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

[Bob Hall]

Mark,
I've followed your thread pretty much since the beginning. Thank you for sharing so much of what you do! Your projects are amazing. I've no idea how many shops like yours there are, but there cannot be many. To have such access as you give to the members here is really a special thing. I have a question that may be answered somewhere in the thread but I cannot find it. It appears that somewhere around July 2012, you took on a Camaro project for a friend and this whole business seems to have sprung from that! Is it possible that you've built all of this since then or were you already in the customizing business? Either way, thanks for sharing your projects and keep up the good work.

 

[IGO2XS]

Boy, talk about flashbacks.

Summer of 1955 I was 10 and my parents took their first big road trip. When we stopped for gas somewhere in west Texas, there was a brand new white with red spear Cameo parked at the station. It was the coolest pickup I'd ever seen and I thought it was a custom.

Your shop provides me with a new and fresh road trip with little flashbacks down memory lane. Thanks for the ride-along and congratulations on the GoodGuys recognition.

Great story Bob and thank you so much for the reflection. I know you are a real deal car guy and so happy to have you contribute to the thread.

Glad to read the updates-congrats on the magazine gig. Looking forward to more on the 57 and fire truck.

Thanks Warren.

Mark,
I've followed your thread pretty much since the beginning. Thank you for sharing so much of what you do! Your projects are amazing. I've no idea how many shops like yours there are, but there cannot be many. To have such access as you give to the members here is really a special thing. I have a question that may be answered somewhere in the thread but I cannot find it. It appears that somewhere around July 2012, you took on a Camaro project for a friend and this whole business seems to have sprung from that! Is it possible that you've built all of this since then or were you already in the customizing business? Either way, thanks for sharing your projects and keep up the good work.

Bob, thanks so much for your sharing and your following the thread. As I have said before it is like family on GJ and I feel comfortable sharing everything I possibly can with you guys. I was walking through the shop yesterday and everyone was busy. Quite a bit of work was going on and for a moment I looked around in amazement seeing the activity. The Camaro job was our first job. It was quite by accident as a friend called to ask if I knew someone who could restore the car. I had a guy working for me in my garage finishing a few of my cars so we took the project on. I took on the job just to keep this guy working in my garage. The rest of the story has unfolded here on GJ. I have tried to hire the best guys and have been lucky good projects have come our way. Including me, office staff, and the shop we have 10 people. I used to spend $1000 a month in parts..........my highest parts bill was this last month for $45,000. Damn..........I have to pay that back!!!

 

[Beefbuzz]

Some of the best journeys are unplanned. I have found this thread very inspiring, thanks.

 

[Red Leader]

This thread is always such a pleaser! The shop, the cars, the work and the photos are all incredible. My hat is off to you.

Quick metalworking question for you, since you know way more about this than I do. I did some bodywork on my 4runner (replacing windshield channel) and when grinding down the weld bead, is it best practice to leave a tiny bit of a 'bump' and feather it out with some type of filler (epoxy, etc) or to grind all the way til smooth? Reason I'm asking is I'm just afraid of the metal getting too thin. Thanks for any thoughts/experitise!

 

[Z06Joe]

I just went through 65 pages and this is one of the best threads I have ever come across among the many forums I frequent!!!

Man you're house/garage is amazing and so is your talent for customizing cars!!! I absolutely love the C10!!! I am going to keep an eye out for if/when it goes up for sale. I'm also going to start saving now LOL!!!

 

[tskills10]

Mark, as always nothing less than outstanding!! The Fire truck is coming along great, that thing looks amazing. Congrats on the magazine article. Any idea of when it will be published? We are still hopefully going to be able to make a trip to Florida this June. And that trip should include a venture over to the Tampa/Sarasota area. So if that happens I will be looking you up.

 

[IGO2XS]

Some of the best journeys are unplanned. I have found this thread very inspiring, thanks.

Thank you for reminding me I need to be grateful every day!!

This thread is always such a pleaser! The shop, the cars, the work and the photos are all incredible.
I did some bodywork on my 4runner (replacing windshield channel) and when grinding down the weld bead, is it best practice to leave a tiny bit of a 'bump' and feather it out with some type of filler (epoxy, etc) or to grind all the way til smooth?

If you are not too experienced I would try to grind it down too clean. PS.....I dont weld.

I just went through 65 pages and this is one of the best threads I have ever come across among the many forums I frequent!!!

Man you're house/garage is amazing and so is your talent for customizing cars!!! I absolutely love the C10!!! I am going to keep an eye out for if/when it goes up for sale. I'm also going to start saving now LOL!!!

Thank you for the complement. It will be for sale in the next 30 days because the wife says so!!

Mark, as always nothing less than outstanding!! The Fire truck is coming along great, that thing looks amazing. Congrats on the magazine article. Any idea of when it will be published? We are still hopefully going to be able to make a trip to Florida this June. And that trip should include a venture over to the Tampa/Sarasota area. So if that happens I will be looking you up.

They werent sure when it would be published. They said they use these articles to fill in when a show gets partially rained out and they dont have enough car pictures. It was nice to be recognized as a good shop in Florida. They only visited two shops in the state. I hope to see you when you come to Florida!!

 

[IGO2XS]

Just a few shots from the GoodGuys show in Kissimmee, Fl this past weekend.

 

[ugly kustom]

DAMN it's about time on the c10.lol It sets just right.
SO when is Discover coming.

 

[panthersteve]

Is it just me or is that tray not on right. It looks like the **** end of it is too low and the body line doesn't appear to line up either.

 

[steves_001]

Hi Mark,

Love what you have done so far, and so much more than I could ever dream of so hopefully you wont take this little criticism the wrong way...

Love the c10, but please fix the hood alignment on the passenger side. Its slightly up which seems to also affect the body line on the fender. The bed also looks like its a bit low on the body line looking from the cab to the bed.

The stance is excellent. Really like how it sits. Fix these little annoyances and it will be perfect. Maybe its just the camera angle too.

The firetruck (and the rest of the projects also) is awesome. Really nice work that you all do. If it was not for threads like this that allow people like me to live vicariously in the car world we'd be bored...

Keep up the good stuff and congrats also on the Goodguys piece.

 

[capterik]

Dang, I am not going to say one thing about the truck other than its sweeeeeet......but there is a blade of grass, that just doesn't look like it belongs, please have it removed at once!

 

[fountain]

Wow...I don't comment much but the comments to fix his truck are ridiculous. I am sure he is well aware of any potential issues of panel alignment. When someone posts a pic it isn't an invitation to nit pick everything. Obviously if you have read this thread you should know that his shop can do just about anything. Just saying... I am sure I will get flamed for this but it just rubbed me the wrong way.

 

[Huxley]

I am on the left and my brother Todd on the right. Believe it or not I have an original piece of this orange **** carpet in my office over at GodSpeed. My mom saved everything!

Is the chandelier also in your office? Great stuff & thank you for taking the time to share! We were in your area for Spring Break but we spent time at the beach instead of coming to see you. Next time.

 

[IGO2XS]

Thank you guys and even you guys with the good eyes. I must not have had the hood closed all of the way for the picture. I had just pulled up to the trailer and the grass looked so nice I thought I would take a quick photo. We still need to go through a punch list on this truck. I think the view of the **** is camera angle but my wife wants to know why you are checking out my **** ? Its funny you think you are getting to the end but there are so many little things to look at, adjust, change. This show was the first time I really looked it over for "the end" and I had a little list myself. Thank you for all of your support guys I really appreciate it.

For you guys who come to Sarasota and dont come and visit me I wont listen to any more excuses. I know you are in Sarasota to but the shop is only 10 minutes from the beach.

 

[steves_001]

Wow...I don't comment much but the comments to fix his truck are ridiculous. I am sure he is well aware of any potential issues of panel alignment. When someone posts a pic it isn't an invitation to nit pick everything. Obviously if you have read this thread you should know that his shop can do just about anything. Just saying... I am sure I will get flamed for this but it just rubbed me the wrong way.

Fountain, it was not so much a nitpick. but more a observation. I've done a few cars along the way (no where near this caliber) but being so close to them sometimes you miss the simple things and it takes another set of eyes to see them. That's all I was trying to get across. If I was selling a masterpiece like this and put it out there for the money it will go for, I'd sure want to know I did all I could to make it perfect. Mark seems to have it under control. No harm intended...
Back to the show.

 

[Z06Joe]

Gonna keep an eye out for the For Sale thread!

Do you have a post some where with the entire build on the truck?

 

[Fastphil]

Gonna keep an eye out for the For Sale thread!

Do you have a post some where with the entire build on the truck?

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=512373

 

[IGO2XS]

Wow...I don't comment much but the comments to fix his truck are..........

Fountain, it was not so much a nitpick. but more a observation. I've done a few cars along the way (no where near this caliber) but being so close to them sometimes you miss the simple things and it takes another set of eyes to see them..............

I am very grateful to have both of you guys as friends. Thank you FOUNTAIN for watching my back but also thank you to STEVES_001 giving me the heads up. There are a few issues we need to straighten out before it is done. I think the truck is really bad *** but I would build a completely different truck today as what was built before. I wouldn't leave out all of the cool details but it would be built at a different level.

Gonna keep an eye out for the For Sale thread!

Do you have a post some where with the entire build on the truck?

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=512373

Thank you Fastphil for posting the link to the build.

 

[JCQuick]

I'm sure You have been busy Mark, But some of us GJ's AKA ME would love an update on the paint booth or did I miss it some where

 

[IGO2XS]

I'm sure You have been busy Mark, But some of us GJ's AKA ME would love an update on the paint booth or did I miss it some where

Thank you so much for thinking about me. Oh lord the paint booth has been one big pain in the ****. We are using it but not at full compacity. The primary problem is power. My electrician under estimated the amps necessary to provide 90 amps of 3 phase power to the booth but also provide enough amps to run the phase converter. I am in the process of adding another 200 amp panel just to service the phase converter. Looks also like I will be buying another new phase converter too. Our American Rotary 50 is just barely enough to run the booth. I need a 75 HP unit and looking at American Rotary. It just so happens if I am going to buy one I need to this week ($5500) because they are running a 20% off this week. They normally sell at list on their website and 10% off on ebay so it is a better deal. However, I am the one to blame! I had to have the mack daddy downdraft heated ect ect booth so I guess if you are going to play you have to pay.

 

[jbmatth]

Thank you so much for thinking about me. Oh lord the paint booth has been one big pain in the ****. We are using it but not at full compacity. The primary problem is power. My electrician under estimated the amps necessary to provide 90 amps of 3 phase power to the booth but also provide enough amps to run the phase converter. I am in the process of adding another 200 amp panel just to service the phase converter. Looks also like I will be buying another new phase converter too. Our American Rotary 50 is just barely enough to run the booth. I need a 75 HP unit ...

90 amps of 3 phase and you need 75hp to run it, MY LANTA!!! That is a tone of power, I can just see the electric meter spinning away when that thing is in use. I love it, I want to see this thing when you get it in. Keep up the great work,
JB

 

[JCQuick]

Mark is there no 3 phase near by I know they get big bucks just to run a short distance but sometimes its best as I'm sure you know. Looks like a very nice booth

 

[don long]

Hi Mark
That booth looks very nice. What brand is it?? It looks longer than a regular 23' booth. It looks to me like you are out of the hobby shop and are big time now
Congrats

Don

 

[Track t-4]

Mark,
Please post photos of the interior of the C10. Thanks.
Bruce

 

[IGO2XS]

Mark is there no 3 phase near by I know they get big bucks just to run a short distance but sometimes its best as I'm sure you know. Looks like a very nice booth

It is pretty complicated unfortunately because it involves directional bore work and they tell me along with at least $10K it will take 4 months. My new phase converter is being shipped as we speak.

Hi Mark
That booth looks very nice. What brand is it?? It looks longer than a regular 23' booth. It looks to me like you are out of the hobby shop and are big time now
Congrats

Don

Don, it is a Autek Booth. The booth is about 26 feet on the inside so it is pretty good sized.

Mark,
Please post photos of the interior of the C10. Thanks.
Bruce

Bruce, I will take some photos this week.

 

[IGO2XS]

Here is a little update on the 63 split window corvette. I picked up a really cool bulkhead for the a/c and heat and some cool a/c vents. I also started on the hood prop. I just couldnt take the stock unit so I found a really cool billet aluminum adjustable rod but the brackets were a little primitive. Our new guy is pretty good on the mill so he whipped up some custom billet aluminum brackets. It takes so much time to really make all these mods.......this is what makes it fun.

 

[Bob Heine]

Mark, that's just beautiful! You already know this but that hinge looks really crummy next to that prop.

My daughter and her husband give me grief because I've made so little visible progress on my Vette. They don't see all the little ugly bits that need attention. I'm working with Hack saws and files rather than lathes and mills but when you love doing this stuff, time doesn't matter so much.

 

[IGO2XS]

Mark, that's just beautiful! You already know this but that hinge looks really crummy next to that prop.

My daughter and her husband give me grief because I've made so little visible progress on my Vette. They don't see all the little ugly bits that need attention. I'm working with Hack saws and files rather than lathes and mills but when you love doing this stuff, time doesn't matter so much.

We were looking at the hinges yesterday. I am sure we will find a solution for them......one thing leads to another. We are on the move now with my vette so it time to get it done. Wheels showed up today. Man they are sick.........and huge. I will get some additional pictures tomorrow.

 

[Showboy]

You do some serious quality work. I like what I see.

 

[Towmater 454]

I have enjoyed the knowledge this site offers and am waiting to close on my new house/shop. In the pictures of your house there is a wall light that caught my attention, I've got an old built in phone shelf that I would like to turn into a light similar to what you have and was wondering if you could give me an idea of what materials it was made out of. It was in the picture on page 18 I think of the living room and is built into the wall similar to the old shelves. I've never posted from my phone and haven't figured out how to do pictures yet. I appreciate the help.

Thanks
John

 

[IGO2XS]

You do some serious quality work. I like what I see.

Thank you so much! It costs an arm and a leg though!!

I have enjoyed the knowledge this site offers and am waiting to close on my new house/shop. In the pictures of your house there is a wall light that caught my attention.

Thanks
John

John, could you please give me a post number please so I can identify it?



I got a few of the tires mounted up today and I really love them. The rear tires are monsters but they are just what I wanted. I want a mean looking machine!

 

[hpw]

KILLER....
what color you painting it?

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that maybe you should powder coat those bumpers the same as the rims(that is, if your aren't planning on painting it black).........

 

[IGO2XS]

KILLER....
what color you painting it?

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that maybe you should powder coat those bumpers the same as the rims(that is, if your aren't planning on painting it black).........

I like the limb your on!! Yes, the bumpers and all of the chrome trim will be satin black. I was for sure painting it red according to the wife but now I am considering: red, silver, charcoal grey........black would be cool but i just wont paint it black. I think the 3 choices would look awesome with the black trim. The interior will be black leather.

 

[Showboy]

Thank you so much! It costs an arm and a leg though!!

Oh well -- you can't take it with you -- or so I'm told -- though, if that's true, I may not go.

 

[Towmater 454]

Sorry for interrupting the vette discussion for a light. It was on post 335 where you were discussing the vents you had made.

 

[smsteve]

We all already know the badass red Vette out there belonging to Brian Hobaugh with black wheels and black trim. Don't we?

How about yellow? Not the faded looking yellow but one of the yellows that really pop. Have a look at Velocity Yellow from the C7 Stingray. Vettes always look good in yellow and with black wheels and trim it would look sweet. I had a '73 in Yellow, always liked that car...and color.

I'm sure whatever you go with it will be sick. Just putting in my .02 cents for what it's worth. My consultation fee is just that you keep this awesome thread going.

https://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/977752_10151613959359231_1526460822_o.jpg

 

[IGO2XS]

Sorry for interrupting the vette discussion for a light. It was on post 335 where you were discussing the vents you had made.

Just Google "Wall Sconce Candle Light". Its a metal fixture with a plastic candle with a light in it. We have quite a few of them. You can get them in all styles. Hope this helps.

We all already know the badass red Vette out there belonging to Brian Hobaugh with black wheels and black trim. Don't we?


I'm sure whatever you go with it will be sick. Just putting in my .02 cents for what it's worth. My consultation fee is just that you keep this awesome thread going.

Oh yes saw it at Sema and is what is keeping me from painting it red. I really wanted red and I wanted black trim but it would almost be like I was copying him......****! This is why I was looking at an alternate color. Sorry man I just cant do yellow. I know yellow is a cool corvette color but I want a more masculine color.

 

[memphisnate]

Black on black!

 

[IGO2XS]

Black on black!

We spoke of "Murdering" the car.....all black. I guess I would have to send the tires out to put red lines on them if we painted it black.