Modern Garage in Far East

[Scuderia-F1]

Thank you, Anders. Those are fascinating links; I have bookmarked the site. I am very tempted!

Happy New Year! May 2013 prove peaceful and happy for you.

Andy

I'm wishing you the very same Andy!

Glad you liked the links, pretty impressing operation they're running, don't you think?

Regards,

Anders.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

OK Anders, how's about sharing those links? You've got my curiosity piqued!

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Andy, nice choices on the wish list. What's especially nice about the GT40 is that you could still 'motor around Manilla in the monsoon mess'! Of course, the Bugatti would be ideal as to its ruggedness to handle the the rural 'roads' around the countryside and its tiny windscreen would not impede the fragrance of the Bougainvillea. The Jaguar D-Type is to me the epitome of the classic open race car; one that almost demands to be driven 'with spirit'. Every man (and woman) should have a retirement dream/desire to pursue; it's what keeps us young (at heart)! lol Good hunting!

 

[Scuderia-F1]

Ok I hope that it's ok to share the links on the story about the English company JD Classics. Enjoy these excellent classic car pics from one of the leading companies in the business.

I hope that you can oversee me Andy for "trashing" your exquisite thread.

http://www.speedhunters.com/2012/11/jd-classics-1/


http://www.speedhunters.com/2012/11/jd-classics-2/


http://www.speedhunters.com/2012/11/weekly-news-2/

Cheers,

Anders.

 

[55cadillacking]

I've gone through this thread MANY times since joining GJ, but I've never known quite what to say. It's an absolute fantasy garage of mine. It's just gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.

 

[jimmie jam]

Anders, I'm sure that Andy does not consider this "trashing" his thread....I know I don't. These are totally related to everything about this thread and his amazing garage/cars for sure!

J.J.

 

[Scuderia-F1]

Anders, I'm sure that Andy does not consider this "trashing" his thread....I know I don't. These are totally related to everything about this thread and his amazing garage/cars for sure!

J.J.

Thanks, much appreciated!

 

[Playwme]

[sarcasm] Yeah Anders, what are you doing filling this thread up with trash like that?[\sarcasm]

If there's any garage on these boards that deserves to be associated with those JD Classics links then I think you picked the right one.

First pic, Toyota 2000GT. Ohhhhh, I'd do unspeakable things for one of those! I'd even settle for a replica if there was a good mould out there somewhere.

 

[Olliecampbell]

Ok I hope that it's ok to share the links on the story about the English company JD Classics. Enjoy these excellent classic car pics from one of the leading companies in the business.

I hope that you can oversee me Andy for "trashing" your exquisite thread.

http://www.speedhunters.com/2012/11/jd-classics-1/


http://www.speedhunters.com/2012/11/jd-classics-2/


http://www.speedhunters.com/2012/11/weekly-news-2/

Cheers,

Anders.

Some great pages there!

 

[abstamaria]

Many thanks, all. That's perfectly fine, Anders - what wonderful cars on that site!

Best,

Andy

 

[abstamaria]

In closing, my garage prior to this one.

I’m breaking a New Year resolution just once to post this photo I took the other day of our old home of 24 years, now refurbished and offered again for rent. We moved from there to our new home ten years ago. That view is from the pool, a nice large one.

Some of you might remember the garage there, where the previous tenant (an American lady, very nice actually) painted a mural on the wall. Here is garage now, showing the three stalls and the small, nicely lit workshop, now sans mural, repainted, and its brick floor refinished. I restored a Lotus three times there.

Best to all,

Andy

 

[Dennis Cavallino]

I remember it, the mural was kinda cool. This is more like your current style.

 

[60766244]

Stumbled into this thread and am in awe of it.

To paraphrase;

I came for the garage, I stayed for the Lancia.

Wonderful cars and lovely architecture.

 

[oinco]

I just stumbled onto this thread, and am exceedingly impressed by the interesting, humble,and very thoughtful nature of the memories and the memories-in-the-making shared within.

I have been scouring this site (I am quite new) for minimalist/modernist garages and am very appreciative you took the time to share!

 

[abstamaria]

I'm happy you liked the garage, 69766244, Oinco. The Stratos has been with me for 27 years now; no one wanted such a car when I bought it, so it was not expensive then.

Good luck with your garages, and best regards,

Andy

 

[Ferrari-lover]

Re: Grass Pavers

It is still quiet cool here in tropics, with temperatures dipping to a frosty (for us) 18 degrees C. That makes it especially exhilarating to go out for ride, which I did very, very early this morning.

When I returned home and got off to open the garage door, I looked back at the Dino and said "I must take a picture." The grass pavers make an interesting setting for photographing the cars.

It hasn't rained for a while, so the grass is suffering a bit, but they should recover when the rainy season begins.

Andres

PS: The black blob on the bottom right corner is either Xena or Sundance, our garage dogs

FROSTY? It was minus 30 Celsius here in Canada today, you can't complain about 18 above being cold

 

[Ferrari-lover]

Can you please post pictures of all of your cars, even your everyday cars.
I have read through everything in this forum a didn't see them all together anywhere

 

[abstamaria]

Indeed, Ferrar-lover; it's firmly summer here now, with 30C in the shade. Beach and pool weather. I know most of you are still in the grip of a winter that won't let go.

I think the few interesting cars I have already popped up here and there on this thread. The everyday cars are not interesting at all!

Best,

Andy

 

[Ferrari-lover]

Can you put up some pictures of the Dino's interior, I don't think I've seen any.
P.S. I am a firm believer in the fact that ferraris should be red but I love the colour of yours.

 

[EMC2]

Just came across this thread. - what a great garage. Very clean look.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Andy, I'm quite sure I'm not the only member here that would like to see more pictures of any cars in your stable. I've gone back through the pages of this thread and have truly enjoyed the pictures you have shared with us here at GJ, but I also have to say that 'more is better' when it comes to your photo work. With your discerning artist's eye, you should give thought to starting a thread perhaps titled 'Studies in The Automotive Art'. I, for one, would love to see a continuing series of photos of your cars, your automotive friends, their stories, their cars, and since this is the Garage Journal, their garages as well. Just my $0.02.

 

[markviii]

I agree! (Since we've spread our life in The Center of the Universe all over the internet, you can join in the fun, too!)

And EMC2, that's quite the understatement ("Very clean look. ").

Chris

 

[abstamaria]

Many thanks, Ferrari-lover, EMC2, Omphaloskeptik, Chris. I appreciate your comments and am happy that the simple design appeals to you. I am away presently, but will try to take some photos when I return.

Best regards,

Andy

 

[amgsl55]

I'll also chip in. I have noticed some pictures of your cars on F-chat as well. Beautiful machines. However looking at the architecture and cars together is mind blowing. there will never be enough pictures

 

[abstamaria]

Many thanks, AMgsl55. I appreciate it.

Best regards,

Andy

 

[ODIS]

Good to see that you occasionally still check in, Andy. Safe travels wherever your ventures take you.

Best,

Ody.

 

[abstamaria]

Of course, Ody. There is much to learn here and draw ideas from. And I visit your thread regularly! What a lovely home and garage.

Andy

 

[abstamaria]

Rainy season

Thank you for the private messages, all. The garage was finished a long time ago, so we have just been enjoying it and the cars. That’s what a minimalist approach leads to, so there is nothing to report. I am just enjoying and learning from the great projects posted here. So many new interesting garages now!

The rains have come and so have the little yellow flowers on the hill.

Andy

 

[Ferrari-lover]

Could you tell us more about the lotus 23 you used to own, it is a very interesting car

 

[battymatty]

I like it! The space reminds me of this one -

[from the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off]

My all time fave film and car, that is a sweet garage too.

 

[abstamaria]

Lotus 23

The Lotus 23 is an early 1960s racing car, Ferrari-Lover, of which about 130 were made. A variety of engines were installed in them, but the motor most identified with the car is the Lotus twincam. My old car has the twincam, mated to a 5-speed Hewland gearbox. The gearbox is, of course, non-synchro, so timing (and heeling-and-toeing on the downshifts) is essential; however, the Hewland is very fast – one doesn’t step on the clutch up-shifting – and a delight to use.

As with racing Lotuses, a red-rimmed steering wheel is traditional.



In theory, the 23 is street car. It has two-seats, headlamps, and space for the FIA suitcase. Mine even had a horn and an ignition key. However, the Hewland box makes driving in traffic a difficult proposition. And it is probably too low to drive safely on the street.

My 23, unit number 23/S/64, is an important car in U.S. 23 history. It was the sole Lotus 23 in Bob Challman’s team Ecurie Shirlee. Challman was Lotus’ West Coast distributor. Having it was a dream come true for me.

Here we are saying farewell to it on its last day with us.



There are many articles on the 23 on the web. In the emantime, I hope this is useful.

Best regards,

Andy

 

[OscarTango]

Just spend two nights in a row reading through this thread on thebiPad from beginning to end....

one word : amazing.

I love the minimalistic style of both the house and the garage. I could try to live like you, but my better half is not capable of keeping anything clutter free for more than the time she needed to enter a room ;-) However,we just moved into our new house, and the garage ( the main one ) WILL b e clutter free.... reading this thread has given me more determination on how I want it to look when it's finished. Thank you, Andres

I also pointed my father to this thread, since he has been an avid clasic car collector for the last 30 years. Mainly Triumphs, starting with a Spitfire Mk2, featuring a hood made by Belgian company Apal ( known for polyester buggy-bodies ), allowing for a bigger engine to be installed. I will never forget how polyester crumbles when driven into by a 1973 vw Beetle with a 16 year old behind the wheel ( me ).

He currently enjoys driving his Tr3 and Tr6, both in excellent condition. Since theywill be moving from a big house to a smaller loft, we will extend our house with two extra garages to fit both my wife's car and either the Tr3 or the Tr6.

anyway, thanks for the inspiration. I feel your house/garage will make a true difference in how my garage will be treated...

Regards,
Tim

 

[abstamaria]

Minimalism

Thanks very much, Tim. I am glad you liked the house and were able to pick up a few tips.

Those are wonderful cars your dad has. Although I don't have any now, on reflection I think I am at heart a Triumph, rather than an MG, man.

We've lived in the house for ten years now, and it remains quite bare by most standards. Still, stuff does creep in, and we have to reassess and prune constantly. We don't have paintings on walls generally, and the little art we have is on the floor - a few carpets by an now-gone modernist designer. We've decided that even these should go, so I took a few photos the other week to offer them to friends. Here's my salesman demonstrating how great they are to roll around in.

Best regards, and good luck,

Andy

 

[OscarTango]

Thanks for that how's the sound in the house, without carpets and 'clutter' to dampen the sound ?

 

[abstamaria]

Acoustics

There is a reverb in the larger areas, Tim, but no staccato echoes. I have problems in some restaurants, when low ceilings and bare floors create quite a din, but we never had that problem, even when we have a large dinner. The ceilings are fairly high on the ground floor, and there is air space between the ceiling and the floor above. The library and living room ceilings are two story’s high. I think those, the dimensions (no multiples, I think), and the large spaces contribute to the damping of sound, which is never obtrusive.



A cousin who plays jazz guitar jammed with a female singer one time in the living room. Their sound was very clear and surprisingly carried throughout the house. The reverb was just right. A rock band will be another story, though!

The upper floor remains quite bare, as shown in these photos of two bedrooms, but are quiet, too.





There are no intrusive echoes, but, if you clap your hands in the reading area shown below, you will hear a reverb as in a large chapel.



The absence of things makes the house easy to maintain and has a calming effect, noticed immediately by most friends. The difficulty, as you noted, is keeping stuff from creeping in. It’s not easy.

Good luck again!

Andy

 

[OscarTango]

Wow, thanks for those nice pictures and clarification of the sound characteristics. I love the wink-chair....my parents have one, bought it about 25 years ago for 600USD ... I saw it new in a designer shop and it was priced a mere 3000 USD

I have a brother, but I have made my claim to that chair already years ago... ;-)

Thanks again for sharing the privacy of your home.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Andy, honestly, I got a 'peaceful rush' just looking at the latest pictures; truly calming. It must be impossible to feel frazzled in your home. lol

 

[abstamaria]

You're welcome, Tim. Tes, that’s Toshiyuki Kita’s chair, with us for some time. I didn’t know they have become quite expensive.

By the way, I had some friends in the recording and acoustic treatment industry over to analyze an old workshop where my friends and I play (very badly) 1960s electric guitar music. They brought very sophisticated equipment, one of which generated and then listened to white noise, and checked for standing waves, dominant frequencies, room modes (240Hz in my case), flutter echoes, and so forth. A very black art, but the treatment they suggested seems to have worked. Now, my friends and I can hear each other! I should have asked them to check the house’s hallways and living rooms out of curiosity.

I hope the style has that effect on you, Omphaloskeptik. I read somewhere that good minimalist design mimics principles that apply to cloisters and similar contemplative spaces. Symmetry and repetition are two of those principles, and they tend to quiet the eye and mind. Or so they say.

Best regards,

Andy

 

[abstamaria]

Daisy's Light

At the far end of the small pond at the back of the garage, there is a small, solar-powered light that glows in the evening. It is bluish, but it reminds me of the green light on Daisy’s wharf about which Jay Gatsby’s nights revolved in Fitzgerald’s romantic novel. So I call it “Daisy’s light.”

 

[abstamaria]

Art for the Garage

A friend of mine surprised me at today’s sports car club meeting by giving a short talk on the history of my Lotus Elan and then presenting this scale model of my Elan’s frame, made by him by hand from sheet brass. What a gift this is.