Cool Mexico City garage stuff?

[pgray007]

I find myself in Mexico City for work fairly regularly these days, and was wondering if there’s any cool garage-related stuff worth grabbing while down here. I love seeing all the roadside car repair places (I’ve seen trucks being repainted in the street, etc) and would like to take some momento home. Worst case I may try and get some cool pictures of the various hand-painted signs for auto-related projects but was hoping someone might have a better idea.


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[73surffisher]

Driving, , , I would go do what is needed for work and come home , , why bring attention to yourself at the boarder customs, , , or worst yet have something "extra" stashed in your vehicle that you are " unaware" of , , you wouldn't be the first to experience that one, , but customs has no sense of humor about that, , I didn't know, , honestly I didn't, , , just doesn't fly for an excuse anymore no matter how truthful you maybe

Flying, , its no fun being detain in customs, , trying to explain where, how or why, or who, , they have heard it all and don't believe a word out of your mouth, ,

Go do what you have to do and come home, , its so much easier, , safe travels

 

[RWorth]

Driving, , , I would go do what is needed for work and come home , , why bring attention to yourself at the boarder customs, , , or worst yet have something "extra" stashed in your vehicle that you are " unaware" of , , you wouldn't be the first to experience that one, , but customs has no sense of humor about that, , I didn't know, , honestly I didn't, , , just doesn't fly for an excuse anymore no matter how truthful you maybe

Flying, , its no fun being detain in customs, , trying to explain where, how or why, or who, , they have heard it all and don't believe a word out of your mouth, ,

Go do what you have to do and come home, , its so much easier, , safe travels

Me thinks you a wee bit paranoid. Chill out my friend, life is short.

 

[pgray007]

I'm flying, and have lived/worked/travelled all over the world so no stranger to customs. I'm not talking about ivory elephant tusks, or mysterious white powder, was thinking more along the lines of cool old PEMEX signs, or some unique product/tool/whatever.

 

[73surffisher]

Not paranoid, I've traveled and worked international enough to know and to get home safe , , some how I didn't think passing on " real world " experiences was paranoid, , , to each his own

To the OP, , personally I like the old signs, ,

 

[Falcon67]

Me thinks you a wee bit paranoid. Chill out my friend, life is short.

You aint visited with Border Patrol lately. There is no BS at checkpoints or customs. 60 miles from the borde, 100 miles from El Paso on I-10, Texas plarex, stopped and asked if we are American citizens. Never even left the USA, just traveling near the border.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Driving, , , I would go do what is needed for work and come home , , why bring attention to yourself at the boarder customs, , , or worst yet have something "extra" stashed in your vehicle that you are " unaware" of , , you wouldn't be the first to experience that one, , but customs has no sense of humor about that, , I didn't know, , honestly I didn't, , , just doesn't fly for an excuse anymore no matter how truthful you maybe

Flying, , its no fun being detain in customs, , trying to explain where, how or why, or who, , they have heard it all and don't believe a word out of your mouth, ,

Go do what you have to do and come home, , its so much easier, , safe travels

I think you need more commas!

 

[Lelandwelds]

I havent crossed the border in 20 years. No thanks. You can keep it all.

I do miss the food.

 

[Pathfinders]

Driving, , , I would go do what is needed for work and come home , , why bring attention to yourself at the boarder customs, , , or worst yet have something "extra" stashed in your vehicle that you are " unaware" of , , you wouldn't be the first to experience that one, , but customs has no sense of humor about that, , I didn't know, , honestly I didn't, , , just doesn't fly for an excuse anymore no matter how truthful you maybe

Flying, , its no fun being detain in customs, , trying to explain where, how or why, or who, , they have heard it all and don't believe a word out of your mouth, ,

Go do what you have to do and come home, , its so much easier, , safe travels

Mexico is only 3 miles from Hampstead, MD(check a map). You would think he would be more relaxed about going to Mexico.. I grew up in MD, just ball busting.

 

[pgray007]

You aint visited with Border Patrol lately. There is no BS at checkpoints or customs. 60 miles from the borde, 100 miles from El Paso on I-10, Texas plarex, stopped and asked if we are American citizens. Never even left the USA, just traveling near the border.

Generally the border patrol doesn't stop the planes as they fly over Texas . I've been harassed by those guys before (if you're ever bored there are tons of youtube videos about guys that go to these checkpoints and don't answer the questions or show ID since what the border patrol is doing (stopping and asking for proof of citizenship without any probable cause) is in a legal grey area and they technically have to let you go without answering their questions.

I was delighted to discover recently that you can actually bring cheese back from other countries. Customs in Dallas told me "anything harder than a brie" is the guideline, so hopefully I can grab some queso and some sort of interesting Pemex stuff. Flying across the border is pretty darn painless. Mexico definitely has better looking immigration and customs officials than the US, although I think Canada is still tops in North America for looks, and also tops for detaining me on "suspicion of stealing Canadian jobs." Oddly Mexico seems the most happy to have foreigners on with "business" as their reason for visit.

 

[PECVD2]

Weird. I recently drove through the lukeville-sonoyta boarder crossing in a van with 6 others . Heading into Mexico I was driving, guy just waved us by. headed back into US, agent asked for all our Passports, looked quickly through them and sent us on our way. The crossing was not crowded or busy at all so he could have really checked us out but didn't

 

[Lelandwelds]

Years ago, crossings were fun and frequent. We shopped over there weekly as a matter of routine. Vanilla, Oso *****, piloncillo, grainy chocolate, and jalapeno carrots were staples. This little factory made the best soft, orange corn tortillas. A conveyor belt fed your fresh order through a window. Another store had a white goat cheese sorta like feta that was great on tacos and omelets. One market had spices and peppers unavailable on this side. Our prescriptions were much less. The bars were fun if you behaved.

I would never do any solo exploring again. Nights are just scary. I dont even drive. A few years ago we went on an "all inclusive". Just like a tourist. I was a bit embarrassed.

 

[Falcon67]

My limited experience has been that LEAVING the US is not so bad with the proper paperwork. "Good to see ya, eh? Have a nice day, go home soon." It's the getting back in. Even before 9/11.

>I've been harassed by those guys before
Well, there ain't sh#t to do out there in no man's land LOL. East bound near Van Horn and West bound before Deming. You look around out there on the western edge of Texas and southern NM and there is no way you're gonna find anyone slinking around unless they happen to be wearing a orange safety vest and carrying a flag.

 

[strutaeng]

Why don't you bring a VW "Vocho" in parts? I think they still plenty of them down there.

Maybe ship the engine and chassis by freight or something.

 

[pgray007]

The hand-painted signage down here is super cool. Don’t go licking that meter box though...

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[Fastfish]

I too have traveled often to Mexico City and another border town and loved seeing the Mexican automobile service places and how small some of their shops are as I drove by. Also agonized over not being able to bring any rust free used auto parts and cars back... Got the feeling there is a lot of good wrenching going on down there. But never took anything back but the memories.

 

[bwringer]

It could be cool to commission a groovy hand-painted or hand-carved sign or maybe a painting of one of your bikes or cars (or one you wish you owned) from a good local artist. Maybe a sculpture or something. There's a certain style (a lot of styles, actually) to Mexico city, so artwork is a good memento.

Of course, getting something bulky back to the states could be a royal pain.

 

[A**holes Garage]

The hand-painted signage down here is super cool. Don’t go licking that meter box though...

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Looks like South Phoenix

 

[pgray007]

Some more cool signage... I was in a moving vehicle so not the best pics, but I love the paining and the tiny auto "shops" that are literally a dude in a closet in some cases.

 

[Gmonkee]

Lol!!!!!

I am in Mexico and work in one of those tiny indy shops. I painted some signs on walls for a business I worked at.

And I am at a total loss at what cool shop related stuff one might want to bring home to the states beyond some tools.
Most tool storage is shop made and rudimentary at best. Signs are painted on cement walls so the airlines may not permit them.

Artsy stuff is distinct and worth a look. We decorated with it for the most part. But not very shop related.

Tools made by Hema or CH, maybe even Urrea. If you get lucky some SO Mexico with the z prefix part numbers.... I see a few in the markets in a year. If old style tools grab your eye....

Not a lot of shop related stuff of a portable nature that says -Mexican- like the piles of artsy stuff.

 

[TheShrine]

Lol!!!!!

I am in Mexico and work in one of those tiny indy shops. I painted some signs on walls for a business I worked at.

And I am at a total loss at what cool shop related stuff one might want to bring home to the states beyond some tools.
Most tool storage is shop made and rudimentary at best. Signs are painted on cement walls so the airlines may not permit them.

Artsy stuff is distinct and worth a look. We decorated with it for the most part. But not very shop related.

Tools made by Hema or CH, maybe even Urrea. If you get lucky some SO Mexico with the z prefix part numbers.... I see a few in the markets in a year. If old style tools grab your eye....

Not a lot of shop related stuff of a portable nature that says -Mexican- like the piles of artsy stuff.

^^^ THIS ^^^

I own a home South of Guadalajara, on Lake Chapala in the village of Ajijic. Lived there full time for 6+ years. My family and friends were scared stiff that I'd do such a thing! I love it there....not go'n to try to explain it. Don't get me wrong...I've had my run in's with those that don't hang out in The Texas Hill Country but I never considered it a Mexico problem. It's a people problem. In the 14 years I've owned the place I've only flown....maybe....8 times. Those flights were to ****** family and friends that were apprehensive to "go it alone". I stopped that early on when I finally realized that I couldn't make someone have a good time if they were scared all the time! Also, I travel with a Service Dog...a big Service Dog, so we drive when we go. Medina TX to the border = 4+ hours then Mexican border to my home = 16 +/- hours....depending on how bad the toll roads are. We know they're going to be bad....just how bad is the question. With all that driving I have had my share of Mexican mechanic shops. None of them possessed anything I wanted or needed other than the graciousness that was always forwarded to me and my family. I was repeatedly impressed with what they could do with so little. Most of my needs were in the tire/rim/axle/suspension area. My vehicles take a beating on their roads. Most of the shops are mere lean to's or just dirty corners of their home's backyard. Don't get me wrong...there are some fine home "Tallers" that will impress even the most critical of Garage Journal snobs!

With that said, the finest garage I've ever seen was in Guadalajara at the Chrysler dealership. It was "other worldly" in every sense! I had just bought a Pacifica, back when they were re-badged Mercedes, and lost the front differential in the little village I live in. There were no wreckers in Ajijic so the dealership sent its own wrecker, 60 miles one way, to pick it up. It was warranty work....American warranty but they worked it out. When I went to go pick up the car I was shocked at the surgical suite style work bays they had.

The dealership, shop and everyone in it appeared to be on constant ready for a photo shoot. The mechanics even wore white lab coats over their uniforms. It was one of those once in a life time experiences!

 

[6768rogues]

I like Mexican people, but the places I have been in Mexico were filthy, old, run down and on the edge of total economic collapse. It is unfortunate for the good people who live there, but their government does not do its job.

 

[tomstin]

I've had the opportunity to travel around the world with work. Including several cities in Mexico. The best advice I got before traveling abroad was "Never forget, you are a guest in their country". Or to put it another way, "we're not in Kansas anymore!" Be polite, be respectful and the locals will go out of their way to help. Go down the ugly American route, and their English will get bad and you'll get the same attitude back. From Mexico to France to Australia, I've seen more Americans acting stupid and wondering why they can't get any help.

As for Customs and Immigration, its their game, learn to play it. Have your paperwork and documentation ready, look them in the eye and answer their questions. Bring a attitude, hesitate to answer a question and you get what you deserve. Of course they have bad days, we all do, but for the most part, I have found them, around the world, to be pretty reasonable. Also, I have found, appearance matters. If you look like a drunk bum, you'll be treated that way.

But to answer the OP, I have not seen anything tool or car related worth bringing back from Mexico. But if you are a VW Bug fan, I think Mexico City is the VW Bug capital of the world!

 

[alberto]

How did a thread asking about what garage memorabilia to bring back from Mexico turn into a commentary on how good or bad Mexico and Mexicans are??? Jeezzz.

 

[Automobilist]

Mexico: good & beautiful. Mexican people: wonderful.

I would absolutely find some cool advertising, art, etc, and ship home. Forget the naysayers, you already know how neat Mexico is...

 

[Lelandwelds]

How did a thread asking about what garage memorabilia to bring back from Mexico turn into a commentary on how good or bad Mexico and Mexicans are??? Jeezzz.

The place for garage memorabilia is the US. Mexico is the place for food. (Interior, Yucatan, and coastal offer a lot of tasty variety . How do they get that stewed pork leg to taste like rootbeer/licorice? Where else can you find twenty different fresh and dried peppers?)

 

[pgray007]

The place for garage memorabilia is the US. Mexico is the place for food. (Interior, Yucatan, and coastal offer a lot of tasty variety . How do they get that stewed pork leg to taste like rootbeer/licorice? Where else can you find twenty different fresh and dried peppers?)

I still have no idea what voodoo or black magic the Mexican chefs use to make grilled Octopus so tender. Everywhere else I’ve had it it’s like chewing on a shoe.


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[Gmonkee]

Octopus is boiled and a moderate time to be non rubbery. Squid takes more time yo boil out the toughness but tastes a little richer.

Good stuff when done right. Not that big a secret, I just asked my lady.

 

[metalmagpie]

Mexico is safe except in regions contested by different cartels. Stay away from border areas and resort towns. Bring home hand-hammered copperware from Michoacan or handmade and handpainted wooden art pieces from Oaxaca. Or bring home handmade ceramics from Dolores Hidalgo, or leather items from Leon. Flea market finds are fee down there.

Mexico is colorful, friendly and safe. Know the laws and obey them and you need not fear border crossings.

metalmagpie

 

[onewheat]

^^^ THIS ^^^

I own a home South of Guadalajara, on Lake Chapala in the village of Ajijic. Lived there full time for 6+ years. My family and friends were scared stiff that I'd do such a thing! I love it there....not go'n to try to explain it. Don't get me wrong...I've had my run in's with those that don't hang out in The Texas Hill Country but I never considered it a Mexico problem. It's a people problem. In the 14 years I've owned the place I've only flown....maybe....8 times. Those flights were to ****** family and friends that were apprehensive to "go it alone". I stopped that early on when I finally realized that I couldn't make someone have a good time if they were scared all the time! Also, I travel with a Service Dog...a big Service Dog, so we drive when we go. Medina TX to the border = 4+ hours then Mexican border to my home = 16 +/- hours....depending on how bad the toll roads are. We know they're going to be bad....just how bad is the question. With all that driving I have had my share of Mexican mechanic shops. None of them possessed anything I wanted or needed other than the graciousness that was always forwarded to me and my family. I was repeatedly impressed with what they could do with so little. Most of my needs were in the tire/rim/axle/suspension area. My vehicles take a beating on their roads. Most of the shops are mere lean to's or just dirty corners of their home's backyard. Don't get me wrong...there are some fine home "Tallers" that will impress even the most critical of Garage Journal snobs!

I just drove from Houston to Ajijic a couple weeks ago to move my M-I-L there. It was a nice, easy trip. I have nothing bad to say about it. The border crossing was more than easy, I didn't encounter anyone who wasn't more than nice and I didn't have one item of food in a week that wasn't incredible, from Moo Moo Burger somewhere in TX to tacos on the shore of Lake Chapala. I picked up a bottle of Don Julio Blanco and a bottle of Don Julio 70 at the local Walmart for about 40% of the local price and had ZERO issues bringing things back through customs. Since the M-I-L is there full-time now, I'll probably go back in a couple months to see how she's settling in. I definitely see the attraction to the area.

 

[John in OH]

I'd think some cool old, ORIGINAL vintage product signs (small size) for oil, spark plugs, etc. would be nice. Never been to Mexico, but I would think it wouldn't be too hard to find some used junk stores that might have such signage.

 

[SmokeyBC]

Hey pgray , there’s a guy over on ADV Rider doing the same thing, even took a similar picture! ����

 

[metalmagpie]

Packing today. Heading off to Mexico tomorrow morning. Looking forward to some sun!

metalmagpie