Olsen Spec Projects

[zmotorsports]

Hey Mike! Yes that is just a personal garage down south. I wish it was at my home, it is actually about .2 of a mile away from our gate.

I really wanted to be like you with the backyard garage was always my dream. But that would have involved moving farther inland, a trade off my wife was not comfortable with.

Shes right at the end of the day, we are not country type of people and wouldnt be happy in that atmosphere. I like to walk to the bodega and get what I need not drive fifteen minutes!

Really what it boils down to is same problem i always have in life my wants are bigger than my pocketbook can afford!

Really envious of your setup, so happy for you though you deserve every bit of it!

Thanks for the response and comments Tim. I couldn't remember if it was at your Florida home or not and if it was personal only or if you were planning on moving your whole operation down there.

Yeah, personally, having a shop in the backyard I think is ideal, but I know people who like to rent garage space which gives them a getaway from home and a place that they can make noise and such without issue from neighbors.

Like you alluded to, it all comes down to choices and there are a lot of variations of what we consider ideal for our own situations. I've had to drive 20-minutes from home for the first few years of marriage to my shop on my parent's farm before we could afford to build our first shop at our last home and I swore I would never do that again. To me there's just something about being at home and having everything on my property.

 

[olsenmotorsports]

Being in Florida I'd be at least talking to the team at Obsessed Garage but maybe your personalities/ideas would clash too much but . Matt's been a fan of that style lift and his taste in cars is quite similar to yours. His installs usually involve concrete work and setting them flush with the floor. I'd think their design team would be able to put together a good solution for your space though.

Matt is a great dude and yes we get along just fine, except for his dislike (and my love for Snap On Tools).

What will you do about the extra holes in the floor?

Break it out and re-pour?

Yes sir! The only way!

 

[olsenmotorsports]

Thanks for the response and comments Tim. I couldn't remember if it was at your Florida home or not and if it was personal only or if you were planning on moving your whole operation down there.

Yeah, personally, having a shop in the backyard I think is ideal, but I know people who like to rent garage space which gives them a getaway from home and a place that they can make noise and such without issue from neighbors.

Like you alluded to, it all comes down to choices and there are a lot of variations of what we consider ideal for our own situations. I've had to drive 20-minutes from home for the first few years of marriage to my shop on my parent's farm before we could afford to build our first shop at our last home and I swore I would never do that again. To me there's just something about being at home and having everything on my property.

I could not agree more!

The only issue I have is we are about a half mile from the beach. Real estate that big is hard to come by there, and if it’s available a few million above my price range

Like I said my wants are bigger than I can cash flow!

I should have stayed in school

 

[danski0224]

I should have stayed in school

Seem to be doing pretty ok from my viewpoint...

 

[zmotorsports]

I could not agree more!

The only issue I have is we are about a half mile from the beach. Real estate that big is hard to come by there, and if it’s available a few million above my price range

Like I said my wants are bigger than I can cash flow!

I should have stayed in school

What? Only a few million?

And for the record Tim, you have done well for yourself, and I wouldn't necessarily agree that more schooling would have netted you more $$$. That's been the lie for some time now, but there are so many more variables than education alone.

 

[customh]

Matt is a great dude and yes we get along just fine, except for his dislike (and my love for Snap On Tools).

His review of the Snap On box and tools initially got under my skin a little. Once you understand his perspective it makes complete sense- Matt "dislikes" anything that isn't what he feels is the best in it's category. The reason why Snap-On exists and makes sense for you is the time and effort it takes for you to have what you need in your hands to complete the job in front of you. Other tool companies can't compete with the local/mobile dealer. I don't think Snap-On tool boxes are the absolute best built, longest lasting on the market- but they are probably the easiest to customize for an individual customer.

What? Only a few million?

And for the record Tim, you have done well for yourself, and I wouldn't necessarily agree that more schooling would have netted you more $$$. That's been the lie for some time now, but there are so many more variables than education alone.

Couldn't agree more- being willing to take (calculated?) risks and lose some sleep is far more valuable than schooling. Maybe for some it accelerates the rate at which you're willing to take the risks because of the knowledge you have, but the real advantage is still in the mindset- not the knowledge.

Tim- I'm sure you know this but it seems to me you've barely scratched the surface on the available market for Porsche/German car work in the US. I think there's at least a 10-15 year runway of high interest in those cars.

 

[olsenmotorsports]

What? Only a few million?

And for the record Tim, you have done well for yourself, and I wouldn't necessarily agree that more schooling would have netted you more $$$. That's been the lie for some time now, but there are so many more variables than education alone.

Well I appreciate that, but I can confirm that my education all came from the school of hard knocks for sure. A lot of time, aggravation and money could have been saved by the “rookie mistakes” that an education could have provided!

Not sure if I have ever disclosed, but I actually have a GED, never made it past 8th grade.

His review of the Snap On box and tools initially got under my skin a little. Once you understand his perspective it makes complete sense- Matt "dislikes" anything that isn't what he feels is the best in it's category. The reason why Snap-On exists and makes sense for you is the time and effort it takes for you to have what you need in your hands to complete the job in front of you. Other tool companies can't compete with the local/mobile dealer. I don't think Snap-On tool boxes are the absolute best built, longest lasting on the market- but they are probably the easiest to customize for an individual customer.



Couldn't agree more- being willing to take (calculated?) risks and lose some sleep is far more valuable than schooling. Maybe for some it accelerates the rate at which you're willing to take the risks because of the knowledge you have, but the real advantage is still in the mindset- not the knowledge.

Tim- I'm sure you know this but it seems to me you've barely scratched the surface on the available market for Porsche/German car work in the US. I think there's at least a 10-15 year runway of high interest in those cars.

I would agree with 10 years… I think 15 is a stretch, 15 years from now the 997 chassis will be the car to own, and air cooled cars will be like OMG remember those?

See that is where we disagree. Matt wont “endorse” anything he cannot sell. Snap on will not sell to him Therefore it is trash to him.

Now, I agree, there are tools out there that get the job done etc that are not Snap On. But seriously (and I love Matt to death) to base your “experience” with Snap On based off that 2 month “usage” is unreal. I have been BEATING on snap on tools, and equipment for over two decades…. My original chrome socket set from 2002 has never cracked or peeled etc, and trust me I use them on impacts! That’s my rub….. But I understand its marketing, business, and profit, and good for him! He deserves every dollar he makes, genuinely happy for him.

 

[olsenmotorsports]

Updates on the wife’s 964 Cab.

Olsen Spec on Instagram: "This is our way of going widebody! ⬅️➡️ #olsenspec #porsche911 #porsche #porsche964"

33K likes, 1,088 comments - olsenspec on February 7, 2026: "This is our way of going widebody! ⬅️➡️ #olsenspec #porsche911 #porsche #porsche964".

www.instagram.com

Man if you are into comments LOL check out this reel above the team made. Apparently I am doing it all wrong and air hammers are NEVER to be used to remove sheet metal. IDK you guys here are the experts but it Is so much faster to gain access to the backside of the panel to separate it. The comments section was HILARIOUS and did not disappoint.



Anyhow. Now that we have established that I am a complete blabbering idiot let’s replace the 1/4’ panels the wrong way lol. That’s is usually how much I cut off. Crude and quick. Speed is your friend here and accuracy does not matter. Just get the brunt of the panel out of your way.



Step 2 is carefully grind away at the spot welds. As soon as the metal starts to thin out STOP…



This is what I like to look for - the panel is thinned out and ready to separate.



Here I use the air hammers with a flat wide tip blade to start to get some separation



That simple. 10 - 15 minutes is all that entire process took, no drilling, no holes, nice and clean and tidy. Maybe it Is the wrong way, but it is the way I was taught. Tidy work here makes all the difference in the world when you fit later.

You guys are the experts not me!

 

[olsenmotorsports]

On the front of the panel i did a really bad job of documenting. It was late in the day and I wanted to get out of there.



This part is super easy. It is leaded in here - just some map gas and as soon as it starts to flow pry away and its easy peesy.



Here is the panel all separated out. Notice no spot welds holes!



The front on both sides of the cowl I need to fix this. Super common on the 911 and they all rot here at some point in time.



This whole section we will have to fix as well. Super simple and easy to remake and fit all this in a mornings work.

 

[olsenmotorsports]

The rear quarters fitted and tacked up. Final welding we will do all at once. For now it is just adjusting and getting everything to fit right.



Bent up some 19 gauge on the magnetic brake and stretched it to fit the crown on the power hammer.



Here it is fitted and ready for welding



Plug welded the entire panel with the tig… Yes, the spot welder is way faster here (well aware) but decided to do it this way today

 

[ArcIndWeld]

Updates on the wife’s 964 Cab.

Olsen Spec on Instagram: "This is our way of going widebody! ⬅️➡️ #olsenspec #porsche911 #porsche #porsche964"

33K likes, 1,088 comments - olsenspec on February 7, 2026: "This is our way of going widebody! ⬅️➡️ #olsenspec #porsche911 #porsche #porsche964".

www.instagram.com

Man if you are into comments LOL check out this reel above the team made. Apparently I am doing it all wrong and air hammers are NEVER to be used to remove sheet metal. IDK you guys here are the experts but it Is so much faster to gain access to the backside of the panel to separate it. The comments section was HILARIOUS and did not disappoint.



Anyhow. Now that we have established that I am a complete blabbering idiot let’s replace the 1/4’ panels the wrong way lol. That’s is usually how much I cut off. Crude and quick. Speed is your friend here and accuracy does not matter. Just get the brunt of the panel out of your way.



Step 2 is carefully grind away at the spot welds. As soon as the metal starts to thin out STOP…



This is what I like to look for - the panel is thinned out and ready to separate.



Here I use the air hammers with a flat wide tip blade to start to get some separation



That simple. 10 - 15 minutes is all that entire process took, no drilling, no holes, nice and clean and tidy. Maybe it Is the wrong way, but it is the way I was taught. Tidy work here makes all the difference in the world when you fit later.

You guys are the experts not me!

This is exactly how I do my panels as well. What a waste of time fumbling with a full panel for no reason when its junk in the first place.

 

[Boosted1]

I'm just glad to see you wearing hearing protection while using the air chisel. lol.
Nice work.

 

[olsenmotorsports]

This is exactly how I do my panels as well. What a waste of time fumbling with a full panel for no reason when its junk in the first place.

I couldn’t agree more. It’s insane how many people are experts on media on the “right vs wrong” way of doing it.

To your point, complete waste of time.

 

[olsenmotorsports]

I'm just glad to see you wearing hearing protection while using the air chisel. lol.
Nice work.

Thank you! You only get one set of ears, eyes, and hands!

 

[plain2car]

Thank you! You only get one set of ears, eyes, and hands!

well.... unless you have ... 6 million dollars!! although I suppose that amount would need to be adjusted for time & inflation for today! . very nice work on the fender replacement... i love to see your posts when you are doing shop work... envious for sure! As far as schooling goes... well i think your work & work ethic say how "smart" you are... thanks for the updates. You know... I don't think any of us would mind if a picture or two of the bronco happen to show up in a post...

 

[Scuderia-F1]

New space looks AMAZING Tim.

Baller move on adding another workstation, one can’t simply have too many.

About the scissor lift, keep it and add a 2 post, they’ll complement each other nicely. For two post may I recommend a AutoP Stenhøj or something similar, with the fork add ons for lifting under the wheels. It’s a GREAT design if you ever have to deal with undertrays and such.
Awesome space and can’t wait to see them Levracks.

Cheers from Sweden,

Anders.

 

[Chipm]

Fascinating to see you take these cars apart and put them back together.