Above 1200 Sq/FT building my BIG PARTY garage

[Omphaloskeptic]

Well Don, I'm touched (or is it 'tetched'? lol); I don't believe I've ever been somebody's hero before. As to the rotisserie, I should have guessed that you already have one; I mean you've got just about one of everything tucked away in that BIG PARTY GARAGE!

 

[don long]

Been working out in the shop this last week on my wifes 57 chev convertable

A couple years ago a friend and his wife came over to go for an afternoon drive in one of the convertables, Well we picked the 57 chev
We stopped in at Danchuk to pick up a taillite lens for the car. When we climbed back into the car it wouldn't start. (Installed a new battery there)
Drove about 25 miles and the damn thing overheated (added water and coolant and stop leak for radiator) all is well and we are going again took a nice scenic drive thru the mountains and by the time we returned home I was beat. Fighting a loose steering box and bad brakes made the trip miserable so the car went into the garage for a little work

Two years later the car is almost ready to go on another little road trip
It now has
(a) power steering (chrome box)
(b) power disc brakes (chrome master cylinder)
(c) Be Cool radiator and a/c condensor (Polished aluminum)
(d) vintage air a/c
(e) smoothed firewall
(f) painted engine
(g) chrome dress up kit for motor (valve covers intake manifold 4 barrel carb)
(h) serpentine belt pulley system (Polished aluminum)
(i) headers and 2 1/2" exaust with Borla mufflers

and this week it is getting a complete rewire job
Oh and did I mention that I replumbed the a/c and heater with polished stainless tubing.

And when my wife saw all the receipts for this little project she asked
WHAT DOES ALL THIS HAVE TO DO WITH THE WAY IT OVERHEATED
Hard to answer her with a straight face ( EVERYTHING )

Now it pops when you open the hood

and I repainted the cluster bezel

 

[akdiesel]

don

great looking car. That teal color pops.

 

[pals444]

A -57 Bel Air convertible was once my dream car. Still high up on the list today.

You sure have done a good job on Your wife's car, Don. It looks stunning. And of course everything on the list was totally necessary to fix the overheating

Please post more pictures of it when it's finished.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Heck Don, just simply tell the wife that all those shiny new parts were needed to make a 'hot' car even 'hotter'; so 'hot' in fact, that it is now VERY COOL! lol

 

[BUGTHUG]

your not worried about the motor shaking around and breaking the hard lines mounted to the firewall? sho is pretty tho.

 

[don long]

don

great looking car. That teal color pops.

Thanks ak
This one is my wife's favorite car She says it is her barbie car.

A -57 Bel Air convertible was once my dream car. Still high up on the list today
You sure have done a good job on Your wife's car, Don. It looks stunning. And of course everything on the list was totally necessary to fix the overheating

Please post more pictures of it when it's finished.

Thanks for checking in with those kind words pals444
I remember as a kid this car was wish for car, but knew it would be a long shot if I were ever to own one.
More pictures are on the way

Heck Don, just simply tell the wife that all those shiny new parts were needed to make a 'hot' car even 'hotter'; so 'hot' in fact, that it is now VERY COOL! lol

Omph
My wife is no different than most wives She just loves to dish it out when she gets the opportunity. She is liking the car more every time she sees improvement and sees it getting closer to being done.

your not worried about the motor shaking around and breaking the hard lines mounted to the firewall? sho is pretty tho.

BUGTHUG
The last few real nice hot rods i've looked at were hard plumbed and when I asked the same question they explained that if you don't tie the pipes to the fender well they float and have enough play to handle the movement
and the motor in the chev is a STOCK 283 so it won't be bouncing around much (We will find out soon) lol

 

[don long]

Had a little fun in the garage today.
Well it started yesterday, I won this spark plug tester / cleaner on
ebay last week it arrived and I took it to the garage to clean it up a bit before adding it to my collection in the big garage

so after looking at it for a few minutes the tools came out and the clean up began

today I put it all back together

before

after

Now I need to find a good spot in the party garage to display these
vintage spark plug cleaners

 

[don long]

I went to a sign auction and picked up a few old signs and have been putting them up as time permits

Here is one that I put up outside

and this one is a 1920s ford sign

 

[softailgarage]

My God, is that the same Chevy that was parked in the shop? That is beautiful work Don, and the tester...(the man's an artist)

 

[akdiesel]

don
The sign post looks great next to some art history.

 

[Xporter]

Amazing! You could have all the money in the world but it takes a talented individual to build what you have.

 

[edgars23]

Wow...

 

[BUGTHUG]

Hey Don, whats the story behind the Blue Star Highway sign? That looks like its been lifted It looks like the perfect place for it though.

 

[80WTI_55_CHEV]

Don your garage excites me every time i look at it with your wide choice of projects on the go, you are never in one spot to long. I like that one week we are looking at you bringing home a rusty old car for yard art with some great pics of the trip, you almost make me feel as if i was on the trip with you. Then another week your rebuilding the 57 and restoring a sparkplug cleaning machine.
I talk to my mates on a weekly basis telling them about you and your builds as i think your in a league of your own mate. I look forward to more pics. lee

 

[don long]

My God, is that the same Chevy that was parked in the shop? That is beautiful work Don, and the tester...(the man's an artist)

Softtail
Its good to hear from you and yes its the same 57 chev that has been homesteading in my shop and the tester was just a whim
Thanks for those kind words (Hope all is well at your place.)

don
The sign post looks great next to some art history.

Thanks AK
I was crusin up the drive way in my golf cart and that spot jumped out at me and cried give me a sign so I did and I think it fits rather well.

Amazing! You could have all the money in the world but it takes a talented individual to build what you have.

Thanks Xporter
And welcome to the party garage adventures.
Finding the stuff is the fun part, finding a place to put it is the challenge!!

Wow...

Thanks edgars23
Glad you like what you see

Hey Don, whats the story behind the Blue Star Highway sign? That looks like its been lifted It looks like the perfect place for it though.

Well BUGTHUG
I found the sign in a sign auction and no one offered any explanation as to how it got there or where it came from so I burried it in the back yard where it looks like it has always been (best I could do)

Don your garage excites me every time i look at it with your wide choice of projects on the go, you are never in one spot to long. I like that one week we are looking at you bringing home a rusty old car for yard art with some great pics of the trip, you almost make me feel as if i was on the trip with you. Then another week your rebuilding the 57 and restoring a sparkplug cleaning machine.
I talk to my mates on a weekly basis telling them about you and your builds as i think your in a league of your own mate. I look forward to more pics. lee

Lee
I am so happy that you are enjoying the read. As I enjoy posting up my adventures of retired life and sharing it with my G.J buddies. My wife complains that I don't finish a project before moving on to the next one but I get bored way to easy and I find great satisfaction in finishing up three or four project at once so I guess one could say that I am a project hoarder
That is why it seams like I move around so much

Thanks guys for checking in
Don

 

[softailgarage]

" I don't finish a project before moving on to the next one but I get bored way to easy and I find great satisfaction in finishing up three or four project at once "

Ha! Thought I was the only one that did that, guess we need some project therapy...

 

[e-tek]

The 57 is STUNNING!!! I thought the same of the hard-lines, but you make some good points - prolly be fine. As I'm about to install another Vintage Air into a 67 Camaro with shaved firewall, maybe I'll use similar lines!

The AC plug tester turned out awesome too!

 

[don long]

" I don't finish a project before moving on to the next one but I get bored way to easy and I find great satisfaction in finishing up three or four project at once "

Ha! Thought I was the only one that did that, guess we need some project therapy...

No Jeff
Just more projects and more time to play with them

The 57 is STUNNING!!! I thought the same of the hard-lines, but you make some good points - prolly be fine. As I'm about to install another Vintage Air into a 67 Camaro with shaved firewall, maybe I'll use similar lines!

The AC plug tester turned out awesome too!

e-tek
The car comes out of the shop this week, Then we will both know if my theory is correct
Did you notice that the water pipes have shrink wrap material on the ends as connectors I think it will lend a little more give to the lines.

And I did take care of the paint that peeled from the masking tape on the fender

 

[0150carmac]

This is just truley amazing ive just finished reading this full thread well done and i look forward to future updates

 

[don long]

This is really... bad ***....

This is just truley amazing ive just finished reading this full thread well done and i look forward to future updates

Thanks for those kind words guys

Yesterday I started another little restoration project
I went to a sign auction a couple weeks ago and one of the signs
that I won is a 36 " framed conoco porcelin sign.
The frame was tweeked a bit and in ruff condition
It is heavily coated with galvanize and needs to be ground smooth
The sign has a few chips in the porcelin so I, using poor judgement
decided to try repairing the sign and repainting the frame
Here are a few shots of the project

 

[BUGTHUG]

That's a beautiful Conoco sign, with very minimal damage. In my opinion, I think I would of just rubbing compound and buff it out and not paint the spots. I believe it would be worth a whole lot more in its original condition. Lets face it the sign is probably somewhere in the early 30's and has faced a lot of adversities and still looks very good. I know most people think they look and are worth more if they are perfect condition, but that's not always the case.
Now I know from reading your posts, I have no doubt that its in very fine hands and will have a new life "hanging with the best".
I live about 50 miles from the Marland mansion in Ponca City, Oklahoma. He's the dude that started the Conoco refinery, and had a very opulent life style of the rich and famous back in the days.
OK back to work, love the signs.

 

[Drewstang]

Wow. This has to be one of the coolest garages I have ever seen. How did I miss this thread for so long?

 

[don long]

That's a beautiful Conoco sign, with very minimal damage. In my opinion, I think I would of just rubbing compound and buff it out and not paint the spots. I believe it would be worth a whole lot more in its original condition. Lets face it the sign is probably somewhere in the early 30's and has faced a lot of adversities and still looks very good. I know most people think they look and are worth more if they are perfect condition, but that's not always the case.
Now I know from reading your posts, I have no doubt that its in very fine hands and will have a new life "hanging with the best".
I live about 50 miles from the Marland mansion in Ponca City, Oklahoma. He's the dude that started the Conoco refinery, and had a very opulent life style of the rich and famous back in the days.
OK back to work, love the signs.

BUGTHUG
I understand your hesitation of fixing the sign
Its my first attempt at it but I am working with a professional
It will turn out fine i'm sure

Wow. This has to be one of the coolest garages I have ever seen. How did I miss this thread for so long?

Drewstang
Welcome to the party and thanks for those nice comments

 

[don long]

I worked on the sign a little more today
It is ready to spot in the chips now

We ground out all the rust from the chipped areas
Them we filled the chipped areas with bondo to replace the missing porclein
and now the sign is ready to start the paint process

 

[don long]

I finally did it. After 3 years of procrastination the 57 chev finally came out of the work shop running again. just in time for wedding pictures in the party garage

The kids had me move the caddy outside for a shot also

 

[don long]

AS long as I was moving cars around. I decided to pull the elcamino out of the shop so I can clean it up, which means getting out the pressure washer and attacking the walls and corners of the shop along with most of the equipment (tomorrow)

 

[IGO2XS]

I finally did it. After 3 years of procrastination the 57 chev finally came out of the work shop running again. just in time for wedding pictures in the party garage

Love the Cadillac!! Now you have the 57 done its time to attack the el camino!!

 

[80WTI_55_CHEV]

Great work as always Don. hope all is great over in sunny California mate.lee

 

[akdiesel]

don

Great photo of the Chevy in front of the Texaco station.
How much room does that Cadillac need to maneuver? Great looking car.

 

[don long]

Thanks guys for checking in today

akdiesel lets start with you
The Caddy usually sits by the elevator and we use it for a back drop
for food or in the case of my b-day party it was the candy bar

and to get her out I put it up on go-jacks at all four corners and I can spin it around in a circle if needed in less than 25'

and because you all mentioned the car here is another shot out by the sinclair station

Lee
Thanks for the vote of confidence in my work
Getting older, things take a little longer but we press on

 

[don long]

Love the Cadillac!! Now you have the 57 done its time to attack the el camino!!

Mark lets talk about this project for a few shots lol

I bought the truck for a cool driver back in 2000

I had just started a small bodyshop in Van Nuyes Ca.
and we needed something to do so I thought the Elcamino
would make a good fill in job It needed paint work

I went in one day and found the motor had been removed and out to a rebuilder
so I brought the car home pissed cause every one was doing what ever to the car at my expense.

Then is when the fun started
The frame came off and went to the powder coater

The body went out to the sand blaster

Both quarter panels needed replacing so that is when the decision was made to customize the truck
1st The drip rails were removed

2nd. The door handles were shaved

3rd. The dash had to go (59 chevy replaced it)

4th. Third brake lite was added from 58 impala
roof

f
5th. The chrome around the bed never fit very well so it had to go

6th. The tailgate needed to be smoothed

7th. The firewall had way too many holes in it so it got welded up

before

after

all this along with moving and building the work shop and
the party garage in the past 13 years

 

[Wingnut65]

Don, I really need to start to learn from you and Mark on Multi-Tasking! I don't know how you two can keep juggling so many projects at one time and make progress on each one with amazing results! Wow! Just the details you highlighted above for the El Camino are amazing and working toward perfection.

 

[don long]

Thanks wingnut65
The elcamino has been a pet project for way too long
and thanks to Marks encouragement I have it in the shop and playing with it again now that the construction projects are under control for the time being

multiple Projects are just a way of saying that a guy gets bored way to easy

 

[CudaChick1968]

Sweet project!! I'd sure love to play with those valve covers -- they're very distinctive. Keep us posted on your progress! This one is gonna be awesome.

 

[softailgarage]

And my El Camino will be ready when?

 

[don long]

And my El Camino will be ready when?

I get the message, and I promise to make some headway on the car this month!!

But today I got a call from a friend that wants to bring a few car club buddies over tomorrow afternoon for a tour ----- SO I had to clean it up a bit and hang some new signs and build a couple of shelves in the texaco station. So here are a few shots of the changes

 

[HOTFR8]

Interesting. What is all that on the trailer ? A frame to hold it ?

 

[softailgarage]

Looks good Don, I'm sure they will all be impressed. That Texaco Station gets better every time you show it!

 

[don long]

Interesting. What is all that on the trailer ? A frame to hold it ?

What you are looking at is my trailer that has a 4 post lift welded to it
The car body is sitting on a rotisserie with large tire type wheels making it
easier to roll around and load on the trailer.

Here is a better look at the unit