140 x 64 Family Back Yard Garage

[mws444]

Sorry I've been away for while, I've been working on my health and I"m feeling great again. I haven't beat this thing yet, but my new regimen is going a long way towards that. "Wake up calls" are blessings only if you actually "wake up"! I plan on sticking to it so I can get back to doing what I love without compromise.

Sooooooo... I've been back in the shop tinkering with my Highschool recreation and its about 99% complete...

I also got a chance to work on a couple of Jukeboxes I'm restoring, but now that summer is here, the garage work mostly waits for rainy days or the Fall to arrive.

So back to the garden work and grass cutting I go...

With over 30 acres of grass to cut on a weekly basis, it feels like "ground hog day" or "painting a bridge" everytime I step into my tractor! Like most chores, a good attitude about getting them done usually goes a long way!

Great news Brother! Just getting back out there will go a long way to beating the beast. With your attitude I doubt there is much that will hold you back for long.

Gods speed my friend!

 

[Wingnut65]

Glad to hear you are planning on using the 'wake up' to make some adjustments on life. Without health, cool stuff just become dust collectors. Nice work on the Camero!

For the redundancy of your upcoming days, keep a note handy to jot down notes and ideas that you come up with while staring ahead. I've had a few ideas come to mind when I could not be in the garage, but kept thinking of all the things I need to do when I get the chance. I've even figured out some engineering challenges while sitting in traffic. Use the time to your advantage and plan ahead for upcoming projects.

And that picture from TBM with those four cars together, looks like they could be from Jay Ohrberg's collection. He has at least one of each out in Ca.

 

[jimmie jam]

How in the hell did I miss this a few months ago???? Well, It's a good thing because I got a few more months of living before I have to kill myself.

Amazzen, simply Amazzen! Thank you for sharing! WOW

 

[Amazzen]

Great news Brother! Just getting back out there will go a long way to beating the beast. With your attitude I doubt there is much that will hold you back for long.

Gods speed my friend!

Thanks 444, I'm been fortunate to have been humbled many times in my life and this is no exception. Apparently the "lessons" get scarier as you grow older though...

Thanks again for your kind words,

Paul

 

[shopnut]

Sooooooo... I've been back in the shop tinkering with my Highschool recreation and its about 99% complete...

Can't wait to see the car Amazzen - I need some inspiration to start on my old high school car - ole '70 She-Vel.

 

[Amazzen]

Glad to hear you are planning on using the 'wake up' to make some adjustments on life. Without health, cool stuff just become dust collectors. Nice work on the Camero!

For the redundancy of your upcoming days, keep a note handy to jot down notes and ideas that you come up with while staring ahead. I've had a few ideas come to mind when I could not be in the garage, but kept thinking of all the things I need to do when I get the chance. I've even figured out some engineering challenges while sitting in traffic. Use the time to your advantage and plan ahead for upcoming projects.

Well said Jeff!

Like many of us Garage Project Men, I not only plan, but I "plan to plan" as well. I sure get a lot done this way, but it leaves little time for schedule deviation or spontaneity...

Note to self - "prioritise and more importantly....balance all aspects of my life"!

Can't believe I just said that!

Is that the first step???

 

[Amazzen]

How in the hell did I miss this a few months ago???? Well, It's a good thing because I got a few more months of living before I have to kill myself.

Amazzen, simply Amazzen! Thank you for sharing! WOW

JJ, you actually missed this thread?!?

 

[Amazzen]

Can't wait to see the car Amazzen - I need some inspiration to start on my old high school car - ole '70 She-Vel.

Shopnut.... Inspiration???

You have waaaaaay too many things on your list!

I strongly suggest handing that project over to me so that you don't screw up the Universe's Time Continuum...

 

[shopnut]

Shopnut.... Inspiration???

You have waaaaaay too many things on your list!

I strongly suggest handing that project over to me so that you don't screw up the Universe's Time Continuum...

Wouldn't want to screw the Universe up for everyone - the car is strapped down on a flatbed and headed to Ontario as I type this. Hopefully all the parts will still be bolted on when she arrives, instead of all over the interstate. Be kind to the old girl - she has served me well. (Of course, you know I'm going to want it back after you perform your magic, right? )

Seriously, that reminds me I'm due to post a task list update - thanks! And you're right, they are too many things on it so I need to get going!

 

[RS69]

Very nice and thanks for sharing.

 

[Amazzen]

Sorry to have been away so long, I wanted to updates some pics that I promised a while back...

1977

2012

Taken this past Father's Day, its been exactly 35 years in between!

We also had one of my brothers' car and my Dad's Tow truck shined up for the photo op.

I'll try and post some "Garage additions" in the next couple of weeks or so, but now.....back to the future!

 

[flybefree]

Great job on the time machine resto...hopefully you were able to find all the old 8 tracks you had in boxes out in the garage!

Shaun

 

[Zogman]

I didn't know Zogman was a "trailer queen" type of guy...:supergay:

Zog????????

Leno?.....I wish!......We ALL wish!!!

Actually.....No.....I have way too much to do already and then there's that talk show thing...

Thanks Mo2872!

Haven't visited this thread in a while. It's amazing how I trailer a car cross country for one show and now it's a trailer queen. Funny how threads and forums cross populate each other. Pretty cool actually.

Glad you are on the mend and moving forward. One of the things of this thread that is really cool is the father son thing. I am submitting my plans to the HOA for my shop in the next week. The one thing that I am looking forward too is sharing time with my step dad and father in-law in my shop.

Back back back in the day, my dad is originally from Hungary (escaped in the 56 reviolution), my grandfather was an old timer black smith, I remember the last time we went back to Hungray, I was 16 years old and my grandfather still had his blacksmith shop. A moment in my life that will stay with me forever was my dad and grandfather hammering out a red hot horseshoe on an anvil while the bellows was keeping the fire red hot. My dad had not struck a hammer with his dad in over 20 years and I could tell at that moment that both of them were excited to be hammering together again. My grandfather was holding the shoe with a hand held clamp thingy and the two of them were in a perfectly timed chorus with grand dad leading. When my grand father wanted to stop, he would strike his hammer on the anvil and then a small quick tune would follow with both of them basicially signaling each other by the taps on the anvil. I could only imaging that this is from years of working in a blacksmith and you wouldn't talk while both of you were hammereing, all the talking and signally was done with the hammers. Sorry for carrying on but this thread just brings out good stuff like that.

Can't wait....

Cheers

 

[tinbender 66]

Wow! Nice job on the Camaro! You nailed it!

 

[dv8uagain]

Kinda cool seeing how big the two trees got on the law across the street from 1977 to present lol

 

[shopnut]

The Camaro pictures are really cool. Awesome job!

I need to plan on doing the early/current pictures someday with the Chevelle. Only problem is, it will involve a 1400 mile ride back up to WI for the photo op! But that's okay, it made the same drive down to FL in 2005 without that much prep work.

 

[Kevin54]

Great pics. You look like you had it set in the exact spot!!!!

One thing I wanted to ask before but forgot to,,,,is the hood scoop slightly different between the two cars? The new one looks slightly larger.

 

[Amazzen]

Great job on the time machine resto...hopefully you were able to find all the old 8 tracks you had in boxes out in the garage!

Shaun

hey Shaun, thanks and not only do I have my old 8 tracks, I still have an 8 track recorder!

 

[Amazzen]

Haven't visited this thread in a while. It's amazing how I trailer a car cross country for one show and now it's a trailer queen. Funny how threads and forums cross populate each other. Pretty cool actually.

Glad you are on the mend and moving forward. One of the things of this thread that is really cool is the father son thing. I am submitting my plans to the HOA for my shop in the next week. The one thing that I am looking forward too is sharing time with my step dad and father in-law in my shop.

Back back back in the day, my dad is originally from Hungary (escaped in the 56 reviolution), my grandfather was an old timer black smith, I remember the last time we went back to Hungray, I was 16 years old and my grandfather still had his blacksmith shop. A moment in my life that will stay with me forever was my dad and grandfather hammering out a red hot horseshoe on an anvil while the bellows was keeping the fire red hot. My dad had not struck a hammer with his dad in over 20 years and I could tell at that moment that both of them were excited to be hammering together again. My grandfather was holding the shoe with a hand held clamp thingy and the two of them were in a perfectly timed chorus with grand dad leading. When my grand father wanted to stop, he would strike his hammer on the anvil and then a small quick tune would follow with both of them basicially signaling each other by the taps on the anvil. I could only imaging that this is from years of working in a blacksmith and you wouldn't talk while both of you were hammereing, all the talking and signally was done with the hammers. Sorry for carrying on but this thread just brings out good stuff like that.

Can't wait....

Cheers

Z,

Good to see you catching up too and thanks for the good wishes. "Trailer queen thing" was just friendly sarcasm to continue the conversation. (a little delayed reaction, but seems to have worked)

Judging from your childhood memories, you will be a perfect candidate for an old school garage. My father and I are blessed to have the time together in the shop. Its the "fusion" of our two generations whenever we share our mutual passions (even in silence as you alluded to).

Good luck with your build, we all look forward to more great stories,

Paul

 

[Amazzen]

Wow! Nice job on the Camaro! You nailed it!

Thank you my friend, mission accomplished....now on to the next "tinker"...

Kinda cool seeing how big the two trees got on the law across the street from 1977 to present lol

LOL, I agree!

If you look at the larger tree in the 1977 photo, you'll notice it gone in the 2012 shot... apparently it was overtaking the front yard and had to go.

A few of the neighbors were out and got to see the old photo along with our throw-back vehicles that day. The conversations were very enjoyable.

 

[Amazzen]

The Camaro pictures are really cool. Awesome job!

I need to plan on doing the early/current pictures someday with the Chevelle. Only problem is, it will involve a 1400 mile ride back up to WI for the photo op! But that's okay, it made the same drive down to FL in 2005 without that much prep work.

Thanks Shopnut,

LOL about your retro picture comparison, but knowing you...I'm positive it will be more than a static display restoration and it should have no problem making the easy voyage. Now finding the time to actually make that trip seems to be the biggest problem!

Remember, there's always Photoshop just in case...

 

[Amazzen]

Great pics. You look like you had it set in the exact spot!!!!

One thing I wanted to ask before but forgot to,,,,is the hood scoop slightly different between the two cars? The new one looks slightly larger.

Good eye Kevin!

Without the 1977 stripe detail on the hood, it looks even bigger but it is definitely different. Back in the day, we grafted an aftermarket L88 scoop to the metal hood and because I had a rear hood molding and w/s washer nozzles I wanted to preserve, I scalloped the rear of the scoop (like a "cowl induction" shape). Well it didn't take long for the crappy bonding materials of the day to buckle with temp and vibration stress.

Fast forward to 2011...I decided to use a complete L88 fiberglass hood used on "Baldwin Motion" Camaro's of that era and that's where the difference lies. The other problem I had was preserving the same rear hood molding and washer nozzles with the Motion hood (the scoop blended to the rear hood line and would not accept the factory "Type LT trim" mldg). I had to modify the rear of the Motion hood, which involved cutting the scallop in the rear sides of the scoop and re-creating an original hood panel under that section. It doesn't look like a big deal, but I had to make a mold of the rear of my steel hood, lay up a fiberglass panel in the mold and then graft this onto the Motion hood!

Anyway, when I decided to re-create the car, I had decided to use factory style "call out" emblems on the fenders and hood scoop (and a Motion hood) so we lost the Z28 fender decals and hood stripe as the other minor deviations to the build. In other words, the deviations were planned and design compromised for those reasons.

Oh yes......I may have forgotten to mention the subtle deviation of an extra 300 hp to the engine bay and drive train upgrades.

Any guesses on how I got the neighbors to come out of their homes???

 

[ETravis]

I just found this thread tonight! I am blown away. Definitely my favorite garage here and you have excellent taste in cars. My uncle has a '70 chevelle ls6 convertible he is having restored in GA. He'd probably sell it if you're in the market. This picture is from a couple of years ago when the project started. Needless to say he found it wrecked!

 

[mikew686]

Sorry, but I have to ask... WHAT DID YOU DO??

 

[Amazzen]

I just found this thread tonight! I am blown away. Definitely my favorite garage here and you have excellent taste in cars. My uncle has a '70 chevelle ls6 convertible he is having restored in GA. He'd probably sell it if you're in the market. This picture is from a couple of years ago when the project started. Needless to say he found it wrecked!

ETravis......PM sent

I think I can squeeeeeze a 70 LS6 Conv project in......hell yeah!
(sorry Shopnut..)

Thanks for the kudos too.... glad you could stop by,

Paul

 

[Amazzen]

Sorry, but I have to ask... WHAT DID YOU DO??

Hi Mike,

If the truth be known.....I've been working so hard all these years that I don't remember how I got here!

The last thing I did however, was own a Trucking Company.

BTW, if I understand why you ask the question, I want to add that its not WHAT YOU DO as much as HOW YOU DO IT...

 

[HOTFR8]

How on earth have I missed this topic ? I think I must have been so busy with my own extensions that I missed this. You have a great set up so I hope you share more photos soon.

 

[patlalande123]

WOW, congratulations on that magnificent shop you own! sure does look like a lot of time, effort, blood, sweat, and tears went into the construction of all your properties buildings!
You are from Southern, ON? Where about?
What trucking company did you own? Talking about trucking companies, where are all your Rigs? You must have one lying around there somewhere!

Hope you are well!

 

[Amazzen]

WOW, congratulations on that magnificent shop you own! sure does look like a lot of time, effort, blood, sweat, and tears went into the construction of all your properties buildings!
You are from Southern, ON? Where about?
What trucking company did you own? Talking about trucking companies, where are all your Rigs? You must have one lying around there somewhere!

Hope you are well!

Thanks for the kudos!

Unfortunately I can't reveal the secret location or identity of "Wayne Manor/Batcave" or .....you know!

I did hang onto a few trailers, but no power units to speak of.

Thanks for visiting...

 

[Amazzen]

How on earth have I missed this topic ? I think I must have been so busy with my own extensions that I missed this. You have a great set up so I hope you share more photos soon.

Thank you AND here you go.....

Latest shop additions:

Wheel balancer didn't come with any weights. Can any of you recommend what assortment I should try to start with??? I would like both weight types (traditional and self adhesive). Any guidance would be a great help.

Going to give the machines a "test drive" this weekend.

 

[Kevin54]

One thing I like about the Camaro is the big and little tires. I think the rake of the car along with the big meats in the back looks great and period correct. Sometimes one gets tired of seeing all of the slammed cars with the big rims (Pro Touring)

As far as your brothers car, I like it except for the wheels. I thought Torque Thrust TTII's look good on everything, but for some reason they don't do the Mustang justice. Maybe a set of Cragars or a set of the rims with the dark spokes and polished lip. How many cars does your brother have and any pics of them or interior shots of the Mustang?

 

[Amazzen]

Kevin, I'm with you on the "period correct" look, I too have a preference for that as well. Its funny that you mentioned TTII's because I tried them on one of my 69 Camaros and my 67 Vette...after about a year or two, I decided to go back to the original wheels! Wheels and body styles definitely come down to personal preference, but many of us struggle to marry up a complimentary wheel to the body style.

Here's an oddball wheel that I used on one of my favourite cars...

Some one suggested this "truck wheel" and I was yelling NO until they were put on the car. Go figure...

My brother has just the one muscle car and the wheels he chose are Foose Legends. We designed and cut the striping to set off the wheels (its chrome vinyl) and the pictures don't do the package justice.

I'll try and get some interior pics soon.

Thanks for the comments,

Paul

 

[PDM]

OMG...... super super nice shop there Paul.........

As for wheel weights, I've been using Bada for most of my wheel weights.

http://www.steelwheelweights.com/products

there should be a distributor in Ontario for you to order direct off.

There are so many different style of "pound on" wheel weights - based on the marque - so you have to determine what kind of cars you are balancing on the most, and whether they are pound on (wheel edges) or stick on.

I just closed my race shop down recently here on the West Coast, but kept my top end Hunter Roadforce balancer and touchless tire machine - as I do a lot of R compound and race tires for my clients. I specialize in imports, so I based my wheel weights around the most popular cars I worked on (Nissan, Toyota, Honda etc.)

But you may be more domestic, so you might cater your wheel weight style based on that.

Make sure you have good tire paste - not tire lube. Especially if you are doing a lot of super low profile performance tires. The newer machines are nicer to work with, but you still use a lot of core muscles to mount/dismount really stiff short sidewalls.

Does your tire machine have bead blasters on it too ? (if not, and you have issues with soft truck/offroad sidewalls, or have any drifter kids that run super wide rims with narrow tires, you'll need a Cheetah tire blaster.)

don

 

[Amazzen]

OMG...... super super nice shop there Paul.........

As for wheel weights, I've been using Bada for most of my wheel weights.

http://www.steelwheelweights.com/products

there should be a distributor in Ontario for you to order direct off.

There are so many different style of "pound on" wheel weights - based on the marque - so you have to determine what kind of cars you are balancing on the most, and whether they are pound on (wheel edges) or stick on.

I just closed my race shop down recently here on the West Coast, but kept my top end Hunter Roadforce balancer and touchless tire machine - as I do a lot of R compound and race tires for my clients. I specialize in imports, so I based my wheel weights around the most popular cars I worked on (Nissan, Toyota, Honda etc.)

But you may be more domestic, so you might cater your wheel weight style based on that.

Make sure you have good tire paste - not tire lube. Especially if you are doing a lot of super low profile performance tires. The newer machines are nicer to work with, but you still use a lot of core muscles to mount/dismount really stiff short sidewalls.

Does your tire machine have bead blasters on it too ? (if not, and you have issues with soft truck/offroad sidewalls, or have any drifter kids that run super wide rims with narrow tires, you'll need a Cheetah tire blaster.)

don

Hi Don,

Thanks for the great info, the website is a perfect place to understand the availability....I'm going to call them next week and discuss my needs and go from there.

Fortunately my machine does have the bead blasters (it was important for some truck tires and some exotics as you say). To be honest I really fell in love with the touchless machine, but at twice the money I couldn't justify it; especially since this one is already overkill for the amount of usage it will get here.

Where exactly was your shop and are you still doing some automotive stuff?

Thanks again for the help,

Paul

 

[don long]

Amazzen simply amazzen this thread is over the top
I must say that I have spent a very enjoyable afternoon
reading your thread and getting to know you a bit.

I stumbled onto the sight by accident and couldn't leave.
You seem to have it all together the shop , the cars,
and the talent.

My hat is off to you and I pray your health stays with you long
I too would like to see more!! (love the neon signs too)

thanks for sharing
Don

 

[Amazzen]

Hi Don,

Thanks for stopping by and for the best wishes!

As you know, it takes a lifetime to put these amusements together ... all driven by good fortune and a passion for restorations/collecting. I simply loved your vintage shops theme and plan to do something similar in the new home we're planning on building next year! Just like The Garage Journal showcase....a vintage shop display is a perfect way to share the collectibles we've collected over the years.

I will post more pictures soon; until then, continued success with all your future projects!

 

[Brian R]

Hi Mike,

If the truth be known.....I've been working so hard all these years that I don't remember how I got here!

The last thing I did however, was own a Trucking Company.

BTW, if I understand why you ask the question, I want to add that its not WHAT YOU DO as much as HOW YOU DO IT...

I can't add much to the comments because your place is just so spectacular which everyone has pretty much told you and I agree but I thought I would chime in on this.

I HATE when out and about or at a cocktail party or on the ski slopes or whatever someone asks, "What do you do?"

Without fail I always respond - "Drink beer and ride motorcycles." The best response to this was a young ski instructor teaching my kids that said, "I want your job."

The thing is, although we all mostly work hard, I hope our jobs do not define us or what we've done or want to accomplish.

My 2 cents and thanks for posting all this.

 

[Justanoldguy]

I HATE when out and about or at a cocktail party or on the ski slopes or whatever someone asks, "What do you do?"

I personally don't find the question a problem and feel it's
all just part of the conversation when meeting people.
The most common topics are Family, Occupation, Recreation.
So I go with it.

JM2CW but I think HATE is such an overused word.

 

[Amazzen]

Thanks guys, but the more I think about it... we have to admit that its a fair question.

People are just trying to link a relationship to the things we do or have accomplished...nothing wrong with that, After all, I'm just as curious about others I'm interested in.

Hell, I still occasionally ask my wife what she did all day!

I've learned that if I ask nicely....she doesn't take it so bad, LOL.

 

[Amazzen]

Well I finally finished my Dream Project. I thought I had completed it 18 months ago, but I wasn't happy with the Beacon and radar dimensions. Here's a couple of shots after a quick bath.....