Above 1200 Sq/FT The Never Ending Retirement Garage/Shop Projects

[Omphaloskeptic]

ODIS,

Quite the odyssey for the 356!

I'm always curious about the time lines, resources, jobbers (and costs) involved with a complete restoration such as this. I think it must often be a real life lesson in patience and perseverance for the owners. Am I correct in assuming that since purchase in August, 2008, you've never actually had the chance to drive the car prior to tear down? If so, you must be REALLY looking forward to the day you will finally be able to drive this beauty!

Thanks for taking the time to post Porsche progress pics for us here at GJ and I'm sure you are truly excited about the near future maiden voyage of this fine automobile.

P.S. - Undoubtedly, you are assembling the B.S.&T. binder (Blood, Sweat, & Tear$ lol) showing the progression from the Bozeman barn find to the final unveiling at the Olympic Peninsula's 'Never Ending Retirement Garage'. When you finish the B.S.&T. binder, I hope you will find the time to make a PDF copy of it so we could download it. Seeing these binders at showings displayed by their rightly proud owners always makes me realize that anything worthwhile takes time and gives me a 'push' to keep plugging away at my own projects languishing away in my shop.

 

[ODIS]

Wow.. Thank you for bringing a classic Germany piece of Germany automobile back to life!!! You Sir, rock.

Thanks for stopping by, saceone.

It will be a great day when this little car is back on the road. Wife thought there were "rocks" in my head when the decision was made to do the preservation work on this car. Now that she understands the "covet level" on the open 356s is rapidly climbing along with the charm these cars seem to hold, she is completely in agreement with the reasons why to have the work completed to a concours level.

Ody.

 

[ODIS]

ODIS,

Quite the odyssey for the 356!

I'm always curious about the time lines, resources, jobbers (and costs) involved with a complete restoration such as this. I think it must often be a real life lesson in patience and perseverance for the owners. Am I correct in assuming that since purchase in August, 2008, you've never actually had the chance to drive the car prior to tear down? If so, you must be REALLY looking forward to the day you will finally be able to drive this beauty!

Thanks for taking the time to post Porsche progress pics for us here at GJ and I'm sure you are truly excited about the near future maiden voyage of this fine automobile.

P.S. - Undoubtedly, you are assembling the B.S.&T. binder (Blood, Sweat, & Tear$ lol) showing the progression from the Bozeman barn find to the final unveiling at the Olympic Peninsula's 'Never Ending Retirement Garage'. When you finish the B.S.&T. binder, I hope you will find the time to make a PDF copy of it so we could download it. Seeing these binders at showings displayed by their rightly proud owners always makes me realize that anything worthwhile takes time and gives me a 'push' to keep plugging away at my own projects languishing away in my shop.

Omphaloskeptic,

The odyssey continues with much more to accomplish on the 356.

Timelines: While good to set for any project, also think these timelines can be a moving target especially with setbacks that one can not foresee. Think also that if one is paying out money for specific work to be completed, these timelines should be pretty well set in stone.

Resources: In terms of parts, whatever the pocket book can handle, the parts are available for these cars, NOS or repops.

Jobbers: Careful consideration must be completed here. Word of mouth and a list of very satisfied clients and better yet, repeat customers, have guided who completes the work on this car. Cost is always an issue, but in the end, known quality and craftsmanship will most always command a few more dollars.

Again, you are most insightful. Have not driven the car at all and in fact, have never driven a 356. There are enough owners that are avid drivers of these cars with plenty of great things to say about the driving characteristics of a 356, and, armed with this information, actual seat time is not needed for me.

The first long drive scheduled for the 356 will be to attend the 2014, 356 West Coast Holiday scheduled to be held in Monterey, CA which is typically held in the early fall. Although scheduled to have the car finished, we won't have the car ready in time for this year's Holiday to be held in Santa Fe, NM in October.

B.S. & T. Binder: Yep, big enough to choke a horse........

Always appreciate your time and energy to post to my thread.

Best,

Ody.

 

[ODIS]

Have the engine tin and ancillary parts powder coated. Over the next several weeks, will have the tin on the engine and it will be ready to install once the interior is completed.

Ody.

 

[ODIS]

Have been working on my Ford over the winter months and just from time to time. Getting it ready for the driving season and decided to change out the cat back exhaust system with something that is a lot lighter and provides a bit more exhaust note. The large rectangular box at the rear is the OE muffler:

Its not that the OE system sounds bad, its just that the tubular cat back tuned system sounds better and is, well, yes, a lot louder and in my opinion, looks like it is better suited to be a part of the exhaust system:

Need to remove the rear belly pan and decided to remove all of them (to change oil) along with the rear bumper, and all of the rear air vent panels:

It was a bit of a tussle to wrangle the OE muffler out, but with a good friend, we finally were able to remove it. The OE muffler's weight is well over 50lbs so there is some weight savings and some potential performance gains, not that I'm going to notice it much. The new tube system weighs in at just over 10lbs and looks way better:

New use for the OE muffler:

With the bumper and diffuser installed. Think the new cat back system looks interesting through mesh air vent.

View media item 104087
Really like the look of the new exhaust tips through the bumper:

View media item 104088
Still need to flush the clutch cylinder and flush the brakes as well and while everything is exposed, might as well change out the coolant in the engine and super-charger:

View media item 104098
Oil drain from reservoir:

View media item 104097
Oil drain from the sump:

View media item 104086
Thanks again for reading and looking at the pictures.

Ody.

 

[Toolfool]

I've only seen two GT's in person. One beat me out for "Best Late Model" at the car show in Oak Harbor a few years ago. Awesome cars.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Ody, I find it somehow very appropriate that the 356 parts are displayed on what looks like a Persian rug. lol

"Have been working on my Ford over the winter months and just from time to time."

When I say the above sentence, I'm referring to one of my Ford pickups; I do believe that it is 'right and proper' for you to ALWAYS refer to it as 'my Ford GT'! I mean what you have on the lift is not just any ol' Ford, it is truly something special and always deserves the proper respect when writing of it!

*** ***​

P.S. - That new exhaust looks terrific! Don't you wish you could post a sound track of the Ford GT going through the gears with both the OE and the new? I certainly do! Heck, I'd love to hear the 'extended play' version of you roaring up to Hurricane Ridge or making a run along Crescent Lake.

 

[ODIS]

I've only seen two GT's in person. One beat me out for "Best Late Model" at the car show in Oak Harbor a few years ago. Awesome cars.

Will agree that they are awesome along with a ton of fun to drive.

I'm sure your car was more than worthy to take the "Best" late model car at that show or any other you choose to attend.

Ody.

 

[ODIS]

Ody, I find it somehow very appropriate that the 356 parts are displayed on what looks like a Persian rug. lol

"Have been working on my Ford over the winter months and just from time to time."

When I say the above sentence, I'm referring to one of my Ford pickups; I do believe that it is 'right and proper' for you to ALWAYS refer to it as 'my Ford GT'! I mean what you have on the lift is not just any ol' Ford, it is truly something special and always deserves the proper respect when writing of it!

*** ***​

P.S. - That new exhaust looks terrific! Don't you wish you could post a sound track of the Ford GT going through the gears with both the OE and the new? I certainly do! Heck, I'd love to hear the 'extended play' version of you roaring up to Hurricane Ridge or making a run along Crescent Lake.

That old rug has been in storage for years and had to get moved out of the other house. Wife wanted to take it to the dump. I cleaned it and put it in the shop. Heck, it is hand knotted and the only real flaw is the fringe at either end is chewed up by too frequent vacuuming. Think this was a big score for my shop.

Yes, you are correct on the appropriate terminology for the Ford GT, but, keep in mind, it is still just a Ford.

Ody.

 

[Boosted1]

New exhaust sounds really good.

 

[Bob Heine]

Ody,
Thank you for sharing your amazing collection of cars and beautiful homestead.

I know this would be too tacky but seeing your "Ford" with the naked license plate reminded me of my (long disbanded) Corvette club days. Quite a few of my fellow club members had My Other Car is a Corvette license frames on their daily drivers. You have the opportunity to have My Other Car is a Ford GT on your split window Corvette's plate. Maybe even a My Other Car is a Ferrari on the 356.

 

[Toolfool]

Nice upgrade, Ody.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Ody, thanks for the videos; they whetted my appetite for more sweet sounds. Think you'll be able to mount the camera behind the driver's seat someday to get a view of the cockpit and the view out the windshield as you take a 'spirited' run? It'd be a fun little project to mount a remote microphone on the tail to pick up the exhaust note as you run through the gears. You could then capture the '.wav' file and choose it for your windows 'startup' sound track.... VROOM, VROOM!

P.S. - Speaking of your computer, were you able to sort out that problem you had?

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

On another topic, if you ever want to restore that Persian (or any other fine rug), I can recommend this place in Seattle...
http://www.emmanuelsrug.com/

Of course, if you have yours done, the wife may 'reclaim' it! lol

 

[ODIS]

New exhaust sounds really good.

Thanks, Boosted1.

Think it will really sound good on the road too. Hope it's not so loud that it overpowers the sound of the super-charger whine.

Ody,
Thank you for sharing your amazing collection of cars and beautiful homestead.

I know this would be too tacky but seeing your "Ford" with the naked license plate reminded me of my (long disbanded) Corvette club days. Quite a few of my fellow club members had My Other Car is a Corvette license frames on their daily drivers. You have the opportunity to have My Other Car is a Ford GT on your split window Corvette's plate. Maybe even a My Other Car is a Ferrari on the 356.

Thanks again for stopping by, Bob. Appreciate your kind comments.

At one point in my life, I did have a plate frame on my car, a '86 BMW 5 Series, which read: I'd Rather Be Flying! At that time, there was more interest in taking to the sky than most anything else for leisure activity. Over time, my interest turned back to cars and a desire to build a collection and there was no way to continue to fly just as a part time hobby and maintain the proficiency of a "safe pilot."

Nice upgrade, Ody.

Thank you, kind Sir!

Ody, thanks for the videos; they whetted my appetite for more sweet sounds. Think you'll be able to mount the camera behind the driver's seat someday to get a view of the cockpit and the view out the windshield as you take a 'spirited' run? It'd be a fun little project to mount a remote microphone on the tail to pick up the exhaust note as you run through the gears. You could then capture the '.wav' file and choose it for your windows 'startup' sound track.... VROOM, VROOM!

P.S. - Speaking of your computer, were you able to sort out that problem you had?

Think there may be a "Go Pro" in my future.....

On the computer issue, yes and no. Google Chrome did push down a fix for the hijacker; websearch good-results.net, however it is still on the PC and I'm unable to find a way to kill it and that makes me more than a little unhappy.

On another topic, if you ever want to restore that Persian (or any other fine rug), I can recommend this place in Seattle...
http://www.emmanuelsrug.com/

Of course, if you have yours done, the wife may 'reclaim' it! lol

Don't think she will want it back because I would tell everyone it was a hand-me-down from my shop!

Thanks to all of you for taking the time to post here.

With warm regards,

Ody.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Just a Ford ? I'd be happy to have my name on that "any old Ford" in your last will and testament.


Looking through the pics of your old garage and the work it took to get there, the work to your new place, do you ever sit down and relax ?

 

[Ferrari-lover]

Can you put up a list of the car in your collection along with pictures please. I have only seen one or two other people on here with such a great collection.

 

[ODIS]

Just a Ford ? I'd be happy to have my name on that "any old Ford" in your last will and testament.


Looking through the pics of your old garage and the work it took to get there, the work to your new place, do you ever sit down and relax ?

You know, you might be able to get on that list. Check back in about 35 years, which I hope to be still around at age 95 and we will talk. Not sure I will remember anything that I might say a few minutes later, but you will always be a new friend anyway!

I'm a little embarrassed to say, but while running my business, it seems I always had time for projects and they would actually get done in reasonable time periods. Now, during my retirement years, I find my inner voice always coaching me to do it tomorrow....... These days, some of the time is spent doing volunteer work for Rotary and Hospice.

Thanks for taking the time to post here.

Best,

Ody.

 

[NUTTSGT]

You know, you might be able to get on that list. Check back in about 35 years, which I hope to be still around at age 95 and we will talk. Not sure I will remember anything that I might say a few minutes later, but you will always be a new friend anyway!


Thanks for taking the time to post here.

Best,

Ody.

That's a deal but a word of warning, I'm not going to changing any diapers. . . yours or mine.

 

[Vernmotor]

LOL just a ford.. you just hurt nutts feeling !

 

[ODIS]

Can you put up a list of the car in your collection along with pictures please. I have only seen one or two other people on here with such a great collection.

Ferrari-lover,

There are lots of great collections on GJ. If you haven't, spend some time on the "Garages At Night" thread.... Many, many, very fine collections and some great photography as well on this thread. This is where a reader encouraged me to start a thread on the projects in my life.

You can see the line-up of my "rolling stock" here:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=70650&highlight=garages+night&page=32

The other two cars in the collection, the '63, 356-B Cab and the '32-B Ford, are not on the road yet.

However, for anyone that just wants to see the collection as of 2020, the following is a nice presentation of the cars:

View media item 104089
Thanks for taking the time to post and for your interest.

Ody.

 

[WarrenJ]

I am slowly reading your thread. As a "former" PNW boy, the scenes from the house really made me feel good. You have done a great deal of work and should be very proud of what you have accomplished. At first I though you were north of Seattle, maybe Edmonds or Mukilteo, until I read you were on the OP.

 

[ODIS]

That's a deal but a word of warning, I'm not going to changing any diapers. . . yours or mine.

Ha! You make me laugh! Thank You!

 

[ODIS]

LOL just a ford.. you just hurt nutts feeling !

Nah.... I believe he has thick skin...... I mean, come on, the guy runs into buildings that are on fire!

And, going forward, will use the appropriate as titled name for the car.

Thanks for adding your post, Vernmotor.

Ody.

PS: Love your signature line!

 

[ODIS]

I am slowly reading your thread. As a "former" PNW boy, the scenes from the house really made me feel good. You have done a great deal of work and should be very proud of what you have accomplished. At first I though you were north of Seattle, maybe Edmonds or Mukilteo, until I read you were on the OP.

Thank you for your kind comments, WarrenJ.

Pleased to read that some of the pictures brought some joy to you.

We never considered Edmonds or Mukilteo for waterfront property. Way too expensive, too close to the major population centers, worse weather and way too much traffic.

Hope you enjoy the rest of this thread and I'm thankful you have taken the time to post as well.

Ody.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Yep, I'm thick skinned.

 

[shopnut]

Looks like you have lots going on there, Ody. Lots of FUN stuff! It never gets old, does it?

That 356 is going to be one sweet little ride when it's finished

 

[ODIS]

Looks like you have lots going on there, Ody. Lots of FUN stuff! It never gets old, does it?

That 356 is going to be one sweet little ride when it's finished

Thanks shopnut!

Always something going on to be sure. Today is a good day for indoor activities since we are receiving more April Showers and perhaps, there may be a test of all the drainage systems that I've installed here.

Thanks for the kind words on the 356. Doing a parts run on Tuesday so there should be more work completed on the car in the not to distant future.

Always enjoy reading about what you are up to in your shop. I've been there reading many, many times.

Thanks for stopping by and posting to my thread.

Ody.

 

[WarrenJ]

Finally made it through all 16 pages. You are great to answer everyone who asks a questions or comments on your progress.
In the photos looking toward Victoria, there is a low strip in the water. Is that a breakwater to protect the shoreline?

 

[ODIS]

Finally made it through all 16 pages. You are great to answer everyone who asks a questions or comments on your progress.
In the photos looking toward Victoria, there is a low strip in the water. Is that a breakwater to protect the shoreline?

WarrenJ,

Good to read you made it through the thread. Always happy to comment/answer the posts here.

To your question, yes, that is a naturally occurring breakwater and does a wonderful job of protecting the shoreline. This structure is composed of sand, rocks and lots of driftwood/very large logs. As the tides change, the crashing waves sound like thunder and when it happens at night, it is quite soothing. During the day, it is most entertaining to watch the spray rise in the air and to hear the surf roar.

During December, of 2001, high tides and strong winds created several breeches in this structure. Witnessed a couple of people in kayaks "riding the waves" back and forth...... Fool-hearty to say the least since they were sharing this very strong wave action with logs that weigh in at several tons and were being thrown about much like "tinker toys." Only took a couple of months to naturally heal up the breeches.

Thanks again for your contribution to this thread.

Ody.

 

[ODIS]

Way out of my comfort zone....... Posting with YouTube for the first time. As discussed above from WarrenJ's question on the breakwater, decided to find the analog video from that day. It seems there is no footage of the guys in the Kayaks, but there is a little on the breakwater getting washed away. At mean high tide, there is something like 20 to 30 feet from the water to the top of the stuff on the breakwater. During this video, the water is significantly higher.

Bit of a learning curve here. Download the video from my old Handycam Hi8 via Windows Movie Maker, then up to YouTube. Pretty much **** at both, but, an attempt none-the-less.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gBkTuqlStIo

To get an idea of the size of the logs/driftwood, the next picture is of Margareta in 1968 or '69 at the base of the breakwater or better known as a Spit. A small portion the Olympic Mountains in the background. If you started this thread from the beginning, there is a picture of her in the wheelchair on her 94th birthday.

Also, should any of you wonder what happened to that log, it is still there as of May, 2020. This log has been the signature photo for thousands of visitors to this area over the years.
So very Cool!

Ody.

 

[ODIS]

A part of my process for the old house to "Get It Ready To Sell" is to clean up the street level garage. Over all the years we have lived here, this area has been a low priority space. And now, thanks to the time spent on GJ...... It HAS to get a fresh look!

Phase one is complete. Called these guys in to take care of:

The badly sagging floor. Pretty sure all the scrap wood from the original build has finally rotted away:

Drilled a few well placed 3/4" holes:

Pump in the mud:

Take care of a little blow out:

Floor now is nearly perfect, well, maybe not perfect, but a lot better than what it was:

Next phase is cover up all the wiring (how this passed electrical inspection even back in the day is remarkable), and to hang OSB, paint, add some new lights.

Just an additional project here at The Never Ending.............

Ody

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Ody, both the video and the above pics are pretty amazing. That spit I presume is what your property faces? If so, I'd say you are pretty fortunate for that natural protection from winter storms in the strait. Mother Nature can pretty quickly do some serious 'remodeling' of one's property; just ask the cliff dwellers along Whidbey Island. Mother Nature can also do some serious damage slowly over time; case in point, your old house's garage floor. Considering your local topography, I'm wondering if you might have an underground stream/spring that is causing a gradual washout beneath the garage floor. I doubt that city sewage/water lines might pass nearby and be the root cause of flowing underground water, but you never know until the flow finds daylight. Is what they pumped in simply a sand slurry or was it more like a gunite product? Probably more questions than what you want to even consider, but I just thought I'd throw the possibility out there so the new owners don't come crying/suing later.

One last question is what effect did the raising of the concrete floor have on the post(s) and what they support?

 

[ODIS]

Ody, both the video and the above pics are pretty amazing. That spit I presume is what your property faces? If so, I'd say you are pretty fortunate for that natural protection from winter storms in the strait. Mother Nature can pretty quickly do some serious 'remodeling' of one's property; just ask the cliff dwellers along Whidbey Island. Mother Nature can also do some serious damage slowly over time; case in point, your old house's garage floor. Considering your local topography, I'm wondering if you might have an underground stream/spring that is causing a gradual washout beneath the garage floor. I doubt that city sewage/water lines might pass nearby and be the root cause of flowing underground water, but you never know until the flow finds daylight. Is what they pumped in simply a sand slurry or was it more like a gunite product? Probably more questions than what you want to even consider, but I just thought I'd throw the possibility out there so the new owners don't come crying/suing later.

One last question is what effect did the raising of the concrete floor have on the post(s) and what they support?

We are in fact very fortunate to have the protection that body of land offers. Without this structure, our beach would be pummeled by the wave action. Today, with winds at 18 to 32 mph (Beaufort Scale of 4-5) lots of white caps and smaller vessels in the Strait (Coast Guard) are having a pretty rough ride (by my standards) since splash waves are breaking over the conning tower....

The garage floor sinking was due to poor construction techniques. When final grade of the property was called for, back fill was simply pushed into the garage space with a little Caterpillar. If there was any wood scrap in the garage, (I'm certain there was) it was covered because the laborer was either not on site, or just chose to use the scrap for fill. Further, the dirt pushed into the garage was not water settled nor compacted and there was no re-bar or mesh placed prior to pour.

No water issues under this slab. Otherwise, would have had tons of water problems with the garage below which is adjacent (subterranean) to the street level garage. This is a shot of that adjacent wall in the basement:

Don't know the composition of the material injected to level the floor. The delivery truck is a large hopper filled with the wet material and water is added when delivered to the transport/pump unit. So, don't believe there is any concrete product in the mix, but could be wrong on that point.

The lift was slow enough so that when the floor came up, there was no resulting damage to wall board in the house and the loft area above where we have the pool table/guest quarters. All is good there and the table remains level....

Thanks again for posting and taking an interest in these projects.

Best.


Ody.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Ody, thanks for the explanation and answers to my questions. It sounds like you have the remediation well in hand.

 

[Buzz Lightyear]

Niiiiiiiiiice.

 

[gezuvor]

Just read through from beginning. Great thread and a beautiful property. We get a few "Baldies" on our lake place in the Willamette valley... Amazing birds!

I saw the Rotary chairs early on in the thread and then you mention it outright a page or so back. What club are you in? I am always looking for an excuse to do a makeup and would love the chance to combine that with a tour of the peninsula!

 

[teg97]

Read the thread from the beginning... nice house and property! love the 356 and 911! A 911 is my next build in the near future.

 

[Toolfool]

Where are you, Ody ?

 

[polexican23]

I was all happy to find GJ and the tips and designs on small 1 car garages until.....I found this thread. Good God Almighty. Well depression has set in and might as well just knock down my garage and forever park in the elements, I mean whats the point after seeing this glorious property?