guess I have another project. With Lori staying at the eldest’s home to help with the kids tomorrow morning, I decided to head out to the lake place to finish some winterizing and pick up a few Harbor Freight purchases I made last week and forgot to bring home. At about the 2/3 point, a deer decided to cross the highway in front of me. I clipped his rear quarter with my front quarter and literally knocked the **** out of him.
It’s only body damage and I’m OK. Not happy about having to wait an hour for a tow home, but it’s just a little speed bump!

 

[Blackbyrd]

Oh my gosh!!!

I mean you are right its repairable and you are not hurt. Still hurts to see a car in that shape.

 

[Swanny1953]

Oh my gosh!!!

I mean you are right its repairable and you are not hurt. Still hurts to see a car in that shape.

You’re right, it does hurt. But, a millisecond sooner and I probably have an animal through the windshield and air bags going off!! Someone was smiling down on me!

 

[zmotorsports]

That ***** Gary. Glad you're ok, but dealing with body damage still *****.

 

[Swanny1953]

Thanks, Mike. Always hate to have a pristine car become non-pristine!!

 

[zmotorsports]

Thanks, Mike. Always hate to have a pristine car become non-pristine!!

I couldn't agree more Gary. We work so hard to keep our assets immaculate and pristine and in the blink of an eye all that can change, then the work begins.

 

[HogDude]

You’re right, it does hurt. But, a millisecond sooner and I probably have an animal through the windshield and air bags going off!! Someone was smiling down on me!

Glad you're okay Swanny.

 

[Swanny1953]

Glad you're okay Swanny.

Thanks, Bud!

 

[Swanny1953]

Last football game of the season for my eldest grandson (it was their “Super Bowl” and yes they won, back to back champions as kinder and 1st grade!!), a number of parents had train horns powered by old portable drills. Of course, my kids want one, so I do a little digging and find kits to make them. I also found it was almost cheaper to buy one already made than to sacrifice a perfectly good tool. However, my bride insisted that we use one of Bampa’s tools so he could participate in the game even though he passed more than 2-1/2 years ago.
So, I gutted his M18 hammer drill and made this -

Damn thing sure is loud!

 

[Blackbyrd]

Love it!

 

[Swanny1953]

Merry Christmas, all!! Hope you are having an enjoyable day and may the blessings of the season be upon you and yours.
One of my gifts from Lori. Just had to put it above the door to the new addition!!

 

[LXCam]

Merry Christmas to you and yours Gary

 

[Blackbyrd]

Love the sign/mantra

Merry Christmas

 

[Swanny1953]

Merry Christmas to you and yours Gary

Love the sign/mantra

Merry Christmas

Thanks, guys! Since we've completed 2 additions to the original garage, I obviously embrace this sentiment!!

 

[TX4runner]

Merry Christmas. So when is the next addition planned.

 

[Swanny1953]

Merry Christmas. So when is the next addition planned.

Another addition would probably be difficult to accomplish. If needed, I can put another double lift in, and there's room to put another single lift beside it. That would allow for storage of 8 vehicles in that space. No plans for that any of that now, but options exist!
But, as someone famous probably said, all good plans go awry in time, regardless of good intentions!!!

 

[larry4406]

WOW!

Just found this! Nice garage additions and car collection!

 

[Swanny1953]

WOW!

Just found this! Nice garage additions and car collection!

Thanks, Larry! It's been a journey which hopefully continues on. Headed to Barrett-Jackson next month with friends - nothing on the shopping list per se, but you just never know . . . . . . . .

 

[LXCam]

Gary will you be staying a few days for BJ?

 

[Swanny1953]

Gary will you be staying a few days for BJ?

We fly in Wednesday the 22nd and will be attending the auction Wed - Sat. Lori has cousins in Anthem we will be staying with after the auction until we head home on the 30th.

 

[LXCam]

Well if you two would be up for a quick breakfast or coffee one morning it’d be my treat and a real pleasure to shake hands.

There’s a place just a couple stop lights north of the 101 on Tatum that has excellent food.

TRYST CAFE PHOENIX​

21050 N. Tatum Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85050

 

[Swanny1953]

Cam, let me see how the schedule shakes out - would love to connect. I'll send you a DM once I have more G2 on the trip and activities.

 

[TX4runner]

Full week planned at BJ.................We'll see how long that shopping list stays blank. You're registering as a bidder? Looking forward to see what happens to follow you home lol

 

[Swanny1953]

Yeah, going as a bidder. As my CEO partner liked to say, not doing so would be “like strolling a **** beach with a 2” pecker!” What’s the fun in that? Besides, both the bride and I get 8 drink tickets a day!!! I understand the skepticism, and can only say “We’ll see!”

 

[Swanny1953]

Smart *** Christmas gift from my “considerate” bride -

 

[Swanny1953]

Because the ceiling height in the original portion of my garage is only 10’, I can’t walk under every thing I put on it and have to result to a stool quite often.

Even so, there are times where clearance is at a premium even using the stool.
I bought one of these -

To avoid getting more of these -

It’s a bump cap. It has a thick plastic liner inside the cap. Think of it as steel toed boots for your head!!

 

[Swanny1953]

The last time I took the '65 GTO to dinner, I noticed all the lights were pulsing. I also noticed a pulsing squeal in the engine compartment that didn't vary with RPM. The pulsing of the lights and the squeal were in sync. A cursory inspection with the guys at dinner couldn't isolate the noise, so I bought a decibel meter to see if it would help me. Not so much - couldn't find any pulsing readings anywhere.
Had the charging system tested and both the alternator and voltage regulator showed as being defective. So, today I struggled with getting the alternator out (the mounting system between it and the power steering pump could be more user friendly), exchanged and reinstalled and the alternator the voltage regulator was also swapped out under warranty. The alternator was also under warranty, but I upgraded to a Powermaster unit so was out a bit for the upgrade. Everything's buttoned back up, but it's too damn cold here to take it for a spin for a couple of days.


Even though I won’t be taking it out soon, I used my M12 inflator to check and fill up the tires. This is a great little tool!!

 

[zmotorsports]

I'm not gonna lie Gary, I've smacked my head a few times on a lift arm, and it's jarred my thoughts from my ideas.

 

[HogDude]

The last time I took the '65 GTO to dinner, I noticed all the lights were pulsing. I also noticed a pulsing squeal in the engine compartment that didn't vary with RPM. The pulsing of the lights and the squeal were in sync. A cursory inspection with the guys at dinner couldn't isolate the noise, so I bought a decibel meter to see if it would help me. Not so much - couldn't find any pulsing readings anywhere.
Had the charging system tested and both the alternator and voltage regulator showed as being defective. So, today I struggled with getting the alternator out (the mounting system between it and the power steering pump could be more user friendly), exchanged and reinstalled and the alternator the voltage regulator was also swapped out under warranty. The alternator was also under warranty, but I upgraded to a Powermaster unit so was out a bit for the upgrade. Everything's buttoned back up, but it's too damn cold here to take it for a spin for a couple of days.


Even though I won’t be taking it out soon, I used my M12 inflator to check and fill up the tires. This is a great little tool!!

My Christmas present this year was the JACO ElitePro Digital Tire Gauge. 0-200 psi with accuracy of 0.5%
Color me impressed. Reads in 1/10 psi increments. I fill the tire to about 1 psi above the desired pressure and then use the release valve to lower to the actual number. Performance is outstanding. Price is very reasonable (about $30) and shipping is free.

 

[Swanny1953]

Today I pulled the rear wheels off the Cameo for polishing. As I was walking by, something didn’t seem quite right -

Yes, the end link for the upper four bar disintegrated! Don’t know that I would have seen this had I not taken the wheels off! I found replacements on eBay and they should be here late next week.
Just another day in the old car hobby!!