The Trondergarage

[pals444]

Hi everybody. Time to contribute to this amazing site. Here is my garage. This is (now) a 2 car attached, I also have a single detached garage I use for storage and parking.

I live in the middle of Norway, close to Trondheim. Climate is wet and cold most of the year, but oh do I love the 3 months of summer. That’s why I of course drive a convertible..

Spring last year was tough. A stream close by iced up, and flooded the neighborhood. Thats the reason for this depressing first picture:





Following this I had to do rip out most of the garage interior. So I decided to do some more. To be able to use the garage all year it should be properly insulated. I also wanted to install a wide door, and move it to the adjacent wall. That would not only look better, but also give a better layout.

So the work began:









Now I am about here:







Further on I need to do something about the floor, and have not yet decided what. Removing the clutter obviously is another matter to be adressed. And I desperately want to install a lift.
I am also working on a wall mural, so I hope to update again soon.

 

[Kevin54]

Wow, sorry to hear about your flood issue. Hopefully that is only a once in a lifetime thing.

Looking forward to updates on the mural and the ride on the stand. What kind of car is it? By the back it sort of looks like an older Volvo.

BTW....Welcome to Garage Journal!!!

 

[pals444]

What kind of car is it? By the back it sort of looks like an older Volvo.

Thanks, Kevin. And You are correct about the car. A 1953 Volvo 444, or PV as they are called. Not yet roadworthy

 

[Kevin54]

Thanks, Kevin. And You are correct about the car. A 1953 Volvo 444, or PV as they are called. Not yet roadworthy

What's the plans for it? Returning it to stock form or hotrodding it? I'ma thinkin' it would look good with some big 'ole tires on the back

 

[Zeke]

What's the plans for it? Returning it to stock form or hotrodding it? I'ma thinkin' it would look good with some big 'ole tires on the back

Yeah, that thing could go either way. It's got good bones for a hot rod, doesn't it.

 

[Bull]

I really like the color and the roof, and the overall style of your building. I'm not much of a traveler, but would love to visit Norway.

I didn't see any insulation in your walls, but you did mention insulating the space. I see some yellow rolls that might be fiberglass? What do people in your area use for insulation in walls and ceiling?

 

[lametec]

The yellow rolls are Glava, the most common brand of fiberglass insulation in Norway.

<-- also Norwegian. From Lillestroem, now residing in MI.

 

[pals444]

Some answers:

What's the plans for it? Returning it to stock form or hotrodding it? I'ma thinkin' it would look good with some big 'ole tires on the back

Yeah, that thing could go either way. It's got good bones for a hot rod, doesn't it.

This project has matured on me, but I stick with the master plan. Initially I was planning to fix the rust and drive train, paint it and leave the car stock. I agree, it would look great as a hot-rod. But I am still sure that I want it as original as possible. There are not so many of the oldest PV-s left, so this one will be like it once was.
I will post a pic or two of the car when progress occurs. Unfortunately there has been no action for the whole summer, I want to finish the garage first.
For those of You interested in details, I have a thread for the car-project here: http://forum.pvklubben.no/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=88 unfortunately in Norwegian, but pic-heavy and detailed with some fabrication techniques as well. The old garage interior can also be seen.

I really like the color and the roof, and the overall style of your building. I'm not much of a traveler, but would love to visit Norway. I didn't see any insulation in your walls, but you did mention insulating the space. I see some yellow rolls that might be fiberglass? What do people in your area use for insulation in walls and ceiling?

Thanks a lot, Bull. I love the place I live. Here is a couple more pics taken today (raining again of course):

The detached 1-car garage:

You can see I am married I guess? The "decorative" stuff around the place never stop to amaze me. Well, as long as it is kept outside the garage I can live with it

Lametech is right about the insulation. If you look closely at pic 5 in my first post You see the insulation above the door where the drywall has not yet been installed. The garage is now insulated with 10 cm fiberglass in walls and ceiling. Could have been thicker, but a huge difference from nothing.

<-- also Norwegian. From Lillestroem, now residing in MI.

Nice to see a fellow countryman on this great site.

 

[pwschuh]

Nice garage set-up. Have you done anything to address the danger from future floods. Maybe better drainage or a culvert that will divert water away from your buildings?

 

[CoconutPete]

Welcome! Nice setup.

Fellow Scandinavian here. Originally from Denmark, but I am in Connecticut, USA most of the time now.

 

[pals444]

Update tonight:
At least got to move the clutter and clean the floor. So here's a "garage by night" photo. The workbench? Please look away

I mentioned a mural. Here's a sketch I made:

I want it to look like a view from inside a workshop at a BP-station (childhood memory). I have started to trace it on the wall to see if it can work out.

Nice garage set-up. Have you done anything to address the danger from future floods. Maybe better drainage or a culvert that will divert water away from your buildings?

Thank You, pwschuh.
The flood damage could not have been prevented by me. It was a build-up of ice in a stream that made it suddenly take a short cut. The drainage system could just not cope with the amount of water. But the municipality are aware of the danger now, and line up the excavators immediately if there is a risk.
I have a drainage basin located on the left side of the small garage, and two drainage points in the yard that are connected.
What I will do though, is to make a drainage channel in front of the garage door and connect it with a drainage point. With a heating cable inside, it will prevent water from entering under the door during winter. That can be a problem when ice builds up in the driveway.

Welcome! Nice setup.
Fellow Scandinavian here. Originally from Denmark, but I am in Connecticut, USA most of the time now.

Thank You, CoconutPete. Do You miss Denmark, then?

 

[Oldbear]

Love the start to the wall art. Makeds my posters look like ****...

 

[AETD]

subscripted to this topic. love the wall art. please keep progress documented with a lot of pictures;

 

[ar2stp48]

Please keep your progress updated; I have always liked the 444/544 series. Thanks for the link; your fab skills at the patch panels are excellent. Google translate worked with copy and paste when needed for detail.

Paul

 

[M. Blue 240]

I came to garagejournal to get ideas for my garage, but I keep finding Volvo builds that catch my attention instead. I love the 444, I wish I could get my hands on a decent one in the states.

I'm subscribed to see what you do witht he garage and the car.

 

[344chief]

You can see I am married I guess? The "decorative" stuff around the place never stop to amaze me. Well, as long as it is kept outside the garage I can live with it

Same here.. now there's even a flower hanging outside the garage.. I planned to put an oldstyle lamp there.
Anyway..I'm (still ?) in charge inside the garage..

Nice garage and sorry about the flooding.

I am located a bit south of you.. in Vestfold (Norway)..

 

[pwschuh]

I love the 444, I wish I could get my hands on a decent one in the states.

You only interested in a 444, or would a 544 be satisfactory? 544s are pretty readily available. You might have to have it shipped from another part of the country, but I see them for sale all the time: e-bay, VCOA newsletter, bring-a-trailer, etc.

 

[The Lazy Destroyer]

Love the wall art, looking forward to more pictures of it and the rest of the garage. Keep up the great work!

 

[jdelaune]

The mural is a great idea. Can't wait to see the finished product.

 

[pals444]

Not much time left at the end of a long working day day to get anything major done in the garage. But then I have the mural, that doesn’t take too much effort to work on. Don’t even have to change into working clothes. So here is todays progress:

Tracing the window:

The trick with a perspective drawing is that the lines that are parallel with Your view, all end up in one focus point. So I use a string attached to a screw in the middle of the motive to guide the lines correctly.

And some more details on the gas pumps;

And that was about it for today.

Love the start to the wall art. Makeds my posters look like ****...

Thanks, Oldbear. But surfing this site could make anyone blush in shame no matter what You have Yourself. But that is also the charme of the site. Make the most of what You have, and inspire us. And I’m sure Your posters are exceptional.

subscripted to this topic. love the wall art. please keep progress documented with a lot of pictures;

Thanks AETD, I promise to do my best.

Please keep your progress updated; I have always liked the 444/544 series. Thanks for the link; your fab skills at the patch panels are excellent. Google translate worked with copy and paste when needed for detail.
Paul

Nice to hear that You take interest in my Volvo, ar2stp48. I have learnt a lot during this project. The car was in I much worse state then I knew when I started. And ‘m glad I didn’t know.

I came to garagejournal to get ideas for my garage, but I keep finding Volvo builds that catch my attention instead. I love the 444, I wish I could get my hands on a decent one in the states.
I'm subscribed to see what you do witht he garage and the car.

Thanks from a Volvo enthusiast to another, Blue 240. I have owned a couple 240’s myself. They are truly classics.

Same here.. now there's even a flower hanging outside the garage.. I planned to put an oldstyle lamp there.
Anyway..I'm (still ?) in charge inside the garage..
Nice garage and sorry about the flooding.
I am located a bit south of you.. in Vestfold (Norway)..

Thanks, 344chief. There are some Norwegians in here. Garage disease has become a worldwide pandemic

Love the wall art, looking forward to more pictures of it and the rest of the garage. Keep up the great work!

The mural is a great idea. Can't wait to see the finished product.

Thanks, I will try my best not to disappoint You and myself. But I have never done this before, so there is a risk it will be just rubbish and painted all white again

 

[Kevin54]

I'm keeping my eye on this thread. I'm very interested to see what it turns out like. Make sure you post up the tips and tricks to what you are doing.

 

[pain]

Your garage is great! Can't wait to see the garage art. It makes my garage look like a dungeon. Keep up the great work Norway

 

[colt zantop]

that mural is going to be sweet! can't wait to see the finished product...

 

[pals444]

Thanks for all the comments, folks. This will be a "learning by doing" experience, so feel free to advice me if I’m doing something obviously wrong. I will just try things out, and if it doesn’t work I just paint over. No stress, its just a wall.

I have finished tracing the major objects, so the wall is soon ready for paint. I bought some today, standard pre-mixed oil based colors.
The plan is to first paint the interior wall that is the “frame“. This I would like to have in a light gray color so it looks like it is in the shade from the outside sun. Then I will paint the large concrete faces and road. Different shades of grey for all that, but not too dark. Landscape I have not yet decided. I will work on that. I will do the detailing after the large faces are painted.

I first sprayed a thin layer of primer over the trace lines in case the paint should react with the black marker. It makes the wall look a bit dirty, just like the sketch.



Then the interior wall got a layer of gray. It came out a bit too dark I think, but I will leave it like this until the rest of the gray is painted. Have to see the big picture before I decide.



Weekend tomorrow, hope to enjoy some hours in the garage then

 

[Kevin54]

Same here.. now there's even a flower hanging outside the garage.. I planned to put an oldstyle lamp there.
Anyway..I'm (still ?) in charge inside the garage..

Nice garage and sorry about the flooding.

I am located a bit south of you.. in Vestfold (Norway)..

Only if momma says you are


I sure wish I could draw something like that mural, but when it come to perspective drawings, count me out. Some have artistic talent and some don't. I'm in the don't category.

I do have an overhead projector to use, but I don't even have a solid wall I could use it on.

You'll have to excuse me while I go out and hate on my garage for awhile.

 

[K2sno311]

Looking great!!!

 

[pals444]

Thanks for the nice comments You encourage me to push on.

Todays fun in the garage can be viewed below.
It does'nt look like much work, but it sure took some hours.
I first mixed the green and white color to achieve something close to BP-green. Well, its close enough for me. I then used a tiny paintbrush for the edges, and a larger one to fill in between. All freehand, I think it is easier. And the large "canvas" also permits some small irregularities.

I also bought me an airbrush today. I thought I would use it to emhasize shadows and bring some life into the mural. Never tried it before, so I have to start practicing... Hope to update again tomorrow.

 

[Sunbimmer]

Awesome idea subscribed!!

I'm building something similar except I'm builing a 3D version, the problem is I can not draw like you do.
Again excellent idea.

 

[AETD]

Awesome idea subscribed!!

I'm building something similar except I'm builing a 3D version, the problem is I can not draw like you do.
Again excellent idea.

Than this is your best option.

 

[pals444]

Added the yellow to the BP-logo's today, and color to both pumps. I am pleased with the outcome. There is still more detailing and shadows to add, that will make it look better. I also lined out a bucket between the pumps.

I'm building something similar except I'm builing a 3D version, the problem is I can not draw like you do.
Again excellent idea.

Thanks for Your interest in my project, Sunbimmer. 3D is always best J

 

[pals444]

Long time since my last update. And long time since something has happened in the garage. But here is some news:

I am planning an oil-can pyramid in the window. This is going to take me some hours!



Added a sign on the front column. It’s a familiar sign for my Norwegian countrymen, but for all the rest, here’s a translation:

“Fire hazard - tobacco smoking and all use of fire is strictly forbidden - shut off engine and lights before filling petrol”



And here is an overview of the work so far. Still a long way to go:

 

[AETD]

 

[pals444]

Not much today, but I post anyway. Just so You can see the progress.

Painted the cans green:

I was thinking of something like this. But all the green makes it look like a christmas tree
I might add a few of another kind. Just to break the monotone colors.

I also painted the Michelin-man today, just below the window on the left side. The inside of this sign is eventually going to be yellow. I am also planning some smaller signs, and a larger "Champion spark plugs" sign.

 

[Sunbimmer]

Nice progress

This is going to be great, i love it.
Keep posting any progress please!!

 

[jktruck150]

Great looking place! I like how the mural is turning out!

 

[JakeKohl]

The mural is a terrific idea and well done so far! Can't wait to see more.

 

[Bib Overalls]

My father was born in Oslo and spent his early years working on a farm near Trondheim. Those old Norskies were tough.

I like the old Volvos. They look like down scaled 46-48 Fords. With a Chevy V8 hidden away they can really play you for a fool.

 

[bacarl]

So cool!! The mural is looking fantastic. You aren't even close to finished and I can already imagine myself crashing right into the wall as I try to walk out into the station!

You're going to have to hang some caution tape across the "opening" to prevent visitors from walking through into the sunset

 

[timbitca]

Subscribing to this. That mural is something else.

 

[pals444]

This is going to be great, i love it.
Keep posting any progress please!!

I promise, but I can’t promise how often there will be progress J

Great looking place! I like how the mural is turning out!

The mural is a terrific idea and well done so far! Can't wait to see more.

Thank You I hope it turns out to be my dream garage.

My father was born in Oslo and spent his early years working on a farm near Trondheim. Those old Norskies were tough.
I like the old Volvos. They look like down scaled 46-48 Fords. With a Chevy V8 hidden away they can really play you for a fool.

Your father might have worked close by here, then. I know a lot of tough norskies. And some not so tough
Volvo looked to the USA in the early years, no doubt about that. I know there have been PV-s with V8 engines, but I will stick with the original 44hp 4-pot engine. I cant risk to scare anybody.

So cool!! The mural is looking fantastic. You aren't even close to finished and I can already imagine myself crashing right into the wall as I try to walk out into the station!
You're going to have to hang some caution tape across the "opening" to prevent visitors from walking through into the sunset

I kind of feel like walking into the sunset myself at times