The Spyder's web

[type550]

My spyder is currently grounded as I put it in for a tune up and general service for the summer season and it came back without a second gear! This weekend I will work out if they knocked the linkages trying the get the plug off when draining and topping up the gearbox oil, or if they adjusted the clutch too much or if they put a 90W oil in when it used to have 75W which is causing it to play havoc with the syncro being hypoid differential gears! It will be a day of elimination

 

[type550]

I got half the floor laid today. I have been reading some tips on doing it like using the blower vac to get rid of all the dirt and dust from the corners and grooves which did the job well. Someone also said to use a circular saw to cut all the tiles. As my garage isn't that square, I didn't want to risk it so I used a utility knife and a cutting board. It took a while because all the edging tiles had to be cut, but I got a clean finish. So now I have to tackle the workshop half where I will have to pull everything out first - not looking forward to that

Before...

After...

 

[PhilR1957]

Looks Real Good...

 

[Boosted1]

Wow that blue matches your car perfectly.
Regarding your trans woes, sounds like you know more about how to properly service your car than the Professional who serviced it. That's got to be frustrating.

 

[Camaro Mike]

Looks great!

 

[type550]

Thanks guys - I'm happy with the result. After playing around with the car on the weekend, it looks like the syncros are worn which is never good - I will take it back to them today to see if a lighter oil will help.

Managed to finish the second mural last night, which is shortening the list of things to do to the other half of the flooring (I think I will have to paint the edge of the floor where the tiles are cut short for expansion) and the Sebring pit stop display poster for the garage door (and if I can find some extra cash making the door auto). Looks like we are doing a house reno next year so I will get the sparky in then to rewire the garage so I have better lighting and more power points. Unfortunately there is no space to extend the garage

 

[HOTFR8]

Nicely done.

 

[drooartz]

Unfortunately there is no space to extend the garage

You've done well with the space you have, though, and it suits the car well. I'd be happy to work in that space, especially if I had that car!

 

[type550]

Your bug eye avatar would fit there perfectly too!

 

[type550]

This is a good before and after comparison!

 

[HOTFR8]

Nice comparison.

 

[drooartz]

Your bug eye avatar would fit there perfectly too!

An advantage of small cars is that they fit in small spaces.

I'm just in the early planning stages for some dedicated space, and won't be able to go very large either. I really like how you've made a small space work for you.

 

[TigerFan]

Type 550:

Excuse me if someone has already asked and I missed it, but what are the dimensions of your garage? Great use of space, but it has to be one of the smallest garages actually housing a car that I've seen on the site!

 

[type550]

I have never actually given the size strangely enough! The size is 10 foot wide and 25 foot long. The area for the car is 10 x 15. The first time I cleaned it out I tried to park my RX Lexus in it and I couldn't open the doors.

 

[aCab]

I can't tell if I like the before of after better! I loved it to being with. Something about the exposed brick...

 

[Rockcam]

Great work.

I am curious to know how you did the murals. I see the projector to get the image on the brick - did you paint, use a Sharpie?

They've turned out beautifully.

Steve

 

[type550]

I first outline it with a thick stick of graphite which your sharpen to a point. The beauty of it is you can just use a wet sponge to remove it. If you use a sharpie it is perm and you go through a lot of them on brick. I have done a lot of these murals over the years, so you get a very steady hand after a while. I just use normal acrylic artist paints which gives a nice even colour. These bricks were a pain to work with because they were so uneven. Front on it looks good, but side on you can see the linework going in and out!

Andrew

 

[HOTFR8]

I first outline it with a thick stick of graphite which your sharpen to a point. The beauty of it is you can just use a wet sponge to remove it. If you use a sharpie it is perm and you go through a lot of them on brick. I have done a lot of these murals over the years, so you get a very steady hand after a while. I just use normal acrylic artist paints which gives a nice even colour. These bricks were a pain to work with because they were so uneven. Front on it looks good, but side on you can see the linework going in and out!

Andrew

You must be a very patient man and I can see a lot of work goes into those murals.

I wonder when one day you move house or later in the life of that house what the later owners will make of your murals on the walls. Will be your legacy to the property.

 

[type550]

It is always good to leave something unique and permanent behind - it is appreciated a lot more then. Look at artists like Van Gogh - he used to burn his paintings to keep warm...

 

[HOTFR8]

The reason I braught up that subject is some time ago some similar artwork was found on a garage wall here in Castlemaine dating back to the formation of the Rod Club in the 1960's. The owner has offered the murals to the club or the gallery due to the history but how do you remove a brick wall ?

Here are some samples >

 

[type550]

although they look simple, doing them on a wall is a great skill. With the state of the wall, hopefully they don't get lost - they are very sweet looking

 

[Older'n dirt]

Being a graphic artist, a dyed-in-the-wool car freak, and a former Mobil employee, I applaud your work! There's a lot of detail in the Pegasus.

My son & I did a similar project on the concrete block wall of his Frat House the last year he was in college. We replicated the Fraternity Crest in full color about 6' tall. One of my fondest memories; working with my son on a project that HE will be remembered by.

Remember: "If it was easy, anyone could do it!"

Nice job.

 

[type550]

Thanks Older'n dirt! I get great satisfaction in doing them. Everyone is good at a lot of things and only great at a few - I would love to increase my few list!

 

[TigerFan]

I have never actually given the size strangely enough! The size is 10 foot wide and 25 foot long. The area for the car is 10 x 15. The first time I cleaned it out I tried to park my RX Lexus in it and I couldn't open the doors.

Good to see you've made use of such a restrictive space. My garage isn't much bigger, and I need the inspiration...

 

[type550]

It just takes a lot of planning to get everything to fit - some things you have to compromise to make it work - good luck with it!

 

[HOTFR8]

although they look simple, doing them on a wall is a great skill. With the state of the wall, hopefully they don't get lost - they are very sweet looking

Nothing like your work and not done the same way as you have done yours.
They would have all been done freehand and before the days of overhead projectors.

 

[type550]

I can't believe it's been a couple of months without getting back to the garage to finish it off. The better half has told me that it is time to move house this year (after 15 years), so a lot of my time has been spent doing repairs and renovations around the rest of the house. She wants the pool and the designer kitchen amongst other things on the wish list, but mine is simple - 3 car garage plus workshop (high roof for a lift would be an extra bonus too!). Not impossible, but could be a challenge to find in suburbia Melbourne (to be coupled with her needs at the same time I might as well demolish what we have and build from scratch!)

This weekend was sunny, so it was the perfect opportunity to lay the balance of the floor in the workshop area. I had another thing to fix which was my mobile cupboard with wheels fitted. Over time, the weight of the contents caused the floor to break away from the base, so the sliding doors did not slide anymore and half of it sat on the ground. As I had to empty it to do the floor, a bit of reinforcing was necessary to rectify it.

I forgot how much stuff is hidden away in such a small space.

Swept the floor...

and layed the new one - the hole floor took less than an hour, so I don't know why I kept putting it off!

So, all back together and finished...

I just hope that when we sell it, someone appreciates the transformation and can put their own toy in it Then I will have to start the process again to set up my new space. You never do actually finish, even when you have!

 

[Thruxton]

I admire your evident willingness to leave this near-perfect place behind and start over, I don't think I would have so much forbearance! Great project, great car! And as you noted Porsche folk do seem to be inordinately into workspaces - I'm redoing mine for my 928.

 

[type550]

It has been fun to do, but at least now I know what I am looking for in a garage and workshop. It could take all year to find a place with 'potential', but in the mean time, I can enjoy what I have

 

[Plushy]

Hi Type550 ,

How goes the house and new shed hunting ?

Spotted this today at the Ballarat Motorsport Festival and thought of you and your 550 .

cheers Plushy

 

[type550]

I convinced the wife to stay put for a while - bought her a new car instead

I know that McRae 550 well - it has a 911 engine fitted. It is unfortunate that it has been modified a heap to make it compliant and registered - I think it loses that iconic 50s look

I saw that event coming up, but the weather was a little unpredictable and I really dislike driving it in the rain

 

[Predator]

That's a really cool garage

Have you any more pics of the outside of your property. From what I've seen it looks a really nice place you have there.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Topcat]

The Spyders web looks great, nice use of space and thats the downunder way we have to do it.....TOP JOB!!

 

[slowtwitch]

Oh how i wish i could get a spyder Someday.

In the mean time I'm working a prototype throttle linkage system for the spyder 550...

Here it is in a Beck Spyder..

 

[type550]

Hi Pete,

I saw your cable solution on the spyderclub forum - looks very interesting! I have my spyder in this week to get all the suspension sorted with new shockers and other necessities. This winter will be the new engine - either a 356 or 912 I am sourcing to drop in.

With a username like 'Predator' Dave, I am a little hesitant posting more photos of my house

 

[Predator]

Ha Ha, there's nothing to worry about. I have no sinister motives.

I took it from the Arnie film, which was one of my favourites when I was younger.

I use it on almost all,of the forums that I frequent. Too much hassle to change it now.

Regards,
Dave

 

[clutch93]

I like to think that I like a multitude of cars almost equally and there are only a few that can really wow me, after seeing your 550, I have to say it's near the TOP of the WOW list. Your car is exceptional! I like the styling sooo much and the fact that these cars have such a rich racing history just puts it over the top. Lovin it!

Congrats on the garage transformation as well, you really made a nice place for your car to be proud to be parked in! I really like the murals and blown up pictures, especially how you seperated the work area from the parking area with the sliding one. Great job!

 

[gscallon]

Hello Type550,
Super cool garage space and a beautiful car. One question though. Is it a real Porsche 550 or is it a replica? If it's a replica, who makes it?

Thanks,
-Greg

 

[tig]

Drool.

The large Porsche emblem you have: I. Must. Have.

 

[type550]

Hi Clutch93 - ever since I saw my first original 550 in the flesh many years ago, I knew it was the only car for me. I am a bit of a purist and although it is a replica, I am trying to create it as close to the original as possible. Even after 6 months of the garage in its current state, it is very functional and stops me from cluttering and leaving things all over the place. I have a theory that everyone needs one part of their life organised for them to function effectively - every time I walk through the door, it is certainly a Nirvana for me and a very calming space.

gscallon - it is a replica - although to have a real one would be amazing, I don't have the lifestyle to own or maintain it. It is a car I can just jump into and drive. It is weird after all this time, my heart still flutters when I know I am going to take it out! The spyder is a McRae spyder from New Zealand - one of only 36 built in the 90s and the shape is seen as one of the most accurate builds of replicas around.

Tig - the large Porsche crest is just a replica off eBay - they come up all the time out of Asia - good value too