Above 1200 Sq/FT Restored 1930's Auto Shop

[BB767]

Still loving this thread, did any more go kart parts turn up when you were clearing out the buildings?

Al

Al I just knew you were still lurking about! I am still cleaning and have come across some West Bend engine parts so far. I think they're for a 580. Also today I found a new home for the go kart jig and one of the frames that was left. I'll update that information shorty.

Did I mention that I also have a vintage MacMillan round wall thermometer to go with my Macmillan oil?


Thomas

 

[BB767]

Thomas,
here's another Walker for your collection.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72885

Thank you reone98. That's a much later one, guessing 1960's. Hiball would know that one. Definitely a descendant though. At present I now have 2 - 4 ton, 3 - 2 ton and a couple of cheap portables. Probably take care of my floor jack needs.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

i'll add my thanks to the others who have posted. it's been really fun seeing all the old stuff and hearing all the old stories. i hope to have something like this for myself someday.

If you start looking and talking to people it's amazing what you might come up with. I'm glad you are still around after reading all those posts! The old stories sure round out the physical items left behind don't they? I appreciate you taking a moment to share your thoughts.

More to come.

Thomas

 

[Amitygravel]

Thomas , again THANK YOU!!
It's after 2am and I just can't sleep, all those amazing details. The work benches with the stainless tops
The steel top bench fabricated from left over inventory that was missing a chunk that Mr Johnson had cut out for some project,
(And then was seamlessly filled back in for the benchtop) , the stainless door jambs , the original
roofline shingles and all built into the interior of the shop. For all of the photos and descriptios
As detailed as they are, until you have been there , acres of glossy white FRP, the compressor
with about a miles worth of hard lines , that sleek and **** Walker floor jack, that Walker! Photos
don't come close to giving you an idea how massive it is ! To think how many tons of grain trucks and cars
it lifted into the air. That massive arc welder, the cast iron bench , oh , the Mt Dew in GLASS bottles !!!
The machine shed and that roll up door enclosing all that nice flat concrete floor. The property,
oh yes , that gorgeous piece of property. I dare any city to think their city park that beautiful.
I wouldn't be surprised that when the shop is empty and dark any given night, a clatter of wrenches
or an arc being struck could be heard coming from inside. Mr Johnson is very happy.
"The Center of the Universe" ? INDEED!

 

[autopartsman]

Great Job restoring a working welding/fab shop....the attention to detail is amazing....many a small town had a local garage/welding shop that took care of its citizens needs..sadly they are being razed and history lost...you should be proud of preserving the heritage and legacy of the man&his workshop.I salute you!

 

[markviii]

Thanks for your comments, autopartsman. Tom definitely wanted to keep the "flavor" of the property alive when others thought it should be razed. It was just unthinkable, for us at least, to have all that history lost. The Johnson family is indeed grateful and love seeing all the changes and the preserved items. There are lots of good memories on that 5 acres. We definitely feel Mr. Johnson's presence. BTW, my parents and a sister/brother-in-law live up in Joliet. My dad taught Math at Joliet West and then Central from 1974 until he retired in 1988 or '89. (I never lived up there.)

Amitygravel - glad you enjoyed your visit! Tom enjoys sharing the experience. It is indeed a place full of gems. Sorry I wasn't around - apartment clean-up and move-ins are winding down, but still keeping me mighty busy.

Chris

 

[BB767]

Thomas , again THANK YOU!!
It's after 2am and I just can't sleep, all those amazing details. The work benches with the stainless tops
The steel top bench fabricated from left over inventory that was missing a chunk that Mr Johnson had cut out for some project,
(And then was seamlessly filled back in for the benchtop) , the stainless door jambs , the original
roofline shingles and all built into the interior of the shop. For all of the photos and descriptios
As detailed as they are, until you have been there , acres of glossy white FRP, the compressor
with about a miles worth of hard lines , that sleek and **** Walker floor jack, that Walker! Photos
don't come close to giving you an idea how massive it is ! To think how many tons of grain trucks and cars
it lifted into the air. That massive arc welder, the cast iron bench , oh , the Mt Dew in GLASS bottles !!!
The machine shed and that roll up door enclosing all that nice flat concrete floor. The property,
oh yes , that gorgeous piece of property. I dare any city to think their city park that beautiful.
I wouldn't be surprised that when the shop is empty and dark any given night, a clatter of wrenches
or an arc being struck could be heard coming from inside. Mr Johnson is very happy.
"The Center of the Universe" ? INDEED!

OK everyone, full disclosure here.....................I confess I paid him to say all those things about the shop and property. Gee, I get the distinct impression you liked it out there huh? You are making me blush big time.

Well anyway, I appreciate you taking the time after a hard days work to stop by and see how much has changed since you and your Dad were last out at the shop some 40 years ago! It's the same but different.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Great Job restoring a working welding/fab shop....the attention to detail is amazing....many a small town had a local garage/welding shop that took care of its citizens needs..sadly they are being razed and history lost...you should be proud of preserving the heritage and legacy of the man&his workshop.I salute you!

You know you are so right. Many small towns throughout the midwest had shops that were very, very similar. Many are/were close to the same vintage as Mr Johnson's and have now passed into history. I do admit to being just a little proud to have prevented at least this one from fading away.

My thanks for the compliment, it does matter to me.

Thomas

 

[Call me the Breeze]

Thomas, I still look forward to seeing new parts to this thread. I guess the thing that amazes me most is the restoring of the old car lift. The amount of work that went into restoring it, is unreal. Most people today wouldn't have bothered with it and just bought a new one. There is a guy around here that just pulled an old floor cylinder out of an old gas station because he said it wasn't safe anymore and had trouble with it. He bought a new bend pack. I asked him what he did with the old one... He scrapped it. Anyways, thanks for taking the time, and sharing with us, this remarkable place.

 

[Fishwacker]

Now, now, now, Fishwacker,
You're just thinking that a rationalization will help him get over it. Since others can see it, he'll keep looking for a solution!

Chris

Nothing a big screw, some glue and a bit of sanding then re-paint wouldn't fix. Doncha think? Character is still good in my book though, and you folks sure have a lot as I see it.
My 30 X 60 Garagosaurus Rex has been idle for a short while due to the downturn and some minor health issues, but I haven't given up. I'll be back at it soon. Gary

 

[Motown 454]

I'm still here watching too.

 

[Dutch 1960]

Thanks again for your inspiring thread. I am closing escrow on my own garage-centric property this week, and this thread helped inspire me to get out there and actually make it happen. I found that while the widowed wife is just moving out now for round-the-clock care at age 88, the husband, who built the place and later died in 1992, had been a private pilot (a private airstrip in the immediate neighborhood must have drawn him). The barn of a garage is yielding cabinets full of brand new, boxed and bagged small fittings and tiny pieces that may be aircraft related (they don't really look automotive, most of them), as well as tools and a variety of interestingly constructed cabinets, shelves, benches, and "mystery elements". I have learned from you to photograph and document all of this, especially the "before" pictures, and to incorporate the prior owner's constructions into the repair and restoration of the property. Thank you for the inspiration and the insights!

 

[Bigpigdave]

Thanks again for your inspiring thread. I am closing escrow on my own garage-centric property this week, and this thread helped inspire me to get out there and actually make it happen. I found that while the widowed wife is just moving out now for round-the-clock care at age 88, the husband, who built the place and later died in 1992, had been a private pilot (a private airstrip in the immediate neighborhood must have drawn him). The barn of a garage is yielding cabinets full of brand new, boxed and bagged small fittings and tiny pieces that may be aircraft related (they don't really look automotive, most of them), as well as tools and a variety of interestingly constructed cabinets, shelves, benches, and "mystery elements". I have learned from you to photograph and document all of this, especially the "before" pictures, and to incorporate the prior owner's constructions into the repair and restoration of the property. Thank you for the inspiration and the insights!

Hey Dutch, have you started a thread on GJ about your new shop. I would love to see pics of your project and finds. Good luck.
Thanks, Dave

 

[BB767]

Thomas, I still look forward to seeing new parts to this thread. I guess the thing that amazes me most is the restoring of the old car lift. The amount of work that went into restoring it, is unreal. Most people today wouldn't have bothered with it and just bought a new one. There is a guy around here that just pulled an old floor cylinder out of an old gas station because he said it wasn't safe anymore and had trouble with it. He bought a new bend pack. I asked him what he did with the old one... He scrapped it. Anyways, thanks for taking the time, and sharing with us, this remarkable place.

Breeze, I had number of people suggest while I was restoring the lift that it would be much easier and maybe even more cost effective to cut the ramps off and abandon the cylinder in the ground. Then install a modern 2 post lift. Now imagine that room today with a brand new lift in it. It just wouldn't even remotely have the same feel. It's again a case of those who "get it" and those who don't. The story you related is unfortunately all too familiar. Sadly that's why those types of lifts are becoming so rare today. I did have to put a lot of thought and effort into that lift, but I feel it's the crown jewel of the shop. I really wouldn't trade it for anything. In retrospect it was well worth all the effort and expense. Not even close.

The sharing part afterward turns out to have been rewarding as well. Thanks for your comment.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Nothing a big screw, some glue and a bit of sanding then re-paint wouldn't fix. Doncha think? Character is still good in my book though, and you folks sure have a lot as I see it.
My 30 X 60 Garagosaurus Rex has been idle for a short while due to the downturn and some minor health issues, but I haven't given up. I'll be back at it soon. Gary

Never give up Gary. I bet you're as stubborn as I am and you will "be back"

Thomas

 

[BB767]

I'm still here watching too.

That's good to hear Wayne, I need guys like you to keep me on my toes!

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Thanks again for your inspiring thread. I am closing escrow on my own garage-centric property this week, and this thread helped inspire me to get out there and actually make it happen. I found that while the widowed wife is just moving out now for round-the-clock care at age 88, the husband, who built the place and later died in 1992, had been a private pilot (a private airstrip in the immediate neighborhood must have drawn him). The barn of a garage is yielding cabinets full of brand new, boxed and bagged small fittings and tiny pieces that may be aircraft related (they don't really look automotive, most of them), as well as tools and a variety of interestingly constructed cabinets, shelves, benches, and "mystery elements". I have learned from you to photograph and document all of this, especially the "before" pictures, and to incorporate the prior owner's constructions into the repair and restoration of the property. Thank you for the inspiration and the insights!

Hello Dutch 1960. Many aspects of that sound really familiar don't they? The thing about documenting everything is you think you'll remember but you just won't. Some of the most ordinary items, tools or parts of the structure need to be photographed which is now easily done with digital equipment. I don't think you can take too many pictures. Now remember us here on this thread and when you start to post your story. Check back here and tell where we can find all those pictures.

Others have inspired me through the years and I guess it's my turn to pass that passion along. Congratulations and best of luck.

Thomas

 

[Fishwacker]

Never give up Gary. I bet you're as stubborn as I am and you will "be back"

Thomas

Tom, Thanks for the encouragement and compliment. Stubborn is a good thing I believe. I once was spoke shaving a board with a butter knife to get some tinder for a fire no one else in the group could get going, and as the fire began to light I heard someone say, "I'd sure hate to have him chasing me".
Never give up indeed, as well as "Hold on tight to your dreams". Gary

 

[Call me the Breeze]

Breeze, I had number of people suggest while I was restoring the lift that it would be much easier and maybe even more cost effective to cut the ramps off and abandon the cylinder in the ground. Then install a modern 2 post lift. Now imagine that room today with a brand new lift in it. It just wouldn't even remotely have the same feel. It's again a case of those who "get it" and those who don't. The story you related is unfortunately all too familiar. Sadly that's why those types of lifts are becoming so rare today. I did have to put a lot of thought and effort into that lift, but I feel it's the crown jewel of the shop. I really wouldn't trade it for anything. In retrospect it was well worth all the effort and expense. Not even close.

The sharing part afterward turns out to have been rewarding as well. Thanks for your comment.

Thomas

No Thomas, a new lift in the old garage would be as tacky as Rosie O' Donnell in Daisy Duke shorts, (sorry for the bad image now stuck in your head)

Just thankful that the ones who "get it", share it on here with us, and the ones who don't... may some day .

 

[markviii]

Tom's off on a trip, so I'm faithfully keeping the newly planted grass watered. The last round of predicted rain this past weekend passed us by...again! It should be sprouted by the time he gets home. The "new" building will look as if it's been there as long as the 1930s shop by next year with all the landscaping filling in.

Thanks to all who are watching and getting to work on your own projects.

Chris

 

[61pv544]

Hey Chris, anyone from Denmark chimed in yet?

This thread is amazing!

 

[porschedude996TT]

All I can say is WOW! My hat is off to you for the restoration.

 

[markviii]

Here's an update of the state/country list (from page 71). If I missed you, sorry. Just let me know.

"Here is a list of states (**) that are represented so far. If you've posted, but haven't identified your location, you can PM me if you want and I'll ** the state or add the country of origin. So far there are 35 states. (4/29/10 - we now have 37 thanks to Todd and Tom in Nebraska and West Virginia)(also welcome Jay for #38)(I can't remember who was #39, but #40 on 7/3/10 is wats56 from WY).

State (& Possessions included because Tom flew there at one point)
** = posted
**AL
**AK
AMERICAN SAMOA (AS)
**AZ
AR
**CA
**CO
**CT
DE
Wash DC
FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA (FM)
**FL
**GA
GUAM (GU)
HI
ID
**IL
**IN
**IA
**KS
**KY
**LA
**ME
MARSHALL ISLANDS (MH)
**MD
**MA
**MI
**MN
**MS
**MO
MT
**NE
NV
NH
**NJ
**NM
**NY
**NC
**ND
NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS (MP)
**OH
**OK
**OR
PALAU (PW)
**PA
PUERTO RICO (PR)
RI
**SC
**SD
**TN
**TX
UT
VT
VIRGIN ISLANDS (VI)
**VA
**WA
**WV
**WI
**WY

Countries represented so far (19):
France
UK (many locations)
Scotland
Switzerland
Australia (several locations)
Canada (many locations)
Sweden
New Zealand
Ireland
Iceland
Portugal
Hong Kong
India
South Africa
Turkey
Afghanistan
Iraq
Denmark (you're in, 61pv544!)
Philippines

 

[hobbitss]

No Thomas, a new lift in the old garage would be as tacky as Rosie O' Donnell in Daisy Duke shorts, (sorry for the bad image now stuck in your head)

AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please.... Don't do that again!!!

 

[Warg]

Hey Chris, anyone from Denmark chimed in yet?

This thread is amazing!

Yep, this thread is amazing. In fact, it's my favorite thread...
You have a '61 PV544? Don't tell me it's beige... If so, it would be a copy of my dads last car. Both good and bad memories there...

-Paul

 

[61pv544]

Hey Warg!

Nope, it id what Volvo calls "Dove Blue". Very nice colour, but too much rust, I'm afraid. I have just sold it, as it was seriously beyond my skills to fix it. Try logging on to youtube and search for "hunchback racing". Not my car, but it can seriously move!

 

[Call me the Breeze]

AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please.... Don't do that again!!!

LOL! that image is still burned in my mind,

 

[BB767]

All I can say is WOW! My hat is off to you for the restoration.

High praise indeed from a man who put together a beautiful, well thought out and superbly crafted garage/shop himself.

One point after reading about it (see My Build) reminded me of something I wanted to bring up. Living in a small town (pop.1,600) in the midwest allowed me to do my entire restoration process with absolutely NO inspections, oversight, approvals, building applications, engineering studies, etc., etc. etc.............. I consulted with experts when I felt it was needed but since the work was largely by me, for me, on my own property it was really my own concern. To do this project and have to deal with all the "red tape" many of you others have to would be quite daunting (and maybe a little aggravating ) to me.

porchedude, your signature line ,"Do it Right Once and be done with it!" is my motto. There is no other way. Thank you for your comments.

Thomas

 

[tdkkart]

One point after reading about it (see My Build) reminded me of something I wanted to bring up. Living in a small town (pop.1,600) in the midwest allowed me to do my entire restoration process with absolutely NO inspections, oversight, approvals, building applications, engineering studies, etc., etc. etc.............. I consulted with experts when I felt it was needed but since the work was largely by me, for me, on my own property it was really my own concern. To do this project and have to deal with all the "red tape" many of you others have to would be quite daunting (and maybe a little aggravating ) to me.

Just another point to be envious of. Our county is bad enough, and I'm sure there are places that are worse. One of the biggest issues is that they supposedly all follow a group of national codes, the locals often seem to think that if they've "never seen it done that way" that it is not possible.
That and they all seem to have their own interpretations of the rules.

 

[small_e_900]

I've been following your restoration thread for some time now and I registered just to thank you for sharing your families' adventure with us.

With all the restoration that you have undertaken, there is one thing strikes me as (somewhat) out of character.
I know that you plan to build a retirement home on the property and I know that the original home is in the way of your new home plans.
I'm wondering if you have considered moving the original home to another place on the property instead of tearing it down. Is it so far gone as to be unsalvageable?
I'm sure most would have said the same about the garage before you got your hands on it.

I have visions of the original home relocated to a small corner lot near the area where you lost the trees.

Anyway, your's is a remarkable story and I thank you for sharing with us.

ed

 

[markviii]

small_e_900 (Ed),
Thanks for following our story. To put things in perspective about the family home currently on site, it is certainly not salvageable as a living space or even for storage for long term. I'm fairly sure that the structural integrity is not there to survive even a short move to a corner of the property. Granted, the family did live there for many years and it is inhabited currently, but the house is not a "period" piece from which there is much of value to be salvaged by our local preservation association. It was cobbled together over the years to be used as a residence and the family holds no sentimental value to the house itself. The working shop is the thing that is valuable to the family and the surrounding community. It speaks to the work Mr. Johnson carried on to support his family. It's the reason there are so many good memories associated with the five acres. Interestingly, when family members return, their first thought is of the shop, never of the house.

Tom knows more about this, but originally, the house was a one-story house. Mr. Johnson raised the house, digging a basement, most of which is still unfinished dirt floors/walls with the rest having a poured concrete floor. The washer/dryer, furnace and water heater are in the concrete basement area. At the same time he raised the house, he added a second level with two bedrooms (the main level of the house originally had a living room, 3 bedrooms, kitchen/dining room, with a small bathroom off to the side). He put an addition on the house to add a kitchen and enlarge the bathroom so that they had a tub (Lillie never failed to point out these additions to visitors because she was so proud that Virgil made these additions). Up until then, they heated up a huge cauldron of water once a week for bathing in the "dining room" where the cooking fireplace was located. By then, the oldest daughter was ready to graduate from high school and there were only a couple boys remaining at home.

So, for Tom, it is not out of character to raze this building. He'll, of course, salvage as much as possible, but the rest will be disposed of.

Chris

 

[abstamaria]

I haven't itemized posts by state; too many haven't identified specific locations. I know at least 1/2 the states are represented and many are lurking. Seeing different countries was interesting for me because I hadn't thought of other countries having this interest. Boy, was I wrong! I can't wait for those in, for example, India, China, and Japan to show their garages - it would really be interesting to see how they use their space and resources. I could be wrong, but I think we've pulled in more locations to GJ forums than were represented before we started posting in January.

Manila, Philippines, markviii. Very interesting thread.

 

[rustyfords]

ok.....I've been reading this thread for a few days now and am only at page 27.

However, I wanted to come to the current end of the thread and add to the praise. It is my ultimate dream to find something like this and redo it...maybe one day I'll be so fortunate.

My grandfather had a small repair shop in my hometown, much like the one in this thread, from the 1950s through the early 1970s when he passed away. It was right on main street in our little town in South Texas. He did welding, auto repairs and sold stock trailers on the side. I fondly remember the time I spent in the shop as a kid and this thread reminds of those great memories.

I want to thank you for taking the time to post the photos and descriptions. You're obviously not getting paid for doing something so time-consuming and yet so rewarding for those of us who love old shops like this. So, hopefully our thanks serve as some fascimile of "payment"

All the best,
Don

 

[markviii]

Don (rusty fords) - glad this sparked some fond memories for you. It's been rewarding and had allowed us to meet people from all over who share some of the same values we do. Thanks for the nice comments.

Chris

 

[markviii]

abstamaria (andres)- I've enjoyed following your thread from the far east. Very interesting. Tom would appreciate the minimalist nature of your place. I would probably mess it up terribly in the first few minutes I was there! I think flat counter tops are for sitting things on (not out of sight-out of mind) and Tom prefers them totally empty. Different strokes for different folks (it's worked for us all these 35 years - I think I've softened his type-A tendencies!).

Tom flew in that area of the world, but I never got to travel out that far away from home with our then 3 and 1 year old kids. Hawaii (my second home) was the farthest I got during his two years in Guam.

Philippines is #19 on the country list. Thanks for signing in.

Chris

 

[BB767]

I've been following your restoration thread for some time now and I registered just to thank you for sharing your families' adventure with us.

With all the restoration that you have undertaken, there is one thing strikes me as (somewhat) out of character.
I know that you plan to build a retirement home on the property and I know that the original home is in the way of your new home plans.
I'm wondering if you have considered moving the original home to another place on the property instead of tearing it down. Is it so far gone as to be unsalvageable?
I'm sure most would have said the same about the garage before you got your hands on it.

I have visions of the original home relocated to a small corner lot near the area where you lost the trees.

Anyway, your's is a remarkable story and I thank you for sharing with us.

ed

Hello Ed,

I can understand the thought that saving the house to go with the shop might be nice. But as Chris pointed out it's not much of a house any more honestly. There is nothing of any real merit about it historically, architecturally, structurally or on any level that you can think of. No family member has raised even a hint of objection to our plans. They all seem to recognize it's time has come.........and gone. Sometimes old just means old and this is one of those times I'm afraid. The cost involved to move and then renovate it doesn't warrant the effort, truly. As much material, fixtures etc as possible will be recycled out of it and the rest removed.

What made the shop worth putting the effort into it was the history made out there with it, the usefulness of it once it was renovated and it's status as a local landmark. Neither could be said of the home.

Thank you for expressing your thoughts and kind words however.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

ok.....I've been reading this thread for a few days now and am only at page 27.

However, I wanted to come to the current end of the thread and add to the praise. It is my ultimate dream to find something like this and redo it...maybe one day I'll be so fortunate.

My grandfather had a small repair shop in my hometown, much like the one in this thread, from the 1950s through the early 1970s when he passed away. It was right on main street in our little town in South Texas. He did welding, auto repairs and sold stock trailers on the side. I fondly remember the time I spent in the shop as a kid and this thread reminds of those great memories.

I want to thank you for taking the time to post the photos and descriptions. You're obviously not getting paid for doing something so time-consuming and yet so rewarding for those of us who love old shops like this. So, hopefully our thanks serve as some fascimile of "payment"

All the best,
Don

Hi Don, I first started the thread just to show what had been done with an old shop and then how it had been done. Thinking that it might open folks to some possibilities regarding older structures, equipment and tools. You are quite correct that I wasn't paid to do any of that.................at first.

However to say that Chris and I are not receiving payment now is incorrect, in fact far from it. We receive a very rich payment each and every time someone such as yourself replies with either their thanks for the thread, sharing memories of similar shops, retelling about operating old equipment in years gone by or having inspired them to restore their own building/equipment or tools. And by far the best payment we now receive are the new friendships made that are the result of this thread. Anyone who has bother to read much if not all of the thread obviously "gets it"

So not to worry, there is no " hopefully our thanks serve as some fascimile of "payment". Rest assured it is payment indeed and Don we will make note you are paid in full. Thanks everyone.

Thomas

 

[Amitygravel]

Thomas , once again thank you for your hospitality! It is such a treat to be there in person and see everything up close and personal. Thank you also for being so patient with my little girl , on the way home she wanted to know when we were coming back again , if I had only known I needed a couple of piles of gravel around I could have saved several hundreds of dollars in toys! Thank you also for your generosity , my daughter has informed me the jig should be painted ..... Pink! We may have to discuss that a little further. Again , Thank You , and hope to see/talk to you soon.

Craig.

 

[BB767]

Thomas , once again thank you for your hospitality! It is such a treat to be there in person and see everything up close and personal. Thank you also for being so patient with my little girl , on the way home she wanted to know when we were coming back again , if I had only known I needed a couple of piles of gravel around I could have saved several hundreds of dollars in toys! Thank you also for your generosity , my daughter has informed me the jig should be painted ..... Pink! We may have to discuss that a little further. Again , Thank You , and hope to see/talk to you soon.

Craig.

Craig is referring to the go kart jig which he kindly took custody of and promised it a good home.

In back of his truck, laying on it's side.

A started but never finished go kart still secured in the jig. That's the steering wheel seen on the left.

On top is a second partially completed frame.

The above is an old completed one. See page 18, post #358 for more information on the jig and karts.

Craig, now post a picture with your daughter at the wheel of one........soon.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Ok here's where I might need some help identifying a pair of magnesium wheels from the lean to. I'm pretty sure they aren't aluminum, but magnesium. One of them still has a pie crust racing slick on it.

There is no manufacture's name anywhere after a quick look.

I forgot to write down the manufactures name from the tire and it's size, but it was a major brand as I recall, maybe Uni Royal.

Back side..........

......front side. 5 lugs and notice a hub cap attaches to the center. Never seen a mag like that, have any of you?

....and just for Dug.......

......more tools.........


Thomas