Mark's Monster Garage....3800 sq ft

[GodSpeed]

Thank you for the welcome, I have been a lurker since 2010. I look forward to the move and creating great new opportunities.

I will be much happier after all this move is done. I found out what a hoarder I have become. I just save so many things, thinking I will use them or create something from them, but I never have any spare time to myself.

 

[IGO2XS]

We got the 71 Corvette back in the shop again. Man this car is so insane! This trip Jason will be wiring the car. It is really some intense work to get this car wired the way our customer wants it. He is an engineer by trade and has designed this car down to the "T". By the end of the week we hope to be starting this car for the first time. I cant wait to hear this car run.

 

[GodSpeed]

Here is what GodSpeed Rides was in Brownsburg. Some history for you guys.

The chassis was completely built from scratch for a 1949 Chevy truck, the bottom of the cab is shown also. I build a double floor, to hide all wiring and add insulation factor. I had a small retail area up front. And as you can see by my front door I am a big fan of Bonneville racing. I have a project to put together. So hopefully in time I can pursue that Red hat. If you would like to see more metal work pictures, just let me know.

 

[W_A_Watson_II]

Love the cab floor metal! OK, I like it all, great work.

 

[BJ42LX]

Mark,

You guys do great work. But even more impressive is your ability to get stuff done! The shop looks great.

 

[IGO2XS]

If you would like to see more metal work pictures, just let me know.

Yep, I would As we get Thom moved in the shop later this month we will be adding the new dimension of the metal fabrication work on this thread.

Love the cab floor metal! OK, I like it all, great work.

I am glad you like it. I do too!!

Mark,

You guys do great work. But even more impressive is your ability to get stuff done! The shop looks great.

We have alot of rewarding work to admire at the end of the day. It is hard work and these guys kick some serious **** at the shop. You know at the end of the day you have got some work done.

We built about 10 more boxes this week. I thought I showed you guys our pallets we custom built to size. I bought some 3/4 inch luan plywood, some 2x2's and some drywall screws and built this storage boxes for our pallet rack.

 

[IGO2XS]

Ok guys I have a question. I am looking to get some custom LED taillights made.
I want them approximately 2 3/4 to 3 inches in diameter so relatively on the small side. Any of you guys have any connections?e Once done I want to build a bezel such as I have below. I want to build custom tailights for a build.

 

[michel]

Lotus Elise tail lights might fit

 

[Skyline]

Mark,

You can cast your own tail lights. Check this out:

http://www.alumilite.com/HowTos/TailLightCastingNoEquipment.cfm

Then use the LED guts from some existing tail light. Weldon makes a wide variety of LED taillights...perhaps you could use the guts from one of those:

http://www.akronbrass.com/lighting

 

[Hostyle]

Man, that Corvette build is wild. Especially the front reminds me of the racing Corvettes at Le Mans. Maybe some yellow Lamin-X over the headlights to give it even more of a racing vibe.

 

[motorscot]

Hi Mark,
I was wondering if you and the owners of the fire truck had considered a 2 part engine deal. Perhaps a rebuild of the original drivetrain (engine/******) for display and a modern powerplant and transmission for daily use. Just a thought, but I'm not sure how feasible it would be. It would solve a lot of problems and also create a few more.

Keep up the good work!

 

[Aronsson]

Love the door Hot Rod and Haircut,,

 

[IGO2XS]

Lotus Elise tail lights might fit

Michel, I have been looking at these tail lights and found them most interesting. There is a dealership about 1 mile from the shop. I will stop by and check them out a little closer.

Mark,

You can cast your own tail lights. Check this out:

http://www.alumilite.com/HowTos/TailLightCastingNoEquipment.cfm

Then use the LED guts from some existing tail light. Weldon makes a wide variety of LED taillights...perhaps you could use the guts from one of those:

http://www.akronbrass.com/lighting

Very interesting. I found a few places that build LED headlights and tail lights. Its been fun researching and hearing you guys chime in. Check this place out.....http://www.flyryde.com. I have also been in touch with Marquez Design who build some really cool billet aluminum/Led products for lighting.

Man, that Corvette build is wild. Especially the front reminds me of the racing Corvettes at Le Mans. Maybe some yellow Lamin-X over the headlights to give it even more of a racing vibe.

This design was taken from the Corvette road race cars and done to the max. There is no final decision on the paint color yet. We tinted the get coat when we sprayed the car and it is a charcoal color which looks really cool.

Hi Mark,
I was wondering if you and the owners of the fire truck had considered a 2 part engine deal. Perhaps a rebuild of the original drivetrain (engine/******) for display and a modern powerplant and transmission for daily use. Just a thought, but I'm not sure how feasible it would be. It would solve a lot of problems and also create a few more.

Keep up the good work!

I should take more pictures of the engine and drivetrain because for an old truck it is really complicated in a simplistic way. It would really be expensive to bring it back to complete original working condition. We are goint to pull out and keep the original flat head motor. I doubt if it will get rebuilt.........just preserved. These guys want realiable transportation that is as user friendly as an old fire truck can be. Therefore it will be a modern powerplant. What I have found out about these builds is it is all about solving problems...........I think this is what makes it fun.

 

[motorscot]

That sounds like a great plan, it's much easier and cheaper to go with a crate motor and be reliable and user/service friendly and then keep the original. Good choice.

 

[IGO2XS]

We got the 61 Corvette in the paint room today. Its always exciting to get a car ready for paint. Tuxedo Black with the silver insert is the original color and it should look pretty good. We are also painting the 66 Nova at the same time so its a pretty busy week. Monday we should have both cars painted and ready to cut and buff.

 

[JCQuick]

did I miss the addition of a paint booth

 

[Crown]

did I miss the addition of a paint booth

You're not alone.
I love this thread Mark. I've been reading it for a long time and have been following every update. I just never got around to posting here.

 

[IGO2XS]

did I miss the addition of a paint booth

You're not alone.
I love this thread Mark. I've been reading it for a long time and have been following every update. I just never got around to posting here.

No fellas unfortunately you have not missed it. I have a few guys coming by this week to see about ordering a booth. I really need to get on this booth pronto because it does take some time. We use a booth about a mile from the shop. It is a real nice booth but it really is inconventient to move everything back and forth. Thanks for posting CROWN






My buddy Terry got back with the flatbed with the first load of Thom's shop equipment. It was one heck of a load and luckily the weather was clear all the way to Florida.

 

[im_lower]

Now I have the painting itch again. Thanks a lot!

 

[gordyy]

Pretty, Ain't afraid to get dirty, and wheels around with equipment hanging from the fork lift!! You sir scored on that lady!!

 

[Bob Heine]

Pretty, Ain't afraid to get dirty, and wheels around with equipment hanging from the fork lift!! You sir scored on that lady!!

Deanna is Bob's wife and an all around amazing person. I think that puny little forklift is just a toy for her. Back in Post 1072 Mark revealed one of her former positions...

OK, just got the approval on this picture. Yes, she used to operate a pay loader.

 

[IGO2XS]

Pretty, Ain't afraid to get dirty, and wheels around with equipment hanging from the fork lift!! You sir scored on that lady!!

I couldn't do without her. Deanna wears a lot of hats at the shop and she is one heck of a worker.

Deanna is Bob's wife and an all around amazing person. I think that puny little forklift is just a toy for her. Back in Post 1072 Mark revealed one of her former positions...

Bob you are definitely our historian. Hope to see you back in Sarasota sometime soon to see the new shop!!

 

[IGO2XS]

I have been showing you guys some of our projects and some of the work done out in the main warehouse but I am starting to move toward the front of the building. Right now I am pretty close to finishing the build room and starting to close in on the offices. The offices had popcorn ceilings and wall paper on all of the walls. This week we are finishing the drywall, next painting, and then install the floor covering. I am also in the middle of installing 4 central a/c units.......wow this place is expensive!!

BUILD ROOM​

MAIN LOBBY​

ROOM FOR RETAIL PARTS SALES/ T-SHIRTS, ECT.​

OFFICES​

 

[BlackSheepSpeedShop]

Camt wait to see how your offices turn out.

 

[Foxxtrot]

WOW!
Just got all caught up from the last time I checked in, early fall of last year. Things have definitely been hopping and popping! Glad to hear things have been going so well for you. It has to be nice to get the Monster Garage back to yourself, and the new shop looks amazing! If I ever get down that way, I will definitely come by and pay my respects. Thank you for sharing!

 

[Leyenda30]

Hey Mark,

Since your are getting your office ready I found the perfect desk. You shouldn't get bored sitting behind this one. BTW the shop is looking great. JP

 

[Kevin54]

Mark.....Just an idea, but did you make any preparations for music throughout the building? I think it's way easier to concentrate, when one has tunes in their head. I know it was for me when I was working, and got in the "Zone".

Just a suggestion my friend.

 

[IGO2XS]

WOW!
Just got all caught up from the last time I checked in, early fall of last year. Things have definitely been hopping and popping! Glad to hear things have been going so well for you. It has to be nice to get the Monster Garage back to yourself, and the new shop looks amazing! If I ever get down that way, I will definitely come by and pay my respects. Thank you for sharing!

You need to come around a little more often. We always welcome visitors.

Hey Mark,

Since your are getting your office ready I found the perfect desk. You shouldn't get bored sitting behind this one. BTW the shop is looking great. JP

Oh wow really cool. I would love to have something like that! I have a temporary desk in our makeshift office and I dont get to sit in it much.

Mark.....Just an idea, but did you make any preparations for music throughout the building? I think it's way easier to concentrate, when one has tunes in their head. I know it was for me when I was working, and got in the "Zone".

Just a suggestion my friend.

This is one improvement I have not had time to address. I have a reciever and some speakers over at the warehouse but have not hooked them up yet. I was eyeballing some PA speakers I have at home to mount in the main warehouse so we can really rock!! I will look into this really soon. Thanks for the encouragement!!

The last few days we got a little anxious on the firetruck and decided to remove the ballast (water) tank and the pump. I figure the tank was around 500 gallons. It had seen its better days as it was quite rusty. At first I thought we were going to have to take the plasma cutter to it but after we cut the back panel off it looked like it would just lift out. We grabbed a few chains and brought out the forklift to see what we could accomplish.





We also pulled the pump as well.

 

[wtfovr]

Wow, it is quarter after midnight and I really should have gone to bed 2 hours ago but I could not stop reading once I started. I hope my meeting doesn't mind me sleeping through it tomorrow.

Looks like you are doing things the right way and focusing on making money vs carpet in the office space. That can come later and is a good practice to control overhead. I have first hand watched a boss/owner piss too much away each month only to complain the business wasn't making enough.

Kudos to you on the new venture. God Speed is a very fitting name.

 

[IGO2XS]

Looks like you are doing things the right way and focusing on making money vs carpet in the office space. That can come later and is a good practice to control overhead. I have first hand watched a boss/owner piss too much away each month only to complain the business wasn't making enough.

Kudos to you on the new venture. God Speed is a very fitting name.

Thank you so much! I cant say this joint isnt costing an arm and a leg!! Wife things the spending should stop soon.

 

[IGO2XS]

It has been a few days since an update. Thom has arrived and we are getting his area set up. All I can say is that we have officially grown into this place. What was once a sprauling building is now a filled to capacity!!

Thom has gone right to work on the 48 Firetruck. This must be one of the cleanest trucks you will ever find. Under all the ugly paint is a beautiful body. Check out these pictures......

 

[HOTFR8]

That cab sure is in good order. Not many holes in the firewall. How about rust round the roof turret as all fir trucks rust from the top down? Also look for rust behind those chassis cab mount locations. I found rust in mine in that location.

 

[IGO2XS]

That cab sure is in good order. Not many holes in the firewall. How about rust round the roof turret as all fir trucks rust from the top down? Also look for rust behind those chassis cab mount locations. I found rust in mine in that location.

I guess we are treating this like a street rod because we welded up all of the holes in the firewall. The drip rails on the cap are absolutely perfect. There is rust right on top of the cab which we feel necessary to sandblast. Cab mount locations have some surface rust but nothing that wont come off easy. Thats funny they rust from the top down........because they sit outside?

 

[don long]

Just caught up again
I had to laugh when I saw the offices shot after the rebuild room and thought WOW I can see where Marks head is (makin money)

The place is looking so good that I am getting envious and wanting to jump back in again So perhaps I will quit screwing around on these little projects and get back on one of my cars or trucks

I just fell in love with the pallet rack wall and those fork lift boxes on the shelves

Well done Mark

Don

 

[HOTFR8]

Thats funny they rust from the top down........because they sit outside?

No they rust from the top down usually because they get wet by a fire hose or covered with spray etc. My International was an Ex Fire truck and it had more rust round the roof turret and inside the doors than I had ever seen before.

 

[IGO2XS]

I hope everyone had a great weekend. We ended up Friday with all of the walls painted in the offices and 75% of the tile done. I ended up going 3 places before I could decide on the tile. My wife told me to pick it out but I wasnt about ready to make a decorating decision without her. We ended up likeing the same tile and although it was over our predetermined budget I was happy with it. It looks like slate and I wanted the 3 sizes. 12 x 12, 18 x 18, and 12 x 24. It takes 8 square feet to make the pattern so it is pretty random. Between the 4 offices, foyer, and the extra room we will be using for retail we have about 1200 square feet.



We also tackled the old warehouse walls after the icining was applied. We needed to cover it over so we ran 2 x 4 "furing strips" to attach the 1/2 " plywood. We will paint all of the plywood in the next few weeks to finish it off.



Speaking of weekends we are still running 7 days a week at GodSpeed. Between the construction and projects there is something going on every day. This weekend Bob and a helper sandblasted Saturday and Sunday......8 hours each day in 90 degree weather. With the cab and other parts sanded down to bare metal time was of the essense. The rust had to be blasted so we could get all of the parts primed so there was no better time to do this. These guys busted their butts!!

 

[F-117HWK]

Sweet awning

Thanks for continually taking the time to share, shop is really starting to take shape.

 

[Xporter]

Wow, lot's of work going on there! I'm hoping I can stop by for a visit next time I'm on that side of the state.

 

[IGO2XS]

Sweet awning

Thanks for continually taking the time to share, shop is really starting to take shape.

We got a little creative there......ratchet straps and a tarp

Wow, lot's of work going on there! I'm hoping I can stop by for a visit next time I'm on that side of the state.

Come by anytime!!

I made quite an investment in the body dollys for the Corvettes. I didnt realize how valuable they would become until we started using the first one on the 58 Corvette. With all of the modifications under the car the dolly hooked up to the rotisorie really was nice. We could work on the car on its side or upside down to have easy reach to any part of the body. Its a lot better than working under the car.

 

[Homebody]

Beyond impressed at all the progress! Love the tile, gonna look great.