That is just plain cool i will try to tape it love stuff like that. And hats off to you what a great task you and your wife acomplished. And sorry to hear about the church hope no one got hurt. have a merry christmas!OHEKK said:
Studebaker Dealership - Home & Hobby shop
- Thread starter OHEKK
- Start date
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
OHEKK....I just want to say that my wife and I watched the show and were utterly amazed at what you did with that place. No words can describe it. Absolutely beautiful. Good luck on the Hot Rod shop they mentioned. 
Whew!
We were a bit anxious as we had not seen a preview of the show!
Tony Frassrand did a nice job of presenting and the crew at High Noon productions did a fantastic job of editing. Yes, I would like you to have seen a bit more of the shop.
They did get plenty of the house, cars and the showroom.
Anyway, we are pleased and glad that it turned out so nice.
we're still taking a breather from the whole ordeal. Once we recover from the holidays, we hope to get back at it.
I have an office area to complete then can put the finishing details on the shop then hopefully get back to working on the cars.
Kevin, The Hot Rod Shop is kind've a retirement dream...something for me to do after I finish my personal cars.
We were a bit anxious as we had not seen a preview of the show!
Tony Frassrand did a nice job of presenting and the crew at High Noon productions did a fantastic job of editing. Yes, I would like you to have seen a bit more of the shop.
They did get plenty of the house, cars and the showroom.
Anyway, we are pleased and glad that it turned out so nice.
we're still taking a breather from the whole ordeal. Once we recover from the holidays, we hope to get back at it.
I have an office area to complete then can put the finishing details on the shop then hopefully get back to working on the cars.
Kevin, The Hot Rod Shop is kind've a retirement dream...something for me to do after I finish my personal cars.
More Pics?
Yeah...I'll have to go down and take a few pictures.
The whole lower level is 7200 sq feet which includes the showroom, 2 car garage for our daily drivers, the bar room, Men's room, ladies room,shop, a "Dirty room" for doing the messy work like welding , grinding bodywork, 2 storage rooms and a space that we are building as on office.
The show room is about 30 x 40
The shop about 4000
I still have a lot of work to do to finish it up. I'd much rather be working on cars than doing all this construction BS.
We did a LOT of the work ourself so we saved a lot of $$$.
Yeah...I'll have to go down and take a few pictures.
The whole lower level is 7200 sq feet which includes the showroom, 2 car garage for our daily drivers, the bar room, Men's room, ladies room,shop, a "Dirty room" for doing the messy work like welding , grinding bodywork, 2 storage rooms and a space that we are building as on office.
The show room is about 30 x 40
The shop about 4000
I still have a lot of work to do to finish it up. I'd much rather be working on cars than doing all this construction BS.
We did a LOT of the work ourself so we saved a lot of $$$.
comp
Well-known member
stupidbacker's Rock
Many of our friends and family indeed thought we were insane. During the demolition, we even began to think we were insane!
Once the roof came off we figured there was no turning back... and once the Spancrete deck was on, then it was like building a new house.
It was a lot of hard work but definately was worth it.
Once the roof came off we figured there was no turning back... and once the Spancrete deck was on, then it was like building a new house.
It was a lot of hard work but definately was worth it.
No...we had to install 3 columns and an I beam. When you see the video, you can see them setting the spancrete on top of the center beam. You may even see two of the yellow columns when they show the inside of the shop.
The main shop is 60 x 70 and the Spancrete spans the 60' with 2 - 30' planks
ceiling height is 12'4. plenty of room for the lift
The main shop is 60 x 70 and the Spancrete spans the 60' with 2 - 30' planks
ceiling height is 12'4. plenty of room for the lift
comp
Well-known member
i'm checking my Lotto tickets
Man! I'm not asking any more questions, I get depressed with each answer. 330Scott
Well-known member
Thanks for the reminder. I'll put a post-it on the TV .
autoist
MEMBER EMERITUS
Well, the Studebaker dealership wasn't there again tonight...wonder if they have different shows for different time zones?
Hot Rod
Well-known member
I saw it tonight. Very nice place!!!!!
autoist
MEMBER EMERITUS
I'm on Dish satellite network - how about you, Hot Rod?
Elky
Well-known member
saw it last night.
very very nice!!!
very very nice!!!
Hot Rod
Well-known member
autoist said:
Charter cable
Oooooh this is GOOD on so many different levels I don't know where to start!!! I would love to do that, but property tax must be killer. please post some more pics. I think we have a winner folks. THIS IS THE ULTIMATE GARAGE!!
Live upstairs...shop downstairs!
For those that missed it: HGTV ReZONED episode #108 will be re broadcast April 30 and May 28 7PM E / 8PM C
I gotta confess...We didn't get as much done as we wanted over the winter.
I guess we needed to take some time off. As you can imagine, the entire project was stressful.
When asked: "What was the hardest part?" My wife responds: "Staying married!"
Part of my therapy was I was able to tinker on the cars for a bit.
sigh
For those that missed it: HGTV ReZONED episode #108 will be re broadcast April 30 and May 28 7PM E / 8PM C
I gotta confess...We didn't get as much done as we wanted over the winter.
I guess we needed to take some time off. As you can imagine, the entire project was stressful.
When asked: "What was the hardest part?" My wife responds: "Staying married!"
Part of my therapy was I was able to tinker on the cars for a bit.
sigh
Last edited:
cdrewferd
Well-known member
Wow, I can't wait to see the show on the 30th. Sounds like the ultimate place to live and play.
von wrench
New member
Beautiful old building! every car guys dream residence.
QUOTE=OHEKK]We purchased an old Studebaker dealership in town. Added a second level for the residence. and will keep the lower level for working on cars.
Here's a link to the newspaper story:
http://www.jsonline.com/news/wauk/nov02/93020.asp
Also: HGTV "Building Character" will be filming the place this summer to be aired in fall.
Stay tuned.
Sorry... having trouble posting pics. says they are too big![/QUOTE]
QUOTE=OHEKK]We purchased an old Studebaker dealership in town. Added a second level for the residence. and will keep the lower level for working on cars.
Here's a link to the newspaper story:
http://www.jsonline.com/news/wauk/nov02/93020.asp
Also: HGTV "Building Character" will be filming the place this summer to be aired in fall.
Stay tuned.
Sorry... having trouble posting pics. says they are too big![/QUOTE]
Just A Beginner
Member
My uncle ran a Pontiac dealership for many years that had the exact same lay-out for the showroom and the main garage. He did not have the extra building on the right of the pictures. Very cool.
They remodeled the building several years ago and all of that history disappeared.
Tom V.
They remodeled the building several years ago and all of that history disappeared.
Tom V.
Tman
Well-known member
I saw your garage/house on HGTV recently! Very cool place. I dig what you hvae done.
EBodiesRule
Member
Way too stinkin' cool! The only thing better would be if it were a Dodge/Plymouth dealership! 
You have to post tons of pix...we are all chomping at the bit to take an insider's tour! Thanks for the post.
You have to post tons of pix...we are all chomping at the bit to take an insider's tour! Thanks for the post.Just a Beginner...
as a matter of fact... the original building did NOT have that building on the right. At one time that was an alley that ran alongside the building. The "Body shop" was added years later.
We are presently using the back half of that addition for a "Dirty Room" where I can do all the nasty welding, grinding bodywork etc.
The front half we are creating an efficiency appartment / small office.
Do you have any pictures of your uncle's dealership?
as a matter of fact... the original building did NOT have that building on the right. At one time that was an alley that ran alongside the building. The "Body shop" was added years later.
We are presently using the back half of that addition for a "Dirty Room" where I can do all the nasty welding, grinding bodywork etc.
The front half we are creating an efficiency appartment / small office.
Do you have any pictures of your uncle's dealership?
Wow! I just found this thread. I have seen that episode of reZoned a couple of times now. As I'm nearing retirement age, I had often told my wife that I would love to have an old dealership. She just rolled her eyes.
She watched the show one night with me and has now changed her mind. An old dealership would be cool!! You have a great place!! I doubt that I could afford one like yours, but maybe on a smaller scale.
Dan (but, one can always dream)
She watched the show one night with me and has now changed her mind. An old dealership would be cool!! You have a great place!! I doubt that I could afford one like yours, but maybe on a smaller scale.
Dan (but, one can always dream)
snorvet
Well-known member
thanks - Ive seen it once but need to see it again. I'll tape it this time. You have an awesome place!
You have helped to inspire me to emulate your move. Yesterday I went and walked throught the old Chevrolet dealership here in town! It is actually within reach......a few downers: little town-not sure how stable the economy is here, worried about the city and zoning to try and live in a commercial building and I am recently self-employed and I am afraid it will be tough to get financing. Other than that-its all good! 
We are close on price early-on which is a good thing-there are no realtors involved to save some $$. The shop has (1) in-ground lift now and I can add my 2 post above ground, it has a large compressor which she doesn't want to move
. The roof still has a few years of warranty on it-she has documentation that the inground tanks have been removed and all the asbestos has also been removed from the ceiling. It has a large parking lot(duh) which my friend wants to make into a local cruise spot(maybe not such a bad idea!). What do you guys think? I think it would be almost perfect.
Input please and anything else I should be looking at or questioning?
Greg
We are close on price early-on which is a good thing-there are no realtors involved to save some $$. The shop has (1) in-ground lift now and I can add my 2 post above ground, it has a large compressor which she doesn't want to move . The roof still has a few years of warranty on it-she has documentation that the inground tanks have been removed and all the asbestos has also been removed from the ceiling. It has a large parking lot(duh) which my friend wants to make into a local cruise spot(maybe not such a bad idea!). What do you guys think? I think it would be almost perfect.Input please and anything else I should be looking at or questioning?
Greg
Ramblur
Well-known member
Novaguy65 said:You have helped to inspire me to emulate your move. Yesterday I went and walked throught the old Chevrolet dealership here in town! It is actually within reach......a few downers: little town-not sure how stable the economy is here, worried about the city and zoning to try and live in a commercial building and I am recently self-employed and I am afraid it will be tough to get financing. Other than that-its all good!
Input please and anything else I should be looking at or questioning?
Greg
I snoozed on a 1920's era Ford dealership, most recently a one man
transmission shop. $150,000 would have done the deal on this 2 acre
spread in the center of town. Roof was decent with no leaks that I could
find brick building with mostly original doors and windows. Had an apartment
already in it that could have been reworked. Propertyt taxes were higher
than what ida liked but a sale at $150,000 would have been a good
arguement to get them reduced. Last year the city bought it for $350,000
and will probably tear it down for a parking lot.
Novaguy
Sounds like you're doing your homework! IE underground tanks, asbestos, roof etc.
In our case, the environmental inspection was done previuosly so we started with a clean bill of health. It was however, the condition of the roof that helped motivate the seller.
The roof leaked so bad and it would've cost nearly $30+ to repair / replace.
Since our intent was to remove it anyway to add the upper level, we looked at that as a plus.
when we bought our place, this end of town was rather blighted. Now the area is being revitalized and we like to think our project helped encourage others to do the same.
If you are worried about the city, may I suggest you visit our City and see what fueled our rennasiance.
Waukesha is now considered Wisconsin's "Best Kept Secret"!
Good luck with your project!
Sounds like you're doing your homework! IE underground tanks, asbestos, roof etc.
In our case, the environmental inspection was done previuosly so we started with a clean bill of health. It was however, the condition of the roof that helped motivate the seller.
The roof leaked so bad and it would've cost nearly $30+ to repair / replace.
Since our intent was to remove it anyway to add the upper level, we looked at that as a plus.
when we bought our place, this end of town was rather blighted. Now the area is being revitalized and we like to think our project helped encourage others to do the same.
If you are worried about the city, may I suggest you visit our City and see what fueled our rennasiance.
Waukesha is now considered Wisconsin's "Best Kept Secret"!
Good luck with your project!
snorvet
Well-known member
Novaguy65 said:You have helped to inspire me to emulate your move. Yesterday I went and walked throught the old Chevrolet dealership here in town! It is actually within reach......a few downers: little town-not sure how stable the economy is here, worried about the city and zoning to try and live in a commercial building and I am recently self-employed and I am afraid it will be tough to get financing. Other than that-its all good!
Input please and anything else I should be looking at or questioning?
Greg
Nova - Sounds great! Your zoning issues can be worked on if you make an offer contingent on a successful rezoning to residential or city approval to live in a commercial building, and of course financing. If the owner accepts your offer and contract for sale, you can tie the property up until you get these issues taken care of. If you cant resolve the issues, the deal would be off.
One thing to beware of - any underground gas storage tanks could be an environmental problem.
TACRick
Member
snorvet said:
That caution extends to more than just the underground gasoliine storage tanks. Many older industrial sites have an unfortunate history of ground soil contamination. This is become a hot issue with the US EPA and state environmental departments. I've seen sites were oil was dumped on the ground (both as a way to dispose of it and to kill off unwanted vegetation in the gravel parking areas) and to satisfy environmental concerns it must be *remediated*. This consists of digging out all of the contaminated soil, which needless to say can become an extensive and expensive proposition.
Left unchecked in the soil, oil (and other Volatile Organic Compounds aka VOCs) will spread through the ground like a plume of smoke in the air, and will eventually contaminate the water table. This can have serious health repercussions (particularly if your location has municipal wells for water supply) and so it has become serious business.
Consult with an attorney to ensure that any purchase agreement contains adequate protections for you -- the new buyer. Without them you may awake some morning to the EPA knocking on your door telling you that you must replace a few thousand yards of dirt under your building.
DO IT, DO IT, DO IT, JUST DO IT. OH MAN IF YOU DON'T YOU WILL KICK YOURSELF FOR THE REMAINDER OF YOUR SHORT EXSISTANCE ON THIS ROCK.DO IT. Seriously, I realize you have to count the cost, study the pros and cons and stuff, but it sounds like you have been doing your home work. Will you be able to handle the property tax? Will the neighboring businesses or residents complain about a cruise nite? I think you have a diamond in the ruff here, just waiting to sparkle.Novaguy65 said:
DO ITWingnutz
Member
OHEKK said:
Hey Tom... I live by Carroll College... and used to rent the 2 Story building across from Central Middle school that used to be the Edsel Dealership (Now the "Torq Center") where we had a Hobby and Body shop.
We had an "Otis Elevator" to bring the cars up to the second floor and we would have Barbeques and party on the roof late into the night.
Eventually the building was purchased by a New Owner and the upper front section was converted into living quarters and our shop space was used for a carpet installation and storage facility.
Later the rear was rented by the Karate School and the downstairs was rented for the Motorcycle store and shop.
I've watched your progress over the years and knew that there was hope for the downtown area of Waukesha... "Congratulations" on your hard work and efforts...!
I was wondering when you're going to start selling Studebakers again...?
Wasn't that the Kuetner Olds Dealership as well???
Later
Mark