Above 1200 Sq/FT building my BIG PARTY garage

[BUGTHUG]

jb, I'm in Winfield. I get to the casino's sometimes for concerts. Use to go to the Ponca car show and swim party long time ago. Maybe I'll see ya around.

 

[don long]

Thanks guys for the complements, But

I'm no where near 20 million in net worth, let alone the buildings

My cousin came over from Phoenix to help me this week

We hung the big Bridgestone tire sign, put breaks and a water pump
on the 62 supersport convertable, put a water pump in the 64 SS
and because we still had some time to kill we pulled in a texaco sign pole
that needs to be repainted and started striping the old paint off of it

14 by Ann Long, on Flickr

This is the sign that goes on top of that pole

1b by Ann Long, on Flickr

The pole will be painted black with a green insert with red and white pinstripes

 

[akdiesel]

don

So the Sign does light up (i'm guessing), but what does the electrical cord coming out of the top feed?

 

[don long]

don

So the Sign does light up (i'm guessing), but what does the electrical cord coming out of the top feed?

Yes the sign will have lights across the top and the wire runs thru the pole and thru the casing around the sign and comes out on the top for a light on either side

 

[BUGTHUG]

This is the sign that goes on top of that pole

I think this is a 70's style sign, and the last of the metal porcelain type before they went to the all plastic signs. Right??
Its a very iconic style sign, and looks to be like new condition. Very nice Don.

 

[don long]

Bugthug
You have done your homework and you are correct

 

[don long]

The sign post is in the paint booth with a coat of primer on it

22 by Ann Long, on Flickr

I found myself with time on my hands and a project that has been on my mind for a few weeks so I went after it (The diner wall) it needs a face lift

gas station 036 by Ann Long, on Flickr

So I took all of the stuff off the wall, patched up all of the nail and screw holes
and mounted some L brackets on the wall.

2014-04-18 15.37.46 by Ann Long, on Flickr

I just happen to have a big neon coca cola sign to hang there.

DSC00728 by Ann Long, on Flickr

For now the diner is a mess but the wall is painted.

2014-04-18 15.38.47 by Ann Long, on Flickr

and with the sign hung I can start putting up the other signs and stuff

2014-04-21 13.55.22 by Ann Long, on Flickr

.

 

[rixtrix1]

The sign post is in the paint booth with a coat of primer on it

I found myself with time on my hands and a project that has been on my mind for a few weeks so I went after it (The diner wall) it needs a face lift

So I took all of the stuff off the wall, patched up all of the nail and screw holes
and mounted some L brackets on the wall.

I just happen to have a big neon coca cola sign to hang there.

For now the diner is a mess but the wall is painted.

and tomorrow I hope to have the sign up and looking like this.

Awesome, Don. You have a great collection, but what makes it special is your eye for detail and display. not to mention your work ethic in doing
much yourself to make it so.

 

[Robs 55]

Did that neon alignment bear sign come from the Bear Alignment shop on 6th street in Corona by any chance?

 

[don long]

Awesome, Don. You have a great collection, but what makes it special is your eye for detail and display. not to mention your work ethic in doing
much yourself to make it so.

rixtrix1
Thanks for those kind thoughts and welcome to the party
It's the work that I enjoy most and sharing it makes it all worth while.
Thanks for posting

Did that neon alignment bear sign come from the Bear Alignment shop on 6th street in Corona by any chance?

Robs 55
It's an honor to have your first post on my thread
Welcome to the Garage Journal and to the party garage
To answer your question NO the bear came from Torrance along with the Coke sign that is going into the diner next week
Hope you follow along and I invite you to post often

Don

 

[abstamaria]

I love it!

 

[don long]

I love it!

Thanks Andy
I've been reading your thread for a couple of years.
Our two garages are at opposite ends of the spectrum.
and I really enjoy the contrast of your garage
The neat, clean, and sterile feel of your place and those fine machines you park with in

Thanks for posting

Don

 

[Wingnut65]

Thanks Andy
I've been reading your thread for a couple of years.
Our two garages are at opposite ends of the spectrum.
and I really enjoy the contrast of your garage
The neat, clean, and sterile feel of your place and those fine machines you park with in

Thanks for posting

Don

And I have no idea how Andy does it. His place is amazing and his rides fit perfectly in there. My place would look a lot more like yours if I ever get to finishing the shop itself. My wife even has the Barbie collection that could fill a room like yours has for hers. I've realized my bud is taking up too much space and I need to finish it so I can reclaim my shop space again.

Can't wait to see how you plan to improve the Diner. It was impressive before, but adding that gorgeous Coke sign will be the perfect touch!

Have you noticed that your 'little' projects that you tackle would take months for others to complete? Like the diner wall or the Texaco sign post...

Awesome work, Don. Keep it up!

 

[don long]

And I have no idea how Andy does it. His place is amazing and his rides fit perfectly in there. My place would look a lot more like yours if I ever get to finishing the shop itself. My wife even has the Barbie collection that could fill a room like yours has for hers. I've realized my bud is taking up too much space and I need to finish it so I can reclaim my shop space again.

Can't wait to see how you plan to improve the Diner. It was impressive before, but adding that gorgeous Coke sign will be the perfect touch!

Have you noticed that your 'little' projects that you tackle would take months for others to complete? Like the diner wall or the Texaco sign post...

Awesome work, Don. Keep it up!

Wingnut65

It sounds like you have a plan!!
Just stick with it and it happens

I laugh at your comments on how fast I get thru a project
My wife is always saying that I never finish a project before I start 3 others

But to address your statement
"Have you noticed that your 'little' projects that you tackle would take months for others to complete?"

You must remember that I am fortunate enough to have 6 Saturdays a week
to complete those little projects Where others may only have 1

I do take your comment as a complement
Thanks
Don

 

[don long]

Well I finally made some headway in the diner today
The big Coke sign is up with neon and the wall is redone with the signs
I had to move some signs over to another wall because the coke sign is so large

It really changed the look to the room

Before

gas station 036 by Ann Long, on Flickr

After

9 by Ann Long, on Flickr

The bar wall looks cool with the Route 66 sign and the laser sketches
of the 56 T bird and Corvette tucked under don't you think?

8 by Ann Long, on Flickr

Next will be the north wall (tomorrow) then it's done and back in the shop on the Texaco pole sign.

 

[don long]

The sign puts out so much light that I changed
the bulbs in the fan lights (24) from 60 watt to 40 watt
to help lessen the brightness

 

[Toolfool]

That Coca Cola sign is amazing. Nice work Don.

 

[David NR]

Hi Don,
The new sign in the diner looks great! Good to see that the Aussie Mustang club made it to your garage. I am waiting for a report on the visit for the magazine.
Hope you got the old car badges that I sent over to you.
regards, david 'down under'

 

[GRN96WS6]

Do you use the diner to "dine" in?

You have a pretty neat space.

 

[bashr52]

Here is a head on shot of the south wall

The sign puts out so much light that I changed
the bulbs in the fan lights (24) from 60 watt to 40 watt
to help lessen the brightness

Wow that is sweet! Are those belt drive ceiling fans?

 

[Sunbimmer]

The Coca Cola sign is fantastic. Love the glow and how it reflects in all the chrome and other shiny parts.

Where do you get the time and energy to do all this

Superb job Don as always

 

[tskills10]

Where do you get the time and energy to do all this

Seeing as how he has 6 Saturdays a week, that gives him much more time than I've got. Or most people for that matter

 

[don long]

That Coca Cola sign is amazing. Nice work Don.

Thanks Toolfool
I fell in love with it the first time I saw it and
when it came up for sale I couldn't help myself
I had to have it!!!

Hi Don,
The new sign in the diner looks great! Good to see that the Aussie Mustang club made it to your garage. I am waiting for a report on the visit for the magazine.
Hope you got the old car badges that I sent over to you.
regards, david 'down under'

David
Welcome to the garage journal
And thanks for your first post
As you saw we all had a great time, and I'm sending a 56 ford truck home with one of them,

Thank you for sending those badges, They will go nicely
in one of my display cases
Looking forward to your mustang club report

Do you use the diner to "dine" in?
You have a pretty neat space.

Welcome to the party garage GRN96WS6

The diner is a full kitchen diner
we do find ourselves in the diner for lunch when I can talk my wife into cooking out there. It is very handy to use for preparing food for a party

206 by Ann Long, on Flickr

205 by Ann Long, on Flickr

Wow that is sweet! Are those belt drive ceiling fans?

bashr52

Yes those are belt driven fans. There are 6 of them driven by a motor mounted on the wall

Thanks for joining in at the party garage

The Coca Cola sign is fantastic. Love the glow and how it reflects in all the chrome and other shiny parts.
Where do you get the time and energy to do all this
Superb job Don as always

Thanks Sunbimmer
I had to change the light bulbs in the fan lites because the new sign
gives off such a glow.
Time we have Energy not so much. I see you are making head way on your Texaco garage It looking very good.
Thanks for checking in.

Seeing as how he has 6 Saturdays a week, that gives him much more time than I've got. Or most people for that matter

Good answer tskills10
I'm going to post a pic. of those lic. plates you sent soon
Thanks
Don

 

[David NR]

Hi Don,

The Aussie Mustang guys and gals are still over there! Sean will be talking to me when he returns and I will be sure to send you copies of the National Collision Repairer magazine when printed, probably the June issue now. Jeff and the guys are arriving here in two weeks for our Industry Forum (will feature your garage!) and also the Lifetime Achievement Awards dinner-looking forward to the visit.
I have found a little something over here close to your heart (and collection) which I will deliver in November prior to SEMA. By the way did the TV show go to air as yet with the interview and tour etc? Hope we get to see it over here.

 

[don long]

David
If Jeff is coming down I'm sure you will have a great conference
Wish I were there

The T.V. spot has not been shown yet I heard that they are shopping the program (Ultimate Garages) to larger networks so I will post when it may play

So are you planning to bring a gang of guys up for SEMA this year?
And are you bringing them here for lunch in the diner??
Just give us a heads up when the time is closer and let us know

By the way you did a great job on that last article of the party garage
But PLEASE find a better (younger) picture of me to post ok?

 

[David NR]

Hi Don,

I will find a picture from my time over there in the 80s for the next article!

Yes planning a trip to see you again and will give you plenty of notice!

 

[rmalkow2]

Don,
Just finally finished going through this entire thread. Totally awesome garage and property. Thank you for sharing it here with such detail. It looks like through all the events you host a lot of fun times are had at your place. Looking forward to future improvements.

 

[don long]

Hi Don,

I will find a picture from my time over there in the 80s for the next article!

Yes planning a trip to see you again and will give you plenty of notice!

Thanks David
A better pic. would be much nicer
See you later this year

Don,
Just finally finished going through this entire thread. Totally awesome garage and property. Thank you for sharing it here with such detail. It looks like through all the events you host a lot of fun times are had at your place. Looking forward to future improvements.

rmalkow2
Welcome to the party garage
The garage has taken on a personality of its own.
Happy to hear you enjoyed the time spent reading about the garage.
Check back often

Don

 

[shinertx]

Hey don,
love the new coke sign look great and the diner. I told my wife next vacation lets go to dons world. She said what that? I told her it is like disney world for guys. So how much are tickets.
My bucket list your place and marks in florida. Need your address so i can send you shiner,tx sign ( shiner bock beer ) if you like good old german beer.

 

[kot]

super!!!!!

 

[CrazyAirborne]

Wow Don,

your BIG PARTY garage is amazing. Thanks for the inspiration, and the great updates and pictures!!

 

[80WTI_55_CHEV]

Hi Don & Ann, hope everything is going well. That coke sign is a beauty Don, it changes the whole look of the diner and i love the belt driven fans as i have never seen that before. Looks like you have been a busy boy as usual. Lee

 

[80WTI_55_CHEV]

I just noticed on the previous page that i have another item the same as you Don, first it was the phone box then the pinball machine and now this.

i can't believe that on the other side of the world there is guy as weird as me almost.

 

[don long]

Hey don,
love the new coke sign look great and the diner. I told my wife next vacation lets go to dons world. She said what that? I told her it is like disney world for guys. So how much are tickets.
My bucket list your place and marks in florida. Need your address so i can send you shiner,tx sign ( shiner bock beer ) if you like good old german beer.

shinertx
I'm flattered that you would put me on the list with Marks garage
I want to go there too!!

super!!!!!

Thanks kot

Wow Don,

your BIG PARTY garage is amazing. Thanks for the inspiration, and the great updates and pictures!!

CrazyAirborne
You are welcome!!
and don't worry about the updates they will keep coming as long as I have all these project to finish

Hi Don & Ann, hope everything is going well. That coke sign is a beauty Don, it changes the whole look of the diner and i love the belt driven fans as i have never seen that before. Looks like you have been a busy boy as usual. Lee

Thanks Lee and welcome back
I laugh about the belt drive fans, They have been up the whole time
Found them in a yard sale They were discustingly dirty but they cleaned up real nicely.

 

[don long]

I just noticed on the previous page that i have another item the same as you Don, first it was the phone box then the pinball machine and now this.

i can't believe that on the other side of the world there is guy as weird as me almost.

I saw a large spark plug on your wall and ran out to take this pic. for you

 

[don long]

Well today went pretty good for me
I managed to get some paint on the Texaco pole today. First white paint then I masked off for the second color

23 by Ann Long, on Flickr

31 by Ann Long, on Flickr

Next will be the black paint then the pole will be mounted to the garage floor
and the sign frame will be painted black and bolted to the pole

But first I need to clean up the sign frame

53 by Ann Long, on Flickr

I needed to stand it up so I can paint both sides along with the top and bottom all at the same time
So I welded a few pieces of steel together to make the stand
This frame must weigh 300 lbs

55a by Ann Long, on Flickr

59 by Ann Long, on Flickr

The sign is 8 feet long and 5 feet high

 

[BUGTHUG]

This is the kind of stuff I like to watch. On your Texy pole, would that be the way they were painted, or is that just the way you wanted it?

 

[don long]

This is the kind of stuff I like to watch. On your Texy pole, would that be the way they were painted, or is that just the way you wanted it?

BUGTHUG
It's my design. The poles were either soild white or black for the most part

 

[80WTI_55_CHEV]

Hi Don, Those lines with the tape look nice and straight very crisp, looks like you have done it a couple of times maybe. The base sounds a bit heavy but you probably bench more than that in reps i bet. Everything you own looks well built which in turn usually means it's heavy. looking good Don keep up the good work. Lee

 

[akdiesel]

don

Nice work and heavy duty system to last for a long time to come. Can't wait to see the end result.
I need to get to work on my Goodyear sign as well. No painting for me just straightening it out some what.
The old truck sitting up there looks like it belongs in a shot in the movie Cars.