Above 1200 Sq/FT building my BIG PARTY garage

[drivesitfar]

Don: thanks again for taking the time to post up pictures of a good portion of your PARTY GARAGE. after seeing it in person and hearing all your AWESOME STORIES with a private tour the pictures actually come to life. thanks again for taking time out of your busy schedule to show my bride and I around with ANN filling in any gaps in memory or having things to add was perfect.

i know the guys might like to hear more stories about the cars, tools and all the cool stuff, but if you'd like to share your stories about your Clowns i bet some might appreciate it as much as i did.

great place and don't ever give up on the HUNT TO FIND MORE COOL STUFF cause once it touches your hands it's in for a treat.

cheers and hope your holidays are amazing and relaxing.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

 

[Craptain]

Just mind blowing, even museum quality. In fact better. I have seen several museums of lower quality than yours.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

 

[Toolfool]

I don't post a lot, but I'm always following your thread. It's just always FUN. Have a great Christmas, Don.

 

[C.L S2000]

Here is looking down the drive way away from the garage toward my house

IMG_2231 by don long, on Flickr

Turning around and looking at the corner of the Sinclair gas station / diner

IMG_2232 by don long, on Flickr

Next we step into the diner door

IMG_2234 by don long, on Flickr

Stepping back outside the diner

IMG_2233 by don long, on Flickr

Looking in the big door at the new ice cream parlor
It still needs a name

IMG_2235 by don long, on Flickr

Directly across from the parlor is the speed shop with several new items on the shelves

IMG_2237 by don long, on Flickr

Still standing in the same place looking to the right of the parlor
It's interesting how many people miss the Planet Hollywood sign when first walking into the garage

IMG_2236 by don long, on Flickr

Moving to my right and looking deeper into the garage,

IMG_2238 by don long, on Flickr

The first building is the post office. This is where the restrooms are for our visitors

IMG_2240 by don long, on Flickr

My Craftsman saw display sits in front of the post office

IMG_2241 by don long, on Flickr

Looking further into the garage is the Barbie doll store (my wifes contribution to the place) lol The barber shop is next then the town church which is full of clowns (My Ron Lee collection) The mercantile or country store is the last store you can make out in the photo

IMG_2242 by don long, on Flickr

Directly across from the city walk is my parking garage full of driveable cars,
2 rows

IMG_2243 by don long, on Flickr

IMG_2244 by don long, on Flickr

Between the 56 ford pick up and the 57 Nomad is where I moved this display cabinet when I built the ice cream parlor. those are my whistles siting on the counter

IMG_2247 by don long, on Flickr

These display cases reside in the parking garage with my candy and gold scale collections

IMG_2248 by don long, on Flickr

IMG_2249 by don long, on Flickr

On the north wall or right side of the parking structure is my Brass tool collection next to the elevator that takes you to the game room / man cave
above the tools you can see the new stairs that were added to the game room when the ice cream parlor was built (behind the tool wall)

IMG_2245 by don long, on Flickr

On the south wall is where my comodity scales are sitting waiting to be restored

IMG_2251 by don long, on Flickr

And for bears fan.
My small oil can and tire repair kit collections are on the south wall too.
They have been growing a lot this year

IMG_2250 by don long, on Flickr

Back across the way and to the left of the parking structure is my 30's garage built next to the country store. The little police jail is there too
The tire spreader is another addition this year

IMG_2252 by don long, on Flickr

This looks like adults Disneyland

 

[dchance]

Don,
Thanks for the tour. Have a Merry Christmas and a good New Year.

Dwight

 

[Garageke]

Heh Don

Did you remove the elevator to the games room when the ice cream parlour was added?

Will be in So Cal in January, can I come for an update tour?

Best wishes to you and Ann for a festive and happy holiday.

Terry

 

[HOTFR8]

Great photos.

 

[ranger101ran]

We have a Dons speed shop in ct, It's been open since the 60's.

 

[swissguy]

Hey Don, thanks for sharing these pics!!
Happy Holydays!!

Greetings from Switzerland!
(Usually spending time in FL but considering CAl )

 

[colt zantop]

Love the new pics!

 

[oldironfarmer]

Just astounding!

 

[jeffmoss26]

So cool Don!!

 

[DynoDave]

It's a wonderful place. Thanks for the tour Don.

 

[zmotorsports]

Great place you have there Don.

I just can't seem to wrap my head around how much maintenance it must be to keep up on everything.

 

[Bears Fan]

Merry Christmas to you and Ann...Thanks for the tour, I sat and studied the pictures for a long time...just amazing!!! The Sinclair station is looking good The Big Party Garage is still on my bucket list I might just move in!!! The Big Party Garage has everything I need!!! A Gas Station (Sinclair and Texaco), Diner, Game Room, Post Office, Speed Shop, Body Shop, Ice Cream Parlor, Garden, Post Office, Bathrooms, Barber Shop, Church, Country Store, Parking Garage with some cool transportation and on and on...I would never leave

 

[BaronVonVVankel]

It's interesting how many people miss the Planet Hollywood sign when first walking into the garage

We're all suffering from total sensory overload! In all the time looking at your photos i dont think i had ever realised that the Sinclair gas station & the Diner are one and the same place.. or if i had i didnt manage to store it in my overloaded brain. Is that Soda Fountain sign outside new?.. or have i just missed that before as well?
Nice Flathead V8 addition to your collection.. it always amuses me to see the PT Cruiser in there (or is that just me?), a nice piece of 'down to earth' parked up amongst all the exotica

Thanks for the photo updates, its always great to see perfection being improved on.

Merry Christmas

 

[Grizz1963]

Just amazing

 

[BaronVonVVankel]

Don, your garage would make a great location for American Pickers.. even more so once the Western Town is built.
Anything you refuse or agree to sell them would be pre-agreed or if you dont want to part with anything im sure they would bring some things along for you to 'sell to them' in return for the privilege of filming at your place.
Or.. if you prefer, they could do a 'freestyling' drop in (with film crews miraculously already in place) and you could ask them to write up an 'im not selling anything, get off my land, double barrel shotgun up yer nose (having had a really good look around first) script. Im not sure if you could pull off 'nasty' though? Hows your acting skills?
And dont forget to say what great fellas they are and how they can come back anytime.

 

[bolensboneyard]

Nice to see a sequence of pictures. Really puts things in perspective. Merry Christmas to you and your family Don. Hope all is well and stays that way. Bobby

 

[C_F]

What an amazing place you have built there! Thanks for taking us all along for a little tour.

 

[Vernmotor]

Awesome .. that all I can say about that ! wish it was not 2000 miles away.

 

[Davenr]

Hi Don,

Great photos and of course we have hundreds from our many visits but nothing will replace actually visiting the garage!

We wish you and Ann and your family a safe and lovely holiday season and appreciate you sharing what you have put together with so many including your friends from "Down Under"

We will be on our local beach at Avalon over the holiday period

cheers D

 

[WarrenJ]

Enjoyed seeing the recent photos. Merry Christmas to you and Ann.

 

[don long]

Thank you Thank you Thank you
For all those nice Holiday wishes. And for each of you that has visited this past week. As mentioned I would answer all those questions that popped up after seeing my pictures.

Don:

i know the guys might like to hear more stories about the cars, tools and all the cool stuff, but if you'd like to share your stories about your Clowns i bet some might appreciate it as much as i did.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

As you know Drives The clown story is about my personal struggles in life and is better shared in person. The cars and stuff are good stories shared within particular conversations about similar items. I'm happy to share when the time is right.

Heh Don

Did you remove the elevator to the games room when the ice cream parlour was added?

Will be in So Cal in January, can I come for an update tour?

Best wishes to you and Ann for a festive and happy holiday.

Terry

Hi Terry

We'd love to see you again just give me a ring.
The elevator is still in the same place. I did build a wall in front of it to secure the front ice cream wall

Great place you have there Don.

I just can't seem to wrap my head around how much maintenance it must be to keep up on everything.

zmotorsports

It's not as bad as one might imagine.
I do have one fellow that works for me 50 hours each week and 60 if we are needing extra prep for an event. He does all the gardening on my house and 2 of my rental properties locally.

Merry Christmas to you and Ann...Thanks for the tour, I sat and studied the pictures for a long time...just amazing!!! The Sinclair station is looking good The Big Party Garage is still on my bucket list I might just move in!!! The Big Party Garage has everything I need!!! A Gas Station (Sinclair and Texaco), Diner, Game Room, Post Office, Speed Shop, Body Shop, Ice Cream Parlor, Garden, Post Office, Bathrooms, Barber Shop, Church, Country Store, Parking Garage with some cool transportation and on and on...I would never leave

Bears Fan

We have a sign up waiting sheet with several names on it now but I'll gladly add your name to the list lol
You summed up the place quite nicely
Thank you

We're all suffering from total sensory overload! In all the time looking at your photos i dont think i had ever realised that the Sinclair gas station & the Diner are one and the same place.. or if i had i didnt manage to store it in my overloaded brain. Is that Soda Fountain sign outside new?.. or have i just missed that before as well?
Nice Flathead V8 addition to your collection.. it always amuses me to see the PT Cruiser in there (or is that just me?), a nice piece of 'down to earth' parked up amongst all the exotica

Thanks for the photo updates, its always great to see perfection being improved on.

Merry Christmas

Baron

Most people are on overload when they walk into the party garage.
The P.T. cruiser is a VERY nice car that was gifted to the garage. It is almost brand new with ALL the options that were available on one and it is a Mopar

Don, your garage would make a great location for American Pickers.. even more so once the Western Town is built.
Anything you refuse or agree to sell them would be pre-agreed or if you dont want to part with anything im sure they would bring some things along for you to 'sell to them' in return for the privilege of filming at your place.
Or.. if you prefer, they could do a 'freestyling' drop in (with film crews miraculously already in place) and you could ask them to write up an 'im not selling anything, get off my land, double barrel shotgun up yer nose (having had a really good look around first) script. Im not sure if you could pull off 'nasty' though? Hows your acting skills?
And dont forget to say what great fellas they are and how they can come back anytime.

The picker have contacted me this summer asking to come by and film.
I told them that I was on the wrong end of the stick for that. I'm still buying, in fact you guys just took in some steel bumper cars and I'm in the market for 2 of them. They said they would get back with me and that's the last I've heard from them.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Don, thank you for the update, simply stunning and well done.

All the best to you and yours for Christmas, enjoy the day..

Regards

 

[don long]

I took a couple of days to rest up after all the work getting ready for the parties and today it was back to work.
I'm trying to get Ann's storage shed done before Christmas

Todays progress

IMG_2280 by don long, on Flickr

IMG_2278 by don long, on Flickr

Tomorrow I'll finish the roof and start building out the interior shelves. I may finish the front panel as well.
Have to see how the energy holds up.

 

[ambenz]

There were more pictures beside this one????

I sure have great memories of my brothers 69 when I was 13...and was the car that got me hooked loving Mustangs!
Then the Nomad, OMG...and everything...there will never be a time greater than being alive in the 50's and 60's for me....growing up to witness my fathers journey thru the good times after the war and knowing I was a part of that. Your Garage is what having all the things from yester year is all about! Thanks for the journey...
..........Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
.....

 

[Rickstaaaa87]

I'm still kicking myself for not getting in touch last year when I was in the US with my partner.

Absolutely amazing garage, and even better property.

- Welp, There goes my first post after 2 years of lurking.

 

[drivesitfar]

Don: not only are your pictures the best on GJ, but your comments are maybe even better. i thought maybe the CLOWNS were some of the first things you collected along with the cool stories and fully understand that it's a personal story to be shared in person.

that said I and maybe WE are curious what item(s) started you on this COOL COLLECTION or have you always loved collecting.

I started with stamps or coins (I think) and then moved on to different items over the years, but never ever to the scale that you've achieved.

it's AMAZING what you've collected and set up in the PARTY GARAGE.

also nice work on the new building and i bet Ann will love it.

I have an idea for those that want to MOVE IN. how about having a few members with some skills stop by for a week or two to help you build that WESTERN TOWN??

cheers and happy holidays!!

 

[Bob Heine]

Don, just wanted to wish you, Ann and the whole family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Also thank you for the BIG PARTY garage tour -- a very nice Christmas present for us fans.

 

[BaronVonVVankel]

The P.T. cruiser is a VERY nice car that was gifted to the garage. It is almost brand new with ALL the options that were available on one and it is a Mopar.

I hope i didnt offend. Thats maybe a bit of a UK perspective.. the Chrysler PT and modern Jeeps are about the only US cars that have sold in high numbers in the UK as theyre practical everyday cars and were/are made available with the steering wheel in the correct place (im not including Korean Daewoos rebadged as Chevrolets or Euro Fords/ GM Vauxhalls in this) thus you see PT's literally on a daily basis whereas the chances of seeing any of the other cars in your garage on the road in the UK (inc Vipers & Prowlers) are, well, non-existent.. theyre much rarer than a Ferrari or Lambo, you wont ever see proper 'Americarna' unless you go to specific events for them so they are definitely classed as 'exotica' here.

The picker have contacted me this summer asking to come by and film. I told them that I was on the wrong end of the stick for that. I'm still buying. They said they would get back with me and that's the last I've heard from them.

Tell them to bring some signs from a previous pick along with them and you will hang them up then sell them back to them.

 

[quadrcr87]

Don,
You have truly created something special here. It has taken weeks to make it through the whole thread. I had to keep writing down the page number so I wouldn't loose track, much like reading a book! The attention to detail and progress you have made over the years is inspiring.

As I followed the progress on the parlor I couldn't help but think of a place I visit in Traverse City, MI. "Don's Drive In" is known for good shakes and great car shows. Hopefully these pictures provide some inspiration as you name the parlor.

Merry Christmas,
Andrew

 

[trijeff]

Don,
You have truly created something special here. It has taken weeks to make it through the whole thread. I had to keep writing down the page number so I wouldn't loose track, much like reading a book! The attention to detail and progress you have made over the years is inspiring.

As I followed the progress on the parlor I couldn't help but think of a place I visit in Traverse City, MI. "Don's Drive In" is known for good shakes and great car shows. Hopefully these pictures provide some inspiration as you name the parlor.

Merry Christmas,
Andrew

I have a feeling we are going to see that sign in the party garage soon

 

[BaronVonVVankel]

I have a feeling we are going to see that sign in the party garage soon

They might notice its missing

 

[HOTFR8]

I'm still kicking myself for not getting in touch last year when I was in the US with my partner.

Absolutely amazing garage, and even better property.

- Welp, There goes my first post after 2 years of lurking.

An Aussie lurker who is missing many things due to not posting.

 

[dlcwent]

I wanted to make sure I wished you a Merry Christmas Don. Always a pleasure to watch all the things you do.

I'll post some "white Christmas" photos for you folks that don't have one.

 

[bolensboneyard]

Don Merry Christmas to you and yours! Bobby

 

[drivesitfar]

Don: i see you are making it to a lot of my favorite threads and spreading the good word and wishes and i thought i'd already mentioned that to you and i hadn't. so just wanted to thank you again for private tour and hope you and Ann are around for 30 or so years to keep the PARTY GARAGE ALIVE AND WELL.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and thanks again for letting all of here on GJ share the ride with you through life. also hoping one day you can maybe make a road trip to your old PNW stomping grounds where i might be able to help you find a few things to add to your PARTY GARAGE.

cheers buddy!!

ALL: instead of Don trying to buy the other Don's sign and putting him out of business i bet DON COULD MAKE A SIGN LIKE THAT WITH HIS SKILLS!!

 

[ranger101ran]

Merry Christmas to the big party gararge and everyone on Gararge Journal.

 

[HOTFR8]

Only guessing but I would hope you have had a few great Christmas parties in the Garage.