Above 1200 Sq/FT building my BIG PARTY garage

[don long]

I took pictures of the tire and pistons in the speed shop

2014-11-15 16.33.43 by don long, on Flickr

2014-11-15 16.34.01 by don long, on Flickr

 

[don long]

Today it was back in the garage to catch up on a few nagging projects
1st I changed out the 50 watt spot lights in the Barbie store with 6 watt led spot lights and dropped 4 amps drawon the breaker.
That is a good start , I max out a 200 amp breaker when I light the place up, and I want to add a few more neon signs to the place.
It also dropped the temperature drastically in the display area.

Then I grabbed a display case that I found the other day, along with some country store stuff

I cleaned it up and loaded it with the 50s craftsman power tool collection that HSpencer is responsible for.

2014-11-15 14.17.03 by don long, on Flickr

2014-11-15 16.34.31 by don long, on Flickr

2014-11-15 16.34.46 by don long, on Flickr

.

 

[80WTI_55_CHEV]

Going to the races and hanging out with Tony and the team must of been a blast, thats like a dream for most of us Don, then to have him at your place and sign some things for you and give you other items to fill your garage up is just not fair. But if anyone deserves it its you mate. The cabinet with the power tools is looking great and the electric autolite sign looks almost new, great score. Keep up the great work Don. Lee

 

[BUGTHUG]

So I see they are having a big auction at the Barrett- Jackson in Scottsdale come January. I was wondering if you have a number yet? The Ron Pratte collection is up for sale with NO reserve.
Have you seen this museum in person? Sure is quite the collection, made me think of your place.

 

[don long]

Going to the races and hanging out with Tony and the team must of been a blast, thats like a dream for most of us Don, then to have him at your place and sign some things for you and give you other items to fill your garage up is just not fair. But if anyone deserves it its you mate. The cabinet with the power tools is looking great and the electric autolite sign looks almost new, great score. Keep up the great work Don. Lee

Yeah Lee
It was quite a week. And was always just a fairytale for me until last week!!
I have had my eye on the autolite sign for a while, and the display case was a spur of the moment thing. It wasn't til I started cleaning it up that I thought of filling it with the craftsman stuff.

So I see they are having a big auction at the Barrett- Jackson in Scottsdale come January. I was wondering if you have a number yet? The Ron Pratte collection is up for sale with NO reserve.
Have you seen this museum in person? Sure is quite the collection, made me think of your place.

BUGTHUG
Thanks for the heads up.
I only know of Ron because his brother stored his motor coach in my sons R.V. storage facility and he was there quite often tinkering with it.
He always promised us a tour of Rons place but it never happened

It should be quite an auction if all his stuff is going thru it.

 

[BUGTHUG]

They had an hour long show about it on Velocity channel, and also tonight they are having a show about personal train cars on the travel channel. That should be fun to watch.

 

[don long]

I had my first official GJ visitor for this year drop in for a visit and tour of the party garage

56vette461 (Al) and his lovely wife stopped by while on vacation. We spent a couple of hours getting to know each other while looking around.
It was exciting for me to be able to share in person with another car guy what My wife and I have created

2014-11-17 12.42.45-2 by don long, on Flickr

 

[don long]

We also had 5 guys from Holland stop by today.
They were here 2 years ago and enjoyed the changes that have been made here.

They tried there hands at bowling

2014-11-17 10.52.31 by don long, on Flickr

 

[HSpencer]

Don

I am loving your Craftsman museum. Funny, you beat me to it, but I have been toying with the same idea here. I don't have quite as much as you have, but I am getting there. I made a tour of a couple shops and picked up an item or two to add later in the year. Right now, I am steering the ship for the Veteran Service Officer of our American Legion post while he has surgery on his knee. That eats up shop time, but I am pleased to do it. Also this time of year I am involved in many helping hand projects, so further erodes the time.
Kudos on the display case!!!
Great minds think alike!!!

Best Regards
Herb

 

[andsonsvd]

Oh no he beat me to it
cant wait I visit over the next week or so thanks for taking my call today.

Shane

 

[56vette461]

Oh no he beat me to it
cant wait I visit over the next week or so thanks for taking my call today.

Shane

Eat your heart out big boy. It was the most fantastic experience.

Don and Mrs Don, greeted us like family and showed us the project that we have all followed. I will say for all our GJ family that the photo gallery Don has created, while fantastic to see, does not hold a candle to actually being there in person.

Thanks Don for a great visit and sharing your time. Mrs Al says thanks also and so enjoyed her time with Mrs Don and the doll collection.

 

[andsonsvd]

Al,

I can't wait to visit Don's Dream Garage, I just think it is so awesome that he opens his doors like this to strangers! Well not complete strangers... But a Car Salesman from Australia!!

Shane

 

[don long]

Don

I am loving your Craftsman museum. Funny, you beat me to it, but I have been toying with the same idea here. I don't have quite as much as you have, but I am getting there. I made a tour of a couple shops and picked up an item or two to add later in the year. Right now, I am steering the ship for the Veteran Service Officer of our American Legion post while he has surgery on his knee. That eats up shop time, but I am pleased to do it. Also this time of year I am involved in many helping hand projects, so further erodes the time.
Kudos on the display case!!!
Great minds think alike!!!

Best Regards
Herb

Herb

Thanks for stopin in. I look forward to your visits.
I blame you for that Craftsman display You Know
So I'm happy to hear that you approve.

You are the man with a huge heart to donate so much of your time helping others in need
My hat is off to you!!

Have a great thanksgiving my friend.

Don

 

[Davenr]

Hi Don.

We are just putting together our December issue of National Collision Repairer magazine. Our visit to you will be in the February issue although there will be mention and a photo in this issue. I would like to share with you the comments from Rob McKellar, the guy who fixed your pinball machine! I thought you would be pleased to hear what he had to say about the visit:
"We rolled up in the driveway to a modest house where everything looked like a normal home in a semi- rural setting. We sauntered up the driveway where we were greeted by a 6 foot tall wood carved grizzly bear showing us the way to garage heaven! Don had been working out back where he met with us out the front of his functional road side diner which is situated out front of his garage. The diner has that lovely 50’s theme where we were offered refreshments before the grand tour. After a short break we were ushered into the garage where we were met with life size diorama of shop fronts, service stations, cars and pedal cars. A row of cars ranging from a convertible 57 Chev to 429 Cobra Jet Mustang, Dodge Viper to Plymouth Prowler! To the rear of the building the right side had car stackers which housed his future projects waiting patiently for their turn. The shop fronts housed everything from model cars, old classic hot rod parts to Dons wife’s huge collection of rare and early Barbie dolls. Then there was the mezzanine level which is Dons entertainment area where we ascended to in Dons very own hand made elevator made from an old fork lift. The mezzanine was kitted out with Pinball machines, shuffle board and pool table. There was also a balcony which overlooked the internal façade which as I would imagine would give Don hours of enjoyment. Don pointed out a large neon sign ‘This was from Starsky & Hutch. It was in one of the disco scenes’. I promptly took in the image of the sign and even though I haven’t seen the show in decades there was something that reminded me of the scene in the series.
We walked out the back of Dons garage where we found his workshop. This is where all the grinding, welding and painting occurred. His current project was sitting on a lift totally stripped awaiting the painting process. It was a 1960 Corvette with the chassis complete with drive line sitting next to the shell ready to take the body. Don must do a fair amount of repair out back as there was Car-O-Liner bench sitting there waiting for the next alignment task.
Overall a truly memorable experience where I could see myself spending hours just taking in the collection. A big thank you to Don for allowing us to view his garage. I don’t think I will ever see anything as cool as this ever again.

There you go! Cheers David

 

[BBChevro]

Very descriptive writting there David, it was almost like being there.

 

[Davenr]

Hi Mark,

You just have to go there! Send me your mailing address and I will send you a copy of our report in February! [email protected]

cheers david

 

[Vernmotor]

Been almost 2 weeks since Don has posted. Anyone know whats going on ? Hope all is well with him.

 

[HOTFR8]

Been almost 2 weeks since Don has posted. Anyone know whats going on ? Hope all is well with him.

T'is the season to party. . I expect he has been busy.

 

[don long]

First I want you to know all is well here at the party garage

Thankyou Vernmotor For your concern

And thank you David for the feed back on your trip over here and give Rob my personal thanks for those very kind words

Simon is spot on. Tis the season to party and I wanted to finish building a barn in the building before the first party of the season hit, and I almost made it

Here is what it looks like as of 3 P.M. Saturday afternoon.

IMG_5289 by don long, on Flickr

 

[don long]

Remember back in late October, We had a party for my friends at PPG
(the paint company)

Well they sent over a little gift for the party garage

IMG_5263 by don long, on Flickr

IMG_5264 by don long, on Flickr

IMG_5270 by don long, on Flickr
It has real leather for the interior, simulated wood grain dash, wheels and steering wheel
And the paint is beautiful with a candy burgandy and black with red sparkles in it and a gold leaf stripe

Man am I pleased with it It is on the shelf with all of the other pedal cars

 

[don long]

And here is a few shots of the garage ready for the party to begin

IMG_5271 by don long, on Flickr

IMG_5272 by don long, on Flickr

And a shot from out side looking in

IMG_5273 by don long, on Flickr

 

[don long]

Now to report on the party

We started out by hosting a ham dinner in the diner for 27 of our friends and church members at 6PM
IMG_5284 by don long, on Flickr


Then at 7:30 the rest of the church members arrived from other dinner homes
and we had dessert with 175 friends, many that had never been here before
The elevator never stopped going up and down as folks checked out the game room
At one time when I went up to see how everyone was enjoying themselves, I saw 4 guys shooting pool, 6 ladies playing on the bowling machine, all 5 pinball machines were in play and 4 guys playing on the shuffle board.
The balcony was filled with folks sitting and watching the action below

In all I think we blew a few minds as they couldn't comprehend all of their surroundings LOL

Sorry I didn't get any pictures

.

 

[stephan191]

That plane is gorgeous!

 

[Sunbimmer]

That plane is gorgeous!

Yep

 

[Vernmotor]

Wow Plane is great ! Shop look Great and it Great to hear all is well with you

 

[BUGTHUG]

Well Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays to you and all of yours.
The plane was a nice gift, and the candy is dandy, with the pin stripes. So where is it going?
The shop always looks festive year round, sure its mind blowing for people that don't collect anything
Its too bad the games aren't rigged to take dimes or quarters, it would be a way to donate to some good cause. But I'm sure some people would never play if they had to pay

 

[Nighttrain]

Progressive Dinner. Happy Holidays Don!

 

[HOTFR8]

The Plane, The Plane...........Is fabulous. Was nice of PPG to give you that.

 

[don long]

That plane is gorgeous!

Yes stephan
I was totally blown away with it. It is a very nice gift from a very special friend.
Thanks for dropping by.

Yep

Sunbimmer Thanks for the visit. I see you are making headway on your place

Wow Plane is great ! Shop look Great and it Great to hear all is well with you

Vernmotor I did neglect the GJ for a bit and it was nice to know that I have been missed. The little plane will be a great addition to the garage for sure.
Thanks for your kind thoughts, It's always good to hear from you.

Well Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays to you and all of yours.
The plane was a nice gift, and the candy is dandy, with the pin stripes. So where is it going?
The shop always looks festive year round, sure its mind blowing for people that don't collect anything
Its too bad the games aren't rigged to take dimes or quarters, it would be a way to donate to some good cause. But I'm sure some people would never play if they had to pay

Thanks Herb and Merry Christmas to you. The color on that plane is just incredable and the stripes jump off the side for sure.
I placed the plane in the center of the line of other pedal cars up above the main door of the garage.
It was fun for me to see all of the folks here at the party enjoying themselves That was much more rewarding than the sound of quarters hitting the boxes lol

Progressive Dinner. Happy Holidays Don!

Nighttrain What a pleasent suprise to hear from you again. It's been a while
So you're familiar with these progressive dinners!! They are great social events. Merry Christmas to you and your family

The Plane, The Plane...........Is fabulous. Was nice of PPG to give you that.

So Simon I remember that show De plane--De plane
Yes the plane will be a great addition to the party garage for sure
And Merry Christmas to you all

 

[Kevin54]

Don....have I missed something? When did you get the Frishes Big Boy? I don't remember seeing where you got a life size one, but nice addition,

 

[don long]

Hi Kevin
I hate to say it but Bobs Big boy has been there for about 3 years
My wife found it at the L.A. roadster show and was so excited that she bought it without thinking of how to get it home. As fate works its magic I had just ran into a buddy that had a truck there and he loaded it up and brought it home for us.

 

[Bears Fan]

I wanted to comment on the place but i'm totally speechless! Amazing!

 

[wallster]

Thanks for sharing Don, place looks great and the ppg plane is very cool. I just finished my last gas pump and I thought of your neon sign when I was working on it (see pic).
Have a Merry Christmas!

Wally

 

[don long]

Wally I think that you are referring to this one

067 by don long, on Flickr

Your pump looks great it would certainly fit in my garage!! Well done

 

[don long]

I wanted to comment on the place but i'm totally speechless! Amazing!

Thanks Bears fan I like the Chargers

 

[1/2 Cup]

There not a lot more that needs to be said Don that has not been said previously other than well done.

Regards

 

[classicharleyj]

Well... you are a blessed man and have used your blessings to build a wonderful place for friends to gather. I can respect a man for working hard and sharing the results.
Good job
Merry Christmas and carry on.
Jim

 

[don long]

There not a lot more that needs to be said Don that has not been said previously other than well done.

Regards

Thanks 1/2 Cup
Working in and around the garage is wqhat keeps me young (or at least not thinking about my age and aches and pains.)
Merry Christmas

Well... you are a blessed man and have used your blessings to build a wonderful place for friends to gather. I can respect a man for working hard and sharing the results.
Good job
Merry Christmas and carry on.
Jim

classicharleyj
Thanks for the visit and those kind thoughts And a Merry Christmas to you

We had our annual Christmas open house this week!!
over 200 hot rod buddies and their wifes were over for burgers and shakes in the diner. We filled the yard with hot rods and everyone was asked to bring food for the less fortunate and did they ever. We filled the bed of my 56 ford p/u and delivered it to a place in town that feeds the homeless

 

[colt zantop]

Man that plane is killer!!

 

[Wuaname]

That ppg plane is awsome