Kiwi Kev's backyard Hot Rod Shop.

[Motown 454]

I'll bet those wagons confuse quite a few people. The Chevelle came out great.

 

[Kiwi Kev]

BUGTHUG.....Not sure what year the wagon is.

Oldsklrolla....I got a copy of Australian Street Machine today. I think they did a nice job! Those pics are from a couple of years ago but not much has changed.


I found a couple of pics of my first "garage". This was in New Zealand about 1976. This old shed was on a field behind a house that my parents rented. I patched it up and scraped the dirt floor and started work on a 38 Chevy coupe. The second shot shows how far I got on the coupe before realizing I was in way over my head and selling it.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Hi Kev,
I'm not sure I understood that you were ACTUALLY a New Zealand native. I guess I didn't really catch on why you used that screen name. Tell the truth, your accent and baby face helped you out with the girls when you were a single kid, right?

Anyway, its awesome you really are from there....except haven't you ever been tempted to go back? I've never been there but the pictures I've seen make it look like Disneyland on 'roids...ha ha.

Its great that you at least TRIED to take on that car and to do it in THAT "garage"? Now that's impressive. Maybe a little naive, but impressive nevertheless.

 

[wagonmaster]

Here we are dating back in the early 80's. Time flies when you're getting old

Hey Kev,
How come she looks BETTER than she did in the 80's?? And you..well...don't! LOL
(You did good with her my friend)

 

[Justanoldguy]

Hey Dan.
I sure is our little spot of Paradise down here in the south seas.
You are welcome to drop in anytime and get a grand tour.
I believe Kev gets back here on occassions to catch up with old buddies.

 

[Kiwi Kev]

When I get a chance I will post a bunch of pics from my last trip home to New Zealand. Very Garage Journal friendly!

 

[strnge]

Your garage is what I hope mine will resemble some day.

 

[travj31]

speechless...

 

[littletoes]

My favorite part is that your shop isn't a Monster. Its what you have done, with what you have, THAT is the most impressive part.

 

[AndrewBigA]

dam i like that second chevron set of gas pumps. thats awsome!

 

[mik641]

My favorite part is that your shop isn't a Monster. Its what you have done, with what you have, THAT is the most impressive part.

thats what kiwis are about mate

 

[ocdart]

Just joined this forum today. Got to say I love the garage Kev!
PM sent about one of your decals.

 

[OklahomaHotRod]

Kev,

Send me a price for everything in pics... I'll have a couple semi's stop by and have some movers load everything into the trucks. jk

Im jealous...you have an awesome collection of stuff!!!!

All I can say is AWESOME!!!


oh yea...if you ever want to sell as a package...send me a price!

 

[Kiwi Kev]

OklahomaHotRod.....Ha Ha...My wife says she may need to keep your number on file....just in case...

I promised some pics from New Zealand and then got sidetracked. Here is an awesome place I visited owned by a super nice guy named Don Hornell. He is a Ford nut and is also into vintage stock cars (jalopies). He has his own track and a cool clubhouse so his mates in the vintage stock car club can stay and play for the whole weekend. Lots to see there so I will let the pictures tell the story....

 

[Kiwi Kev]

 

[Kiwi Kev]

Here are a few non car shots from the trip....

 

[Justanoldguy]

Awesome pics Kev.
Ain't NZ great ...

 

[Wingnut65]

Thanks, Kev. Now NZ has been added to my Bucket List!
Your garage has been on it a while...

 

[Thruxton]

My wife has visited NZ, I haven't but both are thoughts are with everyone in Christchurch.

 

[ZRX61]

I see Kev is featured in Tim Bartons sheet metal machinery books

 

[seanu71]

Kev, I love it all! Thanks so much for taking the time to share and offer some insite. I love all the garage sale finds...unfortunately out here in Florida..the only things you find at garage sales are baby clothes and old furniture! lol

I like all the gas pumps and signage...I have two 1937 Gilbarco 96B's torn apart awaiting restoration.

Thanks for the photos of NZ too!

 

[HOTFR8]

Great photos and thanks for posting.

 

[mad56]

hi kev i see the sulphur city rod and custom club cast plaque on your wall in one photo ,any idea or story behind how you got this ,ive been in sulphur city club for about 30 odd years and theres not many of these in captivity still,cheers PJ

 

[Kiwi Kev]

Mad56....PM'd ya.

 

[Rural53]

Mad56....PM'd ya.

Is the story repeatable? If so please post it for the benefit of the rest of us. The 4wd club I belong to has used Sulphur City's club rooms for several years as the base for our 4wd comp. My mate also got married there last year.

Where, roughly, is Don Hornell's property. I went to school with a Mark Hornell, wondering if he is a relative.

Is your wife a Kiwi?

 

[KiWinUS]

G'Day Kev ......... WOW the garage is awesome but Mate ! I,m droolin over all my favourite kiwi tucker !!!!!!!!!!! only thing missing is the steamed pud. I will make one tonight tho & think about all the othe great grub!
Im new on here but it seems you may have lived over here about the same time as me .I,m here in Charlotte NC , orig from Ashburton . Just finishing off a 40x60 to enjoy my old acrs & speed eqip. I have a 36 ford that I bought in Ashburton in 1973 , at 17 . its stock & unrestored, we drive it all over. I try to come to the LA roadster show & drive a great friends lil track roadster .If you have ever been on the Pasedena reliability run you would have possible seen it.He has a bussiness across from the Nethercut museum .
Would enjoy meeting you some time when I,m out there.
Cheers
Tony

 

[Kiwi Kev]

I got the club plaque from my friend Chris Piaggi. Don Hornell's place is in Whangarei Heads, close to my parents. My wife is from Santa Barbara, CA where I lived for 8 years before moving to Ventura.

KIWIinUS. I PM'd you my ph # if you want to get in touch. I always attend the LA Roadster Sow, have only missed one in 30 years. I have been in the US since 1981. I am less than an hour from the Nethercut. I am going back to NZ for a week in March, can't wait to get in a bakery! Also looking forward to mums's roast lamb!

 

[Justanoldguy]

Mmmmm roast lamb.
It's on the menu tonight Kev.
Maybe you can smell that delicious aroma?

 

[hesterfoster80]

BUGTHUG.....Not sure what year the wagon is.

Oldsklrolla....I got a copy of Australian Street Machine today. I think they did a nice job! Those pics are from a couple of years ago but not much has changed.


I found a couple of pics of my first "garage". This was in New Zealand about 1976. This old shed was on a field behind a house that my parents rented. I patched it up and scraped the dirt floor and started work on a 38 Chevy coupe. The second shot shows how far I got on the coupe before realizing I was in way over my head and selling it.

hey they look really classic

 

[clutch93]

DUDE!! Just went through your whole thread, don't know why I hadn't before. Your place is amazing and you have a TON of talent!

I think i'll drive down tonight for the full tour, Ventura is only a couple hours from Bako. HAHA Seriously you have a GREAT work place and have totally pulled off the retro vibe. The pictures look like they're straight out of the 50's or 60's.

I can't believe you got Debbie to come to your party and sign your display cabinet. That is one of my all time favorite movies thanks to my dad for introducing it to me. Anyway, keep us updated with, i'm sure we'd all love to see more!

 

[3bay]

Great place and goodies!

 

[ksp683]

Great garage! It deserves every bit of credit that gets thrown its way. Love the old school feel.

 

[GrabberOrange69]

Great garage! Great stories!

Simply the best seen to date; who wants some snooty clean with a Ferarri when you can get patina!

Thanks for sharing all of it.

Bryan

 

[Rocket]

 

[RATSTER]

awesome post!

 

[biggie]

I spend alot more time on the H.A.M.B. than the Garage Journal but I thought I would get in on the action and post some pics of my garage here. I worked full time out of this garage doing fabrication for local hot rodders and drag racers for 12 years but that was about 8 years ago. I still do a little side work for others but now it is mostly for my own projects. I am a big fan of old style hot rods and drag cars. I also love old speed equipment and I am a bit of a pack rat. Although it looks big in pictures it is just a regular 2 car garage with an enclosed carport on one side. It is deeper than most because there is a granny flat added on the back and I have knocked the wall out, that is why there is a bathroom out there. My garage is always changing, some of these pics are from a few years ago.......

very cool pics,thats one kickass restroom

 

[b4wscrambler]

I love the thread. Thank you for spending the time to share you work space with the rest of us.

KR

 

[toolman1967]

Holy **** Kev, I see you on the H.A.M.B. all the time but I didnt know your shop looked like that. SWEET!

 

[lowerod]

This is my first post and it will not be my last.I am from New South Wales Australia and i am amazes at the garage set ups you all have in the states.Over here we call em sheds but whatever i love em.I love kiwi kevs set up and think how good would that be to have that and those skills he has.i will be posting pictures of mine and the resto i am doing on my next post.
cheers
all
Tony

 

[Scuderia-F1]

Well, I have now gone through this whole thread, & I must say that your shop is a Hot Rodders heaven Kev!

I´m also liking the work you do.

Keep the pics coming.