Between 705 & 1200 SQ/FT I'd love to have a shop that looked like this.

[roger55]

Re: Just for interest...

GREAT looking shop and ideas. Love it. I have a nice size shop, its 4200 sq ft.
I too have long been into the gas pumps, coke machine ect and have a 40-50s style diner inside the home. My issue is trying to decide what to build over this.
YOU SEEM PRETTY CREATIVE, ANY IDEAS? My original shop was a 1700 plus sq ft front shop, which youc an see. I later attached a 50x50 to the back, which you can kind of see in one pic.
Thanks for the ideas, now I have to change up the front to give it the gas station look.
Dave
RUMBLON

Dave,
I sent you a PM.
Sorry, it took me so long to respond. I see you started a new thread with this also. I will be following,
Thanks for the compliments.

Edit:
For others, here is the link to his thread:
Rumblon's Thread

 

[ckgdrums]

Very nice build, Roger. Very nice, indeed.

 

[Call me the Breeze]

Roger, Your place is so cool. You have done an excellent job on it. Been watching this thread for a while now, I just had to chime in. AWESOME ! especially when you post starts off as a dream, and then becomes a reality

 

[mgroshong]

Just read the whole thing, and i have to say this is one of the nicest themed garages i have even seen. Doesn't hurt you actually work in it. haha

 

[galute]

WOW! That is one awesome shop. You did a great job on it Roger. It really brings back some memories for me. When I was a kid in the 60's my Dad was the proprietor of a Texaco station similar to your's. I remember when I was 10 or so I went out to the pumps to fill the tank on a friend of my Dad's 58 Chevy pickup. When I was done he gave me my first tip. A Dime! Holy cow I was a rich man. Thanks for the memories and inspiration for my own build.

 

[JC23]

Hey Roger,

What's been going on at your place? Anything new to report? Any changes? Inquirring minds want to know.

Better yet, do you have any thoughts on anything you'd do different with your awesome shop?

I ask cuz your place is the inspiration for the one growing in my brain. Hope to make one a lot like yours in few years.

 

[roger55]

Hey Roger,
What's been going on at your place? Anything new to report? Any changes? Inquirring minds want to know.
Better yet, do you have any thoughts on anything you'd do different with your awesome shop?
I ask cuz your place is the inspiration for the one growing in my brain. Hope to make one a lot like yours in few years.

Thank you!

Well, I am still in the middle of the restomod on my '55 Bel Air Sport Coupe. Got the body back on the frame now. Gotta get the doors and fenders on soon. I want to be done painting the car by next spring.

I've taken a while to think about your question on doing anything different but honestly, I really can't think of anything at all. It's really working out just the way I had hoped it would.

Glad I can be of help to your inspiration. Be sure to start a thread on yours once you get some ideas down on paper. Notice I started this thread over a year before I broke ground.

 

[JC23]

Thanks, Roger.

That Fiver is looking GOOD!

Good to know all is well!

 

[On Edge]

The 55 is looking great. Did/are you doing the paint yourself?

 

[Call me the Breeze]

Any Updates? this thread is way too cool to be left behind

 

[roger55]

Any Updates? this thread is way too cool to be left behind

Thanks!
Not any real news in relation to my shop. I am getting a quote for solar screens for the windows on the south and west walls.
I also think I'll put in some in-wall speakers for my stereo system. But, I don't know when I'll get to that. Pretty much all my free time know is spent on the '55 project.

That Fiver is looking GOOD!
Good to know all is well!

The 55 is looking great. Did/are you doing the paint yourself?

Thanks Guys. Yes, I do all my own paint work. I'm going with base/clear on the '55. I just bought an Iwata LPH-400 paint gun. It sure makes a difference. The clear coat on the dash is as-shot. No cutting or buffing at all.

I'm taking a break from the body work now and working on exhaust, brake hook-ups and cold air intake. Got the radiator in too.

A couple of shots:

 

[andersen24]

Thank you!

Well, I am still in the middle of the restomod on my '55 Bel Air Sport Coupe. Got the body back on the frame now. Gotta get the doors and fenders on soon. I want to be done painting the car by next spring.

I've taken a while to think about your question on doing anything different but honestly, I really can't think of anything at all. It's really working out just the way I had hoped it would.

Glad I can be of help to your inspiration. Be sure to start a thread on yours once you get some ideas down on paper. Notice I started this thread over a year before I broke ground.

Had you already wet sanded the dash here? That is some BEAUTIFULLY laid down paint!!!!

 

[roger55]

Had you already wet sanded the dash here? That is some BEAUTIFULLY laid down paint!!!!

Thanks and no. That is as shot. I have to thank the Iwata LPH-400 for getting the clear to lay down like that.

Btw, the clear is Southern Polyurethane's Universal Clear and my Iwata gun settings were suggested to me by a pro on their forum.

The base coat is Pro-Spray in original '55 Regal Turquoise.

 

[Wardrum]

Roger, I thought I read somewhere (TriFive maybe?) that you were going LS power. Did I get that wrong or did you change your mind? Anyway, beautiful shop....and the '55 is looking super. Way to go on both projeccts.....

 

[roger55]

Roger, I thought I read somewhere (TriFive maybe?) that you were going LS power. Did I get that wrong or did you change your mind? Anyway, beautiful shop....and the '55 is looking super. Way to go on both projeccts.....

Thanks!
You are correct. I had seriously considered putting an LSx in my '55 and posted a few questions about it over on TriFive.com.
However, I opted for a new Ram Jet 350. It came down to 2 things. One was the fact that the torque curve in the lower rpm range (1,500 - 4,000 rpm) of the Ram Jet is better than an LS1 and very close to an LS3. I am wanting a highway cruiser so the Ram Jet will be great with the 3.55 gears and the wide ratio T56 Magnum 6 speed that I chose. The second reason was the nostalgic looks of the Ram Jet. The FI unit kind of has the look of the ones used in that era (starting in '57).

 

[Falcon67]

I had forgotten all about this thread. When it floated back to the top, I was struck at how close it is to my pencil sketches for a new shop. I stole most of the pics off the thread - thanks for the detail LOL! When I get closer to starting the new shop I may beg for an invitation to drive down from Merkel and give your car hut the hairy eyeball. It's turned out very nice, looks like a great get-a-way.

If you have any other detail pics on your foundation layout, I'd really appreciate copies if you choose to share.

 

[roger55]

I had forgotten all about this thread. When it floated back to the top, I was struck at how close it is to my pencil sketches for a new shop. I stole most of the pics off the thread - thanks for the detail LOL! When I get closer to starting the new shop I may beg for an invitation to drive down from Merkel and give your car hut the hairy eyeball. It's turned out very nice, looks like a great get-a-way. If you have any other detail pics on your foundation layout, I'd really appreciate copies if you choose to share.

Thanks Chris!
Plagiarize as much as you would like. Go ahead and start a build thread like I did. Notice that I started my thread more than a year before I broke ground. You will get lots of advice and ideas by doing that.
You bet, let me know when you're in town. Just don't expect my shop to be as neat and tidy as it is in the pics. Sometimes I get a little messy when I've got a project going.
Here's a link to all the pics I have online:

New Gas Station Workshop

www.hotrodders.com

If there are some details that you need to ask about that you don't see there, feel free to ask. I do have a lot more pics that I took during the process.

 

[Hardware]

there's about a hundred of these lights at work...someday i'm going to figure out how to relocate them

Relocate them To PA!

 

[Falcon67]

Thanks much, there's a good selection on the link. I'll get to do more detail planning when we finally get moved. It was just cool that my sketches had doors on the long wall, bench on the short end wall, etc. Must be some "subliminal texacology" working here. I'm not sure the neighbors would like a Gulf station facing the road. I have options though....

 

[BUGTHUG]

I just read thru all 17 pages, couldn't put my computer down, very nice job. I have a small collection of gas station memobrillia, and was thinking the one sign you need is a REGISTERED REST ROOM a Texaco dealer service sign. Great job.

 

[jimini]

WOW, just caught up, came out great. really like the signs over the bay doors, litttle jealous.....need details. Great Build!!!

 

[roger55]

WOW, just caught up, came out great. really like the signs over the bay doors, litttle jealous.....need details. Great Build!!!

Thank you for the compliments.

I got the letters from www.signlettersonline.net. They are 5" formed plastic sign letters in Helvetica bold.

 

[Arnee]

Very nice build, Roger. Both your shop and the car. Very nice, good luck with your 55-.

//AA

 

[magnusk750]

there's about a hundred of these lights at work...someday i'm going to figure out how to relocate them

Lights like these fetch up to 350-400$ in antique shops in Stockholm, Sweden. I was lucky to get three for free from an old forgery, but a hundred is more...

 

[e-tek]

Thanks and no. That is as shot. I have to thank the Iwata LPH-400 for getting the clear to lay down like that.

Btw, the clear is Southern Polyurethane's Universal Clear and my Iwata gun settings were suggested to me by a pro on their forum.

The base coat is Pro-Spray in original '55 Regal Turquoise.

Just went through your thread again. Hope you don't mind if I used a pic of your shop on my site under "Garage Gallery"!
Also, thanks for documenting your build here. I learned all about SPI coatings tonight!!

 

[roger55]

Just went through your thread again. Hope you don't mind if I used a pic of your shop on my site under "Garage Gallery"!
Also, thanks for documenting your build here. I learned all about SPI coatings tonight!!

Thanks! Don't mind a bit. Although, in the picture you linked to, the shop isn't quite finished yet.
I think if you try the SPI products you will be pleased. It's high end quality for much better prices than the majors. And, having it's own forum is really cool.

 

[5lima30]

+1 on the "filling station theme", the only thing different I would like to see, being from the South, is a Gulf filling station. When I was growing up those were about the most common along with Sinclair.

 

[IowaMercMan]

I just read thru all 17 pages, couldn't put my computer down, very nice job. I have a small collection of gas station memobrillia, and was thinking the one sign you need is a REGISTERED REST ROOM a Texaco dealer service sign. Great job.

Funny you should mention that. I just saw REGISTERED REST ROOM porcelain signs for sale on that auction site.

http://cgi.ebay.com/TEXACO-REGISTERED-REST-ROOM-PORCELAIN-SIGN-/350435895297?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51979b6801#ht_500wt_1156

 

[davidh73750]

roger,

Just a few questions. How do the window Heat/AC units work now that you have been in there a while?? I know the temps have been frigid. also in your 55 how do you like the ramjet motor? I just picked up a 55 bel air post(most I see are hard tops) thanks david

 

[roger55]

roger,
Just a few questions. How do the window Heat/AC units work now that you have been in there a while?? I know the temps have been frigid. also in your 55 how do you like the ramjet motor? I just picked up a 55 bel air post(most I see are hard tops) thanks david

The heat/ac units work really well. They heat the whole place easily even with the cold spell we've had. They cool well too even on the 100+ summer days. They are LG brand and are large capacity units.

I don't have my RamJet running yet. I hope to start it for the first time in a week or so. I'm working on wiring it now.

I like the sedans. In fact that's what I started out looking for but the more I thought about it, the more I thought it would be cool to have a hardtop and have that open look when all the windows are down. The sedan is sure better for mounting 3 point seat belts. I haven't figured out how I'm going to do that yet. Sedans are supposed to seal better and thus run a little quieter down the highway.

 

[davidh73750]

can you show some pics of the "office area" what other furniture or decor did you use? Thanks

 

[roger55]

can you show some pics of the "office area" what other furniture or decor did you use? Thanks

David,
Click on the link in my signature to see all of my photo albums. I've got a lot a photos there of my shop.
I don't really have an office area. Just a large workroom that I try to keep as clean as I can. I do the dirty work in the smaller workroom.
My office work is done in the corner, left of the sink. That is where I have my computer.

 

[Laredo]

Very cool!! I just can't seem to get enough of the vintage gas station look.

 

[roger55]

Hey all.

My wife and I decided to take a short little vacation get away to Port Aransas.

We stopped in Gonzales on the way down and found the gas station that started it all. The drawing of this gas station in a calendar of old gas stations by George Boutwell.

Today is the first time I've ever seen the station for real. Very cool. I took a bunch of pictures of it. Here's one from approximately the same angle as the one that George Boutwell painted.

 

[HOTFR8]

I bet it was good to finally see what inspired you.

 

[Scuderia-F1]

This shop is AWESOME!!!

 

[Jantelagom]

Neat station. I'm at work right now and couldn't read through all the pages, but in Afton, OK there's a similar station on Route 66. The owner is a really nice lady who runs it as a gift shop and they also own a collection of many vintage Packard cars that are stored there. She runs a blog about her life at the station. Pretty interesting and really cool to go see. http://aftonstationblog-laurel.blogspot.com/

 

[Showboy]

Not a service station, but my shop is set up like a small city street inside. .Its lots of fun, and houses all my collections under one roof.

I'm luvin' it.

I have a similar "inspiration picture" for my basement ---- though I believe you have taken it to the next level.

 

[Showboy]

I am loving this thread mate
Can u tell me where to get a shower curtain like that please?

Me, too! Very cool shower curtain.

Roger55 - I kinda like the look of the pump as is.

I could vote either way ---- 'cause it looks good both ways.

I completed my workbenches. I special ordered pure black and pure white Armstrong VCT tiles from Lowes and cut them into 5" squares. I sanded the tiles with 80 grit and coated them with Wolverine BondTite 1101 epoxy. Wow, that stuff really self-levels nicely. I then installed 1 1/4" aluminum edging. The 1/8" tiles are glued onto to 1 1/8 OSB flooring so the edging fits perfectly.

Those tiles really make it look awesome. If I may please ask, have you had any issues keeping them clean?

I went to a petroliana dealer in Odessa, Tx yesterday and purchased a nicely restored and operational Eco air meter and a 1949 self-serve Coke machine:

I luv the contrast of the flat screen next to the Coke Machine. Very cool.



Add my "WOW" to all the compliments that you've received.

I was "totally ready" to get my garage started when I was referred over to this site.

Now I am ... ummm ... re-thinking everything.

 

[vettepirate]

roger55, please post up some more pics of the inside of your garage/gas station.