Mark's Monster Garage....3800 sq ft
- Thread starter IGO2XS
- Start date
I was making great time on the exterior paint work on the garage until the main lift cylinder on my lift failed. I was about 24 feet in the air and the seal blew and sent me back down pretty quick. Luckily I had a big tarp under the lift so I didn't get much oil on the paver bricks. The lower cylinder pin was 1 1/4" and I bet I hit that pin 100 times with my 3 lb sledge. It was seized up and I ended up using a 3' pipe wrench with a 2' cheater on it to try to twist along with hitting it. I got it but felt like I was on the farm. It happened 1 day before Christmas and its taken 10 days to get it rebuilt because of the holidays. I decided not to waste time waiting for it and started on the cabinets in my garage. I have quite a few of these big cabinets with roll out drawers. Everything from detail supplies to tools, parts ect. With help from my side kick we have started removing the stuff from the roll out drawers, pulling the drawers out and cleaning each one thourally. We clean the inside of the cabinet as well before re installing the drawers. I have a trash can handy as I am getting ride of "stuff" I don't need and stuff I didn't know I had. The inside of the garage is going to get painted too along with the floor in time. I am really on a mission to refresh the garage and bring it back to more of a show place than a working shop. My car builds are getting too expensive and I can't afford myself anymore.
casmurbax
Well-known member
Hi Mark, glad the cylinder fail was not more serious and that you are ok for the most part.
I hear you about he holidays and people taking time off.... I took 2 weeks off, not looking forward to going back in, I did see that have several emails to go through.
I wish my cabinets were that clean and not packed full.
Are you going to redo the faux brick work wall as well?
Have you been driving the Lincoln at all?
I hear you about he holidays and people taking time off.... I took 2 weeks off, not looking forward to going back in, I did see that have several emails to go through.
I wish my cabinets were that clean and not packed full.
Are you going to redo the faux brick work wall as well?
Have you been driving the Lincoln at all?
My cabinets were packed full between too much stuff and a lack of organization. It feels good to have a good cleanse of my cabinets and to get rid of **** I dont need. The faux brick wall is still in great shape less getting the dust off. I will be primarily focusing on painting the walls and the floor. I am on the fence about painting the ceiling and if I choose to paint it it would get painted before everything else. I will definitely be renting a vertical lift for as long as I need it.
I just got the Lincoln a front end alignment last week so I will be driving it more. I also had a few punch item things to do on the air ride to tighten things up a bit. I am looking forward to taking it to a show here in Sarasota this coming Saturday at the University Town Square Mall. Its a local show but I bet there are at least 500 cars in attendance.
casmurbax
Well-known member
Nothing wrong with a little cleansing in regards to what you are holding onto and actively using.
That's good to hear about the Lincoln and that is a good size car show.
Looks like you would want a lift for the walls even. Would you be rolling that or spraying it?
That's good to hear about the Lincoln and that is a good size car show.
Looks like you would want a lift for the walls even. Would you be rolling that or spraying it?
SamYoung
Well-known member
Glad to see you posting again over here Mark. I do love seeing your over the top builds, but I can't imagine the financial burden of having multiple of those in process constantly. I can definitely see why you'd want to slow down with them. I feel the garage hasn't been a show place since back around when you let go of the Willy. It'll be fun to see the shift.
I personally enjoy seeing you do the less crazy builds that you built mostly in house with some neighborly help more. I like builds that are not so expensive that you feel the need to trailer them to shows. More OEM+ restoration rather than full custom cruiser/street rod. Something you can genuinely just drive around and enjoy, but still interesting enough to turn a couple heads.
I personally enjoy seeing you do the less crazy builds that you built mostly in house with some neighborly help more. I like builds that are not so expensive that you feel the need to trailer them to shows. More OEM+ restoration rather than full custom cruiser/street rod. Something you can genuinely just drive around and enjoy, but still interesting enough to turn a couple heads.
Wow you really put a smile on my face. The cost factor has been a little overwhelming at times and I will be glad to stop the money train. You nailed it on the next phase! Example 70 Nova, I love the painted steel wheels with the dog dish hub caps. Big tire on back, smaller on front to get that right stance. LS3, stock interior, update guages.....etc. More simple!!
Looking forward to posting the garage update as they come. I just finished painting the tower today as I got my lift cylinder back this morning. Appreciate your reply.
Although purging and organizing is a somewhat painful process, it's very rewarding. A major source of irritation for me when working on projects is clutter or disorganization, and I've worked very hard over the years to be organized. There are some tools/things I reach for that I know still require more attention, but I do get a lot of compliments from people regarding organization.
Many items I purged I had forgotten I had them. LOL I finished painting the front of the garage and down the sides. I know its hard to tell from the pictures but it looks so much better. The only part not painted is 2 long walls across the back of the garage. I will paint them as well when I get another window of time. I captured a photo on the Lincoln on parked in front of the house. I think this picture says it all............its all about the suicide doors.
My problem is trying to remember what I purged, so I don't lose my **** when I can't find some obscure part I was looking for.
Swanny1953
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Mark, just stunning. Love the faithful nod to the old Lincoln wheels/hubcaps in the custom wheels you had made for this project. Well done, sir!
Looking forward to progress reports on the Vette.
Looking forward to progress reports on the Vette.
casmurbax
Well-known member
Mark, that Lincoln looks beautiful.
Boostingaz
Well-known member
I am usually not a fan of "big body" cars but I'd rock that any day! Absolutely beautiful car! Even the color is on the wild side for me but the car pulls it off, and does it damn well 
I still would like to have an old caddy some day but I don't think I'll top the lincoln. thanksI am usually not a fan of "big body" cars but I'd rock that any day! Absolutely beautiful car! Even the color is on the wild side for me but the car pulls it off, and does it damn well
Bob Heine
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Mark, based on the suicide door comment, you'd have to start with a Cadillac Eldorado Brougham.
Maybe this one? They came with air ride suspension from the factory so there's that....
Bob Heine
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Mark, I'm with Gary on this as well. I believe the stock tire size on those Lincoln Continentals was 915x15 and that's around 29 inches tall. You got rid of all that black and white sidewall and improved the visual impact with the darker color and just enough shiny metal. What a masterpiece!
Mark, based on the suicide door comment, you'd have to start with a Cadillac Eldorado Brougham.
Maybe this one? They came with air ride suspension from the factory so there's that....
I like that Cadillac Eldorado! In the Cadillacs I like the hardtop better than the rag top. The condition of the chrome is really important as the cost of chrome has skyrocketed. It would have to have air ride though
I either like car lifted or lowered..............no in between. Those are 40" tires on the dually.
Boostingaz
Well-known member
I like that Cadillac Eldorado! In the Cadillacs I like the hardtop better than the rag top. The condition of the chrome is really important as the cost of chrome has skyrocketed. It would have to have air ride though
Nice! Is that a vinyl wrap on the top of the cab for the accent black? I want to do that same black cab top scheme on my 450.
Bob Heine
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Mark, "General Motors (GM) produced 704 Cadillac Eldorado Broughams between 1957 and 1958. This limited-edition, hand-built car was a status symbol for the wealthy and famous." Ford's hand built 1956-7 Lincoln Mark II at $10,000, and GM's 1957-8 Cadillac Eldorado Broughham at $13,074 both lost money on every one they sold.I like that Cadillac Eldorado! In the Cadillacs I like the hardtop better than the rag top. The condition of the chrome is really important as the cost of chrome has skyrocketed. It would have to have air ride though
It has a brushed stainless steel roof, forged aluminum wheels and a 325 [or 335] HP, 10:1 compression ratio with dual 4-barrel [or tri-power] carburetors. Like the Lincoln 4-doors with rear suicide doors, there's a pillar in the middle but the Caddy's is a bit shorter. No way they could build a convertible 4-door on that X-frame chassis. To me, the front and rear are awesome. But so is the side when the windows are up, down and the doors open. It had so many features that were ahead of their time, but some, like the power vent windows, cigarette box and cocktail cups are unique to its time.
This one was supposedly purchased by Coco Channel and is a 54,000 mile survivor in Arizona. It's a '58 so it has tri-power instead of the dual 4-barrels of the '57. Like you said, the chrome trim is critical and the description of the car indicates a couple of emblems were not put on the car during construction. It still has the cosmetic and cocktail cups accessories in the glove box. At some point in its life, the air suspension was replaced with coil springs but replacement parts are still available.
https://classicpromenade.com/for-sale/1958-cadillac-eldorado-brougham-4/
Unless it has been swapped out like this one, all of these Cadillac Eldorado Broughams came with air ride as standard equipment but you'd have to update the controls to be able to adjust the ride height to anything higher or lower than standard. It automatically adjusted the ride height regardless of the load the car was carrying. Also, the engine driven air pump is pretty big.
GM actually offered air ride as an option on all its 1958 passenger cars. I rode in a '58 Bel Air that had that feature. Six of us piled into the car and it lifted itself back up as soon as the engine started. When the system developed a leak, the car would slowly drop down onto the bump stops when parked. Ford put air ride on the 1988 Lincoln Continental Signature Series. A few years later I'd spot the occasional one driving down the road on its bump stops.
Found a press kit for the Cadillac from back in the day:
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Wow Bob that is quite the car. I dont every remember seeing this model. My dad started driving Cadillacs in 1970 when he bought a coupe deVille. I loved going to the Cadillac dealership. I told my parents I wanted to be a mortician because I wanted to have a Fleetwood 75 limo. LOL
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I either like car lifted or lowered..............no in between.
I am the exact same way. I like them with a few inches of lift or in the weeds, not much in between. I have a 6" RCD suspension lift on my 2006 CCSB 2500HD Silverado and a few months ago I was contemplating lowering it back down to stock with maybe a leveling kit on the front so it would be easier to get in/out of the bed as I get older. I mentioned it to the wife and she said "absolutely NOT!" So, I guess I'll leave it as is and I'll just have to figure out how to throw my walker in the back as I get older.
I'm 67 and still driving lifted trucks. I had a 40 year old approach me last week when he saw my truck and he said "WOW an old man in a lifted truck"! I told him that he could only wish to be as cool as me when he gets to be my ageI am the exact same way. I like them with a few inches of lift or in the weeds, not much in between. I have a 6" RCD suspension lift on my 2006 CCSB 2500HD Silverado and a few months ago I was contemplating lowering it back down to stock with maybe a leveling kit on the front so it would be easier to get in/out of the bed as I get older. I mentioned it to the wife and she said "absolutely NOT!" So, I guess I'll leave it as is and I'll just have to figure out how to throw my walker in the back as I get older.
Swanny1953
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Way too funny, Mark!! I’m 71 and the same way. My Jeep -I'm 67 and still driving lifted trucks. I had a 40 year old approach me last week when he saw my truck and he said "WOW an old man in a lifted truck"! I told him that he could only wish to be as cool as me when he gets to be my age
gilr
Well-known member
I'm 77 and still drive this and will as long as i can still climb in and out. It's a blast!
Scuderia-F1
Well-known member
I am the exact same way. I like them with a few inches of lift or in the weeds, not much in between. I have a 6" RCD suspension lift on my 2006 CCSB 2500HD Silverado and a few months ago I was contemplating lowering it back down to stock with maybe a leveling kit on the front so it would be easier to get in/out of the bed as I get older. I mentioned it to the wife and she said "absolutely NOT!" So, I guess I'll leave it as is and I'll just have to figure out how to throw my walker in the back as I get older.
casmurbax
Well-known member
How is the painting going in the garage?
Progress on the corvette?
Progress on the corvette?
.As of yesterday the Corvette was primed. I kind of like the grey color of the primer but it will go back white. This was an epoxy primer and we will let it cure for a few weeks then it gets blocked and then painted. Its been a slow painful process but it is in the hands of my people. Wish me luck!! By the way the rear wide body fenders really show in the front view of the corvette. I have about 60 lineal feet of the garage in the back to paint but as its 16' tall I will get a vertical lift to paint it since there is concrete to drive on. I have all the fluorescent fixtures in the RV garage to swap out to the LED bulbs so I will rent the lift to do both projects. I looked at buying a lift because it seemed like it would be handy to have but it would take up floor space to store it and since I am trying to minimize "stuff" I will stick to renting when I need it.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Corvette is looking great.
Damn, I miss having a place to paint.
Damn, I miss having a place to paint.
casmurbax
Well-known member
Thak's for the update.
Corvette does look great so far....
Corvette does look great so far....
I dont think I ever shared about the perimeter wall damage we had a few years ago. I dont remember the name of the hurricane but it blew 2 two trees down damaging 2 wall panels (one on either side of the property) and broke them. This wall surrounds our 4 acres and is 6' tall. The posts are precast 18x18 concrete posts 9' long with 3' in the ground poured with concrete. The wall panels are precast 20' long and 6' tall and they slide down the channels in the posts Unfortunately the original company was out of business and it took 6 months for another firm to come out and tell me they wanted $27K to replace two posts and 2 panels. I said 
and considered my options.....block and stucco, foam, etc and couldnt pull the trigger because it just didnt feel right.
I have a buddy by the name of Max and over the last 20 years he has done all kinds of crazy fabrication work. He said lets build it!! He said we can build two sets of forms and pour them at once. Its taken 8 months as four 20' long forms are huge and they have to be straight. I think each form weighed about 500 lbs. Then there was the rebar and the structure which was a job in itself. Finally last week we poured the walls and I am very happy with the outcome. There were a few small voids in the wall pour but a little stucco will smooth it out. Now I have these huge forms to deal with............on one set I am going to try to dismantle and I will keep the second set of forms just in case. Oh and please check out the rebar. Max welded some stainless steel spacers to the rebar that kept the rebar in the center of the form while pouring.
I am pretty proud of this accomplishment because of the skill level and difficulty. This is what I miss so much being in business because I really embrace challenges. I almost feel like i should still be working because i just dont want to stop! I'm 68 now and still have the motivation and strength to tackle just about anything.
and considered my options.....block and stucco, foam, etc and couldnt pull the trigger because it just didnt feel right. I have a buddy by the name of Max and over the last 20 years he has done all kinds of crazy fabrication work. He said lets build it!! He said we can build two sets of forms and pour them at once. Its taken 8 months as four 20' long forms are huge and they have to be straight. I think each form weighed about 500 lbs. Then there was the rebar and the structure which was a job in itself. Finally last week we poured the walls and I am very happy with the outcome. There were a few small voids in the wall pour but a little stucco will smooth it out. Now I have these huge forms to deal with............on one set I am going to try to dismantle and I will keep the second set of forms just in case. Oh and please check out the rebar. Max welded some stainless steel spacers to the rebar that kept the rebar in the center of the form while pouring.
I am pretty proud of this accomplishment because of the skill level and difficulty. This is what I miss so much being in business because I really embrace challenges. I almost feel like i should still be working because i just dont want to stop! I'm 68 now and still have the motivation and strength to tackle just about anything.
Johnno
Well-known member
very nice work! heck of a "lil" project. I worked for a house foundation company years ago here in the northeast so I can appreciate the work you did there.
casmurbax
Well-known member
Great job on the wall. Interesting on how it was done.
casmurbax
Well-known member
Hey Mark any updates on all your projects?
SamYoung
Well-known member
Hey Mark, are you going to have any of the vehicles up at Good Guy Nationals this year? I know the Corvette isn't done but curious if the van might come back out or if I'd get to see the Lincoln in person.