JC23
Well-known member
Don't woryy, m4, he's got enuf stuff to post pics your grand kids will see...
Above 1200 Sq/FT Restored 1930's Auto Shop
- Thread starter BB767
- Start date
Wokspaces above 1200 squarefeet.
RUMBLON
Well-known member
What a GREAT restoration. Your doing a great job. I was looking at a 7200 sq ft 1940s Art Deco era shop in Idaho for a while but I cant sell right now as home prices are way down. My dream is to restore this early 40s Chevy dealership into a personal shop. All the original signage and stuff is long gone and being a true MOPAR guy, I only want to make it into my shop but I want to restore the building to its original style, art deco columns and all.
Its still for sale, so who knows.
Great job.
Also I am assuming that you dont need sprinklers out there? The grass is grat but our west, if not not on auto irrigation---its dead!!!
RUMBLON
Its still for sale, so who knows.
Great job.
Also I am assuming that you dont need sprinklers out there? The grass is grat but our west, if not not on auto irrigation---its dead!!!
RUMBLON
Amitygravel
Well-known member
Hello Thomas !
That photo of the original signs with the McKee in the background is just about poetic. Mr Johnson would probably have been very fascinated by that machine.
Craig
That photo of the original signs with the McKee in the background is just about poetic. Mr Johnson would probably have been very fascinated by that machine.
Craig
I was unaware of that festival. I have always greatly admired Bruce McLaren and held him in extremely high regard. In fact I quoted him in my senior high school yearbook almost 40 years ago.
"To do something well is so worthwhile that to die trying to do it better cannot be foolhardy. It would be a waste of life to do nothing with one's ability, for I feel that life is measured in achievement, not in years alone." (Bruce McLaren)
I took that to heart all those years ago. It made a very distinct impression on me.
Thomas
Hello and welcome m4ff3w! Not to worry, JC23 is mostly correct. Don't know about the grand kids part but there is much more coming in the pipeline. Lots of pictures to go.
Good luck with school. Back when I was teaching college my students would ask me about employment possibilities in their field. My standard reply was, ' there's always room for one more good one'. Enjoy your time in San Antonio. The river walk there is one of my favorite places.
Thanks for taking some time to read about the old shop and dropping me a note.
Thomas
naki kid
Well-known member
Sorry about the delay in reply to your post,but I was going through my posts and saw this one,Are you a pilot,You are wellcome to look us up if you ever get to NZ but I live 250miles south of Auckland on the west coast in a city called New Plymouth.It is a 4 1/2 hour drive from Auckland on some of the most fantastic scenery in the world.If you ever come down this way just PM me and we will see what we can do.Ray.Ray, how could you possibly think such a thing?? Shocking, simply shocking!Honestly I have never done that...........right outside the shop. If such a thing were to occur, and that's a big IF, I certainly would do so at discrete distance from the shop. Good observation though.
Over the years and especially when the Johnson boys were doing a bit of high performance driving, there would be black marks allllllll over the road out front. They weren't necessarily the only ones putting them down mind you. Sometimes that was a way of communicating a bit of a challenge from a third party, so to speak. It took years for the word to filter out that the shop wasn't being used anymore, but every so often I'll still see evidence of communicating still going on out there, but I'm not going to encourage it. Keep it on the track these days.
When we take delivery of our Boeing 787's we're going to start service to Auckland next year. Might get a chance to check out the local scene down there.Thanks for writing.
Thomas
RUMBLON, don't let go of that dream!! It may not be that place and if not, another will come along when the time is right. It is truly amazing how things just seem to sort themselves out.
Correct about not needing sprinklers here. When friends from out west come to visit they always remark how lush and green everything is here. Another reason why I like it here.
Welcome to the thread, I really appreciate the kind words.
Thomas
Thanks Craig for noticing my poor attempt at photo composition.
Both objects were vintage in their own right. The McKee is 43 years old now and the sign.....who knows.
I had to hustle that shot because almost immediately after we got the car out there this rig....
...showed up. As you remember the shop is on a hill so if traffic pops over the hill they'd get to see this on their side of the road....I just put up a barricade at the top of the hill to alert them and watched for traffic. The guys were somewhat concerned about blocking traffic but I assured them it's not a problem around here. Most everybody is pretty accommodating and understanding. In fact everyone smiled and waved as they drove by.
All set to go to Lime Rock and Watkins Glen.
The Lotus went also and here are some better pictures of it.
Notice that the top of the door is pretty much even with my knee. Besides being low, if you go back to post #1538 you'll see there are lightening holes everywhere in the structure. Colin Chapman's theory of "adding lightness" is much the same for my Chevy II. I probably have the greatest power to weight ratio with it as anyone at the track. Bigger is not always better.
Thomas
No worries Ray and to answer your question, yes I am a, ahem..... commercial aviator.
We're suppose to start service to Auckland next year when we get our 787's. I'll stay on the 767 for now but it will make coming to visit that part of the world a bit easier. Count on a PM from me when I'm headed that way and remember that goes for you too if you'er headed this way. Thomas
Hi BB767. Nice shop! I admire you on what you did in your shop. I want to see more pictures. I will for the other photos.
knickick if you're looking for "other photos" this is the right spot. As you might have read, I'm gone from time to time pursuing my "day job" so there are at times a little lull in posts. I'm also doing outdoor work right now as long as the weather is good. Once it turns nasty outside I'll get back to other indoor projects. Check back here from time to time, there's always something going on it seems. Welcome.
Thomas
LPete3
Active member
Thanks for the pictures and the details of bringing this shop back to life. I check in often to see if there is anything new, usually there is. I love the attention to detail and the restoration and use of the old tools. We have an old Blackhawk s-4 I think, the one with the light on it that I thought we had scrapped a while ago. We were back in the States this summer and one of the first things I did was go to the back of the shop and there it was, I was relieved that it was still there. It needs work but still there. Looking forward to more updates.
Lynn
Lynn
markviii
Well-known member
Lynn,
Thanks for posting. I think we have 5 continents accounted for (Europe, North Amer., South Amer, Asia, Australia. I've seen someone from somewhere on the African continent on the GJ (Mozambique?), but I don't think he's posted in to our thread.
Countries represented so far (21)(I know there are more!):
France
UK (many locations)
Scotland
Switzerland
Australia (several locations)
Canada (many locations)
Sweden
Netherlands
New Zealand
Ireland
Iceland
Portugal
Hong Kong
India
South Africa
Turkey
Afghanistan
Iraq
Denmark
Philippines
Peru
Thanks for posting. I think we have 5 continents accounted for (Europe, North Amer., South Amer, Asia, Australia. I've seen someone from somewhere on the African continent on the GJ (Mozambique?), but I don't think he's posted in to our thread.
Countries represented so far (21)(I know there are more!):
France
UK (many locations)
Scotland
Switzerland
Australia (several locations)
Canada (many locations)
Sweden
Netherlands
New Zealand
Ireland
Iceland
Portugal
Hong Kong
India
South Africa
Turkey
Afghanistan
Iraq
Denmark
Philippines
Peru
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hobbitss
Well-known member
OK flightlessbird, here's Norm's car that Chris was talking about....off the rack so to speak.....
It is a McKee Mk.10 Wedge, the only one in existence, now owned by Norm Cowdrey and was indeed once owned and driven by Paul Newman in the opening sequence of the movie "Winning" and seen here, below, driven by none other than......
Chris herself
We thought it best to start her off by pushing it! I'm sure I heard her making engine noises as it rolled along
Do you suppose Mr Johnson ever envisioned a car like this in front of his shop?
Those bottom two pictures are only separated by15 years with the McKee and Studebaker in roughly the same spot.
Thomas
Some people have all of the fun....
They would have to wipe my paw prints off of all the shiny parts....
hobbitss
Well-known member
OK flightlessbird, here's Norm's car that Chris was talking about....off the rack so to speak.....
It is a McKee Mk.10 Wedge, the only one in existence, now owned by Norm Cowdrey and was indeed once owned and driven by Paul Newman in the opening sequence of the movie "Winning" and seen here, below, driven by none other than......
Chris herself
We thought it best to start her off by pushing it! I'm sure I heard her making engine noises as it rolled along
Do you suppose Mr Johnson ever envisioned a car like this in front of his shop?
Those bottom two pictures are only separated by15 years with the McKee and Studebaker in roughly the same spot.
Thomas
Some people have all of the fun....
They would have to wipe my paw prints off of all the shiny parts....
flightlessbird
Member
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2007
- Messages
- 15
As soon as I figure out how to do it I will post some photos of the McLaren orange that was on display, last summer
flightlessbird
Member
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2007
- Messages
- 15
As soon as I figure out how to, I will post some of the McLaren orange that was there.
Motown 454
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2008
- Messages
- 1,359
Thomas as all ways awesome updates.
Vernmotor
Well-known member
Well here in 2 more months this thread will be a year old...Can't believe I am still reading it LOL
markviii
Well-known member
Vernmotor,
It seems that you and a few others have long attention spans! Thanks for hanging in there with us. I can't believe we're over 390,000. Who knew garages could be so interesting?! Time flies when you're having fun.
Chris
It seems that you and a few others have long attention spans! Thanks for hanging in there with us. I can't believe we're over 390,000. Who knew garages could be so interesting?! Time flies when you're having fun.
Chris
767 great thread spent all day reading it.
As to jaso and i suppose 767 have you ever heard of red victor?
Fastest road legal car known i believe..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Victor_2
Thank you for that Wayne and for following us thus far. Wish I could sit down in 1 mammoth session and get caught up on all the posts I've got lined up. Stay tuned.
Thomas
Wow, good observation. I can't believe all the "stuff" I've yet to post either! You guys out there must be thinking will this never end??
This is coming up on one of the longest lapses I think I've had between posts.I don't want to just blow a post in here without doing it well, so please be a little more patient. I just got back from a 5 day trip and I'm soon gone on another, then the last race of the year at Martin, MI next weekend. Beautiful weather forecast BTW if anyone was thinking of coming. I'm wrapping up all my outside work for the year and then I'll be back inside following up on the ECO air meters, the Walker floor jacks, the clocks, all the treasures from the tool shed etc.
One disappointment was the fellow that was slated to take ownership and move the 2 car garage and honey house now can't use them so I'm looking for another soul who would like a free garage just for the effort to move it....
..or the honey house....
which would make a neat potting shed I think. You can send me a Private Message (PM) for more details if anyone has the need.
Anyway they can wait if need be, I just hate the thought of tearing them down. Mr.Johnson build them and I'll do my best to find them a new home. I've been pretty successful about that to date I glad to say. It helps that Philo truly is " The Center Of The Universe " which makes us equal distant from everyone and everywhere...so to speak.
Thomas
TimeWarpF100
Well-known member
Very nice job on the Shop Restoration! I have spent days reading each and every post! Just love all the old tools and equipment.
My dad ran a Gas Station in the Copper Country (Upper Michigan) Back in the 50's and always wanted a Olde Tyme Station. Hopefully the next place I buy will be the one.
My dad ran a Gas Station in the Copper Country (Upper Michigan) Back in the 50's and always wanted a Olde Tyme Station. Hopefully the next place I buy will be the one.
SportFury59
Well-known member
Just discovered this post.......wow, wow, wow.
Only got to page 2 but am going to read every one, for sure.
I bet you could schedule tours certain weekends of the summer and have a full house.
Only got to page 2 but am going to read every one, for sure.
I bet you could schedule tours certain weekends of the summer and have a full house.
rlwhitetr3b
Well-known member
You guys out there must be thinking will this never end??
We are hoping that it will not be ending any time soon.
I live in daily fear of the test! I just hope it will be open book or would that be open web?
markviii
Well-known member
I always found "open book/notes" tests to be harder for my students than a straight test. I was toying with some sort of "cheat sheet" that I would produce for you, but I think the multiple choice format (my dad, the teacher, called this "multiple guess") is the way to go. We still have lots of time - the end is not in sight, yet... I have to find a way to level the playing field for the early posters on the thread who may have forgotten some of the details and haven't had time to go back to the early posts to "review". I think this "test" may be harder (well, more time-consuming) for me to devise than for all of you to actually take! (SportFury59 and any other late joiners - rest assured you have time to catch up with your required reading before the test.) This is sure better than Sudoku any time!
Chris
Chris
rlwhitetr3b
Well-known member
I used to right "multiple guess" test which had more than one correct choice, without the "all of the above" choice. The ones correctly chosen were plus one point any correct ones not chosen or wrong ones chosen was minus one point. The students hated me!
markviii
Well-known member
rlwhitetr3b - it seems you gave the same kinds of tests my dad gave! (he called them "quests" and I suffered through many as his student over two years - the text was his as well) Or perhaps you were my social studies teacher when I was in high school 40 years ago (although he was R S White). My goal is not to write a "trick" test, just a fun review of the high points that have made this journey so engaging. Since I can't proctor the test, let your conscience be your guide!
Chris
Chris
It may have taken you a while to find us SportFury but we're glad you did. You might want to take notes for the quiz scheduled for the end.
I have had a few car clubs through the shop and several individuals coming through the area have sent PM's setting up personal tours. I'm happy to accommodate when I can. I'm sure you're correct about having a full house if I were to set up open houses. The more people the more fun it seems. I wouldn't get anything done mind you, but it would be fun.
Enjoy the read you have coming up. Hope you find it....engaging.
Thomas
Hello TimeWarp and welcome to my world. I just never tire of going out there to work. I'm drawn to all the old tools and equipment also. There are still times I can't believe it's my shop after all these years. In its present state it is very much a reflection of me I suppose and I find that most satisfying.
Best of luck finding your Olde Tyme Station. If you get one you'll never regret it I'm sure.
Now can I interest you in a nice old 2 car garage or perhaps a former honey house in the mean time?
Thomas
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56nash
Well-known member
Well you can now mark off Utah as a watcher of this thread. I have had the best time looking through this thread. I look back and wish so badly that all of the "****" thrown out of my great grandparents place was still around now. My folks bought it when I was about 8 and we spent the next 5 or so years cleaning out and hauling away things that I would find so fascinating now. Thanks for a great ride, I will come back to this one daily just to see the new finds and progress. My wife now refers to this as "Garage ****"
markviii
Well-known member
56nash,
Thanks for posting in. I'll update the state-count. Wouldn't it be cool to reach 500,000 posts and all 50 states by the one-year anniversary?
Don't you think it's more like "garage candy"? - sounds nicer! (that is, unless that chickifies it too much for Tom to keep his man-card)
Chris
Thanks for posting in. I'll update the state-count. Wouldn't it be cool to reach 500,000 posts and all 50 states by the one-year anniversary?
Don't you think it's more like "garage candy"? - sounds nicer! (that is, unless that chickifies it too much for Tom to keep his man-card)
Chris
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markviii
Well-known member
Update time from the last change on page 78:
Here's an update of the state/country list (from page 54 or 71?). If I missed you, sorry. Just let me know. I don't want to leave anyone out of the fun!
"Here is a list of states (**) that are represented so far. If you've posted, but haven't identified your location, you can PM me if you want and I'll ** the state or add the country of origin. So far 35 states have posted. (4/29/10 - we now have 37 thanks to Todd and Tom in Nebraska and West Virginia)(also welcome Jay for #38)(I can't remember who was #39, but #40 on 7/3/10 is wats56 from WY)(and #41 on 9/27/10 from NH). Only 9 more states to go! #42 UT posted in on 10/12/10.
State (& Possessions included because Tom flew there at one point in his career)
** = posted
**AL
**AK
AMERICAN SAMOA (AS)
**AZ
AR
**CA
**CO
**CT
DE
Wash DC
FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA (FM)
**FL
**GA
GUAM (GU)
HI
ID
**IL
**IN
**IA
**KS
**KY
**LA
**ME
MARSHALL ISLANDS (MH)
**MD
**MA
**MI
**MN
**MS
**MO
MT
**NE
NV
**NH
**NJ
**NM
**NY
**NC
**ND
NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS (MP)
**OH
**OK
**OR
PALAU (PW)
**PA
PUERTO RICO (PR)
RI
**SC
**SD
**TN
**TX
**UT
VT
VIRGIN ISLANDS (VI)
**VA
**WA
**WV
**WI
**WY
Countries represented so far (20)(I know there are more!):
France
UK (many locations)
Scotland
Switzerland
Australia (several locations)
Canada (many locations)
Sweden
Netherlands
New Zealand
Ireland
Iceland
Portugal
Hong Kong
India
South Africa
Turkey
Afghanistan
Iraq
Denmark
Philippines
Here's an update of the state/country list (from page 54 or 71?). If I missed you, sorry. Just let me know. I don't want to leave anyone out of the fun!
"Here is a list of states (**) that are represented so far. If you've posted, but haven't identified your location, you can PM me if you want and I'll ** the state or add the country of origin. So far 35 states have posted. (4/29/10 - we now have 37 thanks to Todd and Tom in Nebraska and West Virginia)(also welcome Jay for #38)(I can't remember who was #39, but #40 on 7/3/10 is wats56 from WY)(and #41 on 9/27/10 from NH). Only 9 more states to go! #42 UT posted in on 10/12/10.
State (& Possessions included because Tom flew there at one point in his career)
** = posted
**AL
**AK
AMERICAN SAMOA (AS)
**AZ
AR
**CA
**CO
**CT
DE
Wash DC
FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA (FM)
**FL
**GA
GUAM (GU)
HI
ID
**IL
**IN
**IA
**KS
**KY
**LA
**ME
MARSHALL ISLANDS (MH)
**MD
**MA
**MI
**MN
**MS
**MO
MT
**NE
NV
**NH
**NJ
**NM
**NY
**NC
**ND
NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS (MP)
**OH
**OK
**OR
PALAU (PW)
**PA
PUERTO RICO (PR)
RI
**SC
**SD
**TN
**TX
**UT
VT
VIRGIN ISLANDS (VI)
**VA
**WA
**WV
**WI
**WY
Countries represented so far (20)(I know there are more!):
France
UK (many locations)
Scotland
Switzerland
Australia (several locations)
Canada (many locations)
Sweden
Netherlands
New Zealand
Ireland
Iceland
Portugal
Hong Kong
India
South Africa
Turkey
Afghanistan
Iraq
Denmark
Philippines
Nuts
Well-known member
Chris and Thomas
I check this thread at least twice a week, not many threads on the net worth coming back to.
Thanks for doing this and sharing in your fun.
Nuts
I check this thread at least twice a week, not many threads on the net worth coming back to.
Thanks for doing this and sharing in your fun.
Nuts
"garage candy" instead of "Garage ****" geeze Chris come on really. We're talking manly men here not girly men. I'm sure his wife meant **** in a good way. What were you thinking?
Thomas
Hi again Nuts. It's dedicated folks like you that have helped sustain me in continuing to post here. There does seem to still be interest in our little project so I'll keep it up. Your last comment was also helpful. I'm glad that the fun Chris and I are having doing the property (and this thread!) is coming through because we are having fun out there (and here). I'm glad to share the enjoyment with others.
Thomas
henrysgarage
Well-known member
Thomas, thank you for posting your dream and reality. My dad ran a Sunoco in Ottawa, ON from about 58 to 63. He had two hoists, one drive on like yours and one with just arms. I still have a few tools that I use a bit. I was lucky years ago to buy the tire machine from another lessee (of dad's old garage) who went to a modern air tire changer, in the mid 70's I believe, and we still use it.
I remember dad using a two legged bumper screw jack to raise one side of a car to replace a tail pipe.
There was a vice you show as an iron workers vice which was used by the pipefitters until the mill closed in 2006.
I have some old test equipment that I will send you a picture in a PM, that you can have for the cost of shipping if you want them.
I could go on but for now keep the post going both with pictures and text, thanks again, Henry.
I remember dad using a two legged bumper screw jack to raise one side of a car to replace a tail pipe.
There was a vice you show as an iron workers vice which was used by the pipefitters until the mill closed in 2006.
I have some old test equipment that I will send you a picture in a PM, that you can have for the cost of shipping if you want them.
I could go on but for now keep the post going both with pictures and text, thanks again, Henry.
Hello there Henry and thank you for sharing some of your memories also. I'll bet you can remember the sound of those hoists in operation just as every time I use mine, I think back to being in there as a younger (oh, OK then, a Much younger) person and watching (and hearing) it being used. That memory just never goes away. As I've mentioned, I've several, many, a lot more posts to go on this shop, equipment and property.
Right now I'm just trying to find the magic combination for launching my Chevy II off the starting line. There are just 3 pedals and 1 shift lever, how hard can that be really??
I guess if it was easy anyone could do it. Thomas
Vernmotor
Well-known member
Thomas have you been to martin,MI before ? nice track..I had some great 60' there got runner up