Above 1200 Sq/FT Restored 1930's Auto Shop

[Jamey189]

Just finished reading entire thread in 3 1/2 days. There's nothing I can say that hasn't been said. Just admire your dedication to your projects. Two questions though, What happened to the two tractors that were there when you got the property? (IH & Case)
Has Craig completed any go karts and sent pictures?

 

[Amitygravel]

Hello Thomas !

Jamey , welcome to the G.J ! Sad to say Craig has NOT completed any go-karts since life and work has been in the way of any side projects. However work space environment is slowly improving so fab time is getting closer!

Craig

 

[bhawley]

Thanks, Thomas, I have been waiting patiently for the gorgeous pix and just now saw your post.

It's been quite an effort I admit, with some personal sacrifices from a very understanding and loving wife along the way. But in the end I wouldn't have had it any other way. It's our little slice of heaven out there. Thanks everyone for coming along for the ride.

Thomas

 

[kbuhagiar]

Ken, you are more than welcome. I have noticed your avatar but not mentioned it. Is it a '63 or '64? Hard to tell.

Thomas

Hello Thomas,

It is a 63. The previous owner had an 'incident' and, among other things, replaced the original hood with the 64 version. I purchased it in 1985 for a song, drove it for a few years, parked it in the garage in 1986 and disassembled it and well, you know, life got in the way for about 22 years. Put it back together and back on the road in 2009, and sold it in 2010.
And yes, I do miss it, no other tonic quite like ripping through the gears with that 300hp 327 and 4-speed. We will be looking for another mid-year as soon as we move into our retirement property - you know, the one with the 4-car garage (minimum).

 

[hobbitss]

StretchCt, we're all cheering you on! You can do it!! There are still more tools to be discovered....but not fast enough for Joe!

Thomas

It is my Job!!

See my sig. below...

 

[ScottS]

LED lighting information. Go here We have a new member with a project going on. Go to post 63.

Scott

 

[bigbadjim]

All I got to say is great post. Keep the photos coming of all the cool stuff. This is my favorite post here on GJ.. Just awesome transformation you've done.

 

[BB767]

Just finished reading entire thread in 3 1/2 days. There's nothing I can say that hasn't been said. Just admire your dedication to your projects. Two questions though, What happened to the two tractors that were there when you got the property? (IH & Case)
Has Craig completed any go karts and sent pictures?

Hi there Jamey189. That might be a new world record (finish the whole thread in just 3 1/2 days!) especially given how much material there is now to wade through. Perseverance, way to go!

Since Craig has updated us about status of the go karts, here's an update about the tractors. The IH model M was requested by one of Mr Johnson's sons who retrieved it about 9 months after I bought the property. He's the same fellow who had the misfortune to have his '57 Chevy roll off the end of the lift one night. The little Case tractor was given to a neighbor who had offered to buy it but, being young and on a budget, I told him to save his money and sped it on the tractor restoration instead. He trailered it to his Grandfathers farm and the two of them were restoring it. I haven't talked with him in a while so thanks for the reminder, I'll give him a call and get an update and perhaps some pictures. I did ask him to take several during the process.

I have just documented an update on the flathead V8-60 and will post it shortly.

Oh one thing more, welcome to the vortex!!

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Thanks, Thomas, I have been waiting patiently for the gorgeous pix and just now saw your post.

bhawley I hope it was worth the wait.

It's a sweet car that is a keeper for sure.

Amazingly rattle free, tight and solid.

That's the advantage of a car with only a very few owners who haven't messed with it. I'm owner #3. Thanks for being so patient. I'll get some interior and engine pictures on here also. I've been doing some other projects that I need to post here first. I'm getting them done faster that I can post about them.

Thomas

 

[Jamey189]

Well it read like a good book. I'm on an offshore oil platform and i had the time in the evenings knew i shoulda gone to bed, but i had to keep pushing on to finish the thread. I look forward to the update. Keep up the great work.

 

[bluestripe67]

Thomas, I'm taking a stab at posting pics of my '67 Vette as you requested. The engine on the stand is the original (213K miles) and does sit between the rails, but it's "tweeked" for personal use. Dennis

 

[charlief1]

Boy I wish we had a "like" button on here. That's one of my favorite vettes.

 

[BFalfa]

awesome vette!

 

[BB767]

Here's an update for all the fans of GUS. Since his public car show debut last summer and newspaper article about him he's been in demand on the celebrity circuit!

A local slot car store and race track had requested his presence in the store for the month of December. We had to have the local police department send a special detail to hold off the swarm of screaming fans once word leaked out about his visit. Several young girls feinted at just a glimpse of him.

With assurances he would be well cared for and under 24/7 armed security, I felt it only fair to share his brilliance with his public following. The plan is to pile his bed with presents and then Santa will take the drivers seat on occasion and hand them out. GUS was all for that!!

So there he is under the Ferrari, Porsche, BMW etc flags in all his glory, head held high! If only Mr Johnson could see him now.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

I'm going ot. Was at a junkyard last weekend and saw a lincoln much like the one shown here. Looked very complete as if it were driven in and parked. Then I saw the huge holes in the roof under the vinyl where it had rusted away

Chuck McB if you get back that way try to take a couple of pictures. '66 and '67 coupes are pretty rare. In 37 years I've seen less than 6 of them. Shame about the roof rust though.
Thanks

Thomas

 

[BB767]

On the '66 Lincoln, as a new designer, I was able to influence the instrument panel and steering wheel and various controls. Later on my team did the Mark V, Mark VII exteriors and the Mark VIII interior. Don't mean to turn your thread into a car design discussion but this brings plenty of memories. Thanks.
Allen

Allen, not to worry about side tracking this thread on occasion, it's been done before..... many times........ by, well frankly, by me. Most folks here are car enthusiasts so some car design discussion is certainly allowed. I'm sure Mr. Johnson would approve.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

All I got to say is great post. Keep the photos coming of all the cool stuff. This is my favorite post here on GJ.. Just awesome transformation you've done.

Thanks bigbadjim. I'll keep after it but I do need to go fly some trips one of the days (nights) 'ya know.

Some more projects/pictures are in the can, I just need to compose some posts to go with them!

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Well it read like a good book. I'm on an offshore oil platform and i had the time in the evenings knew i shoulda gone to bed, but i had to keep pushing on to finish the thread. I look forward to the update. Keep up the great work.

Ah, an offshore oil platform. That explains how you could focus. Wouldn't that be interesting to find out this thread is getting passed around to guys on all those oil rigs as a fun way to pass the time! Then it'll come out that due to lack of sleep by some of the crew, I was the real cause for the BP problems in the Gulf a couple of years ago.

All kidding aside, thanks for your interest and encouragement.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Thomas, I'm taking a stab at posting pics of my '67 Vette as you requested. The engine on the stand is the original (213K miles) and does sit between the rails, but it's "tweeked" for personal use. Dennis

Very nice car indeed Dennis. Tasteful, clean and I'll bet a great drive too! Thank you sir!

Thomas

 

[bluestripe67]

Thomas,
GUS looks like the perfect distribution vehicle, especially with Santa holding the reins. Dennis

 

[Older'n dirt]

Thomas,

Thanks for taking time out of your day to give my daughter and me a tour of the barn, and a revisit of the original shop. I hope we didn't run you short on time to get Gus to his appointment. He's a pretty cool ol' Dude.
Lindsey asked a number of questions on our ride home last night so it was obvious she was impressed with your dedication and attention to detail. No, she wasn't bored at all. Remember; she's MY daughter. She knows what we're like.
The Gulf sign started the wheels turning. Now I'm on a mission to rewire a few of my lighted signs & clocks with LEDs! (Thanks Buddy. I needed to spend MORE money! )

Great to see you again.

Dennis

 

[Motown 454]

Gus is the MAN! (so to speak)

 

[Jim C.]

Hi Thomas,

I've been enjoying this thread for a while now, and find myself checking back to it for updates on a regular basis. You have a great setup there and I think the fans of this thread, to some extent or another, all live vicariously through your "garage adventures." I admit that I do. Anyway, you recently posted a few pictures of your 1966 Corvette and I wanted to say how much I liked seeing them. Your car looks great, and it appears to be in top condition. I'm certainly partial to 1966 small block Corvettes, and I attached a few pictures of one of my favorites. Thanks for the Corvette pictures and thanks for keeping us informed about what's going on at "The Center of the Universe."

Jim C.

 

[bryna]

Thomas,

I'm restoring two Walker floor jacks similar to the ones you have. Two questions... what color blue did you use for powder coating and where did you find (or make) the red rubber (I assume) protection covers for the lift point?

Thanks
Bryan

 

[BB767]

Hi Thomas,

I've been enjoying this thread for a while now, and find myself checking back to it for updates on a regular basis. You have a great setup there and I think the fans of this thread, to some extent or another, all live vicariously through your "garage adventures." I admit that I do. Anyway, you recently posted a few pictures of your 1966 Corvette and I wanted to say how much I liked seeing them. Your car looks great, and it appears to be in top condition. I'm certainly partial to 1966 small block Corvettes, and I attached a few pictures of one of my favorites. Thanks for the Corvette pictures and thanks for keeping us informed about what's going on at "The Center of the Universe."

Jim C.

Jim C, hello and welcome to you sir. As for your beautiful Corvette, now that's a show car! Perfect from one end to the other. While mine is well maintained it's nothing as nice as that. The 327 engine is such a well engineered piece don't you think? Between the Impalas, Chevy II and Corvette I own 6 of them and they've never given me a moments trouble. Exceptionally reliable with good performance they might well be the high water mark of small blocks. Thank you so much for sharing your car with us.

The phrase "garage adventures" is pretty accurate I'd say. Whenever I finish a project I'm likely to remark to Cameron that it's time to "begin a new adventure" or "we're off on a new adventure." Life is kinda like that isn't it, an adventure? You never know what each day will bring. To that end I'll relate the story of how the TR 4 came to live with us shortly, but right now with such nice weather I'm off on an adventure into the tool shed! I'm planning on spending several hours out there today.

Thanks again Jim for your interest and support in our little corner of the world. More is in store!

Adventurer Thomas

 

[hobbitss]

Jim C, hello and welcome to you sir. As for your beautiful Corvette, now that's a show car! Perfect from one end to the other. While mine is well maintained it's nothing as nice as that. The 327 engine is such a well engineered piece don't you think? Between the Impalas, Chevy II and Corvette I own 6 of them and they've never given me a moments trouble. Exceptionally reliable with good performance they might well be the high water mark of small blocks. Thank you so much for sharing your car with us.

The phrase "garage adventures" is pretty accurate I'd say. Whenever I finish a project I'm likely to remark to Cameron that it's time to "begin a new adventure" or off "we're off on a new adventure." Life is kinda like that isn't it, an adventure? You never know what each day will bring. To that end I'll relate the story of how the TR 4 came to live with us shortly, but right now with such nice weather I'm off on an adventure into the tool shed! I'm planning on spending several hours out there today.

Thanks again Jim for your interest and support in our little corner of the world. More is in store!

Adventurer Thomas

Tool Shed!!!
He Said Tool Shed!!!

 

[BB767]

I spent an interesting afternoon in the Tool Shed. The variety of items out there continue to surprise me. I'd just love to know the back story on many of them. First off does anyone out there want any or all three...

...of the paper IH oil filters for display? I have no idea what equipment they are for and I have no need of them. If they are not wanted for display by someone I guess they will be disposed of. Next...

...7 pieces of chrome trim for an unknown car. 4 are identical and 3 appear to be mirror images.

Here's the back side. They are all pitted pot metal. I have no idea if this kind of material should be saved or just recycled with all the other scrap. I'd like a little guidance here. The biggest problem is identifying everything.

This is just a small part of what remains out there. Going through everything and trying to ID it all might be unworkable. The items that appear to be in good condition I can see saving but other items I just don't know. Here's another I know should be saved...

...it has a Ford script on the background and is in decent condition. Finding the year for this shouldn't be difficult, but how about this one...

...is there a need for a part like this or is it scrap?

This is a cigar box full of old interior handles and cranks.

I was intrigued by what appeared to be...

... perhaps hub cap spinners off....what? Are they JC Whitney specials to "dress up" that drab old hubcap on your Nash maybe? They are in excellent condition with the one on the bottom appearing to be new.

A box full of old wiper arms and antennas.

Some had dates on them, for example these were dated 1935 and in very nice condition.

And then I came across this Sperry Gyroscope Thermoswitch all boxed up.

Not really what you expect to find in a shed with lots of old tools and car parts...

...but then I've come to expect just about anything out there.

The box dates it from July, 1955. If someone has a burning desire to own this, pay for shipping and it's yours!

Just in case I forgot where I was. They are mighty brittle but I'll try to keep the most intact one.

Also found a couple more tool boxes. I got home, unloaded the camera and found I only took a picture of this one. Joe, I promise to get a picture of the other one.

Just some of the steering wheels out there.

What repair shop would be complete without a Vacu-Matic? I opened it up and it's complete, new in the box. It says it "operates automatically to "vacu-mat" over-rich mixtures." I love little treasures like this. A snapshot back in time.

This is just PART I, i have more including a box chocked full of some very cool hood ornaments.

Thomas

 

[hobbitss]

I spent an interesting afternoon in the Tool Shed. The variety of items out there continue to surprise me. I'd just love to know the back story on many of them. First off does anyone out there want any or all three...

...of the paper IH oil filters for display? I have no idea what equipment they are for and I have no need of them. If they are not wanted for display by someone I guess they will be disposed of. Next...

...7 pieces of chrome trim for an unknown car. 4 are identical and 3 appear to be mirror images.

Here's the back side. They are all pitted pot metal. I have no idea if this kind of material should be saved or just recycled with all the other scrap. I'd like a little guidance here. The biggest problem is identifying everything.

This is just a small part of what remains out there. Going through everything and trying to ID it all might be unworkable. The items that appear to be in good condition I can see saving but other items I just don't know. Here's another I know should be saved...

...it has a Ford script on the background and is in decent condition. Finding the year for this shouldn't be difficult, but how about this one...

...is there a need for a part like this or is it scrap?

This is a cigar box full of old interior handles and cranks.

I was intrigued by what appeared to be...

... perhaps hub cap spinners off....what? Are they JC Whitney specials to "dress up" that drab old hubcap on your Nash maybe? They are in excellent condition with the one on the bottom appearing to be new.

A box full of old wiper arms and antennas.

Some had dates on them, for example these were dated 1935 and in very nice condition.

And then I came across this Sperry Gyroscope Thermoswitch all boxed up.

Not really what you expect to find in a shed with lots of old tools and car parts...

...but then I've come to expect just about anything out there.

The box dates it from July, 1955. If someone has a burning desire to own this, pay for shipping and it's yours!

Just in case I forgot where I was. They are mighty brittle but I'll try to keep the most intact one.

Also found a couple more tool boxes. I got home, unloaded the camera and found I only took a picture of this one. Joe, I promise to get a picture of the other one.

Just some of the steering wheels out there.

What repair shop would be complete without a Vacu-Matic? I opened it up and it's complete, new in the box. It says it "operates automatically to "vacu-mat" over-rich mixtures." I love little treasures like this. A snapshot back in time.

This is just PART I, i have more including a box chocked full of some very cool hood ornaments.

Thomas

TOOLS!!!!!

 

[HOTFR8]

He has found the mother load of swap meet parts.

 

[onething]

He has found the mother load of swap meet parts.

Beat me to it

Door knobs would make cool knobs for someone's cabinets.

 

[BB767]

Thomas,

I'm restoring two Walker floor jacks similar to the ones you have. Two questions... what color blue did you use for powder coating and where did you find (or make) the red rubber (I assume) protection covers for the lift point?

Thanks
Bryan

Hello Bryan and thanks for saving a couple of very deserving floor jacks. It should be a fun and rewarding project for you. The powder coat material was made by N I C and the color as I recall is "Stormy Blue" but don't hold me to that. I'll check on that and confirm it but the manufacturer is N I C. We tested over two dozen different colors, some stock and some we mixed and finally settled on a stock color so duplicating it will be easy.

The red protective saddle covers were a generous gift to me from member SweetOldBill.

They are the perfect size and as it turns out, the right color as well. He went above and beyond making a side trip to tour the shop late one night with his brother and nephew. He seems to follow my exploits here pretty regularly so I expect he'll post in about where he got them. If not, I'll send him a PM and find out for you. He's one of those good, "salt of the earth" type of fellows that there can never be too many of.

Oh and pictures, it goes without saying you must post pictures of your Walkers.

Thomas

 

[Older'n dirt]

Thomas,

I believe this is the left gauge cluster for a '37 Ford (speedometer is on the right). I'll run to the garage and check mine but it sure looks familiar.

Same gauges; different graphics. Maybe a '36 or '38?

 

[charlief1]

The funny looking chrome trim looks like some old rear fender lips Thomas. You've got some interesting finds there and if you were closer I'd try and talk you out of that Keller saw for my shop.

 

[Jim C.]

Jim C, hello and welcome to you sir. As for your beautiful Corvette, now that's a show car! Perfect from one end to the other. While mine is well maintained it's nothing as nice as that. The 327 engine is such a well engineered piece don't you think? Between the Impalas, Chevy II and Corvette I own 6 of them and they've never given me a moments trouble. Exceptionally reliable with good performance they might well be the high water mark of small blocks. Thank you so much for sharing your car with us.

The phrase "garage adventures" is pretty accurate I'd say. Whenever I finish a project I'm likely to remark to Cameron that it's time to "begin a new adventure" or "we're off on a new adventure." Life is kinda like that isn't it, an adventure? You never know what each day will bring. To that end I'll relate the story of how the TR 4 came to live with us shortly, but right now with such nice weather I'm off on an adventure into the tool shed! I'm planning on spending several hours out there today.

Thanks again Jim for your interest and support in our little corner of the world. More is in store!

Adventurer Thomas

Thanks Thomas, I have taken my Corvette to a local car show now and then, but rarely. To be honest, the car is REALLY a "driver." Now granted, I don't take it out in bad weather, but it is out on the road for a couple thousand miles per year. I appreciate seeing a nicely restored "trailer queen" but ultimately I'd much rather see them driving down the road traveling under their own power. I completely agree with you regarding the 327 small block. It's a fantastic motor, and could not be more reliable.

It looks like you had an interesting day out in the tool shed. I think you found a few treasures. I'm looking forward to seeing more.

Jim C.

 

[BRIANBB]

I wont repost all the pictures just to say "Great finds" Looks like an adventure every day.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Here's a handy website for identifying instrument panels, gauge clusters, clocks and radios. They also have a link to another site for identifying taillights. https://sites.google.com/site/identifyinginstrumentpanels/

 

[goodspeed]

Wow! I'd love to rummage around back there and see what I could find. Too bad you're not closer.

 

[HOTFR8]

Wow! I'd love to rummage around back there and see what I could find. Too bad you're not closer.

Yes it would be a great place to explore.

 

[hoopty388]

wish i had more cash i would love to go on a buying spree of your on the way to the scrap yard stuff. it doesnt bring huge money but i can sell all that

 

[Mavawreck]

I'd be into some crusty steering wheels if you're parting with any!