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

[Bob Heine]

I just had to post the picture of the Nova.................our never ending project. This car has been with us since the beginning. The customer just kept bringing us other cars and it wasn't getting done. Although it's dusty so happy to see the front end on this car.......



Please Bob Heine don't go back and see when this car first appeared at Monster Garage...........I don't want to know.....

Mark,
It hasn't been that long. It arrived February 24, 2013 -- that's only 72 weeks or 504 days ago. Of course it sounds longer when you realize it has been 12,096 hours since it arrived.

Page 50 -- Post #988 (http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2940837&postcount=988):

We had another car show up on the scene Sunday. I have only spoken to the owner by telephone but the car is a 1966 Nova. I guess it was a pretty quick drag car but he decided he wanted it nicer. It made it to a shop in the area and they have had it for 6 months and only have the car in primer. I guess this can happen when you drop off a project car at a body shop. Right now we are waiting for the owner to fly back into town and see what he wants. The Chevelle is priority one and not sure about getting wrapped up in something else unless we can make it work..............anybody out there looking for some part time work at a garage??????

Here is the car.........no interior,no motor

 

[IGO2XS]

I have the same exact lighting set up in my home 22x22 garage and love it!

What gets me is these lights hanging 20 feet in the air and so bright. It really makes a difference working on stuff and especially bodywork. I am going to order some for the rest of the shop!

I sure hope you're not going to paint that piece of art. And if you do, could you at least leave the bulge bare metal (polished?). It would be a shame to hide that piece of craftsmanship behind a coat of paint.
And keep those updates coming

I am really not sure what we are doing with it yet but will certainly take your idea under advisement. I get a lot of good ideas from you guys.

Mark,
It hasn't been that long. It arrived February 24, 2013 -- that's only 72 weeks or 504 days ago. Of course it sounds longer when you realize it has been 12,096 hours since it arrived.

Damn you Bob!!......I told you I didnt want to know this!

 

[Bob Heine]

Damn you Bob!!......I told you I didnt want to know this!

Sorry Mark but others may want to know. I just checked my own progress on my '72 Corvette. About 72 weeks ago I was starting a custom muffler and rear spoiler project and it still isn't complete. I've done other things that have sidetracked me but still.... You are doing an amazing job and I enjoy reading all your updates. One of these days I'm going to make the trip so I can see the new shop in person.

 

[IGO2XS]

Sorry Mark but others may want to know. One of these days I'm going to make the trip so I can see the new shop in person.

I know buddy........I wanted to know too!! thank you and hope to see you at the new shop.......we will have our grand opening in 3 months when the weather gets cooler so it would be a good time for you to come here.

 

[IGO2XS]

The only thing I can say it has been a long 6 months to get this frame. It finally rolled off the truck this morning. I made sure we got the body on the frame and ready to start rolling. Hmmmmm, how can I fit a 345/25-20 on the back?








And a little more progress on the c10 interior..........

 

[shopnut]

The only thing I can say it has been a long 6 months to get this frame. It finally rolled off the truck this morning. I made sure we got the body on the frame and ready to start rolling. Hmmmmm, how can I fit a 345/25-20 on the back?

That sure is one fancy soapbox derby car!

 

[IGO2XS]

That sure is one fancy soapbox derby car!

I know, what do you think about a nice walnut stain with a satin finish on those custom wheels I ordered?

 

[shopnut]

I know, what do you think about a nice walnut stain with a satin finish on those custom wheels I ordered?

Perfect!!!

 

[Zengineer]

Traction.... limited.

 

[Fastphil]

How was the initial fit of the chassis to the body? Did anything require any adjustment or did it drop right on? Must have been so exciting!

 

[Boosted1]

That corvette frame is incredible.
Will it have side pipes or straight back exhaust?

 

[IGO2XS]

How was the initial fit of the chassis to the body? Did anything require any adjustment or did it drop right on? Must have been so exciting!

Oh yes it was very exciting We had to cut out most of the rear compartment floor for the body to drop on frame as well as parts of the front inner fenders where the control arms touched. We already started cutting things up. Most of these guys doing this are running 19" x 12" wheels on the rear. I want to run 20 x 13's with a 345/25-20 rear tire.......a monster. Dwayne widened the already wide rear tubs by 2" and we are also raising them to make sure there is enough room for rubber.

That corvette frame is incredible.
Will it have side pipes or straight back exhaust?

I am running 3" exhaust out the back.....something custom out the rear body. Just not sure what yet.





right now we are on a temporary roll with the c10 so I am really enjoying the progress. check out the filler panel/ radiator support built today. I am really happy with this. The square panel on top of the radiator support will get cut out and filled with a polished stainless steel screen. I like the way the hood latch is molded in to the filler panel.

 

[Bob Heine]

I am running 3" exhaust out the back.....something custom out the rear body. Just not sure what yet.

With space at a premium, MagnaFlow has a 3-inch dual in/out stainless muffler with a 22"x11"x5" body. Inside it's a perforated x-design:

http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/shopexd.asp?zone=main&id=11721

Here's a video of a Z06 with that style muffler installed. It's a 2.5" version but should sound similar to the 3":

Magnaflow 11386 .mpg - YouTube

 

[Wingnut65]

The C10 is really looking great. Thom has so much talent to create panels like that.

And that Vette will be unbelievable. That frame is outstanding, although I agree on going wider in the rear and I think maybe going with 2 or 3" with a walnut or honey oak, would look great!

And with your lights, some people I mention my lights to don't understand what it means not to have any shadows in the garage. Make it look like daylight and you will be able to see all the areas needing work.

Keep up the great work. Your team is Amazing!

 

[IGO2XS]

With space at a premium, MagnaFlow has a 3-inch dual in/out stainless muffler with a 22"x11"x5" body. Inside it's a perforated x-design:

Wow Bob that really sounds nice. I will keep this as a good idea for exhaust. There is a guy over on the Corvette forum using a Borla exhaust for a 2005 Corvette on his 63 split window. It fits nice.

The C10 is really looking great. Thom has so much talent to create panels like that.

And with your lights, some people I mention my lights to don't understand what it means not to have any shadows in the garage. Make it look like daylight and you will be able to see all the areas needing work.

Keep up the great work. Your team is Amazing!

Thank you Wingnut. Thom's hotrod background and fabrication work is really a huge asset for us. The guys in the body shop are really looking forward to the new lighting. I hope to get started the end of next week on the lighting.

We are really lucky to have all these guys together in one shop. Thanks for saying so!!

 

[Leyenda30]

Mark,

We have T5 high output lighting in our shop and are extremely pleased. The bulbs are expensive if bought at home depot ( $11ea) etc. but are less than $3 if bought thru 1000 Bulbs online by the case of 25. Our ceilings are 17 to 20 feet and it is very bright work light. You may already have your lights but thought these might be worth a look if not. I use them indirectly at lower level work areas as they are blindly bright to look at up close. JP

 

[Bob Heine]

Wow Bob that really sounds nice. I will keep this as a good idea for exhaust. There is a guy over on the Corvette forum using a Borla exhaust for a 2005 Corvette on his 63 split window. It fits nice.

Mark,

I saw that exhaust and you're right it does fit nice.

It's a beautiful installation but it's all 2.5-inch pipe. If you like that layout and want to have the 3-inch system, LG Motorsports sells one for a little bit more in either dual or quad outlets (http://www.lgmotorsports.com/product_info.php?products_id=1697):

 

[IGO2XS]

Mark,

I saw that exhaust and you're right it does fit nice.
It's a beautiful installation but it's all 2.5-inch pipe. If you like that layout and want to have the 3-inch system, LG Motorsports sells one for a little bit more in either dual or quad outlets

Oh I like the 3" pipe Bob. I bet it sounds awesome!! I will definitely keep this in my file for the exhaust ideas.

 

[IGO2XS]

We hit the 63 pretty hard this week. After widening the rear wheel tubs we ended up with 17 inches of width in the back. More than enough room for tires. I decided to step it up a notch and bring in some 345/25-20" Nitto Invo's for the rear. Damn these tires are FAT! There is a good 13.5 inches of rubber touching the pavement. With the widened quarters we should be able to have some "dish" to the rear wheels. I am looking at Boze and Nutek wheels.







This is one of the wheels I am looking at....it would be a 20 x 13

 

[Jarr3tt_G]

That's an incredible set up
You have!....I'd like to build a shop from the ground up one day and this is definetally one to remeber

 

[tncumminsguy]

that frame is

 

[BlackSheepSpeedShop]

That wheels is GORGEOUS!!!!!

 

[IGO2XS]

Meanwhile........back at the Monster Garage




The floor has over the last few years has taken a pretty good beating. There are not chips and scraps but discoloring from chemical cleanup and heavy traffic. It has taken me a few months to get around to this but it is time for the next chapter of the garage......bring it back to its original luster. Its nothing a littel paint wont take care of. So out with the 18" roller and the grey epoxy to bring it back to new.

 

[IGO2XS]

Friday we decided to pull the bed off the Fire Truck frame. Dont ask me why everytime we do some heavy lifting we bring out the Bobcat. It all came off really easy......I guess having the right equipment helps.

The big delima right now is what to do with the 2 speed rear end and the front suspension. We would like to get rid of the rear end and add some disc brakes up front but I am concerned about the cost factor. There is so much beautiful work to be done to this truck and I am really cautious about adding the cost of a re-worked suspension. I heard '70s era Dodge RM400/500 motor home dana 70 axles wouid work but havnt located any.

 

[gordyy]

I wouldn't be afraid of that two speed axle I rebuilt the two speed in my hauler granted its a 73 so newer but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be just found an old manual and started tearing things apart found new parts cheaper than used if you can believe it put all new bearings and gears in for about $800 and a few hours work. that extra .33 gear ratio does save some gas

 

[IGO2XS]

I wouldn't be afraid of that two speed axle I rebuilt the two speed in my hauler granted its a 73 so newer but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be just found an old manual and started tearing things apart found new parts cheaper than used if you can believe it put all new bearings and gears in for about $800 and a few hours work. that extra .33 gear ratio does save some gas

We were kind of thinging the same thing.......I guess it is the "poor man's overdrive". This truck will probably never leave town so I can't see speeding money on a more modern used rear end and still possibly having to rebuild it. thanks for sharing.

 

[IGO2XS]

Here is a little update on the 63 split window. As I have decided to exit the exhaust out of the center of the car we have decided to modify the license plate frame by moving it up a few inches. This way we can hopefully exit the exhaust out just under the license plate so the pipes do not hang down below the rear valance. We will be doing some custom stainless tips on the back. Also take notice of the new 1 1/2" wider rear quarters. I feel they fit right in and do not affect the classic lines of the Corvette.

 

[Bob Heine]

Here is a little update on the 63 split window. As I have decided to exit the exhaust out of the center of the car we have decided to modify the license plate frame by moving it up a few inches. This way we can hopefully exit the exhaust out just under the license plate so the pipes do not hang down below the rear valance. We will be doing some custom stainless tips on the back. Also take notice of the new 1 1/2" wider rear quarters. I feel they fit right in and do not affect the classic lines of the Corvette.

Mark,
I really like the modification to the rear, especially since it looks so factory. Of course I'm a little biased because I've done a similar modification to my '72. It all started with some bumper mods about 30 years ago. I liked the look of 61-62 rear bumpers (plain horizontal without the downturns):

I cut up two pair of pitted rear bumpers and had a friend of a friend weld the pieces together to get that look. I also re-wired the lights so all four are parking/turn signals. I liked the bumpers but thought it would look better without the exhaust outlets -- they broke up the rear pan too much. I mentioned side-pipes to my wife and she threatened to set the car on fire as soon as they were installed (she has never forgiven my friend for the one little burn his side-pipe gave her calf).

When the C5 Corvettes came out in '97 I thought center outlet exhaust might be a solution. Last year I tried putting two Magnaflow mufflers in the center but it didn't look very good hanging down below the pan. When I found the Magnaflow dual in, dual out muffler it was hacksaw time. I probably should have had a pro do it but I bought MIG and TIG welders and started putting pieces together myself (stainless muffler, two stainless dual tips and the two stainless bezels merged into one for a start.

Raising the license plate made the exhaust look much better but the rear panel looked odd (the 63-67 rear panel looks great with the license moved up):

I added a Camaro 3-piece spoiler (like the 71 you did last year). I think I'm going to take about 3/4" off the top of the spoiler. I also found a backup light solution with the LED license frame -- and I'll call the design phase done. Time for some resin and glass matte.

 

[Wingnut65]

Glad to see the Monster Garage is getting some TLC. But the shop is missing something, maybe something up on jacks...

Can't wait to see how the fire truck turns out. The work so far is top notch!
The chassis just looks like a big, slow workhorse.

Nice work on the '63. The details that you are coming up with will make this car a knock-out.

Bob, I like what you've done to your '72!

 

[IGO2XS]

Mark,
I really like the modification to the rear, especially since it looks so factory. Of course I'm a little biased because I've done a similar modification to my '72. It all started with some bumper mods about 30 years ago.

Thanks Bob. I am trying to hold on to the reign's and not get too crazy. I want something a little different in the back. I want an opening like your 71 but not a round pipe, not square.....maybe put some mesh in the opening. Not sure yet but this is the current direction.

Glad to see the Monster Garage is getting some TLC. But the shop is missing something, maybe something up on jacks...

Can't wait to see how the fire truck turns out. The work so far is top notch!
The chassis just looks like a big, slow workhorse.

Bob, I like what you've done to your '72!

Ha Ha Wingnut.........I no longer have jack stands in the garage any more. Looking forward to making it pretty again after its make over.

That chassis IS a workhorse. One of the guys was talking today and thought the gear ratio's on the rearend was 5:13 for the overdrive and 8:13 for in town driving Based on the fact the motor was under 100 hp and it had a 500 gallon water tank it was not built for speed.

 

[Streetbu]

If you get a spare hour or two check out this thread on a custom Monte SS that is being built by a father/son team in CT. They did the same thing and it looks amazing!

http://www.maliburacing.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=70008&start=495

 

[F-117HWK]

Has a very Lamborghini-like exhaust look to it. Very unique

 

[IGO2XS]

If you get a spare hour or two check out this thread on a custom Monte SS that is being built by a father/son team in CT. They did the same thing and it looks amazing!

Darn, thought I was being unique.......now I have to copy them........and in front of all of you guys. I am going with black wheels with the polished stainless rivits so this would match my wheels. I checked them out and they are really good fabricators. Thank you so much for sharing.

Has a very Lamborghini-like exhaust look to it. Very unique

I agree.........I love europeon styling in the stuff I build. Many ideas for my 41 Willys came from Europeon car design.....the rear flares, headlights, etc.


We got the garage floor finished today. Kind of feels like I am moving in a new garage all over again. The section to the right was still wet so looks a little different than the rest.

 

[Crown]

It's so... empty what are you going to park on that nice floor now?
The mods on the Vette look great, it all looks like it always belonged to be there.

 

[IGO2XS]

It's so... empty what are you going to park on that nice floor now?
The mods on the Vette look great, it all looks like it always belonged to be there.

I know its empty but I like it empty! Looks really good all cleaned up and ready for a fresh start.

Speaking of a fresh start my mom goes to a jazz club on Monday nights and has met some of the musicians. They were looking for a place to rehearse and asked about using my garage last night. All 16 members showed up and rehearsed in the Monster Garage for a few hours. One of the horn players was with Johney Carson years ago.





Here is a little more detail on the C10 pickup project. We finished up the subwoofer install in the center console and the detail in the back of the cab surrounding the bucket seats.....

 

[shopnut]

Speaking of a fresh start my mom goes to a jazz club on Monday nights and has met some of the musicians. They were looking for a place to rehearse and asked about using my garage last night. All 16 members showed up and rehearsed in the Monster Garage for a few hours. One of the horn players was with Johney Carson years ago.

Did you pull out your drum set and join in?

The garage looks brand new again - WOW.

 

[IGO2XS]

Did you pull out your drum set and join in?

The garage looks brand new again - WOW.

No I just let them practice. They were great!

 

[383]

My C/10 still had the gas tank behind the seat, looks like you will have an awesome amount of leg room.

 

[dirtrunner0519]

I sure hope you're not going to paint that piece of art. And if you do, could you at least leave the bulge bare metal (polished?). It would be a shame to hide that piece of craftsmanship behind a coat of paint.
And keep those updates coming

I know you were talking about clear coating polished items, another option is "DEFT clear coat." I work a large GC and at Disneyland anything that was touched or in sunlight we used a DEFT clear coat. A little bit pricey, but would last a lot longer then rattle can clear, hundreds of thousands of touches per day, then housed down every night.

 

[capterik]

I've never used it, but a friend had some gun parts done with a clear ceramic coating, supposed to be extremely hard, baked on.