50's theme Texaco garage build

[kb2tha]

Thanks for the opportunity to share. This is a great forum and I am glad I actually found it through another forum.

I have been in contact with a couple of you through PM, and said I would post some pics of my latest building project. I don't have many actual build photos as I am often working alone and don't take time out for photos. A decision I will likely regret later.

I have been planning this garage for the better part of two years and think I changed the plans at least a dozen times. This is what I settled on. Started late Spring , it was to be completed by mid August. That all fell apart when I broke my wrist in July, putting up the 22' box beam under the front gable. Six weeks in a cast and another 2-3 before I could actually use it much. Fortunately, my SIL and a local crew of car enthusiasts came in and got the trusses, plywood and a good start on the shingles in late July. Since then it has been installing windows, doors, electrical trench (final hook up tomorrow). I have been pulling power from my sons horse barn on the neighboring property.

The building is 56' long, 26' wide at one end and 24' wide at the other. Totals 1400sf plus a 10 x 36 carport on the back and the 14 x 22 drive-through. Have 2 Tokheim 300 pumps (1955) to restore, Eco air meter, oil display rack, lubesters, SUN scope analyzer, etc.

This has been a fun project. Won't be trimmed and completed until next season. I am now trying to get the building totally enclosed before snow sets in. I also am working on getting my drains, gutters, etc. all in as well.

Enjoy.

 

[kb2tha]

here are some more pics. I am new to posting pics.

 

[robertgreen79]

That is frikkin cool. Where did you get the sign?

 

[kb2tha]

The sign on the post I had made at a local vocational center where I used to work. The other side is an atomic clock (18" dia.). The welds are better than any I have ever seen and they were done by a senior. The sign in the gable is a 38" lighted sign. The ballast and bulbs were gone when I got it so I coiled a Christmas rope light inside ($3 Wal-Mart) and it works great. I have a banjo post and an 8' diameter Texaco sign to install on the left end of the building. Thanks for the compliment.

 

[JC23]

That is AWESOME and a whole lot more! It's also the kind I want to build.

In case you haven't already seen it, you need to see another Texaco station/garage. It was built in Texas by Roger. Here's the link: http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8044&highlight=Roger55

PULLL-EEEZE take more pics. Especially when you doing such a great job!

 

[kb2tha]

JC23
Thanks for the link. I did see that a couple of weeks ago soon after I joined here. Great job on that build. I may borrow some of his ideas, colors, etc. Thanks. Ken

 

[AndrewBigA]

hooly ****.


subscribeDDDDDDDDDD!

 

[DIC]

Looking Good..........Looks like a fun project...

 

[28HopUp]

That's very cool! Thx for the pics - keep em coming!

 

[graffix000]

Wow, that is a cool looking shop!!! keep us updated!

 

[abstamaria]

Ken, I'm not from the U.S., so please pardon the ignorance. Is your building design typical of a Texaco gas station? If so, of what era? I like what seems to be a pump island.

Andres

 

[LocoCoco]

This is going to be an incredible garage. I love the nearly-full oil can rack too. Are those repros or original?

And I guess that old truck is going to be part of the decor?


I'll be keeping a close eye on this thread - subscribed.




LC.

 

[Call me the Breeze]

Can't wait to see more as well! Awesome job!

 

[4StarCstms]

Can't wait to see more as well! Awesome job!

Ditto - Looks to be a great build

 

[kb2tha]

May not be totally typical. It is my own design. I have however seen several phots of actual garages that used the gable and drive-through. My gable, being an unequal pitch, would likely not have been typical. The garage doors would have been glassed. I just accumulated windows, doors over time and bought what I felt would look good. I have 3 Anderson casements, 2 Anderson awning, and 3 Anderson 400 series double hung, all with grids. 3 man doors, all fiberglass with extended jambs and 2 Velux 30" x 60" skylights in the rear roof all for a total of $1050. TYhe garage doors are Aamar Classica 2000 series 9' x 8'.

I recently saw on a CL ad around Utica, NY a complete porcelain exterior for a 50's Texaco station. All for $1200. That one actually had a flat or very low sloped roof line.

The sono tube that is visible is being used on the interior to create rounded corner as might have been true in the 50's. I have experimented and found that a skim coat of spackle will work over this. The center partition will be sheetrocked and contain a recessed phone booth and a sink on the back side.

Just got home from work and need to now go install the remainder of the batten strips on the siding.

 

[m.james]

Your pulling that theme off can't wait to see the finished project are you gonna use you garage like a station or just for storage.

 

[kb2tha]

LocoCoco,
For some reason I am unable to respond directly to quotes. Tells me I need to ad at least 10 more characters and still won't work.

The oil rack has repro Texaco paper label cans and will stay inside. On the other side are Quaker State, Kendall and Esso full cans. The rack started out as a Mobil made by SelOil. Mid 50's for sure. Picked it up for $100. and redone to what you see now. The top signs are actually printed at a sign shop from a repro Texaco sign. It's unbelievable that vintage signs correct for this rack would cost probably $250 each.

The truck is a 59 Chevy Apache and will be eventually a shop truck and an all around truck to be used. Short box Fleetside, deluxe cab with the big back window and stainless spear trim. Sold another 59 stepside this past spring to fund a Massey tractor that has been very helpful during this build and to be used in the building of the house in the near future.

m. james
The garage will be used as a workshop for the 59 pickup and a 53 tin woodie Chevy wagon that I am also working on as time and $$$$ allows. It is divided into two main sections, one side will be heated with a 18 x 28 bay and a 8 x 16 waiting room, with desk, phone booth, Vendo 63 cooler (Coke), etc

 

[kb2tha]

That is frikkin cool. Where did you get the sign?

The price sign was purchased at Hershey last month. Couldn't believe it wwas still ther on the 3rd day. Dated 1962 with changeable numbers.

 

[JC23]

kb,

Still digging this very much! Really want to see/hear how you'll be doing the office. Will it be fully enclosed or open like Roger55's?

Here's a photo you should see if you haven't already. It was on the Miracle Truss site back when they were still in business.

 

[kb2tha]

JC23,

No office. Intent is more of a waiting area with seating, vintage tripod magazine rack, map racks, signs, etc. The desk is more of a counter that I will build with a stool on the back side. Desk will serve as a room divider between the waiting area and the end of the room where I will park a golf cart (yes it is red). The dividing wall between the waiting area and the work bay will have the rounded corners. Shop sink on the work bay side of this wall. Ceiling height 9'-9", will allow about 20" of space above this divider. I will put collectibles along with some 5 gallon oil/lube cans up there. Hope this gives you a better idea. Thanks.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

The price sign was purchased at Hershey last month. Couldn't believe it wwas still ther on the 3rd day. Dated 1962 with changeable numbers.

One suggestion. I don't know how many 10's of thousands of gallons of Fire Chief and Sky Chief that I pumped at dad's station but the Sky Chief is the "high test" and Fire Chief is the "regular". The Sky Chief is the high priced one of the two and at those prices, there was around 4 cents difference in price.

Not that I'm an old fart that can remember things that long ago.....

 

[kb2tha]

GeorgiaHybrid,

Thanks for the info. I was wondering about that. I have other numbers that I can change. Picked the ones that appeared to be in the best shape.
Ken

 

[PurdueSD]

pretty freaking cool man!

 

[robertgreen79]

Ok, who else saw the Oil Cans and was immediately reminded of:

 

[abstamaria]

Very nice. I hope you are able to remain true to your theme. This will be a special garage.

 

[robs400]

Ok, who else saw the Oil Cans and was immediately reminded of:

He hates these cans!

 

[stellar91]

Very,Very Nice. Now that you have an audience make sure to take lots of pics for us please. Great work

 

[rickycobra]

I love what you've done. It would pretty awesome if you had your own gas tank.

 

[kb2tha]

Here are a few more pics from today. It was raining all day so I worked on the OSB on the center wall in preparation for spray foam insulation. Also cut down the used doors and made pocket doors out of them. You can now get an idea of what is happening with the rounded corners.

Also notice what we locally refer to as "Delaware County topsoil" AKA rocks. These all came out of only two holes for the shed carport posts.

OSB covering some of the back wall as that section will eventually be closed in to heat and process veg oil that I burn in a GMC diesel van. I need to bend some flashing atop of the windows before finishing the battens. Enjoy Oh, and if anybody is wondering, there are 26 square of shingles on that roof. Glad that is done!

 

[aqr81]

This is awesome. I love what you are doing and look forward to following it. This is just great!!

 

[N8]

Fantastic!!!!! Can't wait to see the progress.

 

[kb2tha]

N8

Thanks for the reply. I saw your post with your new set-up. Quite impressive. I can't get over all of the space. BTW, what did you find in the attic?
Ken

 

[N8]

Ken,
Nothing in the Attic yet although I have found what was once two small grow rooms.
Heck while your building maybe you can work a few of those into your space!! LOL
Keep up the great work. This will be out of sight when done.

N8

 

[Sirducky9]

Hey Dad,
You haven't posted in awhile.

 

[kb2tha]

Hey Richie,
Been busy trying to get everything closed in before winter sets in. The few warm days last week helped. Got the concrete catch basin covers in today. Have all the gutters/downspouts hooked up to the drains from the back of the building.

Spread 15 yds. of 3/4" crushed gravel last weekend. Picked up another 3 yds. today and will finish up the rough grading this weekend. Actually would like to find a local source for relaimed asphalt that I have read on on this forum. Would make a great top coat in the spring after everything else has had a proper chance to settle.

Just figured the sf for the spary foam insulation for the walls. Is scheduled for next Wednesday. Will use 2" foam and then R13 FG for walls.

That's it for now.

See you next Friday. Give the grandkids kisses & hugs from Grammie and me.

 

[usmc_noma]

This is going to be one awesome build. I was always fascinated by the older style stations especially Texaco. My dad used to work with Texaco at the corporate level and always came in with Texaco collectables that were nostalgic to the older gas stations. I always wanted to have one of those desk model gas pumps from back in the day. I have tons of banks, planes, cars, model T's, nascar models, all Texaco from when he worked there. Great build you have going.

 

[Kevin54]

Great looking place. One to really be proud of

What are you going to do with the siding, let it naturally weather, hopefully not paint it, or put a clear preservative over it? My vote would be for a clear over it to let the natural wood show through. If it is allowed to naturally weather, it seems that a lot of wood like that turns black in areas. Just my $0.02 on it. Either way, I'd love to have it

 

[kb2tha]

Kevin 54
The siding will be finished next summer. I know what you are talking about with the staining of uncared for hemlock.. I have a smaller garage at another location that has nicely greyed after about 4 years.

For this garage, I most likely will be looking for a solid color stain or, dare I say, paint it. Although I know would not be an original color (as many I have seen were white) I am considering either a dark green or deep grey. White trim. Should look sharp with attached signage. If it survives the winter ok, I may just try a clear preservative to see how that holds up.

I need to take some more pictures as soon as the weather cooperates. We have had some horrific winds the past couple of days and massive amounts of rain today.

Decided to use the spray foam open cell insulation on the interior. Used enough so that I do not need the added fiberglass discussed in a previous post. Still need to seal off the underside of the front drive-thru. More wiring to do, etc.

Moved the Texaco 8' diameter sign and banjo post late last week. In the process of moving, the actual sign (heavy acrylic) cracked badly about 2/3 of the way across. Repairable, but still not happy. Have no interest in its future value for resale (as I never will sell it). Once it is 21' in the air, should not show any visible damage. This sign will not be lit.

Will post some additional pictures soon. Thanks to all for the compliments.
Ken

 

[jinxd]

Another awesome build. I along with others will surely follow along. Have fun.
Eddy

 

[strnge]

Subscribed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!