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Dream Garage Gallery

If you were the editor of the book, would you like to see more:

  • Over-the-top dream palaces (ala the Kelowna garage)?

    Votes: 16 16.8%
  • Cool, gritty shops (like Sixth Street Specials)?

    Votes: 19 20.0%
  • Real-deal home shops used for decades (like George Hood's place)?

    Votes: 60 63.2%

  • Total voters
    95
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bomber

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 31, 2006
Messages
207
Location
Group W Bench
THanks for posting this -- while I enjoy the Garage-mahals that may have built, I also enjoy the info on shops and spaces that are a bit more achievable for more folks . . . that fact that your posts involve that most noble of transportation modes is a great bonus!
 

goodfellow

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 17, 2006
Messages
2,288
Location
NoVA
THanks for posting this -- while I enjoy the Garage-mahals that may have built, I also enjoy the info on shops and spaces that are a bit more achievable for more folks . . . that fact that your posts involve that most noble of transportation modes is a great bonus!

+1

Thank you very much for posting the wonderful pics. I also enjoy the "old school" shops that have an eclectic collection of vintage tools, parts, machinery, and associated paraphernalia. Modern, overly organized and sanitized garages just don't impart the feeling of craftsmanship, and innovation. From my perspective at least, they seem to be very static; nice to look at, but they have that "don't touch" museum characteristic.

Some of the best looking garges I've seen on this board have been smaller in size, and feature older tooling and equipment that was lovingly cared for to showcase a specific period of automotive and industrial history. It's a place where your first inclination is to sit down, talk shop, and "hang out".
 

PAToyota

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 20, 2006
Messages
4,366
Location
South Central Pennsylvania, USA
I put my vote in for "over the top" type garages. I know I'm never going to be able to own one myself, but if I'm going to buy a book I want to see some of the ideas from people that have the money to think outside the box. Perhaps I can integrate some of their ideas into my own shop.

I mentioned in the post about the new Bend-Pak lift that when I built my shop over ten years ago I had pretty much assumed that installing a lift was completely out of reason for a home shop and didn't even bother researching it. Now they are almost becoming commonplace. There just weren't the resources like GJ back then - internet was mailing lists for the most part and I was on a 28.8 modem so even downloading a few pictures took a heck of a long time.

With today's availability of information I'd have looked into it as a possibility and at least put in that extra foot of ceiling height so that I could have added a lift later on when I could afford it.
 

rsanter

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 22, 2007
Messages
18,493
Location
visalia ca
I think the perfect garages are like an auto dealership

one side is the neat and orderly shop that is used for work. it can show some signs of wear but is clean and usable

the other side is like the showroom. you can store them there safely in a clean enviroment but there are no stand off ropes. you are free to look and touch and even get in them. if you want to go for a ride then lets fire the thing up and go...

bob
 

wilbilt

Banned
Joined
Aug 17, 2006
Messages
5,602
Location
NorCal
While the huge, sanitary spaces are very nice, I would have a hard time working in one for fear of getting something dirty.

I like smaller spaces with a certain "ambiance" that remind me of good times with good friends. Hanging out, building stuff and solving problems by drawing diagrams on the benchtop.

I would feel right at home in nimrod's shop:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3740&highlight=nimrod

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5322&highlight=nimrod
 

Thomarann

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 25, 2007
Messages
219
Location
Canada, eh?
I'd vote for the average garage. While the huge OTT ones are nice, I like looking to see what other "average" garage guys have done to get some ideas for my space.

Marc
 
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Mr. Welsh

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Joined
May 21, 2007
Messages
1,425
I like to look and dream about the top end garages, but I'd get more ideas that I could actually implement from other aspiring DIYers.
 

autoist

MEMBER EMERITUS
Joined
Aug 20, 2005
Messages
1,107
Location
Gurley, Alabama
While I like to look at the over-the-top garages of millionaires (& get a few ideas I can convert to my budget), I'd much rather see average guys with garages that actually WORK for them - not necessarily the typical 2-car garage but the garage a guy has built to house his small collection....maybe even focus on the garages guys have built themselves, not the ones put togwether by professionals.
 

PAToyota

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 20, 2006
Messages
4,366
Location
South Central Pennsylvania, USA
I put my vote in for "over the top" type garages. I know I'm never going to be able to own one myself, but if I'm going to buy a book I want to see some of the ideas from people that have the money to think outside the box. Perhaps I can integrate some of their ideas into my own shop.

Actually, I guess I should make a clarification. Perhaps I should have said "over the top" shops rather than garages.

Although it takes all kinds, I am definitely more interested in any setup used to maintain / fabricate / restore vehicles than I am in a showroom / museum / storage setup.

And "over the top" doesn't necessarily mean bazillion dollar or square feet. I'd tend to put Nimrod's shop in this category. Not big or full of big ticket items - but time was spent on the style and character beyond that of simply being utilitarian.
 

Mr. Welsh

Well-known member
Joined
May 21, 2007
Messages
1,425
Although it takes all kinds, I am definitely more interested in any setup used to maintain / fabricate / restore vehicles than I am in a showroom / museum / storage setup.

While I enjoy both the high end shops and high end garages, it doesn't take much imagination to build a big garage with high end finishes. I agree with you that it's often more interesting to see the working areas than the pristine storage/show areas. Ideally I'd have both.
 
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