OldCarGuy's Toy Shops

[OldCarGuy]

What once was a dream. Or nightmare most would think, it all started some 30 years ago. I found this 110 year old piece of history in a vacant field in North Carolina.

After clearing some more brush away

Borrowed a chain saw to cut down an 8" diameter tree down that was growing between the rear axle and gas tank. Then a backhoe to pull vehicle off the stump. Some folks talk about a fresh barn find. Let's call this a forest find..

Cleaned up some and ready to winch into my trailer for the ride back to Ohio..

Twenty some years later I have:

Today look what's tucked away in mytrailer pulled by my coach. Setting out a new chapter in the dream...I'll be leaving for Michigan in a few days. And will be exploring 250miles of their country side. Followed by two days of car showing.Packing the 'old gal up in the trailer and driving upper New York state. Rolling her out for a week enjoying and clocking up another 500 miles seeing the sights and sounds. Ending my season of touring the outskirts of Lancaster Pennsylvania

Did someone say, "Pictures or it didn't happen?"

 

[Boswell]

Wow, that is a great "origin story" !

 

[pontiac428]

The shop's amazing, the cars are fabulous, but the one thing that would have me drop everything to look at is your K&T No. 2 Mod. D. It's great to know that a few are still out there and running.

 

[deakin]

Way too clean ---

i agree. reminds me of the mgr of A-1 speed shop in orlando back in the day. had a '70 ss 396 375hp nova. if you were special he may give you a ride but you take your shoes off first (car had rubber mats) touch nothing getting in. he closes your door with his handkerchief. opens his door, gets in, rolls window down with hanky, reaches outside and closes his door using hanky...

 

[wachuko]

Not sure why the obsession on how clean it is... I wish I was that organized and good at keeping my garage that neat...

 

[7milesup]

i agree. reminds me of the mgr of A-1 speed shop in orlando back in the day. had a '70 ss 396 375hp nova. if you were special he may give you a ride but you take your shoes off first (car had rubber mats) touch nothing getting in. he closes your door with his handkerchief. opens his door, gets in, rolls window down with hanky, reaches outside and closes his door using hanky...

I had a roommate in college like that. Turned the knobs on his stereo with a white cloth. He lasted one semester with me

 

[Boswell]

Not sure why the obsession on how clean it is... I wish I was that organized and good at keeping my garage that neat...

Me too. I really like the ultra clean work shops. Reminds me of Race Car pits and other high precision work. If I am honest, I don't like it enough to make my shop that clean, but I love the idea of it.

 

[mmcmdl]

.Packing the 'old gal up in the trailer and driving upper New York state.

Wondering where in Upstate NY ?

 

[OldCarGuy]

I sure don't understand what's all the hoopla about a clean well organized shop. Working around my father for so many years has taught me the importance of a tidy shop. (You may have noticed my referencing him in my posts. He was my guiding light, taught me so much. It's been 45 years since he passed. And a day doesn't go by without thinking of him..) Anyhow a clean well organized shop is not only more efficient working environment. It's safer and easy to find things.

In my travels over the past five days in my 1914 Cadillac covering 250 miles. I came across a number of great companies. Most small. Below is an antique car restorer. Please notice how clean and organized it looks. They are very successful and have a huge backlog of customers.. I would not be hesitant to put thousands of dollars into their shop. Knowing anything they touch turns into a pristine car!

Another example is a private collector that like street rods. Once again notice the shop... One of his garages has a dirt floor. Yet you'll see how he stores the transmissions.

Another example is a larger shop that rebuilds Locomotive and boat engines. Like 12, 16, 20 cylinders with10” bores and 12” strokes. These engines are rebuilt 25 times before they're trash. They are 12, 16, 20 cyliders. With 10" bores and 12" strokes. Not much mess here.

Here is a company that specializes in making high powered cars even more powerful. They have a five-axis CNC machine that used to re-bore manifolds. The Cadillac has an amazing amount of power. Like 1,000 HP and uses their dynanometer to test the outputs. Very clean I'd say

Lastly I toured a high school automotive vocational school. The teacher is very outstanding. Students are lined up to register here. Even computer tech kids want to learn about auto mechanics. The teacher stresses the importance of doing it right the first time. Respecting tools and a clean working environment.. Notice the new Hunter four-wheel alignment rack! SWEET! In a high school no less..

 

[OldCarGuy]

Wondering where in Upstate NY ?

Batavia, New York Not sure this is exactly UpState though...