Mark's Monster Garage....3800 sq ft

[IGO2XS]

Attention all tuners!! Check out the Acura NSX-R we have in the shop. This bad boy appeared in Fast and Furious 3. This NSX is sporting the Veilside wide body kit. Its a pretty awesome car is pretty much a street legal Indy car. We are doing some minor body repairs during the week. I will get some other angles of the car in a few days.

 

[motofool33]

Nice car always liked the NSX, just not fast enough for the money.

 

[Hdtheater]

Just finished going through the thread. Great work and awesome cars.

-Eric

 

[JCQuick]

Acura NSX has an aluminum body. I 'll be watching

 

[atfulldraw]

Awwwwww, man...last page.....dangit


those vettes (all of them!)


Guess I can now watch on facebook
(since I had to unlike your page the other day to keep from spoiling the thread )


I'll be in my bunk.

 

[IGO2XS]

Nice car always liked the NSX, just not fast enough for the money.

they were expensive weren't they.

Just finished going through the thread. Great work and awesome cars.

-Eric

thank you Eric

Acura NSX has an aluminum body. I 'll be watching

What we are trying to do is to match the paintwork on this car. It is Lamborghini pearl yellow but it has a crazy pearl over the top that has shades of gold and green. The paint manufacturer who made the pearl on top is out of business so we are experimenting with some alternatives.

Awwwwww, man...last page.....dangit

those vettes (all of them!)

Guess I can now watch on facebook
(since I had to unlike your page the other day to keep from spoiling the thread )

Oh that is funny. I like the way you think though. Glad you made it to the end. We will try to keep it interesting for you!!

 

[Hdtheater]

I think it is wonderful that you can do that much work at home!

 

[IGO2XS]

Right now we are working on two designs for the Corvette 63 split window. One concept is the mild version and the other is the wild version and I am using two different designers. One of them I am sure you have heard of is Eric Brockmeyer. He does some really sweet work. Sema stuff, designs for The Roadstershop, and other high end work. The other guy is Kris Horton......carsbykris.com. He is another sema designer and does fabulous work. Below is a working model he built we will be working from. I guess if both designs are home runs I am going to have to build another one.

If you are not familiar with these guys you need to google them. Really far out work they do....

 

[dubber]

Sweet NSX! Thanks for posting that up.

Is this the one?
http://blog.gtroc.com/dino/2005/09/veilside_fortun.html

 

[ugly kustom]

What you need to do is put that ls3 motor with a 6 speed trany in your truck & finish it already... lol.
I'm just saying because I crashed my 70 suburban Monday.

 

[atfulldraw]

Good grief I want that split window......

At this point, I don't suppose I could distract you with something else shiny and talk you out of it ?

 

[ugly kustom]

"Good grief I want that split window..."
Nope. it's my retirement plan 15 more years

 

[IGO2XS]

Sweet NSX! Thanks for posting that up.

Is this the one?
http://blog.gtroc.com/dino/2005/09/veilside_fortun.html

Oh cool man I just check out your link. Yes this is the one. A friend of bought this car from Jay Laub. Go ahead and Google him. He was one of the top tuners in the country for 7 or 8 years. Jay lives here in Sarasota and we are going to hook up and build a car.

What you need to do is put that ls3 motor with a 6 speed trany in your truck & finish it already... lol.
I'm just saying because I crashed my 70 suburban Monday.

I am sorry to hear that. Bad weather or snow? I think we are really going to start the truck soon. I really need to finish it. I either need to drive it, show it, or sell it but it has to be done.

Good grief I want that split window......

At this point, I don't suppose I could distract you with something else shiny and talk you out of it ?

No sorry I have big plans for this car and I hope you stick around to see what happens to it.

 

[Wingnut65]

Great thread, Mark. Had you always planned to use the garage as a restoration business? Maybe I missed that over reading the thread. Thanks for sharing.

There was never a thought of any of this happening in the garage. I just like garages and thought it would be a fun place to play. I guess things just got a little bit out of hand around here!

A little out of hand????

Just catching up and I can't help to notice the number of rides that are coming to the Monster Garage. In the past several pages you received another Willys, a '58 Vette and an NSX.

Do you keep a log of all the individual 'vehicles' that have had work done in your shop? That would include the boat, the RV and all the awesome cars and trucks!

The quality of the results that are rolling out of your place are totally amazing. Please be sure to say 'No' when you need to so that your crew can keep focusing on the current task at hand, instead of the line to projects ahead of them, Or, maybe not 'No', but 'Not now!'...

 

[IGO2XS]

A little out of hand????

Just catching up and I can't help to notice the number of rides that are coming to the Monster Garage. In the past several pages you received another Willys, a '58 Vette and an NSX.

Do you keep a log of all the individual 'vehicles' that have had work done in your shop? That would include the boat, the RV and all the awesome cars and trucks!

The quality of the results that are rolling out of your place are totally amazing. Please be sure to say 'No' when you need to so that your crew can keep focusing on the current task at hand, instead of the line to projects ahead of them, Or, maybe not 'No', but 'Not now!'...

Your funny Wingnut!! Yes we do have a little more than we bargained for. Yes I do keep a log of everything we work on and the list is growing. Wow the "NO" word is pretty difficult because I hate to say no. Something exciting comes along and I just want to be a part of it.

Along those lines I am looking for talented people who have hot rod, muscle car, and restoration experience. I am not giving up the monster garage but I am expanding to a larger building and I need to hire a few select people. The pay is great and we have lots of exciting projects ahead.

 

[ejm1961Tbird]

I am a big fan of the '63 split window. I can't wait to see how it turns out!

 

[IGO2XS]

We have been working on the Willys this past week. With us installing A/C and with the Pioneer navigation, iPod, and video unit added we have had to remake the dash. Luckily the original dash was removable. We have added 7 inches in depth to accommodate the Pioneer unit. The ends of the dash were flared in so we could add the oval A/C vents so they would blow at the passengers. We will be installing all new gauges one we finish mocking up the dash. We purchased some foam blocks today and will be carving out the center console tomorrow. It will flow down from the bottom of the dash and back between the seats.









This car will be getting a mega sound system. It originally had a very small Odessey battery because of the limited space. The owner wanted dual Optima yellow top batteries so we ended up cutting two openings in the rear trunk area and building two fiberglass boxes which will house the batteries.






The interior of the car is getting two layers of sound deadener to keep it cool and quiet. It is quite a job to properly cut out and apply this material.






Here is another project we are undertaking. Believe it or not this is going to be the body cart for the 63 split window corvette. It is a little overbuilt but once the car is bolted to this car we will attach it to the rotisserie so we can spin the Corvette and work on the undercarriage. The cart probably weights 400 lbs.





And finally I have been looking over the 58 Corvette project. Still a month away but mocking up different parts of the car. I brought a couple tires out to see how the C1 would look with a little more meat under the fender wells.

 

[Fastphil]

Moving to a new and bigger location? Now that should be interesting! Unless you have a pretty wicked trick up your sleeve, you're gonna have a longer commute to the shop than you have now. What work ended up being done to the NSX? Saw some pics on FB, didn't care for the taillight treatment on it, but otherwise a different kind of project for the Monster Garage.

 

[IGO2XS]

Moving to a new and bigger location? Now that should be interesting! Unless you have a pretty wicked trick up your sleeve, you're gonna have a longer commute to the shop than you have now. What work ended up being done to the NSX? Saw some pics on FB, didn't care for the taillight treatment on it, but otherwise a different kind of project for the Monster Garage.

I am not giving up the Monster Garage. There is just some work I want to move out of here. It is not set in stone yet but the other location is close to my office so it would be convenient as well.

We did some paint work to the NSX that was really tricky. It was Lamborghini yellow but it had the crazy candy over the top of it. Lots of metal flake and a green tint to it depending on how you looked at it. The deck lid and rear spoiler was damaged and our wonder boy behind the paint gun matched it. By the time we bought materials and added up the man hours to figure it out it ended up being a $1700 job

 

[F-117HWK]

What materials/brands are you going to use for the sound deadening on the Willys?

I love seeing the updates on this thread, thanks for continually taking the time to share.

 

[IGO2XS]

What materials/brands are you going to use for the sound deadening on the Willys?

I love seeing the updates on this thread, thanks for continually taking the time to share.

I buy our sound deadener from Summit. We put down a layer of their Thermo-Tec which is the 1/8" silver coated product you see. We then put a 1/4" layer of Dynaliner over the top so we have two layers.

I am glad you enjoy the thread.

 

[IGO2XS]

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. We had celebrated Christmas with most of the family in the last 5 days so today's commitment was an 11am brunch. Otherwise I worked in the garage as it was a beautiful 70 degree sunshiny day. I had the doors up and the 70's music blaring.

With everyone out of the shop I decided to work on the center console. I always keep the large flat pieces of cardboard because they make good pattern makers. I decided to mock up the center console and come to a decent shape to get the console going. With the video screen in the dash I needed room for the 3rd A/C vent and the gauges. The nice part of the cardboard is using a nice sharp razor knife to quickly make adjustments to the shape. I use aluminum tape meant for ductwork as it sticks better than any tape out there. The sides will get covered in leather and the top will be painted the color of the car. The trick is making it blend in with the dash so we will see how we put it together.




Here is a picture of one of the battery boxes we made. After spraying them with the Raptor you can't even tell they were added. The back will get covered in upholstery so you won't even see these when it is finished.

 

[941designs]

Looks great Mark, although I admired the effort you put into the foam version of that console. Thanks again for the trip to your shop last week, and hope your Christmas was great. Looking forward to coming by again soon.

 

[Skyline]

Great work Mark!

Quick question: when you showed in process photos of the battery boxes, it looked like they were fiberglass shells, and were being glassed into the floor. If that's the case, do you think that will be strong enough to support the weight of the battery as the car rides over bumps? That will be almost like hitting the box repeatedly with a 50lb hammer.

 

[IGO2XS]

Looks great Mark, although I admired the effort you put into the foam version of that console. Thanks again for the trip to your shop last week, and hope your Christmas was great. Looking forward to coming by again soon.

It was Brady and hoping you will come by and visit again.

Great work Mark!

Quick question: when you showed in process photos of the battery boxes, it looked like they were fiberglass shells, and were being glassed into the floor. If that's the case, do you think that will be strong enough to support the weight of the battery as the car rides over bumps? That will be almost like hitting the box repeatedly with a 50lb hammer.

Great observation and I agree with you 100 percent. :thumb up: I have bent some 1 1/4 aluminum straps for the bottom of the boxes under the car and have not installed them yet. There will be 2 per box and they will be bolted in so provide the additional support you are rightfully concerned about. I will show you when I get them mounted.

Again thanks for the heads up. Always looking to hear suggestions from anyone.

 

[Audicon]

Mark,

Have you looked at some of the lightweight batteries? They have come a long way in the last few years.

I have a couple of friends running this one in higher hp cars (Nissan 300zx/'Vette/Camaro etc). I used it in the last Z I built. Never had an issue.

This one is only 12lbs

Here is another at about 15lbs

 

[Kevin54]

Wow!! I'm just amazed every time I visit the Monster Garage thread. There's just something cool going on all of the time.

Seeing the mods to the dash in the Willy's, reminded me....did your guy get the dash finished in the Malibu or Nova? I can't remember now which car it was without going back through the pages, but it was a custom made dash out of MDF and whatever else. If you could, and it WAS finished, could you post a pic up of it if it's not too much trouble?

 

[IGO2XS]

Mark,

Have you looked at some of the lightweight batteries? They have come a long way in the last few years.

This Willys had one of those Odessey light weight batteries in it when we got it. We took it out because of the large sound system getting installed . We just thought the pair of Optima Yellow tops we have going in the Willys was the better choice. I will do a little more research on your suggestion though.

Wow!! I'm just amazed every time I visit the Monster Garage thread. There's just something cool going on all of the time.

Seeing the mods to the dash in the Willy's, reminded me....did your guy get the dash finished in the Malibu or Nova? I can't remember now which car it was without going back through the pages, but it was a custom made dash out of MDF and whatever else. If you could, and it WAS finished, could you post a pic up of it if it's not too much trouble?

You mean the 66 Nova!!! My dying wish is to finish this car. The owner of the Nova keeps bringing us other cars and it keeps getting pushed to the back. It is still uncompleted but we finally have a opening and we are going to try to get it finished so I will put some photos up when we get back on it.

 

[IGO2XS]

I might need to call on E-Tek or Erod or one of the fabricators here on GJ. I know you guys saw my cardboard templet for the Willys console. The last console I build for the 69 Chevelle was primarily out of wood. It was a nice console but in the hot rod world a lot of these consoles are built out of a metal frame work. I am not a welder or metal fabricator but I decided it was about time to cut my teeth on building my first metal framed console.. This much took me 5 hours to build. I don't have a metal bender so all of it was done by a hammer. I built a radius out of wood and beat the metal to the shape. My plan is to build the side panels to be covered in leather out of wood so they can snap on the frame and be removable.

Any of you guys ever build one of these or have any hints?





I finished up the supports for the battery boxes today. There was concern for the weight of the batteries and you know I have to keep the forum members happy!! I shaped a pair of 1 1/4" aluminum straps for each box. I fastened them top and bottom buy some 3/'8" stainless bolts and used 3M 8115 to bond the aluminum straps to the bottom of the boxes so we would have any issues with the weight of the batteries. I still need to clean up the area and paint it but here is how I handled it.

 

[IGO2XS]

Almost forgot we pulled the Blazer out today to take a few photos. Not finished yet but we are getting close.

 

[TurboCrazy]

Mark,
As many have stated before, it has taken me 2 weeks to get through your thread. Your Monster Garage & house are works of art! I have come away with several new ideas for for the 60x100 shop I am trying to get finished. It amazes me that you find the time to update this thread as often as you do. Thankyou, as I have enjoyed reading every post.
I am a car nut also. I cannot believe the astonishing work you are doing to the vehicles you are turning out. Please, keep us all updated. It is alot of fun seeing what is going on, & what is next. Thanks for sharing.

 

[jbdaya]

I like 2 tons blazer !!! and the things you do !!

 

[IGO2XS]

Mark,
I have come away with several new ideas for for the 60x100 shop I am trying to get finished. I It is alot of fun seeing what is going on, & what is next. Thanks for sharing.

Wow on the 60x100!! The experience of designing and building my garage was exciting. However, now that it is done I find myself wanting a shop the size of yours. I have outgrown my shop and as I have said am looking for somewhere close to expand.

I like 2 tons blazer !!! and the things you do !!:thumb up:

thank you !!

 

[IGO2XS]

And so continues the journey on my first metal framed console. I built my first center console back in 1980 in a Toyota 4 x 4 pickup I had. I guess over the years I have built 6 or 7 consoles in various shapes. All have been constructed out of wood because it was a material I was used to working with. Its easy to shape, easy to make adjustments to and considering they were all covered with leather or vinyl were more than adequate. As I mentioned earlier I just felt compelled to try something different.

The front of the console sweeps down from the dash board and will hold some gauges, A/C controls, a vent, and power window switches. As you can see I have mounted a B & M Hi Tek shifter in position. These all aluminum shifters are very beautiful and expensive.

I feel very comfortable with this console and it fits like a glove. Unlike wood it is no so easily adjusted to in the learning curve I have had to cut some welds to move a few pieces. I have learned fabricating the console in the car works very well and it makes it much easier to have it fit the first time. As you might notice I have the two upper tubes run a little long until I am ready to determine where to terminate them.

 

[IGO2XS]

Happy New Year to everyone! I took my wife to a movie and to dinner last night, arrived home, watched a movie and then in to bed sober as a church mouse.
I opened the door to the garage around 8 am and took this shot and is was another wonderful day in and out of the garage. I want to point out the front cross member of the Willys laying on the ground. We were under the car last week to mock up the A/C compressor and one of the guys noticed some surgery was performed on the front crossmember. Apparently the lower control arm on the passenger side (mustang II suspension) had bent the crossmember and someone lacking in fabrication and welding skills fixed it by drilling another hole. It was to say the least dangerous. Unfortunately we called Fat Man, DSE and a few other guys and no one carried one that would fit on this narrow frame. Looks like we are going to build it ourselves.

 

[rixtrix1]

Same to you, Mark. Thanks for sharing all your projects.

 

[Bob Heine]

Mark,
Happy New Year! Is that an early C5 to the left under the plastic? Another project perhaps?

 

[Hdtheater]

Nothing like waking up to three Vettes in the garage. Of course, I wouldn't know, but it looks pretty good to me!

Happy New Year!

 

[IGO2XS]

Mark,
Happy New Year! Is that an early C5 to the left under the plastic? Another project perhaps?

Yes it is Bob. Just a favor for a lady who goes to our church. Are you going to Orlando the end of this month for the big Corvette show. The Mecum auto auction is also going to be held the same weekend.

Nothing like waking up to three Vettes in the garage. Of course, I wouldn't know, but it looks pretty good to me!

Happy New Year!

Would you be mad if I told you there were two more Corvettes in the other garage Its not always that way around here. You know sometimes I really forget there are cool cars around here. I get in my work "zone" and I pretty much tune everything else out.

I take it you are a home theater guy by your name?

 

[Bob Heine]

Are you going to Orlando the end of this month for the big Corvette show. The Mecum auto auction is also going to be held the same weekend.

Mark,
I doubt I'm going to make it because I have turned the little master cylinder replacement on the '87 Corvette into a new career. While I'm waiting for a new set of stainless brake lines to be delivered, I'm filling the time polishing calipers. Three down and one to go...

The Mecum auction in Kissimmee would be a wonderful event if I were not in a 12-step program for autoholics. First step is to admit I have a problem and the second though 12th are to stay away from auto auctions. I would buy a car I don't even like just because it was too good a deal....