MQ Unlimited Media
Well-known member
Amazing garage and equally impressive vehicles assembled in the space. By far my favorite is the 'Burben.
Mark's Monster Garage....3800 sq ft
- Thread starter IGO2XS
- Start date
Thanks for the compliments. My wife loves the suburban and so do I. Its not a high dollar car but its uniqueness is very attractive. I wish for more creativeness like this in the future........particularly investment wise.
No high HP motor to worry about and its fun to drive.Thanks for sharing the article. I read it thourally and when I have time will experiment with some of the tips. I am finding the monster garage party closing in on me so I will be sparing some of the intricate details. At this point I have given the panels an acid bath, sprayed some water on them daily, and threw some dirt on them
This morning I started installing some of the panels to check out how they will look. I am pretty satisfied they look old enough for now. 
Almost forgot the Chevelle. Bob had a big day yesterday. I will update with some pictures once we move the body outside. The undercarriage and firewall have been painted black, the floorpan has been "rhino lined" as a sound deadener, and as the pictures show the car has been jammed with the Astro Blue color. We are hoping by the end of the week to have the body on the frame. This week we will assemble most of the suspension on the frame so I will keep the pics coming.
We got the Chevelle off the rotisserie today and put it on the lift. It felt pretty good to get the paper off the car and see all of the nice finish work. We started assembly on the frame. We are still waiting for a few bearings to show up for the lower control arms. I will be speaking with Kore 3 tomorrow on some brackets. I have a nice set of C5 rotors and calipers sitting on the shelf I have been wanting to make use of. I should have already ordered the brackets but it shouldnt take too much time to get them.
We have the motor and transmission ready for paint. Already started some wiring inside the car. More pics in the next few days.
We have the motor and transmission ready for paint. Already started some wiring inside the car. More pics in the next few days.
Buzz Lightyear
Well-known member
Very VERY nice.
Keep the updates coming because I think this one's going to be (another) beauty!!
Keep the updates coming because I think this one's going to be (another) beauty!!
Homebody
Well-known member
Chevelle is coming along nicely and the tin walls look great also!
I know you guys like pictures and today was a perfect day for photography. Lets just say there was more instant gratification today than we will probably see until the Chevelle rolls out of my garage. The lower control arm bushings came in today so Bob finished up the front suspension. All the suspension and body bushings were replaced with new Prothane Polyurethane bushings. The suspension bushings are a tremendous amount of work. We installed the factory rotors so the chassis could be rolling. Final brakes will be Corvette C5 front and rear. The 454 big block has been ready for weeks but we did not have the oil pan. I picked the pan up and noon today and it was installed so it was time to paint the factory gm orange color. It is not a high HP motor but is around 365 hp..........a good cruiser. I had a nice turbo 350 transmission built a few months ago and it has a nice shift kit in it just to make the car a little bit more fun to drive. The motor and transmission were married, installed in frame, and body dropped on the frame..................all done it a good days work.
Wingnut65
Well-known member
Wow! It is amazing what a little fire under you can accomplish. Awesome work! (as usual)
A small request if I may.......
I know that this thread is primarily about the car projects now & I thoroughly enjoy that, as I've said up thread a few times.
However, I'm always studying the pictures for the background views of various sections of the garage, just to see what type toolboxes, cabinets, benches etc. you have & how you set them up & would always welcome more views & details of the garage infrastructure itself, should you post them up.
However, this morning something caught my eye. In the second picture above, I've spotted a very interesting set-up of a bench, a floor standing cabinet & some upper cabinets. It looks very much like something that I'm planning to create in my own garage, albeit without the washer / drier set up. So I was wondering if perhaps you would be kind enough to post some pictures of this area, I'd really appreciate it
For reference I've encircled in yellow the area of interest in the pic below.
View media item 29904
I know that this thread is primarily about the car projects now & I thoroughly enjoy that, as I've said up thread a few times.
However, I'm always studying the pictures for the background views of various sections of the garage, just to see what type toolboxes, cabinets, benches etc. you have & how you set them up & would always welcome more views & details of the garage infrastructure itself, should you post them up.
However, this morning something caught my eye. In the second picture above, I've spotted a very interesting set-up of a bench, a floor standing cabinet & some upper cabinets. It looks very much like something that I'm planning to create in my own garage, albeit without the washer / drier set up. So I was wondering if perhaps you would be kind enough to post some pictures of this area, I'd really appreciate it
For reference I've encircled in yellow the area of interest in the pic below.
View media item 29904
Waouw !!!
really amazing either the garage and the quality of the restoration of your car !
Congrat'
thanks friend!!
A small request if I may..... I've spotted a very interesting set-up of a bench, a floor standing cabinet & some upper cabinets. It looks very much like something that I'm planning to create in my own garage, albeit without the washer / drier set up. So I was wondering if perhaps you would be kind enough to post some pictures of this area, I'd really appreciate it
Ok, you forced me to clean off the counter top to take this picture
It needed it anyway!! To the left you will see the most important piece of equipment in the garage.......the urinal. I have always had my own washer and dryer in my garages for car towels and extra dirty clothes I dont want to take inside the house. Next to the washer and dryer is a coffee machine.......I bought it for my wife, it grinds the beans and makes a fresh cup of coffee but she did not want it in her kitchen so I got it!! Behind the computer keyboard is the receiver that plays streamed music throughout the garage via a Sonos system. To the right of the computer screen is an electronic time clock we use to track time on vehicles we are working on. Below the coffee maker is a pull out drawer that holds the laundry soap and also conceals a subwoofer hidden behind the cabinet. The rest are a combination of pull out drawers and cabinets. You cannot have too much storage in a garage. Below the sink on the floor is a floor mounted vacuum port for my central vacuum system. Two pieces of history on this wall. Above the computer screen is a "Keep On Truckin" light socket I got in the early 70's when I had my custom van....it has always had a black light bulb in it. On the very top of the cabinet to the right is a car carrier I had when I was a young boy.
Omphaloskeptic
Well-known member
I like the arrangement of that wall, 'input' on the right, 'output' on the left. lol
Thank you very much Mark, for the photos & explanation. I'm hoping to create a similar enough set up in my own garage & the detail you've provided is exactly what I needed
The set up with the sub woofer in the cabinet is particularly clever & well thought out. It's that attention to detail that makes the "Monster Garage" stand out. I also just love that you have some "memorabilia" from your younger days in the garage. In particular the car carrier truck
As I've said, while I thoroughly enjoy the updates on the various car projects you are working on, I always take a look in the background to see what types of cabinetry, benches, tools boxes & the like, you have in the garage & how you've set them up. So if you ever feel like posting up some more details & pix of the workspaces & how you have them arranged, I for one, would be delighted.
As I'm sadly unable to make it across the Atlantic with my camera to attend the cookout, I have to rely on the portal of my computer screen to see what you've done in that amazing garage of yours !
The set up with the sub woofer in the cabinet is particularly clever & well thought out. It's that attention to detail that makes the "Monster Garage" stand out. I also just love that you have some "memorabilia" from your younger days in the garage. In particular the car carrier truck
As I've said, while I thoroughly enjoy the updates on the various car projects you are working on, I always take a look in the background to see what types of cabinetry, benches, tools boxes & the like, you have in the garage & how you've set them up. So if you ever feel like posting up some more details & pix of the workspaces & how you have them arranged, I for one, would be delighted.
As I'm sadly unable to make it across the Atlantic with my camera to attend the cookout, I have to rely on the portal of my computer screen to see what you've done in that amazing garage of yours !
Last edited:
Have lurked on this site for quite awhile...but this build thread made me join just so I could say....AMAZING! GREAT JOB! FAN..F'ing...TASTIC! If I was home (Jacksonville) soon enough I would definitely make the April 27th cookout but unfortunately won't be in the Sunshine State until late May early June! Enjoy and I am going to grab a cold one and re-read the thread one more time! 
tskills10
Well-known member
thanks friend!!
I had to laugh at seeing the toys on the top of the cabinet. My boy has that same (as far as I can tell) Hummer in his bedroom. It was given to him by my buddy before he moved to Sarasota, last year. Just struck me as funny, since my buddy only lives a couple of miles from you. I keep telling him he needs to stop by your place.
Yes, I have seen it over on the 67-72 chevy trucks forum. its really nice.
I have some young nephews who hang out at the monster garage who love playing with all the toys. For some reason I relate better to the 7 years olds than adults over 40
Oh I am glad for that....thank you so much. Sorry you cant make it for the party but Florida isnt so big you couldnt stop in some day. The monster garage is open 7 days a week and even most holidays!!
Thank you very much Mark, for the photos & explanation. The set up with the sub woofer in the cabinet is particularly clever & well thought out. It's that attention to detail that makes the "Monster Garage" stand out. I also just love that you have some "memorabilia" from your younger days in the garage. In particular the car carrier truck
As I'm sadly unable to make it across the Atlantic with my camera to attend the cookout, I have to rely on the portal of my computer screen to see what you've done in that amazing garage of yours !
I will take some other pictures of my cabinets soon. I have some custom cabinets that stand almost 8 foot tall. All of the drawers in them are rollouts so you can pull out the entire drawer. I would love to spend more time organizing but there is so much work to do it is hard to devote too much time to putting everything exactly where it belongs.
It doesnt keep me from dreaming that someday it will all be properly organized.thank you!!
LOL
The Chevelle is making some serious progress. Bob and Larry are kicking some serious **** on this car. As you can see since the last pictures the core support, radiator, and doors have been installed. The doors are certainly no easy task. Today was a day of "wires" and "windows". The only wire we got with this car was the switch for the power convertible top. Needless to say the every piece of wire in the car will be new from the fuse panel to wiring harness, to lights, ignition, etc. You can see Larry messing with one of the rear windows and getting them operational. Without a diagram Bob was trying to figure out the parts we need to complete the driver and passenger windows. Yes, we are literally building a Chevelle from scratch.........when we are done 90 percent of this car will be new!
Hey Mark, the Chevelle is coming along nicely . I'm looking forward to seeing it in person next weekend.
Slow down a little bit, though - I want to see a "work-in-progress" car with all the guts exposed and not a finished car. I hope cameras are welcome - I have a 16G memory card with room for lots of detail shots.
(BTW, the rear side windows in my '70 never rolled up very good from day one.)
. I'm looking forward to seeing it in person next weekend.Slow down a little bit, though - I want to see a "work-in-progress" car with all the guts exposed and not a finished car
. I hope cameras are welcome - I have a 16G memory card with room for lots of detail shots. (BTW, the rear side windows in my '70 never rolled up very good from day one.)
Hey Mark, the Chevelle is coming along nicely
Slow down a little bit, though - I want to see a "work-in-progress" car with all the guts exposed and not a finished car
(BTW, the rear side windows in my '70 never rolled up very good from day one.)
Dont worry it will definitely be exposed. Right now Bob is trying to get the fenders and the hood on. We will be only working on it for the next few days then its break time on the Chevelle. You know you have to start putting something together before you figure out what parts your missing......its the little stuff you know.
Hoping we get to spend Saturday on my C10 pickup which wont amount to much. Then Monday its time to get on the 66 Nova and obsess about it for a week. We have been gathering body parts for it for 3 weeks and we need to take a turn on it. Here is a picture of the Nova sitting outside with new doors, fenders, and new hood. Yes, the custom frame has the front tires sitting forward and Bob will be reshaping the front fender wheel openings.
Oh I am glad for that....thank you so much. Sorry you cant make it for the party but Florida isnt so big you couldnt stop in some day. The monster garage is open 7 days a week and even most holidays!!
I will definitely ping you as (Annie and I) will be in Tampa visiting a friend over one of the weekends when I am home so have to see the Monster Garage while in the area!
Do you ever get over to the Cars & Coffee in Tampa with some of those great cars?
Thanks for taking the time to post all the projects it is great to follow along!
I will definitely ping you as (Annie and I) will be in Tampa visiting a friend over one of the weekends when I am home so have to see the Monster Garage while in the area!
Do you ever get over to the Cars & Coffee in Tampa with some of those great cars?
Thanks for taking the time to post all the projects it is great to follow along!
Buzz Lightyear
Well-known member
The colo(u)r match on those panels is awful. I think you need to have a word with you sprayer!!
Crazy thing about me is I dont enjoy my cars much. I spend most of my recreational time in the garage. I really enjoy it that much but I do need to get out.
The colo(u)r match on those panels is awful. I think you need to have a word with you sprayer!!
Oh, you dont like the final paint job on the Nova.
It matches better at night!!JCQuick
Well-known member
. I hope cameras are welcome - I have a 16G memory card with room for lots of detail shots.
they better be cause I'm bringing mine
Buzz Lightyear
Well-known member
Oh, you dont like the final paint job on the Nova.
I'll take it anyway.
A little update on the construction. The painter dude was over on friday and did a little paint work. I am not satisfied yet but it was a start. If you look over on the other side of the man door you can see it is a little darker there which I like. I guess you keep putting on paint until it looks right
I finished up the metal today. If you look at the angled piece in the front you can see how rusty it is. This piece needed to be longer so I had to cut a fresh piece. I just poured straight muratic acid on it and the next morning it was rusty. The rest of the metal I did 50/50 acid and water so if you want to rust galvanized metal just pour straight acid on it.........wearing rubber gloves and protective goggles of course
I finished up the metal today. If you look at the angled piece in the front you can see how rusty it is. This piece needed to be longer so I had to cut a fresh piece. I just poured straight muratic acid on it and the next morning it was rusty. The rest of the metal I did 50/50 acid and water so if you want to rust galvanized metal just pour straight acid on it.........wearing rubber gloves and protective goggles of course
Looking good! Does need more rust in the front...IMHO...but love the vintage / aged look...it is like most of us who have some scars...adds character...hahahaha! how does the song go..."you might have less scars...but I have better stories"!!
Cheers, Roy
Cheers, Roy
tskills10
Well-known member
The place looks great, I really love the look. But I'm thinking that the man door might out of place. Maybe a different angle on the picture of the door. but it looks too new compared to the rest. Maybe you already have plans for it.
Omphaloskeptic
Well-known member
The painter is doing a fine job from what I can see in the pic. It appears 'subtle', not over-done, just like an aged 'natural' patina would appear. You are the final judge, as you see it every day and not just a picture, and you are the one paying for the finish. lol
agree with this. I have 4 extra pieces I am going to try to work on and maybe exchange with a few panels that are not as aged.
I do have plans for it I am just not sure what yet......remember me, I am the guy that works without a plan
I am going to be building some proper galvanized metal barn doors for the big opening as well. I will work on both doors soon. right now just trying to get ready for the party this weekend. thank you for the opinion!I completely agree and I want it a little darker and just a bit less busy. Maybe I need to add some obscene graffiti to the wall to really make it look like an old garage in the hood
Omphaloskeptic
Well-known member
"I completely agree and I want it a little darker and just a bit less busy. Maybe I need to add some obscene graffiti to the wall to really make it look like an old garage in the hood"
Heck, invite some high school age taggers to the garage and they'll fix you right up! lol
Heck, invite some high school age taggers to the garage and they'll fix you right up! lol
Buzz Lightyear
Well-known member
I wasn't sure about this during the work-in-progress photos but now that it's reached this point I can see where you're heading with it and I like it A LOT!!
Is the meet this weekend?
Thanks for all of the support you guys!!! Yes the party is this Saturday so there has been a lot to do along with keeping up with working on the Chevelle and the Nova.
Today I finished up the Willys. It has literally been apart since I installed the lift. The master cylinder failed so we had to redo the brake line system to make the new master cylinder serviceable. It was mounted directly under the car and hard piped so there was no way to check the fluid. We had to install a new fuel tank sending unit.......you might say piece of cake but we had to take off the trunk lid, remove some of the stereo equipment, drain the fuel tank so we could move it just to get to the old sending unit. Both of the projects on a normal car would be no problem. We probably have 12 hours in the whole ordeal. The only thing I know I want the Willys running this weekend.
Here is a little update on the Chevelle. Front fenders, inner fenders, hood, and light covers installed. Spent darn near a day adjusting front fenders and hood. We were happy to see our polished Edelbrock intake manifold was the perfect height for the air cleaner and gasket to fit with our hood. This will be a working cowl hood:yes: We are probably going to take a short break on the Chevelle as we have been hitting it pretty hard.
Today we official started on the Nova. When this car was made race worthy all of the hinges and such were removed from the car as the owner had a bolt on hood. Now he wants hinges so Bob spent most of the day fabricating some hood hinges for the new fiberglass race hood. We are picking up some steel tomorrow to start fabricating a new firewall. The one fabricated at the time the suspension was built is thin and flimsy. Bob is going with a heavy guage steel to dress the firewall up and make it more show than race.
We have yet to start cleaning for the party. I will be updating tomorrow with progress on that front.
Today I finished up the Willys. It has literally been apart since I installed the lift. The master cylinder failed so we had to redo the brake line system to make the new master cylinder serviceable. It was mounted directly under the car and hard piped so there was no way to check the fluid. We had to install a new fuel tank sending unit.......you might say piece of cake but we had to take off the trunk lid, remove some of the stereo equipment, drain the fuel tank so we could move it just to get to the old sending unit.
Both of the projects on a normal car would be no problem. We probably have 12 hours in the whole ordeal. The only thing I know I want the Willys running this weekend.Here is a little update on the Chevelle. Front fenders, inner fenders, hood, and light covers installed. Spent darn near a day adjusting front fenders and hood. We were happy to see our polished Edelbrock intake manifold was the perfect height for the air cleaner and gasket to fit with our hood. This will be a working cowl hood:yes: We are probably going to take a short break on the Chevelle as we have been hitting it pretty hard.
Today we official started on the Nova. When this car was made race worthy all of the hinges and such were removed from the car as the owner had a bolt on hood. Now he wants hinges so Bob spent most of the day fabricating some hood hinges for the new fiberglass race hood. We are picking up some steel tomorrow to start fabricating a new firewall. The one fabricated at the time the suspension was built is thin and flimsy. Bob is going with a heavy guage steel to dress the firewall up and make it more show than race.
We have yet to start cleaning for the party. I will be updating tomorrow with progress on that front.
Buzz Lightyear
Well-known member
They're coming along very nicely and in case I don't get back on here before then - Have a great party!!
As I mentioned the raised circle on the build room was going to be some kind of logo. Because I still want to do a sign with Mark's Monster Garage I decided the round sign would be something vintage. I did what any other very creative person would do with massive amounts of unique ideas...........surfed the internet until I found an idea i could steal
I spoke with the guy who did the faux work on the room and he said it would look cool if I built the sign out of wood. I rummaged around and decided old pallet wood was the right material. I cut the pallet boards off with my reciprocating saw so I could leave the old nails in the wood. I just laid 3 slats down, butted the pallet boards together and nailed them. A few i cut in half to make a wood joint in the middle of the wood.
Here is the wood nailed together............I marked a 4 foot circle using a string and cut a circle out with my jig saw.
http://s987.photobucket.com/user/ma...20-AD9412BA6BF2-823-00000088A449A825.jpg.html
My buddy picked up the wood sign and the picture and said he would bring it back in a few days. Check this out. The sign really looks old. He did an awesome job and I am really happy. The wife says I need to change the date on this sign to reflect the date I finished the garage.
We are going to do another sign that will hang off the side of the build room that will say Monster Garage.
[/URL]
I spoke with the guy who did the faux work on the room and he said it would look cool if I built the sign out of wood. I rummaged around and decided old pallet wood was the right material. I cut the pallet boards off with my reciprocating saw so I could leave the old nails in the wood. I just laid 3 slats down, butted the pallet boards together and nailed them. A few i cut in half to make a wood joint in the middle of the wood.
Here is the wood nailed together............I marked a 4 foot circle using a string and cut a circle out with my jig saw.
http://s987.photobucket.com/user/ma...20-AD9412BA6BF2-823-00000088A449A825.jpg.html
My buddy picked up the wood sign and the picture and said he would bring it back in a few days. Check this out. The sign really looks old. He did an awesome job and I am really happy. The wife says I need to change the date on this sign to reflect the date I finished the garage.
We are going to do another sign that will hang off the side of the build room that will say Monster Garage.
Wingnut65
Well-known member
Awesome sign! That turned out great.
And the progress on the Nova and Chavelle, Wow! You have some very talented workers in your shop. The quality of work that you all do is amazing! Can't wait to see them up close and personal!
And the progress on the Nova and Chavelle, Wow! You have some very talented workers in your shop. The quality of work that you all do is amazing! Can't wait to see them up close and personal!
Homebody
Well-known member
Thanks for the car updates. The sign is cool but I think I'd weather it a bit so it matches the rusty steel.
Have a great party and take plenty of pics, I'd love to be there!
Have a great party and take plenty of pics, I'd love to be there!