Above 1200 Sq/FT Restored 1930's Auto Shop

[markviii]

Cool, what? Cool garage resto, cool letter/number stamps of grandpa's, cool tools, cool that Tom was busted by magnusk750? Gotta be clearer here. Maybe you're from Antarctica, where I assume it's "cool" too, so you're typing slowly and responding to an earlier post? (LOL - just playing around here). Welcome to the vortex, supracave!

Chris (with too much time on my hands?)

 

[Jeff Ivers]

Not only that, but an un-lined drawer!

Oh Oh, busted!!!!

Thomas

 

[bazzateer]

Gotta keep your drawers lined, keeps your tackle warm in winter!

 

[Scuderia-F1]

Not only that, but an un-lined drawer!

THIS is VERY worrying, Thomas you must take better care of that new (to the 1930´s auto shop) & shiny toolbox. may I suggest that you PROMPTLY get in contact with your local Snap-on "pusher" for some OEM "No-Slip" drawer liners.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

"I'm still setting up and assembling metal fabricating material for this box."

Guys, lighten up on poor Thomas! Here he is putting out the pics for us to enjoy rather than make us wait for a formal 'unveiling' and he's getting dinged by having stuff put on the 'squawk sheet' before it's even made it out to the flight line. I've been accused of flinging a few jibes (guilty as charged) all in good fun, but heck, we don't want Thomas to feel he has to have all his I's dotted and his T's crossed before he shares his ongoing progress pics. He might have his feelings hurt, get a 'photo phobia', and stop posting anything until he has Chris sign off on his 'rough drafts'! We wouldn't want that to happen, now would we?

 

[Sweet Old Bill]

"He might have his feelings hurt, get a 'photo phobia', and stop posting anything until he has Chris sign off on his 'rough drafts'! We wouldn't want that to happen, now would we?"

I nominate that for Best Idea on this thread in some time! If Miss Chris were to be put to work proof reading for Thomas, in addition to all her other myriad duties, we could be coasting for some time before the Dreaded Test appears!!

 

[BB767]

Not only that, but an un-lined drawer!

Gotta keep your drawers lined, keeps your tackle warm in winter!

THIS is VERY worrying, Thomas you must take better care of that new (to the 1930´s auto shop) & shiny toolbox. may I suggest that you PROMPTLY get in contact with your local Snaå-on "pusher" for some OEM "No-Slip" drawer liners.

"I'm still setting up and assembling metal fabricating material for this box."

Guys, lighten up on poor Thomas! Here he is putting out the pics for us to enjoy rather than make us wait for a formal 'unveiling' and he's getting dinged by having stuff put on the 'squawk sheet' before it's even made it out to the flight line. I've been accused of flinging a few jibes (guilty as charged) all in good fun, but heck, we don't want Thomas to feel he has to have all his I's dotted and his T's crossed before he shares his ongoing progress pics. He might have his feelings hurt, get a 'photo phobia', and stop posting anything until he has Chris sign off on his 'rough drafts'! We wouldn't want that to happen, now would we?

"He might have his feelings hurt, get a 'photo phobia', and stop posting anything until he has Chris sign off on his 'rough drafts'! We wouldn't want that to happen, now would we?"

I nominate that for Best Idea on this thread in some time! If Miss Chris were to be put to work proof reading for Thomas, in addition to all her other myriad duties, we could be coasting for some time before the Dreaded Test appears!!

I've been flying all night (9:48) and I try to always check in here before I hit the rack for a few hours sleep and the above is what greeted me this morning .............I've always told you guys to keep me on my toes and clearly everyone has taken that to heart and is most serious about it!!! Show me no mercy I always say and you definitely haven't. It's true I haven't got the box set up yet (that drawer liner was taken care of a couple of days after the picture). As pictured, it was just a "rough draft" as it were, but it's nice to see I've got so much help watching out for me so I don't slip up. I'm very confident you will never let that happen to me.

From all the grammar, syntax and occasional spelling errors in my posts it should be fairly evident that Chris doesn't proof read most of my material. I've convince myself that most everyone is willing to overlook that in exchange for getting material out here in a timely manner.

Never a worry about hurt feelings either, just can't happen with me and the gang here. Heck, I'm just grateful you read this thread and are willing to spend a few minutes posting in with your, ah, umm, "helpful suggestions". So thank you everyone for the assistance with keeping me on my game. It was a fun way to end my day before I catch a little rest.

And for that young lady with too much time on her hands, I'll be home soon.

Smiling Thomas

 

[markviii]

Good (on you being home soon)! Case closed on all the good-natured critique! Heck, I don't even have his password to use to edit his posts! (I only edit when he's home, if he asks (mostly).)

Keep studying.

Chris

 

[oberst]

I'm just glad to see that Thomas knows where the Harbor Freight store is. Just one of the guys, in spite of all the Shiny Snap-on Stuff. (SS-oS®)

 

[Micktw68]

Thomas ,have you ever heard of or read about **** Proenneke , there's something in hisself reliance ,work ethic and doggedness that rings true with you.
You really should write a book ,it'd be a best seller for sure.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Proenneke

http://www.dickproenneke.com/alone_in_the_wilderness.html#video

 

[155'Ringman]

I promised myself I wouldn't post on here until I had read the entire thread so far and I can tell you it has been a great read. I know you have heard this from many people commenting on the thread but I thought I should add my congratulations on such a thoughtfull and thorough restoration of the original shop. The addition of new equipment designed with proper use in mind and the top notch fabrication/finish is a joy to see. There's just so much to compliment that I think it's best just to say that it's all fantastic and I'm in awe of the energy with which you both use your spare time.

I work in aerospace powerplant design so I also appreciate your aircraft related references too. The drag racing is great although I'm more of a rallying and road racing enthusiast myself having spannered for a team with FF1600 / FF2000 / Historic F2 / F Atlantic and an F3000 Lola with an ex F1 DFV. That was all a good few years back but I still appreciate all the racing related postings.

I'm mostly into my Alfa Romeo's these days (Mid 90's 155 models that were raced in the BTCC) and thats what my garage work involves. I've taken a lot of good tips and info from your thread and hopefully will use it when I'm extending my garage this year.

Health to enjoy your workshop / farm etc

 

[frikkie]

I'm mostly into my Alfa Romeo's these days (Mid 90's 155 models that were raced in the BTCC)

Pics dammit!

 

[Scuderia-F1]

Pics dammit!

^^^T.H.I.S!

 

[CrustyD3mon]

155'Ringman welcome aboard......

 

[rjcsandiego]

Ringman, ask Thomas about his FF-1600 ride. I still gotta send him a bill!

 

[155'Ringman]

Without wanting to hijack this thread, my 155's are all road cars in various states of tune and specs. There is a 2.0 8V narrow bodied car with modded brakes that i'm doing a very slow full resto on. Engine might get breathed on later. There's a 2.5 v6 wide body with koni suspension and fiat coupe turbo brakes / uprights which i have a 3.0 24V engine sitting off to one side for. There's a Q4 model which is basically Lancia Delta / dedra integrale 4WD running gear in an Alfa 155 wide body shell. There's only 9 or 10 of these in the UK and this one is 1 of 4 wide bodied examples. It has Koni suspension, stainless manifold & exhaust system, willwood brakes and is running around 250bhp or so...

V6 (Black) & Q4 (Red)

Narrow body 8V

 

[hobbitss]

155'Ringman
Nice Iron from across the Pond...

Tools!!!

 

[155'Ringman]

Ringman, ask Thomas about his FF-1600 ride. I still gotta send him a bill!

Some missed gears?
My old boss used to run mostly Crossle chassis, in fact, I spent a couple of weeks at the Crossle factory helping put a sports 2000 car together for the 30th anniversary in 1987... Looonnnng time ago..

Would love a 9S..

 

[BB767]

Ringman, ask Thomas about his FF-1600 ride. I still gotta send him a bill!

Roland isn't there a statute of limitations on that? I'm sure there is or least there must be, yea there's just gotta be one 'cause if there isn't, well......................hey Chris, we have to sell the Corvette. I need some cash for Roland. Maybe Gus needs to go too!! He finally remembered to bill me!


Cash Strapped Thomas

 

[markviii]

Puts me between a rock and a hard place - a choice of getting rid of those one or two vehicles to pay the bill to Roland, or not. Hmmm... gotta think about that. (has anyone ever known us to get rid of any collector cars?) But, I think if R. really wanted to collect, those two may not even cover it (and he surely would have billed us by now)! I certainly don't want to be the one to make that decision (I'd sure miss Gus). Though, it might be worth it to Tom for the sheer exhilaration he felt while racing around the track (maybe a once-in-a-lifetime ride), but somehow I don't think so.

Is it almost two years already since we were out in San Diego? Doesn't seem possible. We were thinking it's about time for another visit. The San Diego gang has been to the Midwest twice (?) since we were out there, but at least I got to see everyone up at Road America last June. I'll have to work on plans for a trip.

Chris

 

[hobbitss]

Some missed gears?
My old boss used to run mostly Crossle chassis, in fact, I spent a couple of weeks at the Crossle factory helping put a sports 2000 car together for the 30th anniversary in 1987... Looonnnng time ago..

Would love a 9S..

This is sooooo Much better than the Anvil **** we usually see in this thread...

 

[mdbeck1]

This is sooooo Much better than the Anvil **** we usually see in this thread...

Hey Joe.....


Don't say things like that.... ....or... no more...


Tools!!!!!
| | |
\/\/\/



View media item 27377

 

[hobbitss]

Hey Joe.....

Don't say things like that.... ....or... no more...

Tools!!!!!
| | |
\/\/\/

View media item 27377

Toooooooollllllllllssssss............

 

[charlief1]

Ringman, ask Thomas about his FF-1600 ride. I still gotta send him a bill!

Used to race FF1600 myself in the 80's. Still miss the thrill of throwing one through a course but I got out after several nasty accidents. I would love to drive one again but the ones I drove would be vintage racers now.

 

[markviii]

Joe - I'm shocked! Race cars are better than Tom's lovely anvil? Really? You wouldn't catch him walking the Crossle or one of the other vintage race cars (though he might spend a bit more time with them than the anvil if given the opportunity)! I think if you actually sat in one (or had the chance to drive one around a race course), you'd want to spend more time in them - even if it was only to work on them (with TOOLS!).

Vintage racing is what Tom's having fun with - pit crew for the most part. I even got to be an "umbrella girl" at Road America (very important job, right Roland?). Lots of fun being so close to the action (loud, and I'm sure dangerous).

Chris

 

[hobbitss]

Joe - I'm shocked! Race cars are better than Tom's lovely anvil? Really? You wouldn't catch him walking the Crossle or one of the other vintage race cars (though he might spend a bit more time with them than the anvil if given the opportunity)! I think if you actually sat in one (or had the chance to drive one around a race course), you'd want to spend more time in them - even if it was only to work on them (with TOOLS!).

Vintage racing is what Tom's having fun with - pit crew for the most part. I even got to be an "umbrella girl" at Road America (very important job, right Roland?). Lots of fun being so close to the action (loud, and I'm sure dangerous).

Chris

What can I say???
I love the Anvil and everything it represents...
But... I Lust after that sports car...

 

[mdbeck1]

What can I say???
I love the Anvil and everything it represents...
But... I Lust after that sports car...

It sounds like we need to talk to Thomas about POSTPONING the tool shed archeological dig.

 

[babaluba]

Hahaha... Someone's trying to give Joe a heart attack. Careful now!

 

[BB767]

Joe - ....

Vintage racing is what Tom's having fun with - pit crew for the most part. I even got to be an "umbrella girl" at Road America (very important job, right Roland?).

Chris

Well don't forget being an "umbrella guy" is just as important Chris. Just look at that concentration on my face. I not only fly large aircraft but I can hold an umbrella with the best of them! Oh yeah, I am having fun with it all.

That's Norm Cowdrey and his marvelous McKee MK 10 at Road America last year.

The very same car Chris got to get some laps in out at the barn a couple of years ago. That's my girl!

Thomas

 

[hobbitss]

It sounds like we need to talk to Thomas about POSTPONING the tool shed archeological dig.

NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooo.....

 

[155'Ringman]

That McKee is way cool, love the old Can-Am and F5000 cars.

Dunno about that umbrella guy, don't think that'll catch on much..

Nice sig Joe

Cheers

Fergus

 

[hobbitss]

That McKee is way cool, love the old Can-Am and F5000 cars.

Dunno about that umbrella guy, don't think that'll catch on much..

Nice sig Joe

Cheers

Fergus

Normally it would help but somehow I don't think a bathing suit will improve the Umbrella Guy's look...

Glad you like the Sig Image.. It is much nicer than one of my scuffed up 92 Miata autocross car...

 

[mdbeck1]

NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooo.....

Hey Chris..... ....I think Joe MIGHT be wanting to apologize....

 

[markviii]

No apologies necessary! Just like having everyone along for the ride, no matter the reason.

Chris

 

[gordyy]

As a new member of the garage forum (I have spent to many hours on tractor forums over the last few years) I bumbled into this thread over the weekend and am currently in the page 61 part of this 318 pg thread and have to say (like so many others)
WOW O WOW
Fantastic, Tom and Chris.
Now any bets on how long to cover the rest? I Love the old blacksmith things found (my great uncle ran a blacksmith shop into the late 60s) brings back great memories thank you for documenting it all fantastic

 

[GT-TX]

Chris:
Saw that you needed Idaho so I'm on the phone with a friend in Idaho and he's posting right now; you can check Idaho off your list. He is posting while we speak on the phone and his user name is autojockey123. He likes 60's Chevys like Thomas. He should be post number 6302 below mine.

Congratulations on making all 50 states! Now how many countries do you need to have them all?
Fred

Thomas & Ms. Chris:
In your continuing quest to reach out worldwide (24 countries so far according to Chris' count on page 97) thought this little widget might come in handy on the COTU Greatest Workshop in the World Thread (COTUGWITWT). It registers and counts where visitors/viewers are and shows their nation's flag.



According to their website it's free and might reveal some interesting statistics. Here's their link: http://www.flagcounter.com/

 

[gordyy]

I hate to post almost consecutive posts on such a great thread but I have overstayed my daily limit I sat down 2 hours ago for a short break and find myself at page 72! I have to limit myself to 10 pages or I will not get anything done. Out to the shop myself I have to find a loose connection inside my plasma cutter so I can do a little fabricating of my own.

 

[rjcsandiego]

Tom, the McKee and the Lola T-70 are in a container heading for Australia. Couldn't get Lou to go though! We're taking apps for umbrella GIRLS when we get there.......but Dan is bringing his own.

 

[DynoDave]

I have to limit myself to 10 pages or I will not get anything done.

I had that same problem!

 

[skyfright]

I had that same problem!

There is a slight problem with starting out late on this thread. It is so darned interesting that it is very hard to limit yourself to just 10 pages. It took me over a year to get here on this "real time" posting. I have finally made it. Thanks Tom and Chris. Keep going. I won't get behind, I hope.

Ron