GSM issue 22

Page 1

magazine

Fall 2013

American Two-Car Standard

On stands until November 2013

Dean Jeffries Interview

1/64 Scale Flame Job Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

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Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

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contents 20

features

departments

20

Passionate Palace

6

Publisher’s Note

24

Simply Shedding

8

Lance’s Column

28

American Standard

10

Phil’s Column

32

In the White Room

11

Personal Notes

37

Miniature Molten Garage Mahal

12

Garage News

18

Office Profile

48

Automobilia Outlook

51

Auction House Journal

52

Barn Finds

54

Business Profile

58

Personality Profile

62

Artist Profile

40

The Galpin Motors Private Museum

44

Garages in History

24

28 4

Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

Grandpa’s Garage

18

Auto Condos

Collecting Racing History

58

DFW Elite Toy Museum

Dean Jeffries

Dave Saunders

62

64

Unique Artists

66

Automobile Review

68

Book Reviews

70

Holiday Buyer’s Guide

74

Holiday Garagalogue

78

Matt’s Column

80

Garage Meanings

82

Garage Bazaar

Making a Toy from a 1/1

All Roads Should Lead to Stuttgart

Bill Warner

Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

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Publisher’s

note

Garage style Editor-Publisher Don Weberg

magazine

Art Director Web Designer – Coordinator Kari McDaniel Business Development Manager Michele Weberg

Where it all Started

T

he first ‘collectible die cast’ car I bought was a Corgi interpretation of a Rolls-Royce Corniche coupe finished in a medium-dark red with a tan interior. I was about 6 years old at the time, and already a “car guy.” Thanks in large part to my Mom and Dad, who were always scoping out various rides parked at the curb or cruising the road, I learned about them. I remember being impressed by, “Jaguars and Rolls-Royces use real wood on their dashboards,” and, “the Lincoln Continental Mark II was handmade and Ford lost a grand on each unit they built.” Tales about Dad’s ’40 Ford or ’56 Chevy and Mom’s mythical ’60 New Yorker convertible in Petal Pink came up with ease. Road talk was fun, and I’m sure a big part of my early impression of loving cars and trucks. I had saved my weekly allowance for the Roller and went to Litchfield’s Toys in my hometown of Glendale, California to make the purchase. I remember being a little nervous as my Mom drove me to the toy store. My money was all bundled up in a purple velvet Crown Royal bag (still have it), and to be honest, I wasn’t sure I wanted to part with all $8.50 for a car that wasn’t something I could play with. But I was excited – I really was. None of my friends had a car like this; then again, few of my friends knew what a Rolls-Royce was. Compared to the little play cars, this thing was huge. The chrome grille and bumpers looked real; the Spirit of Ecstasy radiator mascot was actually discernible upon the waterfall grille; the paint was shiny and really deep for a toy; the working hood and doors and leaning front seat for rear access was insane; and man, did that thing have heft – it weighed a small ton. I couldn’t wait to bring it home and open the box and place it on a shelf for display. How many years later, and I still have the Rolls, and the box, along with a boatload more display cars that were given to me or that I bought over the years. It was fun rotating them out once in a while because I had so many. My friends and family were always amazed at the collection, and that gave me a real sense of pride and accomplishment. It wasn’t long before other things joined the cars – badges from real cars, a wheel spinner from an MG, a valve cover from a Cadillac, photos of cars, and on and on I spiraled out of control, and I still love the tailspin into collector’s oblivion. But, for me, that’s where it all started – a simple Corgi interpretation of a Corniche coupe and a heavy interest in all-things-automotive. Such is the sort of ‘theme’ behind this issue. Toys. We all know ‘em, we all love ‘em, we all own ‘em. Because of this, we thought it’d be a fun focus on Toys – we got to spend some time with diecast flame job specialist Tim Phelps and learn about his applying flames to tiny cars; we worked with the DFW Elite Toy Museum in Dallas, Texas to get a peek at their collection of cars, planes, boats, and real cars; and, we got to speak with Dean Jeffries just months before he passed away. He was very enthusiastic about his love for striping and flaming cars to make them real rolling works of art. This issue also hosts the Holiday Buyer’s Guide to help you get some ideas about what’s looking good for the season, and complementary to that, we’re launching Garagalogue to show you some of the catalogues and websites out there to help you do some serious holiday planning and shopping. Somehow Toys links in with the holidays too, doesn’t it? Enjoy, and thank you for swingin’ by! Don Weberg Editor-Publisher

Columinists Lance Lambert Phil Berg Matt Stone Arts Editor Jeremiah McDaniel Contributors Robin DePry Bob Estrada John Gunnell Iain Curry Steve McCarthy Dr. Rick Rader Bill Nakasone Terry Doran T. Byrd Specialized Photographers Booker Dale Quinio Brittney Kincannon Tim Sutton Bruno Ratensperger

Advertising – Public Relations Cindy Meitle 480.277.1864 | cindy@GarageStyleMagazine.com Advertising Michael Arpon 626.274.2661 | Michael@GarageStyleMagazine.com Doug Holland 910.398.8307 | douglas@hhpr.biz Carmen Price 714.276.5285 | carmen.price1@aol.com Subscriptions – Address Changes GSM P.O. Box 18479 Anaheim, CA 92817 800.999.9718 Garage Style Magazine is Published Quarterly by Weberg Media Group, Inc. 271 W. Imperial Hwy. Suite B La Habra, CA 90631 www.garagestylemagazine.com Not responsible for undelivered issues due to late change of address. Not responsible for issues delivered damaged. All rights reserved by Garage Style Magazine, Inc.

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Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

Printed in the United States by American Web Printers

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Lance’s

column

Grandpa’s Garage By

Lance Lambert

J

ack Mann, my grandfather, fulfilled the duty held by everyone’s grandpa; he had a garage that was full of wondrous items. The workbench top looked like the floor of a 150 year old country store; a shiny surface of hills and valleys created by numerous decades of projects and repairs. The surrounding storage shelves and drawers were well worn and well organized. There were jars everywhere filled with nuts, bolts, screws and everything else that might be needed for a future project. Thanks to his inspiration I have a good/bad habit of dismantling various machines, be it a burned out blender or a dead computer, and saving every nut, screw, and odd shaped piece of plastic or metal that might be of use someday. Grandpa didn’t seem to throw anything away, and as a result, eventually he provided me with a great museum of historic hardware. Entering his garage was a bit like entering the home of Bilbo Baggins, the main character in the Hobbit adventures. The garage was a bit dark with lots of things brown in color; exposed wood beams overhead, light streaming in through dusty windowpanes, and mysterious and magical things in jars. Beside a jar of brass screws was a jar of rusty screws. Though rusty, grandpa knew that they would be acceptable for various projects. Bent nails were saved to later be straightened in a huge vice. Small amounts of leftover paint were combined, resulting in canisters of light green, grey or brown paint. The metal shelving saved from an old refrigerator eventually became the grill of a homemade barbeque. The intricate cardboard boxes, which previously delivered beer to his tavern, were now painted different colors and filled with things too valuable to throw away, but possibly never to be used. One special item on a shelf was a thick scrapbook filled with illustrated articles cut out from issues of Popular Mechanics, published as far back as 1923. The scrapbook’s 8

Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

cover is adorned with “Jack Mann 1923” and the frayed edges attest to it being frequently researched. Grandpa Jack’s garage was not rundown or dirty but instead was more like a well-loved and well-used old car. It was still useful and continued to display dignity and good character. It would provide you with what you needed as long as you provided it with the proper care. Grandpa, like all grandpas, eventually passed on. Grandma moved into a retirement home and the house and garage were sold. The buildings were eventually torn down and replaced with a medical facility. Many of the treasures in grandpa’s garage now reside in my garage. All projects needing a hammer are completed with his hammer featuring a handle carved on one side with “Jack Mann” and “2-16-46” on the other side. Some items stored on my shelving are protected in a Regal Amber Brewing Company box, partially painted a light brown. A metal and glass oil dispenser, once filled with cut up lengths of coat hangers, now sits proudly on display. The most appreciated item retrieved from the garage is the “Jack Mann” scrapbook. In it you’ll learn how to transform your car into a simulated locomotive that, “Speeds Tourists Across the Nation,” or how to route your car’s exhaust system tubing through the interior so it acts as a heater when “...the exhaust gases circulate around the car.” Non-automotive projects include musical instruments made from dried corncobs, how to turn tobacco cans into door hinges, and a fish scale remover made from a rat trap. The time spent in my grandpa’s garage is now seen through the soft focus provided by the passing of time. But no matter how romanticized the memories, I know that Grandpa would be proud that his grandson is carrying on his salvage and save campaign. When my time comes to pass through the “Pearly Gates,” I’ll check to see if the hinges are made from tobacco tins and if the angel’s harps are made from corncobs. If so, then I’ll know that grandpa is waiting for me.


personal

Phil Berg’s Dispatches from the Ultimate Garage Tour

notes

Auto factories turned auto condos

I

t began in a huge warehouse in Ypsilanti, Michigan, in the 1990s. This town, you may know, was the home of Preston Tucker, as well as the antiquated Chevrolet Caprice factory. It is still home to numerous car nut people since it’s less than an hour from downtown Detroit and closer to most of the remnants of the nearly dead Motor City. What began in Ypsilanti as an old warehouse near the Huron River, became one of the early car condo/car enthusiast gathering points, which was owned by the son of former long-running 1970s governor William Milliken. His son, Bill Jr., is a fantastic Porsche fan and a local realtor of distinction. Bill Jr.’s idea, along with a partner who taught the rare art of car restoration at a local college, was to make a clubhouse/man cave where people with cool cars could keep them. This assumed that home garages were too small to support a car hobby. It’s a correct assumption. There are half a dozen work bays in this garage that support restorations, including a hydraulic lift, as well as a lounge area filled with couches and some private office spaces. All of this is near the 150-car parking areas where customers rent a space and cover their cars. Once a month the covers are lifted. The press is not allowed in, and there are no descriptions of where the place is, as customers prize their privacy. So we don’t have photos for you. Now, and finally, there are places modeled after the Ypsilanti warehouse, which continues to be a hotbed of car club activity and hosts the Points & Conderser Society with monthly trips to notable museums every year. The late famed car nut, David E. Davis Jr., former publisher and editor of Car and Driver and founder of Automobile, actually had an office at this place. So it’s about time that the concept caught on. This year

a new place is being proposed by former Chicago lawyer, Brad Oleshansky. It’s a massive facility planned around the former 90-acre Oakland truck factory grounds. It’s kind of a scary location, as one former local cop described to us that it was only blocks from the most dangerous parts of an already 30-year urban dead zone near Detroit. The Oakland truck factory is survived by a half-million square foot building that can today house 2,400 parking spaces. That’s dwarfed by the “50,000 classic cars in metro Detroit,” Oleshansky said. “Most of them are stored in selfstorage centers, warehouses ... people’s garages, where they don’t want them, because their kids’ bikes are leaning up against them.” What’s planned on this huge space next to the end of the wildly popular Woodward Avenue Dream Cruise, is another country club for car buffs, starting with 325 garage/man caves that can store between two and 50 cars, and allow a terrific clean space for restorations and living. “This is for the major car guys and women who want to store vehicles, create their own unique space and turn them into hangout spots,” Oleshansky said during an announcement in May. It’s expected to open in time for the 2014 cruise. The condos will cost between $50,000 and $150,000 each. In addition to the private garages, a restaurant, clubhouse, event center, and a short third-mile dragestrip are also planned for the space. Oleshansky, a former Los Angeles lawyer, moved back to Michigan in 2004 to run a health company, and connected with Larry Smith, former Meadowbrook Concours honcho and owner of the area’s highest rated auto body shops. It’s an amazing idea, we think, and we’ll be excited to report in the future on this Garage Disneyland.

Hi Garage Style, I must tell you that when my wife built my three bay shop for me six years ago, I was clueless. I quite remember standing out there after the roof, doors, and outside walls were up, I was in heaven and thought I was done building. The contractor asked us if we wanted insulation. I said, “naw I’m fine with it like it is.” My wife said, “the best we can get.” Then after that he asked, “do you want it drywalled?” I said, “naw I’m fine with it like it is.” My wife said, “the best we can get.” He asked, “do you want it painted inside?” I said, “naw I’m fine with it like it is.” My wife said, “the best we can get.” He asked if I wanted a hanger border around the wall. I said, “naw I’m fine with it like it is. “My wife said, “the best we can get.” I learned to always listen to my wife after that. Then I started to hang a few little signs on the wall without really thinking. One day my smart little wife signed me up for your magizine. I was inspired and now I can’t believe what I have. Here are some images of the place. You guys are welcome to come up and do a story if you want. Keep in mind that my shop is a day-to-day operating shop so sometimes it looks a little hotrod.

Thought you might like to see my small garage. It was built in 1936 and my stock 49 Chevy half ton barely fits. When the front door of the garage is closed, you cannot walk around the truck. I put carpet on the rear studs, so I’ll know when I hit them backing in. You can see my trusty Craftsman rollaway tool box but you can’t see the BBQ or some garden equipment which share the space. There is a work bench at the back side and a bench size drill press and grinding/wire wheel mounted on tables attached to the walls, which were swap meet finds. I have the requisite wall of old license plates and tin signs and I have stored spare parts in the rafters. As I live in Victoria BC it is not heated and it can get cool. I have done numerous repairs on both my 49 and my 53 Chevy truck in this garage and at one time it also sheltered my 81 Malibu. Yes it’s small but at least my truck is protected from the elements. Bill Jesse Victoria BC Hey Garage Style – Been having a good time with my Morgan Slot Car Track from FAO. It’s a lot of fun, and the picture makes it look a little bigger than it is. After playing with it I shipped it to my brother so his two grandsons could also enjoy it (they are car guys). My brother took the two Morgan slot cars to a local slot car commercial track and beat the pants off the regulars with the two Mogs. Sincerely, Rick Rader Chattanooga, TN The world should have a SlotCar track. They really do bring a lot of joy into the world of a car enthusiast, and can even give a regular person a good time. - ED

Please send letters to: info@garagestylemagazine.com or Personal Notes C/O GSM PO Box 812 La Habra, CA 90633-0812

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Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

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Garage

news

BLT introduces Granite Spek garage floor Long known for some of the best poly-vinyl roll out floors in the industry, BLT recently announced their latest product offering a true granite look. Previous offerings from BLT were incredible, however, thanks to a new state-of-the-art image imbedding process the new floors have a higher level of depth, texture, and quality unheard of in poly-vinyl flooring. The initial product line, Granite Spek, lends the appearance of real granite. BLT flooring materials (75 mil solid vinyl) have always ensured a long service life; but now, thanks to the new image imbedding process, the print pattern will last for many years with minimal maintenance. Granite Spek will protect the garage floor from nearly all common garage floor chemicals, and is easy to maintain, 100-percent recyclable, and made in the USA. Perfect for garages, home gyms, workshops, mud rooms, trailers, dog kennels, and much more, Granite Spek is available in nine colors, two surface patterns, and comes in 10-foot wide rolls in lengths of 24-foot or 48-foot. 913.894.0403 | www.BLTLLC.com

Le Mans 24-hours brings Larbre/WeatherTech team challenges While accustomed to driving the WeatherTech Porsche, driver Cooper MacNeil learned a few things running the Corvette around Le Mans. In his first run, MacNeil totaled nearly seven hours and nine miles of windshield time, but several issues during the night put the Corvette in the stands. “I got in for my second stint at 12:40 a.m.,” MacNeil said. “I was getting comfortable in the car in the dark. I was on slicks, focusing on hitting my marks and my times were starting to come down. Going into the Porsche Curves I was pushed wide by a prototype and got into the dirt and gravel off the racing line and had a lazy spin. I didn’t hit anything, but I nosed it in front of the wall. I tried to get the WeatherTech Corvette into reverse and the clutch went. I was able to get it back to pit lane where the Larbre crew went to work to get us back out.” It’s been said that racing is hell, but the WeatherTech crew is accustomed to serious competition, and we expect to see more successes in their racing efforts as they’ve had in business. www.WeatherTech.com

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Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

Former home of John DeLorean for sale in Pauma Valley, California Built by Weir Brothers in 1960, the California estate in Pauma Valley formerly owned by John DeLorean has been placed on the market. The roughly $2 million price tag awards the new owner the 7,000-square foot master home featured here, as well as five income homes on the nearly 19 acre parcel. Still sporting a flair for the 1970’s, modern touches have been implemented, such as a modernized kitchen, but DeLorean’s personal marble phone in the master bedroom remains. On a large scale much of the DeLorean-era design influence seems to remain intact, modernizations performed sensitively. The home was given to DeLorean’s attorney in the mid-1980’s as payment for his work defending him against drug trafficking charges. DeLorean passed away in 2005 in New Jersey at the age of 80. 760.815.2744 www.TheDavidsonGroup.biz/32220CuestaDeCamellia

Vision Wheel introduces new Legend Series style The Torque Wheel, new from Vision, bears an uncanny resemblance to the wheel made famous in Gone in 60 Seconds worn by the famous GT500 Eleanor. But, look closely, and you’ll see there are subtle differences between her shoes and these, differences that can stand to give the right car a very unique look. The gunmetal finish paint sets off the machined lip and optional spinner. Available in 15”, 18”, and 20”, the wheel is the latest addition to the popular Legend Series. 866.645.2664 | www.VisionWheel.com

As seen on Craigslist.com… DFW Elite Toy Museum

selling some of Malcolm Forbes’ scale model boats

Rocket Racing Wheels introduces modern muscle classics

It’s no secret that a wheel can make or break a car’s appearance. Rocket Racing Wheels in Tennessee recently introduced their Rocket Modern Muscle Boosters specifically for new-era muscle cars. Designed to give modern muscle cars such as the 2009-13 Challenger, 2005-13 Charger, 1994-2013 Mustang, and 1993-2013 Camaro, a vintage flair, they’re available in 18”x9”, 18”x10”, 20”x9”, or 20”x10” in Booster Chrome, Booster Black, or Booster Hyper Shot. Manufactured from A356 aluminum, the Boosters are hub-centric, and vehicle-specific hub rings are sold separately. Especially important to modern vehicles, the Boosters are compatible with Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems, and adding just a bit more classic zing, each wheel is topped off with a vintage-style aluminum O-ring center cap. 888.307.7525 | www.RocketRacingWheels.com

After 36 years Dave’s Goldenwest Auto Wrecking is throwing in the towel. The yard, long an Orange County legend, was the last of three owned by Dave. The rare cars, yard, and land have sold for an undisclosed amount.

Long known as a “collector’s collector,” Malcolm Forbes was interested in a lot more than publishing and politics. He collected fine glass art, scale models, rare paintings, and much more. Part of his scale model collection included a boat component, some of which are being offered for sale by the DFW Elite Toy Museum in Dallas, Texas. A model of the R.M.S. Rangititki is by far the most expensive at $75,950. Originally for the New Zealand Shipping Company, this British model was built around 1929 to depict the original, which was owned by the New Zealand Shipping Company, and first sailed in 1928. The overall size of the model is an imposing 145-inches long x 19-inches wide x75inches tall. The original was decommissioned and dismantled in July, 1948. The Cape Girardeau, a Mississippi paddle wheeler depicting the 19th century rover boat named after the city in Missouri. At 49.5-inches long x 10.25-inches wide x 19-inches tall, it too is rather imposing, but is the least expensive at $4,950. 817.834.3625 | www.DFWEliteToyMuseum.com

Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

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assembly & machine shop complete body shop upholstery & trim shop component restoration

expert mechanics trained technicians all phases of restoration excellence since 1973

850 Fiero Lane — San Luis Obispo, California 805-594-1585 — www.xksmotorsport.com For Jaguar Parts — www.xks.com

Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

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World’s Best Custom Car Covers®

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Petersen Museum uses DUSTOP™ Custom Indoor Covers by Covercraft®. “A good cover minimizes the risk of damage.”- says the museum manager.

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Crafted Fit®

Maximum protection against dust

DUSTOP fabric helps assure your vehicle will be just as clean when you uncover it as it was when it was covered. Kimberly-Clark non-woven fabric technology was used to create this 4-layer fabric that provides a barrier against dust. Woven fabrics TM have openings in the weave that Soft Bicomponent Spunbond Layer Bicomponent Spunbond Layer allow fine dust to sift through, whereas bonded non-woven fabric doesn’t allow any pathways for dust. 4-layer construction also Meltblown Barrier Layer Soft Bicomponent Spunbond Layer provides greater ding/dent protection than woven materials. • Soft But Strong Outer Layers - The two top layers are constructed of a polypropylene / polyethylene composite spunbond. These layers take advantage of the best features of both polymers: the superior softness of polyethylene, with the strength and stability of polypropylene. • Dust Barrier - A melt-blown polypropylene layer serves as a barrier to most dust, dirt and pollution. DUSTOP’S multi-layer construction provides substantially better dust protection when compared to traditional woven, single-layer fabrics. • Softest Paint-Protecting Inner Layer - The high-loft polypropylene / polyethylene inner layer pampers and protects the vehicle’s finish.

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Use with a car cover for maximum protection

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Office

profile

Collecting Racing History Text and Images by

Paul Chenard

I

’ve been collecting vintage racing items since 1982. I started slowly and haphazardly, partly for lack of information, mostly for lack of finances. I would collect any metal transportation toy that I found interesting, anything that caught my eye (and that I could afford). In the late ’80s, a Canadian-made tin wind-up racecar toy from about 1935 came into my collection and suddenly, I had to find more racecar toys. I slowly traded away my other toys to acquire more metal (tin and diecast) racecars.

As my collection of vintage racing toys grew, I became curious of the actual history of the racing car represented. I started picking books on racing history, and slowly started to get drawn into the fascinating stories I was coming across. I bought more and more books, and began absorbing more and more racing history. At the same time, I started adding non-toy items to the collection. The collection grew gradually until the appearance of eBay. Whoa! I suddenly had access to the items I had only read about! Still working with a limited budget, I managed to grow the collection even more. I picked up racing posters, press kits, programs, decals, patches, and of course, more toys!

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Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

Over the years, I’ve also made close friends in the industry, and they have all fed me a steady stream of items from back in the day. As a collector of motorsports items, this of course includes original art. Because of my geographic location and limited budget, I have less direct access to original art. In studying racing history and the stories, I found that about 90-percent of the motorsports artists were not rendering the stories that I thought they should. My training and profession for 30 years has been in graphic design. I’m self-taught in my art, having drawn from a young age until I was sixteen, when I discovered women. Needless to say, I stopped drawing! With the idea that I wanted original art in my collection, in late 2006, I picked up some art supplies and started at it. As I did a new piece, I would post it on a website, and began getting feedback and requests. The major breakthrough happened when I did a series of American World Champion Phil Hill’s successful history with Ferrari. They were picked up on Mr. Hill’s website, and he signed the first 25 of each of the four of a series of 250. Sadly, my print series is the last print series that he ever signed; a year later he passed away from Parkinson’s. Late last year, I decided to do my art full-time and moved into an apartment. I thought it was time that some of the collection came out of boxes, and decorated my space. I decided that since my apartment is also my studio and my office, it was important to tastefully decorate, choosing very carefully an interesting cross-section of the whole collection. Some items have been chosen for dramatic effect, such as a 1980 Grand Prix de Monaco poster. Other items are shown because they carry an interesting personal story, like a “Sunny Slope” fruit crate label, a shadow box of racing patches, a 1930 Chenard & Walcker brochure, or Denise McCluggage signed photos. I also have picked up some nice racing movie lobby cards,

which are less expensive than the posters, smaller, and cheaper to frame. There is also an interesting contrast between the American lobby cards, and the bigger and bolder Mexican ones. If fact, the Mexican lobby cards from the movie “Grand Prix,” of which I have the complete set, are poster size!! When I first moved into the apartment, I couldn’t help noticing that one of the living room walls had huge potential as a canvas, so I painted a large 6.5 foot acrylic painting of the starting grid of the 1961 Grand Prix de Monaco, which really becomes the centerpoint of the space. I also have my main reference library in the same room, so it becomes a comfortable meeting room, or a nice place to do reading research. I have the majority of my vintage toy collection in a tall display cabinet, where I added five extra glass shelves. I also have many interspersed here and there in the bookshelves, counters, and end tables to add visual interest. When you consider that I’m only showing about one-sixth of my print collection, it shows that you can very tastefully decorate with very little, at nominal costs. A nice place to come home to! GSM Show us your sanctuary We love garages and offices - anywhere you can show your passion for all-things-automobilia! Got an office, den or other room decked in vehicular style? Send us some pictures, and let's have a look! Maybe we can feature it in an upcoming issue of GSM! Email pictures to: info@garagestylemagazine.com

“I decided that since my apartment is also my studio and my office, it was important to tastefully decorate, choosing very carefully an interesting cross-section of the whole collection.” Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

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garage

features

Above, a line of 356s, including a Pininfarina-designed cabriolet, make up the back row. Surrounded by a massive collection of Automobilia, petroliana, and fine art, the cars are slightly offset.

Passionate Palace A home for the Porsches Text by

Don Weberg Images by

Booker

H

aving spent many years without suitable vehicle storage, placing cars here and there, outdoors and wherever, even curtailing his collecting due to lack of storage, Stan decided it was time to buy a home that could accommodate his desire for a proper garage. Not just any garage would do though – it had to be a showroom facility, a place where his cars could be displayed, where he and his friends could enjoy company together, a place where he could finally display his art ranging from posters to sculptures to steering wheels to diecast and more. “I’d have a few friends over who told me the garage I had just wasn’t enough, and they were right,” said Stan. “When this house came on the market, we bought it because it was bigger, and had this backyard which was perfect for the garage.” The house was even in the same neighborhood, which was fantastic, as Stan didn’t want to be too far from his work, and his family liked where they were. Working primarily as an attorney, Stan also serves on many boards and works with several philanthropies around So Cal, making efficiency paramount to his continued success. “We started designing and constructing, and everything went pretty well,” he said. “I knew I wanted something to match and complement the existing home, and I didn’t want it to look like a garage, but more like a pool house, and I think we accomplished that.” Outside, the structure is made of brick with wood trim, matching the house nicely. The large French windows offer a great view when you’re inside, and in the evening when the garage is lit, they give a slightly jeweled look, but cozy

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Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

Above, From the house, the garage appears more as a large pool house, or maybe even solarium. The windows are similar to those constructed by French Porte; Below, The owner has covered nearly every inch with eye candy. Even the backsides of the rafters have rallye plates and pennants from events.

overall. Stan’s right; it does lend the idea of a pool house, and complements the main house well, providing a remarkable aesthetic backdrop to the backyard. “It had to have an office, it had to have a kitchen, some sort of sitting area, and room for everything,” he said. “If you look, you can see there’s plenty of room between cars so the doors can open without too much risk of smacking the other car. That was a big deal. You still need to be careful, but it’s much better than average.” Inside, the open beam ceiling is striking, and leads your eye to the mezzanine connecting the office to the restroom. The mezzanine is a comfortable spot in itself, more like a loft. Furnished as a lounge or living room, it has relaxed seating areas, tables, plenty of art, books, and distractions. Looking out on the cars from the mezzanine, the beautiful dark grey slate tile floor makes a fantastic backdrop for the cars, and

Climate controlled, the garage is the perfect environment for cars and art. They are one in the same.

gives protection from chemical drops that so often occur with older cars. The office is a great place for privacy and quiet efficiency. Conservatively styled with a slightly modern flair, it’s the perfect spot to take care of business at hand or host private, close meetings. It’s even got a little bit of a nook of its own, where one can really escape to read a book, or just stare

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Above, Porsche crest and 356 art woven carpet dominates one wall, but only slightly. The Shell gas pump and oodles of rally, concours, and event art compete well for attention; Right, Few collections are complete without some display of die cast. The owner has intermingled his toys with some awards and personal memories.

out the window. Close the door, and you’re really removed from the world. “I don’t do a lot of my own work, so there’s not a lot of tools or mechanics’ things,” he said. “But, I had this pit installed, and it provides lots of extra storage too. It’s like having a basement, but you have to be careful no one falls in!” For that reason, a heavy cover resides over the pit when not in use, and usually there’s a car atop that. The kitchen is a galley style design complete with all the trimmings. It’s perfect for caterers to prepare their food and drink for get-togethers, or for just keeping some refreshments on hand. Stan has decorated to the hilt with various elements, mostly related to Porsche, but also art and sculpture unrelated to cars. It’s a little overwhelming, but in a tasteful, elegant, showroom style demeanor. Dominating the first floor is a massive sculpture, totally unrelated to the automobile in any way. Colorful, large, and very heavy, it’s actually a dwarfed project in the garage – in spite of its girth, it doesn’t command immediate attention. Truth is, we didn’t even notice it until we were half way across the floor, almost in front of it. “My wife didn’t like it, so it ended up here,” he laughed. “I thought it was beautiful, very striking, and in a way, it kind of goes well in here. I’ve spent a lifetime collecting various things from shows and galleries and museums and other collectors, so it was fun placing everything. It’s an ongoing thing though, it’s never really done.” Among his cars are Porsche 356s aplenty, but also a rare 959, a Pininfarina-designed Cabriolet, and a coach built roadster. “People don’t usually know what that car is,” he said of the 22

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roadster. “It’s a special car, but they’re all special cars, they’re great driving machines.” And when he’s not driving them, at last, he has a place to park them and enjoy them together. He’s invested in a place on his own property that not only serves as a car park, but a workplace, entertainment venue, and easily accessed escape. “I love being in here,” he said. “We have hosted many friends and a few car events, but mostly, it’s great having this space. I love being able to spend time here with the cars, having a nice place to keep them.” GSM

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well-skilled body man, he painted a rusty Hudson hulk bright red with a white top and parked it on his lawn with the hood propped open and a dummy dressed as a farmer leaning into the engine bay. Countless tourists stopped to try to help the farmer fix his old-fashioned car – or to talk him out of it. Buttles recently found a man from out East who “had to have” the Hudson, even after Tim told him the car was worthless. Even before it was picked up by the new owner, Tim was working on another “lawn ornament” to replace it. This time his project involved building his own version of the “Beverly Hillbillies” TV car from rusty old car parts and other junk he had “just laying around” his garage. Tim is an expert at wet sanding and buffing out old paint to make cars look great without re-spraying them. He can fix stuff that professional mechanics give up on and get broken machines running again for a fraction of what car dealers charge. Last summer he came across a Kawasaki Nomad 1500-cc motorcycle lying on its side in the garage of a man who had been quoted a very large repair bill to fix the bike. Tim bought the big “Cow” for $500, took it apart, devised a solution and soon had it running again for “a couple of bucks.” Tim works his magic in a wooden garage that is about 30-

Simply shedding

Tim’s garage is more fun than a “barrel of money” Text and images by

John Gunnell

B

lokes & Sheds is the name of a little book put together by Australian Mark Thomson that came out in 1995. Just 6 inches high and 9 inches wide, the 120-page soft cover focuses on the sheds that “blokes” throughout Australia put up to have space for their hobby, be it fixing cars or collecting phones. As one shed owner so aptly explained it, “This is the place where I make the rules.” All of the sheds featured in the book had male owners and the great majority of them are men who might be described as “a little eccentric.” However, the book was amazingly popular down under. It was re-printed six times in 1996, once in each 1997 and 1998, twice again in 1999 and for the last time (that we know of) in 2001. The book is fun to read because you can start on any page. Tim Buttles is America’s answer to the Australian bloke with a shed. Tim is a “car guy” (as well as a “bike guy” and “plane guy”) and he has a garage next to his house that serves as a private space for all of his hobbies. It is where he makes the rules. Tim describes it as, “the place where I do my projects.” In Tim’s case, a project can be anything from a $91 rebuild of a ’49 Plymouth flathead six or the construction of a three-wheel motorcycle that looks like a miniature jet plane. 24

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Tim has built airplanes that were featured on the cover of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s magazine Sport Aviation. He’s been written up in Old Cars Weekly and in a motorcycle magazine called Free Rider’s Press. But Tim doesn’t bask in the media attention his projects get, because his main purpose in life is building things and finding creative ways to afford projects. Unlike Roy Orbison, Tim Buttles has never gotten into “working for the man.” He has not had a 9-to-5 job for as long as anyone who knows him can remember. He usually spends his days tinkering in his shop, going to flea markets, chasing down bargains he sees in classified ads or riding around to see what garage doors with secrets inside are left open. Tim never spent a dime to get what a nickel could buy. He goes to old car shows late in the day to try to avoid admission charges. Once he got caught hopping a fence to see a show at a tech school in Green Bay. “What are you doing?” an official asked. “You know!” Tim grinned back. “Yes,” said the man with a laugh. “But this is a free show!” Tim enjoys telling that story and others like it, but listeners never know whether he’s serious or if they are being “put on.” Tim tries not to take life too seriously. A self-taught and

feet wide and just a tad longer than it is wide. It has two doors in front. The door on the “house” side of the garage leads to Tim’s front shop. He also has a back shop where he handles the dirtier aspects of doing restoration work or building a vehicle and has equipment like a parts washer and press. Also on the house side, in the front, is an office measuring about 12 feet by 12 feet that has a large front window. It somewhat resembles an old filling station. The antique visible gas pump near the Beverly Hillbillies’ car reinforces the office’s gas station appearance. The office contains white shelves that Tim picked up at a rummage sale or perhaps when this or that Wisconsin village was having a free trash pickup day. Tim usually isn’t fussy about where he finds his treasures. In fact, he often doesn’t remember the exact source of a particular item. On one shelf there’s an old King Motor Tester that may or may not work and may or may not be valuable. There are real and reproduction car and airplane toys, authentic old cans of Heet and Mobil Oil, a 1929 Pontiac Indianhead radiator ornament and a jar that once held oil that could be used in both outboard motors and chain saws. The shop where Tim tackles his projects is no “Hot Rod

Top Left, Tim’s “Beverly Hillbillies” replica sits in front of his building and is made up of parts and other junk that he found; Bottom left, Though found here and there and arranged in a makeshift manner, Tim’s shop furniture is totally up to the job at hand; Bottom right,

Tim’s puppy gets the run of the office and its comfy-looking old green chair.

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Tim got a good buy on this ’49 Plymouth convertible because it was inoperable. He rebuilt the flathead six for $91.

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Toys, cans, pictures and old auto repair machines fill the shelves in the office and add to its “old filling station” character.

TV” set, but has probably seen more builds than “Orange County Choppers” or “Monster Garage.” In fact, the chatter at the local Wednesday evening cruise night often gets around to what Tim’s currently working on. His taste in automobiles runs the gamut, but he does have a partiality to “orphan” cars like Hudsons, Studebakers and AMCs. Tim’s skills with air-cooled Volkswagen engines are a local legend and in the case of one Super Beetle, he also crafted a giant key that he stuck to the engine lid, at the rear of the car, to make it look like a wind-up toy car. The shop in Tim’s garage is large enough to hold a couple of vehicles. It has a concrete floor that shows scars and “droppings” of his many hands-on projects. Old cabinets and bedroom dressers are arranged around the room so that they support pressboard and plywood panels serving as work surfaces. Makeshift shelves sitting on homemade wooden struts hold paint, lacquer thinner, oil, wax, STP and axle grease. Other shelves hold power hand tools like a grinder, a drill, an impact hammer, a D-A sander and a cut-off wheel. There are gas cans and coffee cans and cans of body filler. A drill press and a bench grinder sit on the counters. The back room holds a parts washer, a welder and an air compressor. On the floor is a professional-type tire-balancing machine. Tim’s tools come from auctions, liquidation sales and the Goodwill store. He rarely orders catalog merchandise, though he does buy new tools that he can “actually touch in the flesh” at swap meets. He knows how to fix broken electrical windings or replace a frayed old cord. His tools get oiled and treated with care, but there’s not a lot of sense in cleaning them up, since they’re just going to get filthy again. The worktable in Tim’s shop is quite unique – it’s an antique hospital bed. According to Tim, it can hold up the weight of an axle or an engine and he can crank what’s ever on it up or down to a convenient working

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Tim (r.) gives well-known motorcycle dealer Bill Kasten of S-K Services (l.) the low-down on the 3-wheeler he built. His Hudson dummy is in the background.

height. Tim’s toolbox holds an amazing collection of wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, hammers and other hand tools that he picked up here and there. Dollar tables at swap meets are one source of such implements and free tools are even better. Unlike the shiny offerings in the weekly newspaper circular ads, Tim’s tools have an almost uniform grease black color. “Keeps them from rusting and helps them slide on nuts and bolts better.” The shop has heat, lights, electricity, compressed air and everything else needed to fix cars and Tim installed most of these systems himself or traded work for the labor of friends with specialized skills. On the wall are snapshots of cars he built, airplane posters and calendars and pictures of this man’s best friend – his beloved dog. This puppy goes everywhere with Tim, and when he stays home, he has the run of the front office and use of its comfy green chair. Like the characters that inhabit Mark Thomson’s book, Tim Buttles is a true “bloke” who beats his own drum. Like its owner, his garage is a “slice of life” cut from the American experience. In this space that Tim has built, he can do everything that can be done in the fanciest car palaces shown in Phil Berg’s Ultimate Garages book. And at the end of the day, he gets the same satisfaction everyone enjoys from saying “I did it myself.” The only difference is, Tim does it for a lot less. GSM

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American Standard A tasteful two car shows possibilities Text by

Don Weberg Images by

Booker

From the sidewalk, the garage is busy looking, interesting, and fun. It all adds up to a more enjoyable space.

“We’ve always kept our home very tidy. This includes the garage. We don’t view the garage as a place to stuff our stuff; it’s a place to enjoy car-related items, and the car.” 28

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H

aving a two-car garage can be more than enough, when the proper planning and execution are employed. Many car enthusiasts, especially those with families, find two-car garages nearly impossible to live with – it’s the old battle of family stuff versus cars, and which gets how much space in the garage. Sometimes it’s just easier to sell the car, or find offsite storage for the car, to keep the familial treasures in the home, under the roof of the garage, and maintain a semblance of peace. “Car guys” hate it, but it’s an old, and long-told story. But not for Tom. “We’ve always kept our home very tidy,” said Tom. “This includes the garage. We don’t view the garage as a place to stuff our stuff; it’s a place to enjoy car-related items, and the car.” Tom has long been a Corvette enthusiast, having owned a few over the years, but he’s partial to the C3 cars, as illustrated by his silver 1972 Stingray. He’d long wanted a showroom environment in which to park his car, and enjoy his collectibles with friends and family, so one day he and his wife, Annette, decided to create one. “I’d been collecting stuff for a long time, so that wasn’t going to be an issue. We started with a clean slate, painted the walls, and then she bought me this snap-together floor. It was fun, she helped me start laying out the floor, and that’s how it all began,” he said. Unfortunately, during the creation of the showroom garage, Tom’s wife became very ill, and ultimately passed away. The construction supervisor was left with his home, newly started project garage, and a young teenaged daughter, Alexis, to look after, and he essentially put the garage on indefinite hold. “About a year went by, and my daughter asked me, ‘why don’t we finish the garage?’ So, I was kind of shocked, but I said, ‘Ok, let’s do it,’ and we started getting back into it,” he said. “It was a lot of fun; it was great quality time and served to bring us closer together. My wife really initiated the project, so it was neat that my daughter was interested in helping finish it.” Now, Tom and his daughter frequent automotive swap meets together, collecting various advertising art and bits of petroliana and Automobilia to further define and decorate the garage. “We have a great time together,” he said. As it stands now, the garage is as finished as it can be, and the two of them have created a true gem illustrating the joy that a two-car garage really can be. Tom is a stickler for details, and as a construction pro, he made sure that everything was hardwired into the garage. There are very few wires or plugs hanging around in the garage – directional arrows, a vintage clock, illuminated oil company signs, and more are all cleanly mounted to or recessed within the garage walls. The cable wires for the internet, television, and so on are hidden behind an E-Z Serve Gasoline sign like a safe in a spy movie, while the sprinkler controls are nestled within (where else?) an old fire department call box. “I really wanted everything to have a clean, built-in look,” he said. “No wires, not too many plugs, just a solid, clean look.” All around are bits and pieces of nostalgia from old road maps to old cola and oil bottles to vintage dealership awards regarding Corvette. Above the refrigerator is a slick display of C3 Corvette taillights and lettering treatment, depicting how the actual rear of a Vette looks. Everything is neatly displayed and laid out, exactly as most collectors like

Mint condition 1972 Corvette is the star of the show. Innumerible promotional elements line all the walls, while hidden moments create surprises.

Grey and black modular plastic floor is easy to maintain. Lighted signs and directionals are hardwired into the house. Notice the lack of dangling wires and plugs.

The devil is in the details – the owner has intermingled new fun items with interesting bits from days gone by such as the ashtray and road maps.

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Left, always keeping things hidden and neat, the owner has boxed the air hoses and electrical within a diamond plate box that matches the floor. He’s also allowed for wall art to extend to the baseboard, which is fun. Above, an absolute candy store, the owner has created a place to showcase his prized Corvette and enjoy the various elements all “car guys” appreciate. Neat and orderly, the space is fun, a touch museum.

to keep their special treasures. “Anything can be done with the proper planning,” he said. “Most people want more than a two-car garage, and I don’t blame them. But they shouldn’t discount what can be done with a two-car garage, they can be a lot of fun, and they’re a lot easier to maintain.” GSM


In the white room TKO garage strives for perfection Text by

Frank Pericone Images by

Dale Quinio

O

From outside the two-car garage appears modest and simply well kept. There are two cameras outside, one inside keeping security in check.

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nce this New York native got tired of the Florida heat and humidity, Frank packed up and moved west. Being a “car guy” all his life…the idea of being able to keep your vehicles clean all the time and not having to worry about, snow, salt or “that 4pm rain” every day was very appealing. While looking around the Southern California area, he settled on Long Beach for his next home. Finding a fantastic townhome with a big garage was his goal, and it was attained. Some years later, the unit attached to his, became available for sale and having double the space would mean more room for special rooms. A THX certified theater, a complete professional musician’s recording studio, and two luxury guest suites were some of the plans for this additional space. After those were completed, the idea of totally customizing the second two-car garage was very exciting. This garage would be part of his “ultimate man space.” A place where he could make sure all of his automobiles were pampered as much as possible. After meeting with Bob, the owner of Kaplan Construction, a very detailed plan was drawn out. Heavily interested in new technology and very tech savvy, Frank knew that this space had to be a technical knockout (TKO), and have all the latest gadgets and electronics as part of the design, and what better place to start than home automation. With lots of help from Jason Kirk, owner of Integrated Electronics of Mesa, Arizona, a complete Control4 system was installed in the entire property including the new garage. This added many functions to make this space the best it could be. All the functions are accessible through Frank’s iPhone. Because of this, he can do virtually anything from afar – check the security camera, activate or deactivate the HVAC, make sure the alarm is set, lock or unlock the garage door, and much more. Keeping with this concept meant making sure that gobs of dependable, very Hi-Speed Wi-Fi was available to the entire property. After numerous products were tried unsuccessfully, Frank spoke to David Callisch of Ruckus Wireless. David was able to design a complete mesh system that exceeded all expectations. After consulting with Frank’s favorite Southern California automotive detailer, Richard Lin of ShowCar Detailing, all of the required elements needed to build the ultimate detailing space were put into motion. This space would need to be perfect, and many hours were spent making sure it was. While on-site detailing isn’t performed often, Richard and his crew like the space so much that you will sometimes find them here working on Frank’s cars. The main feel of the garage had to scream “clean and Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

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Cabinets are Sliding Door Company, Liftmaster Jack Shaft door opener.

Various technologies allow the owner to enjoy Internet, television, video, or music with the press of a button on the computer or his mobile device.

A perfect little station for clean up. LG washer-dryer all-in-one; waterless urinal; stainless steel service sink.

Lift control sits in the corner. space and is easy to operate.

The LG all-in-one washer-dryer unit is perfect for a garage application. Compact of design, there’s no need for a washer and a dryer – this does it all. Just throw your dirty towels into the unit and when you come back later, they are clean and dry. An industrial sink and sprayer makes cleaning up a breeze, and the epoxy floor coating is a safe, slip-free surface. There’s a waterless urinal tucked away in one of the corners. This is a must have accessory for the well-equipped “man cave” – no need to clean up or remove your shoes to go into the house. A beverage center and a spotless water treatment system are also tucked behind some of the sliding doors. Up on the ceiling, you will find several Cox power reels and multiple fire suppression components, as well as an oscillating ceiling fan. Several types of fixtures handle lighting for different purposes. High-Intensity Fluorescents and extremely bright LED’s supply the bright lighting required when detailing, and the expanse of reflective and white surfaces throughout enhances the brightness. A central vacuum system makes light work of cleaning the interior of your vehicle, and the Cox air hose reel is great when you want to check tire pressure or use any air tools. One very welcome addition to the garage is the ceiling mounted camera, which aids in the alignment of parking on the lift properly. As a vehicle crosses the beam at the garage door opening, the automation system tells certain lights to come on and the HD camera to project the car’s image up onto the

flat panel monitor. Frank had the image “mirrored” so that it would feel more natural when maneuvering the vehicle into the proper place. There’s even a laser beam that shines into the cars to let you know when you are in exactly the right spot. The entire system shuts down as soon as the garage door is closed. Think of this as a very hi-tech tennis ball on a string. Once you get down to work in the garage, having high-end audio/video entertainment is always nice. Besides the parkingassist camera, the flat panel monitor also gives you access to the full Mac computer setup, including FIOS programming and Apple TV. Frank can listen to or view any of the music, movies or other media running on the home network while he is shining up his rides. As with the many other screens throughout the property, Frank can keep an eye on the entire home and grounds via the numerous security cameras. While Frank really does appreciate the weather here in Southern California as compared to the hot, humid climate of Southwest Florida, he still felt it was important to have this garage climate controlled. The garage’s HVAC system is separate from the rest of the property, and even though he has only used it a few times, it is a welcome feature. “After all is said and done, this space turned out even better than imagined,” said Frank. “I am very fortunate in being able to come over here whenever I want. Piddling around with my cars is very therapeutic.” GSM

Center-placed BendPak scissor lift allows for easy wheel cleaning. Overhead fire suppression equipment ensures safety. Reels of air help with drying cars or running pneumatic tools. Can you see the cameras?

orderly” so the owner didn’t want any of the storage areas visible. He contacted Silvia at The Sliding Door Company. She and her team were able to come up with a custom sliding glass door system that was aesthetically pleasing and also kept the sleek lines of the garage intact. Keeping the space clean and tidy also required mounting the air compressor discretely on the wall, and installing the air tank in a space above the garage, and out of sight. A hidden wall panel allows Frank to easily drain the tank periodically to make sure no rust forms. Inspite of the techno wizard nature of the garage, and the minimalist, futures style, the main focus of the garage always seems to be the flush-mounted lift. Due to a back injury, Frank has a tough time getting down low to clean the wheels on his vehicles. Thanks to Jeff Kritzer over at BendPak, a suitable solution was discovered by placing an SP-7X scissor lift in the ground. It’s cleaner, safer in that no one is likely to trip over the legs, and with the simple push of a button on the control panel tucked in the corner of the garage raises any of his automobiles up in the air to make otherwise difficult tasks a breeze. Being perfectly level with the floor surface when lowered, Frank can still park two vehicles in this garage without a problem. In order to maximize lifting height space, a wall-mounted Liftmaster jackshaft garage door opener was installed. Both pieces of equipment continue the clean look of the space. At the head of the garage Frank used Lista cabinets and drawers with a butcher block maple wood work bench counter. Efficient as he is, he labeled each of the drawers with their contents much like the shelves in the cabinets. 34

Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

Organized and kept, the detailing cabinet has everything needed to polish up a vehicle.

Compact design takes minimal

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Miniature molten garage mahal How it’s done Text and Images by

Tim Phelps

C

all me a painting pyro-maniac because I love fire! You know what I am talking about; many of you probably have a radically roasted roadster, lavishly lava-licked lead sled or hell-bound hot rod parked in your garage. And like you, I appreciate both American and international marques spanning 10 decades of automobile perfection. My passion for little cars follows many routes; no doubt I love hot rods and customs, but I also dig the sleek and curvaceous bodies of vintage exotics and racecars of the mid ‘50s to late ‘60s. I have loved little cars for as long as I can remember. As a child growing up in Richmond Indiana, I looked forward to every birthday and every Christmas in hopes of adding to my little garage collection. My grandmother knew exactly what I cherished; she gave me Matchbox Cars of Yesteryear and a number of Corgi sports cars. When I was old enough to earn an allowance, each week I would ride my bike to Veach’s Department Store, hurry down the stairs to the toy department and look with awe at the Matchbox cars atop their colorful boxes displayed under glass. I still own a few of my original little cars, those too prized to be entered into the sandboxfirecracker-hammer war-demolition derby. Now years later, my personal collection of little cars in multiple scales numbers well over 3,000. My foray into flame painting began quite innocently 19 years ago. Visiting the local Toys R Us, I began seeing the same adult males plundering the diecast car aisles. I struck up a conversation with one fellow about miniature cars and collecting; we seemed to share the same interests in hot rods and customs. We talked about cars and flames and after he learned I was a medical artist, he asked, “Have you ever thought about painting your own cars?” The thought, at the same time, intrigued me and frightened me. What did I know about flame painting…at that time next to nothing. So as a neophyte, my personal quest for fire began. I read everything I could and tried to piece together the artform’s roots. It was not an easy task. However, the crowning glory was meeting two giants, Rod Powell and Andy Southard, Jr. in California in August of 2001. I had read their books and was extremely impressed with their long and storied careers in custom car painting, pinstriping and flame painting. That meeting set my life on end. Seeing their workspaces and striping brushes and talking with them about their long and illustrious careers pushed my passionate pursuit of perfect pyro into high gear! I returned to Baltimore with a match burning beneath my behind!

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With an open mind, art is where you find it; many times it finds you- the spirit of the hot rod culture crept under my skin. Taking my artistic sensibilities to different levels by creating my own little custom cruisers, has led to discovering the rich history of hot rodding and appreciating the artform of hot rod flame painting. Each of my acquired art disciplines requires an inquisitive, creative mind, a steady hand and an enthusiastic joy for the physical creation of art. There is solitude in the late hours, with small-scale hand painting work, all the while, anticipating the end result with eagerness. The stroke and vigor of the brush, the interplay of colors and dreams of having my own hot rod right there in Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

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front of me are all quite appealing. It can be tedious work at times, painting and sculpting the flames at such a minute scale, but the end result has its rewards. Discovering the various styles of flames, the artists who created them and their history in the time and place has been very exciting. With car bodies up on miniature blocks and brushes and tools strewn everywhere, I must admit that the once before art studio now looks like a cross between Santa’s workshop and a miniaturized hot rod graveyard. Here is how I paint flames on my miniatures: In most cases my little cruisers are disassembled and striped down to bare metal, primed and base coated. Occasionally the “out of the package color” base coat is retained. Each car outline/ layout is traced and sketched outlining all seams, doorjambs and window openings. Flame ideas are sketched in pencil on tracing paper and cut out and laid onto my “metal canvas.” My sketches are taped to a sheet of cardboard. Adhesive transparent frisket paper is laid over the finalized flame sketch and flames are cut out with a sharp X-acto blade. The newly created flame stencils are carefully pulled away from the drawing and positioned on the car’s side panels and hood while the rest of the body is masked to protect it from paint overspray. Colors in the desired fades are applied with an airbrush working light (white) to dark. With airbrushing completed, masks are carefully removed and any fine overspray that crept under the mask, is removed with paint thinner applied with a fine small brush. The final step involves pinstriping around all flame edges with 1-Shot sign

painters’s enamel applied with a very small (10-0) sable script liner striping brush. My diecast canvas’ have included models from Hot Wheels, Johnny Lightning, Maisto, New Ray, Matchbox, Motormax, Jada, SpecCast, Road Champs, and others and have flame painted over 600 diecast cars. My pyro palette includes traditional, tribal, streamer, crabclaw, cryptic and combinations of each smothered on rods and customs, coupes and sedans, sports cars and tuners, and trucks and deliveries. Taking my “flameboyant” style to the next level, I became the series artist and designer for Greenlight Toys “Up in Flames” 6-car series in 1:64 scale in 2008 and another 6-car series with the addition of a 4-car series of 1:24 scale cars in 2009. When he is not flaming miniature hot rods, Tim Phelps, Associate Professor and Medical Illustrator teaches Medical and Scientific illustration in the Graduate Program of Art as Applied to Medicine at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. He is a Past President and Past Chairman of the Board of the Association of Medical Illustrators. He has received over 40 regional and national awards for his artwork published in textbooks, magazines, and professional journals. Tim authored, in 2006, a history book for Motorbooks International (MBI) titled “Up in Flames: The Art of Hot Rod Flame Painting,” celebrating the life histories and creative work of 18 famous flame painters with examples of their work. His recent flame painted cars can be found on the web by visiting the Langley Group blog. GSM

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The Galpin Motors Private Museum

The family of car dealers in North Hills, CA has a hidden showroom in plain sight Above, museum style sets off the personal museum; below, the granite floor is tighly protective and reflective.

Text by

Don Weberg Images by

Booker

I

t’s not often that we don’t talk too much about the garage in question. We love to write and talk and inform. But sometimes it’s a good idea to go really old school (the very earliest magazines featured little to no text at all, creating a photo essay of a topic), and let the pictures tell the story. The Galpin Museum in North Hills, like most garages, is a private affair, not open to the public, and rarely for parties. It’s an amassment of cars collected by the Boeckmann Family who owns Galpin Motors. The black granite floors and subtle walls make for a truly museum aura, and the corner filled with Big Daddy Ed Roth cars and memorabilia serve to liven things up just enough. Take a peek, enjoy, and let your imagination fill in the blanks.

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Top, rare Jags and a fleet of Iacocca Mustangs make up a small part of the collection; left, original tools of Von Dutch; right, Club Aston is a customer exclusive.

Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

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Gallery

l’ art et l’ automobile Transportation Collectibles

Auctions

Delage Convertible tin plate wind-up toy car by JEP (Jouets de Paris), 1920’s France, 15.5” long. $1400 Autocourse magazine #3, 1951, 3rd issue from the magazine’s debut year. $120

Top, Customs mingle with restored classics; left, a gathering of rare Evil Knievel toys; top right, a purple Packard oversees the garage; center, original Ed Roth customs; bottom, tools of Von Dutch.

Duesenberg Model J, giclee on paper by Alain Levesque, Canada, 24” x 20”. $220

Motorcycle Rider lithograph by Geo Ham, France, late 1920’s, matted & framed, 28.5” x 22.5”. $595

Bugatti Racer leaded stained glass window, 19.5” x 19.75. $475

Porsche original victory poster, 24 Hours of Le Mans, 1958, by Erich Strenger. 23.5” x 33”. $950

Bugatti Type 35 print by Paul Bouvot, France, 39.25” x 27.75”. $325

Collection of 62 automobile and motorcycle club, grill and bumper badges, 33” x 29.5”. $5500

Automobiles de Princes large advertising poster by Razzia. 66” x 44.5”. $495

Shop our online store anytime for

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Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

Drawings, Paintings, Posters, Prints, Mascots, Sculptures, Toys, Models, Badges, Objects, Signs, Books, Literature and more

arteauto.com

Quality consignments being accepted for future auctions

830 864-5040


Garages

in history

The Era of the British Portable Garage Text By

Rick Rader

Images Courtesy of

The Automobile magazine

S

everal issues ago “Garages in History” showcased the emergence and impact of the Garage Kit Movement in the U.S. during the ’20s until the ’50s. The popularity and adoption of various styles of “garage kits” by Sears and other companies announced not only the arrival of the motorcar for the masses, but it’s mass adoption as well. Like many social transformations the U.S. was not the only country to be impacted by the horseless carriage. Across the pond, the British were equally transfixed and transformed by having automobiles made available and affordable by the masses. They too were faced with the same quagmire of, “Where do we put these contraptions when they are idle?” The well-known British publication, “The Automobile” (June, 2009) featured many British-style wood motor car houses that were popular from the early 1900’s to the ‘30s. GSM greatly appreciates their permission to share these “artistic motor home” designs with our readers. English Heritage is undertaking a major research project on the impact of the motor car on the built environment and the landscape of England. This includes the history of the various building types that grew up with the car, the filling station, the car showroom, the repair garage, the car park, roadhouses, motels, motorway service areas and so on. A book based on the research is planned. In the course of the research it has become clear of just how few examples of early prefab ricated garages are known to survive. From about 1903, firms that specialized in making portable timber and iron buildings, such as the well-known Norwich manufacturer, Boulton & Paul, began to advertise prefabricated garages. Such contemporary advertisements for these buildings are illustrated. They tend to be much more elaborate than those of the 1920’s and 30’s with decorative half timbering, elaborate bargeboard, ornate windows and even thatched roofs in a few cases. The designs are timeless and would certainly serve as attractive motor homes today for the astute collector of era appropriate automobiles.

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(586)649-7830

Ultimate slot car raceways for the ultimate garage.

www.slotmods.com


EVERYTHING

automobilia

outlook

TO BOOST YOUR BUSINESS

IS HERE. Automobilia as décor The practice is becoming more contemporary Text by

Don Weberg Images from the

W

GSM archives

e’ve all seen it – places with Automobilia and petroliana as décor. However, just 10 years ago the practice of decorating a business office or medical practice or dining establishment with auto artifacts was left for the vehicularly inclined. Not so much anymore. Baja Cantina in Carmel, California is a cacophony of automotive-themed art and Automobilia flooding what appears to be a turn of the last century barn. An Offy engine, a Lamborghini valve cover, oil cans, posters, and much more occupy the space and give it a very unique, auto-centric feel that car guys just can’t get enough of. Even the throw pillows are upholstered in car art. “Who’s not going to love a car-themed restaurant,” said Baja Cantina Founder Pat Phinney. Garage Style Magazine recently published the story of an endodontic office heavily decorated as a service station with oodles of Automobilia and petroliana. According to Dr. Sherer, when he decorated the place he did it as such to put his patients at ease, and take them to a fun place mentally. Similar can be said for another dentist who’s office we profiled sometime back, a building constructed from scratch to be a hot rodder’s dental practice. Again, the idea was to have some fun, and to give people a bit of a break from the overtly sterile environment that medical offices can be. The Ritz-Carlton in Marina del Rey, California has a breakroom/engineering supply room that’s been made over to appear as more of a car-guy hangout than a boring-walled, non-opined room for breaks and storage. Situated below the main lobby, the room is totally unexpected, and was created as a way to bring a little conversation into the workplace, and it’s worked well. Even people who don’t care much about cars 48

Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

enjoy the space, and a great deal of pride and camaraderie has been established because of the room. Workers often discover bits and pieces that they think might fit well, and thusly donate to the cause. Similarly, we’ve seen a couple of coffee shops that have been decorated in such a manner – one in Utah sports old pedal cars, unrestored, just used as décor, but yes, if your youngster wants to take a spin, all he or she has to do is ask. So what is it about this Automobilia and petroliana that we find irresistible? Some would argue that it has to do with taking us back to better times, times of our youth when things were presumably simpler and more fun. Others might say it just has to do with the colors and shapes and designs. Whatever it is, it’s rampant, and the practice is growing steadily. Watch a Mecum, Bonhams or other major auction dealing in Automobilia and petroliana and watch the prices rise. The bidding is frenetic and entertaining unto itself, the pieces are astonishing, and for better or worse, each of us enjoys the gathering process. The automotive memorabilia is something that links us all, even those not particularly interested in cars, because even though some might not like cars, a huge percentage of us have cars in common. We can all remember aspects from days gone by about the car industry – DeLorean ringing any bells? For anyone, something will be recalled. Mustang. Chevron. Poly. It goes on and on. As such, why wouldn’t it make for an excellent décor of choice? So many of us have it in common, we can all relate – and it’s a lot more fun than a stuffy waiting room filled with just wall art and humaninterest magazines. This is true interactive art – it evokes smiles, conjurs imaginations, and truly pleases us all. GSM

THE ONLY PART MISSING IS YOU. EXHIBIT DAYS: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5–FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013 EDUCATION DAYS: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4–FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013 LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER | LAS VEGAS, NV

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Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

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Auction House Journal

Mecum Auctions 4-6 Apr 2013 The Reliant Center Houston, TX Neon-on-porcelain Pennzoil sign from the 1950’s. Sold: $2,000 Pennzoil will likely always prove an excellent investment. Its name is popular, and collectors continually enjoy the high-impact hue of Pennzoil yellow especially when coupled with mint condition working neon and porcelain. This piece was original and measured 36”x48”.

Mecum Auctions 4-6 Apr 2013 The Reliant Center Houston, TX Indian Motorcycles promotional neon sign. Sold: $1,500 Unique Indian sign was single-sided, metal with neon, 3’x2’ in excellent condition. The age is unknown, however, it’s our thought that pieces reflecting popular companies that have come and gone (repeatedly) should prove to be a good investment over time.

Heritage Auctions 13-14 Oct 2012 The Fletcher-Sinclair Mansion New York, NY Original illustration for Brown & Bigelow calendars, Quick Change by Gil Elvgren Sold: $110,500 Gil Elvgren’s illustration is popular even today. Oil on canvas painting from the estate of Charles Martignette, it measures 30”x24”, signed in the lower right corner.

Heritage Auctions 23-24 Feb 2013 Heritage Auctions Design District Annex Dallas, TX Laurence Braun figure of an automobile pioneer Sold: $1,062 Crafted in 1992, the figure stands 20” tall upon a marble and wood base. Looking to be in very good condition the piece emulates the spirit, ambition, and drive of early automobile pioneers. Is it Henry Ford or Enzo Ferrari or someone else? It’s in the eye of the beholder.

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Barn

finds

Not all barn finds are bikes and automobiles Text and Imge By

Gunner

N

ot A Faucet Washer; A “Flat” Washer—This scene that looks like it comes from a 1950s “Kalifornia Kustom” shop was actually photographed in a plumbing shop in Oshkosh, Wis., in 2010. The shop owner-“Flat Jack”-is known nationally as a collector and restorer of Early Ford V-8 cars . Jack’s plumbing supply business seems to be about 10 percent plumbing parts and 90 percent flathead Ford V-8 parts. There are crankshafts hanging from the rafters like bananas and walls full of rare hot rod aftermarket cylinder heads, special intakes, pistons of all sorts, carburetors,

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flywheels . . . you name it. Jack also restores Ford products like the fenderless coupe and “James Dean” Mercury for other FoMoCo fans. With the help of an engine kit donated by Egge Machine, of Sante Fe Springs, Calif., he even rebuilt a flathead engine that was given away at the second annual Symco Shakedown for traditional hot rods. Maybe the best thing about Jack is that he can tell you how to fix your leaky faucet while he’s working on your car’s leaky head gasket. But Jack would rather be working on the car.

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Business

profile

DFW Elite Toy Museum How collecting and enjoying led to building a museum Text by

Don Weberg

Images courtesy of the

DFW Toy Museum

R

on Sturgeon has been in the auto wrecking business for a few decades. A bonafide car nut from way back, he built a business on dismantling and parting out vehicles that’d been destroyed beyond repair, a lucrative business, but not an easy vocation by any stretch of the imagination. When Ford showed an interest in purchasing the vehicle recycling center and employing Ron to oversee the operations, he was happy to oblige. During his years, both before and after the sale of the recycling center, he built a sizable collection of cars, many of them exotics such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, and Porsche. But, like so many of us, his collecting days began way back with die cast toys, and Ron collected and collected and collected until he amassed a few thousand cars, trucks, planes, and boats. “I never suffered any remorse over a toy I bought,” Ron said. “Only the ones I passed.” Acquiring a building near the Dallas Fort Worth Airport, Ron moved the majority of his collection there, and began sorting and displaying, and ultimately, creating the DFW Elite Toy Museum. “Ron had filled the shelves in his office, and eventually the toys began spilling over into his home,” said Rodney Ross, curator of the museum. “He bought this building about 15 years ago, and brought in about half of his collection, and he created the museum.” To house the various displays and elements, the building was remodeled and renovated. In time the museum was storing real cars for people, including many soldiers deployed overseas for the U.S. military.

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“We kept expanding and remodeling until it got to where it is today,” said Rodney. Today, the one-story, two-sided warehouse displays about 3,000 toys ranging from cars to boats and even salesman and patent samples from the 1800’s. The stored cars are on lifts situated between the display cabinets that act as walls and divide the warehouse; thus, the cars and lifts are invisible unless someone takes the time to peer between or around the displays. A few exotics are on display, but they’re certainly not the dominating attraction. “The museum used to offer driving experiences, where a small group would take each car out for a drive,” said Rodney. “At a set moment, they would all switch cars, and keep going. This gave people a great idea of what each car felt like, and was a fun attraction for the museum to offer. But, we’re stopping that feature, it’s just something that’s been done enough, and it’s time to move on.” Like all museums, the Elite rotates exhibits and introduces new pieces. Recently, the museum launched an exhibit of salesman samples and trademark models, essentially one in the same. In the early part of the United States, when a person or company wanted to patent a product, such as a chair or cotton gin or even clothing, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office required a working, scale model to demonstrate exactly what the product was. Similarly, when a salesman was moving door-to-door, in order to move the goods he sold, the company issued working models to demonstrate the product – everything from chairs to toilets to typewriters to washing machines were crafted into miniature to make the product more understandable

for the customer, and more fun for everyone. Today, salesman samples are rare, unique items, and often command a very healthy figure. “Not all of them are worth very much, but we have a few pieces here that the museum paid several thousand dollars for,” he said. “The auctions where we bought them had many people bidding and buying for shocking amounts of money. It’s a little mind boggling what some of the pieces are worth.” Interestingly too, is the museum’s collection of German training cars that line the tops of some of the display cabinets. Powered by a real engine, the go-cart type cars were used in Germany as part of the driver testing. Candidates had to prove they knew not only how to drive a vehicle safely, but also demonstrate basic knowledge of the parts and how to maintain them – how to check the tire pressure, fluids, and lights. On a smaller scale the museum also has a selection of Ron Jeron-built Ferrari V-12 engines and scale models. Constructed of intricate tube-frames, just like the real cars, the engines work and the cars move. “Those cars are very, very expensive, and highly sought after due to their rarity and engineering prowess,” Rodney said. “The amount of work and hours and attention to detail to build one of these cars or its engine is astronomical. Essentially, they’re tether cars, but far too intricate and valuable to use as such.” Recently too, the museum elected to sell a sizeable portion of a model ship and yacht collection once owned by Malcolm Forbes. The former publisher of “Forbes” magazine, Malcolm was an astute collector of interesting, unique, and

rare pieces ranging from delicate glass flowers to real Harley-Davidson motorcycles. His interests ran the gamut, but his eye insisted on excellence. In the past few years the Forbes family and corporation have sold a few of his collections in order to finance projects to further the media company expansion goals. “The toys on display are truly remarkable, and anyone would likely enjoy seeing them,” said Rodney. “The intricacy, attention to detail, and bold delicacy of each model is truly something to experience.” Situated in an industrial park, the museum outwardly appears nondescript; a hidden gem near the airport and several businesses bustling about their daily chores. People who visit the museum are often quite astonished at the displays and décor. While the DFW Elite Toy Museum hasn’t engaged in sharing exhibits with other museums, they are open to the idea. “It’s a lot of fun to see people light up, especially when they come across something they had back in the day,” he said. “There’s something special about that, and I’m not sure it’s an element too many other museums can provide. It’s not like a lot of people have owned Picassos.” Free of admission, the museum is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm, and most Saturdays. 817.834.3625 | www.dfwelitetoymuseum.com

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GARAGE STYLE MAGAZINE Garage Style Magazine is THE exclusive publication dedicated to all-things-garage – collections, automobilia, petroliana, personalities, events, equipment, barn finds, and much, much more. GSM boasts a steadily growing global list of enthusiastic subscribers, and is sold through various big-box retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Hastings, BooksA-Million, Safeway, Vons, and many boutique retailers like Autobooks-Aerobooks and gift shops within automotive museums; further, our publication is gifted to participants of many automotive events around the globe.

CONTACT CINDY MEITLE 480.277.1864 cindy@carprusa.com 56

Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

DOUG HOLLAND 910.398.8307 douglas@hhpr.biz

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MICHAEL ARPON 626.274.2661 Michael@garagestylemagazine.com


Personality

profile

Dean Jeffries Text by

Don Weberg Images by

Dale Quinio and Courtesy of the Dean Jeffries Archive

Top, Dean shows his latest book; above, Dean and Michael Douglas pose with the ‘Little Mule’ of Romancing the Stone fame.

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O

ne of the highest ranking, most respected people in automotive history is Dean Jeffries. A pioneer in the hot rodding community, Jeffries signature pin striping can be found on some of the world’s most storied vehicles. He’s even responsible for building some of Hollywood’s most notorious cars and trucks, and along the way, crafted some of the coolest hot rods ever. His story begins with an army assignment in Europe, where one of his jobs was to paint the numbers and signage upon the flanks of trucks, Jeeps, tanks, and other military vehicles. It was here that he became enamored with fonts, colors, techniques, and tools of the striping trade. “In Europe there was a lot of respect for sign making,” he said. “There was a lot of talent to follow, and I studied it and liked it.” The first car that can probably be credited to his talent was a Horch, a stout vehicle from the 1930’s that he bought and cleaned up and enjoyed while in the army. Coming home from Europe, he was hired in 1953 by a neighbor and friend, Troy Ruttman, a race car driver. Working with Ruttman allowed him access to the Indy 500, and a host of other drivers. He was also introduced to Joshua Agajanian, or Aggie, who owned the Ascot Speedway, who hired him to stripe all the cars on his track. Jeffries’ likeable personality quickly earned him friends around the racing circuit, and he was soon striping and painting the race cars for various teams. “All those guys were great,” he said. “Some of them had a little bit of an ego, but they were all gifted drivers, and

very competitive. I was lucky to be able to work with them; it opened a lot of doors for me.” Jeffries was known for his technique, creativity, and ability. He was able to do a lot of really tricky work with his brushes and paints, and created a lot of unique letters, numbers, even types of paint, such as custom-blended metallics and pearls that were rare in the automotive world, but added flair and zing to racing cars. Interestingly, Jeffries was one of the earliest people to spray metal flake from a paint gun – the problem being that the metal would ‘batch up’ in sections, so the paint would have almost no flake in one area, and lots in another. His solution was to continually work with more and more pressure in the nozzle. “Racing is entertainment for the spectators, if the cars are attractive, all the better,” he said. It wasn’t long before he made the acquaintance of club racer James Dean, who was very competitive in his own right, racing around in MGs and moving up to a Porsche 356 Speedster. “We weren’t best friends, but he was a good customer, and someone I liked to spend time with at the races,” he said. “When he got the 550 Spyder that killed him, he came to me to paint the letters and the numbers. It was so tragic when he died; I think we were all in a state of shock.” The lettering on James Dean’s Spyder included the racing number, 130, in a slightly unusual, loose-tipped font, and the iconic ‘Little Bastard’ on the rear end. “I met Jimmy through Lance Reventlow and Bruce Kessler,” Jeffries is quoted in the book James Dean: At Speed. “He drove to my Lynwood shop in his new 550 and asked me to paint a temporary number 130 on the front hood, rear deck lid, and both doors of the Spyder in flat black, washable paint. He also asked me to paint “Little Bastard” on the tail section in the same font script. I painted it with One Shot, a gloss black enamel paint, as this would be permanent. It turned out great. Jimmy thought that the “Little Bastard” looked so cool across the bottom of the tail section.” Back on the race circuit, Jeffries’ style and persona was noticed by Mobil Oil, who hired him to paint all their logos on some of the racing cars. It was free to the car owners, and got the Mobil logo before the eyes of the people. By the early 1960’s, Jeffries had established a well-known reputation for himself as an exceptional pin striper, body man, and customizer, and was renowned for his work on flame jobs. He had even established his own paint blend, Jeffries Indy Pearl. Soon he was working with Hollywood to create iconic cars like the Monkeemobile for the TV show The Monkees, Black Beauty for the TV show The Green Hornet, the Landmaster from Damnation Alley, the Trolley from Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and one of his most famous in the custom community, the Mantaray from the film Bikini Beach. Jeffries is also noted for having worked on the original Batmobile in 1966 with George Barris, as well as his own custom Porsche 356 Coupe.

Above, Dean’s famous Ford Coupe; notice the GT40 Chassis on the right; bottom, the Mantaray still looks amazing today.

“We’re trying to get the Porsche back,” said Jeffries. “It’s led a pretty interesting life!” The 356 alone is the stuff movies are made of. Extensively customized with an extended nose, custom interior, and paint that used ground fish scales blended into the mix to achieve a natural, stunning pearlescent reflection, Jeffries had to sell the car in the early 1960’s. Albert Nussbaum bought it, and unbeknownst to Jeffries, Nussbaum was a scandalous bank robber and murderer. “He was a weird guy, even the sale was weird, you knew he was weird meeting him, but you couldn’t put your finger on anything because everyone can be a little weird,” he laughed. “But when police and FBI people started showing up, and telling me why they were

“Jeffries was known for his technique, creativity, and ability – he was able to do a lot of really tricky work with his brushes and paints, and created a lot of unique letters, numbers, even types of paint, such as custom-blended metallics and pearls that were rare in the automotive world, but added flair and zing to racing cars.” Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

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four built, and likely the only one surviving,” he said. “I can’t wait to get it back together!” EDITOR’S NOTE Meeting Dean Jeffries was one of those great things that’s treasured and cherished forever. He was full of life and enthusiasm, and cars were in the DNA; he enjoyed sharing his new BMW 335i with us as well as stories of cars long gone such as his DeTomaso Mangusta. When Dale and I photographed him and his shop near Universal Studios, Dean was chatty and eager to share with us much of what he’d accomplished in his time. He’d just released a book, “Dean Jeffries: 50 Fabulous Years in Hot Rods, Racing, & Film” by Tom Cotter, he was eager about restoring the only remaining Ford GT40 Roadster (which he helped design and build), and had been in the process of spiffing up his shop with two-tone blue tile floors from SwissTrax, new paint, and hanging art on the walls. It was eye-opening and truly refreshing to see his zest for life, and that rarity alone will be missed. Dean Jeffries passed away May 5, 2013, and upon learning of his passing, I Above, Kudos and mentions hidden away; lower left, decorating an Indy car; top right, showing how he does it, he was still steady.

interested in this guy, I got scared. Really scared.” The FBI caught up to Nussbaum in Florida, and he was put in jail, and passed away in 1996. The Porsche went through a few owners, and is currently in the South Eastern United States. The current owner Strike a pose. showed the Porsche at the 2011 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, having just undertaken a lengthy restoration. The original four-cam engine is long gone, but the fact that the car is still among the living is a fantastic thing. While Jeffries may have slowed down a touch, he’s still enjoying the fruits of his labor and reputation. He’s received many recent awards and recognitions, and continues to tinker on projects at his shop near Universal Studios in Hollywood, California. “I’m restoring a beautiful Ford GT40 roadster, one of 60

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was truly saddened. In the short time I’d known him, I felt I’d made a friend – he was always open to a conversation or idea, and seemed genuinely interested in ‘what’s going on.’ We posted the news to our Facebook and much to our surprise, we were the first media outlet to break the news. Normally media organizations take great pride in such feats, but for me, for GSM, it was bittersweet to break such sad news. Even Motor Trend magazine, for whom I interned while in college, called me personally to ensure it was factually correct, and inform me that there were a lot of people on our Facebook asking if it was real. Sadly it was. If you get a chance, pick up the books about Jeffries; Google his name, and learn more about him. He truly was one of the greats, and will greatly be missed. – Don Weberg, Editor-Publisher, Garage Style Magazine Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

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artist

profile

Dave Saunders Text By

Gunner

Images Courtesy of

Dave Saunders

F

rom retro rods to dragsters to lead sleds, the subjects of British artist/photographer David Saunders’ work are vintage rides from the Merry Olde Old Skool scene in England with some Bonneville beauties tossed into the mix. A wood stove designer by day, Dave looks at his paintings and photos as something to do when he retires. “At the moment, I see it as a matter of practice,” he says. “Get better and better at it and more people get to know what I do.” Dave’s car art started when Carole bought him a book of photographs by Peter Vincent, who did photos at Bonneville. The couple went there in 2008, caught “salt fever” and returned in 2010 and 2012. Each trip introduced Dave’s graphic and photographic talents to more and more people, and for good reason: he was selling his photos for $10 each on the Salt Flats! Professionally know as “Hot Rod Dave” (HotRodDaveArt@btinternet.com), Saunders captures it all from rat rods to racing cars. His series of close-up photos of helmeted dragster drivers sitting on the start line has a medieval magnificence to it. He also shoots nostalgic hot rod events held at the National Rifle Range in England, which was opened by Queen Victoria in the 1890’s. “It’s a bit of a passion, you know,” Saunders admitted. “Maybe someday I’ll make money. I certainly don’t make a fortune right now, but it’s nice to think that somebody wants to put my paintings and photos on their wall.”

“It’s nice to think that somebody wants to put my paintings and photos on their wall.” 62

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Find Automotive Books for your favorite car enthusiast! by author, photographer, broadcaster

Left, Dragster helmets series is unique; Right, Some of Dave’s photos look like paintings; Below, Hot Rod Dave’s black & whites look nostalgic and moody.

McQueen’s Machines, the Cars and Bikes of a Hollywood Icon from Motorbooks Publishing or at Amazon.com

Winning! The Racing Life of Paul Newman also with Preston Lerner, with Foreword by Mario Andretti from Motorbooks Publishing or at Amazon.com

Matt Stone My First Car Motorbooks Publishing or at Amazon.com

Histories Greatest Automotive Mysteries, Myths, and rumors coauthored with Preston Lerner Now available from Motorbooks Publishing

Please visit www.MattStoneCars.com

The Ferrari Phenomenon co-authored with Luca dal Monte BullPublishing.com or Amazon.com


Unique

artists

Matthew Keeler Some of the works created by Matthew Keeler may look like child’s play and that’s the point, but that doesn’t mean he can’t turn out some really amazing views into the world of rally car racing. The crux of Keeler’s pieces is that they convey what we sometimes forget about when dealing with cars, they’re meant to be fun. www.historiccarart.net

Jay Koka Remember that feeling you got when you first fell in love, you heart raced, a little bead of sweat formed over your brow, you thought you might faint, well that is the feeling Jay Koka’s art creates. You fall in love with the cars, their form, the shadows, the way the sun glints off the windshild, but then you look deeper and realize there’s a whole world displayed in one piece. Time stands still, just like that summer you had your first kiss. www.jaykokastudio.com

Charles Maher All cars have a personality, some look mean, others are tempremental and it’s that personality that Charles Maher’s captures in his works. His portrait of the Mercedes Benz roadster screams elegance, while his red Alfa Romeo seems timid, but hides a wild side. cjmaher@comcast.net www.doctor-design.com/maherautoart

Harold James Cleworth Sometimes when we look at art, and cars for that matter, we look for the well-polished glitz and glam pieces that will make our friends envious, but it’s the gritty everyday pieces that have the best stories to tell. Not all of Harold James Cleworth works are of the most prestigious vehicles, but they’re cars that everyone can relate to and any one of use would love to get our hands on and cruise down the strip in. www.haroldcleworthartwork.com

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Automobile

review

From car to toy Modeling a six-inch long Pontiac Deluxe Six Text by

John Gunnell Images by

Angelo Van Bogart

I

t all started with a long-term, long-distance friendship with Graham Weber, a Pontiac collector from England. We were editing the Pontiac Oakland Club International newsletter years ago when Graham sent in a photo of his ‘38 Pontiac coupe. Who would have guessed that 30 years later, Graham would tell modelmaker Nigel Parker about a ‘36 Pontiac Deluxe Six Touring Sedan we own. Parker is one of the owners of Brooklin Models, a British concern that hand builds a diverse range of 1:43rd-scale classic car models. While your typical model company focuses on mass market Mustangs and Camaros, Brooklin favors ’39 Nash fastbacks, ’60 Pontiac Catalina Vista fourdoor hardtops with the unusual “flat roof” treatment and ’54 De Soto-Weller ambulances. Brooklin has built a series of ambulances, a series of police cars and a series of Buicks. Naturally, a series of Pontiacs was in order. That’s where our car came in. Having 66

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already done several different ’37 Pontiac body styles, Nigel Parker was hot to follow with models of the art deco ’36 Pontiacs and their rounded “Turret-Top” bodies and beautiful waterfall grilles. So, he came to our home last September 13, just a day after we got back from racing at Bonneville. The car is an original with lots of patina. It has original 1936 paint on at least 75 percent of the body and it still shines. Almost everything on the car is original. The ’30s-style Goodyear whitewalls are reproductions from Kelsey Tire, but they look just like the ones carmakers supplied almost 8-decades ago. Both Parker and Paul Bender of Brasilia Press, the American distributor for Brooklin, came to see the car and Parker spent awhile taking measurements of it and photographing it in detail. Parker said Brooklin has crafted models of a variety of automobiles and the selection process isn’t always well

defined. Parker said there is no scientific process for picking the cars to do. The commercial appeal of doing a “cult car” like a ’55 Chevy is considered, but choices are also influenced by the car’s historical significance, as well as Parker’s personal taste. The modeling process begins when Parker draws an outline of the car on paper. From the line drawing, Parker can size up the actual car. Once a car is found, he photographs it and starts taking measurements. Parker’s development and engineering department takes over to bring the drawings from 2-D to 3-D. About one year after he begins his preliminary drawings a model is made. The model of the 1936 Pontiac is expected to be released in July or August 2013. It will be available through Brasilia Press’ dealer network listed at www.brasiliapress.com.


Ducati Corse World Superbikes

Book

reviews

Jim Gianatsis Alan Cathcart

Milestones in Design and Engineering, on Two Wheels and Four and in the Sky

MASERATI, THE CITROËN YEARS Marc Sonnery

The least documented era of Maserati s history, the Citroën period of ownership, is also the most misunderstood. Thanks to unprecedented access to Maserati in Modena and Citroën in Paris, this book contains a wealth of new and previously unpublished material. The era started with immense promise as the venerable Modenese firm, previously in dire financial straits, was modernized and reorganized, the clearest evidence being the replacement of obsolete models using old fashioned technology, firstly with the cutting-edge Bora, the most advanced and accomplished of all the first generation mid-engined cars, then with the Khamsin, the most sophisticated and competent front-engined car of the seventies, and lastly with the Merak, which afforded excellent handling and a beautiful shape to a whole new group of Maserati buyers. All these models are described here in detail, in addition

to the Citroën SM, which prompted the French manufacturer to buy Maserati when seeking an engine for its flagship Grand Tourisme. Also covered are the stillborn Quattroporte II, the Bora Gp 4 racers, the Khamsin Spyder and the little known yet fascinating Ligier Maserati JS2 road and racing cars. Further insight into this period of Maserati history describes the engines themselves, including the special V8 which had been intended for the Quattroporte II after the initial V6, and the Citroën SM which was eventually fitted with this prototype engine. This is the definitive book on Maserati s years under Citroën ownership, an era dominated by the energy crisis, the introduction of speed limits, the quadrupling of fuel prices and political and social unrest, all of which formed a virtual tsunami which Maserati could not repel, leading to its closing and sale to de Tomaso with Italian government help.

THE BUGATTI 100P RECORD PLANE J.J. Horst

The development of this extremely advanced airplane with many novel features was started in 1937, for which Ettore Bugatti had hired the Belgian Louis de Monge as chief engineer. The first version of the airplane was planned as a speed-record airplane, a military version was to follow later. Tragically the Bugatti 100P airplane never flew, the Germans invaded Paris where it was being built before it was 100% ready. The airplane surprisingly survived the war, and still exists in the EAA museum in Oshkosh, USA. Both engines exist, and were built into Bugatti race-cars. Currently a flying replica is being constructed in the USA, built in such a way, that it will be aerodynamically the same as the original. This book for the first time describes the complete history of this wonderfully beautiful streamlined airplane, as well as all of its novel systems. Also, the

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histories of both the plane’s creators are followed, from the early years of aviation. Ettore Bugatti is of course well-known through his race- and sportscars from the years in between both world wars, but he was also interested in many other technical devices. During the first world war airplaneengines were designed and built, the book describes these engines and derivatives in detail, showing also all the airplanes which used these engines, including the world’s first fully functional “modern” helicopter. Louis de Monge built his first airplanes before WWI, during WWI he designed and produced modern propellers, sold under the name Lumière. After WWI many, often technically advanced, designs were made. The complete history of his many interesting inventions and lack of commercial success is published here for the first time.

The year 2011 marked the 25th anniversary of the creation of the first, of a now legendary line of Ducati Superbikes with their trademark Desmoquattro 4-valve V-twin motors hung below a lightweight trellis tube frame, race bikes that went on to dominate the then new World Superbike Championship for next quarter of a century. Arguably the most significant motorcycle engine design of any kind, and surely the most remarkable and successful volume production engine format ever used in world competition by any single manufacturer, the venerable Ducati 4-valve desmodromic engine has recorded to this date 14 World Superbike Championship titles in the 24 year history of the world’s premier production bike based world roadracing series. This book chronicles the development and history all five Ducati Corse World Superbike generations from the first Desmoquattro 750cc prototype to the revolutionary new 1199 Panigale Superquadro together with interviews with the Ducati designers, team racers and managers. This unique insight is provided by renown motorcycle racer and journalist Alan Cathcart who has had the envious and often exclusive opportunity to test ride every one of the factory Corse race bikes over the last 25 years, those tests of which are featured here. Photography of the Corse factory bikes and riders is proved by the world’s most renown motorcycle roadracing photographers. This is a must have book for every Ducati and motorcycle roadracing enthusiast. Gianatsis Design has produced and published this in a beautiful large format 12x12-inch hard cover design coffee table style Collectors Edition Book featuring 224 pages in full color printed on 100# dull coat art paper for the best possible reproduction and presentation.

The Jack Stewart Ford Rik Hoving

This book will take you on a journey through time with Jack Stewart’s trend setting custom 1941 Ford and its caretakers. It will bring you from sunny California to Ohio, Indiana, and in the end, all the way to Denmark. It shares all the stories of how this car was created 62 years ago, and who took part in the changes along the way. It illustrates in detail how Jack Stewart was inspired to build such a radical custom car back then, exactly how he did it, and how decades later, it was brought back to its original 1950’s version. Four different caretakers each have their own section in the book. Here, they tell of their adventures with Jack’s Ford, and highlight other pertinent cars that they owned – then or now – with a wide selection of wonderful photos.

1911 MARMON WASP Indy Winner Ray Harroun

A car that many consider “the” most significant Indy 500 winner of all time, in 1:18 scale this the 1911 Marmon Wasp that Ray Harroun piloted to the first ever Indy 500 victory. This historic race car will be a great addition to any 1:18 scale Indy collection. Highly detailed and very accurate reproduction of the actual car. The model is produced in resin and has a removable engine cowl to show the fully detailed engine. Sure to fill a void in every Indy collection. Limited edition. To this day, Harroun still holds an Indy 500 record; no one has ever come from the 28th (or worse) starting position to win the race. The car averaged 74.602 miles per hour. The total time was 6:42:08 for the 500-mile race. In winning the race, Harroun was awarded $14,250.00. Harroun was only 29 years old when he achieved the historic victory. He was an engineer for the Marmon Motor Car Company and the designer of the six-cylinder Marmon Wasp. The car was named ‘Wasp’ due to its sharp-pointed, wasp-like tail and its yellowand-black paint scheme. The long pointed tail reduced air drag. In 1961, he drove the Wasp in a 50th Anniversary lap at the Indy 500.

SO-CAL COUPE

Stance and Speed Monograph # 3 The So-Cal Speed Shop is legendary in hot-rodding circles, and the So-Cal Coupe is a big reason why. Built to compete in drag racing and top-speed contests, this chopped ‘34 Ford coupe, with its iconic white and red paint job, served as a rolling advertisement for So-Cal. In the third installment of the Stance & Speed Monograph Series, author Ken Gross tells the multifaceted history of this tremendously influential car. At turns record-setting, tragic, and triumphant, the story of the So-Cal coupe exemplifies the story of hot rodding itself throughout the second half of the 20th century. Photographs by Peter Harholdt, Text by Ken Gross, Foreword by Alex Xydias Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

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Buyer’s

guide

Holiday Buyer’s Guide

Get a head start on some great gift ideas for the coming season! Get crackin’ early! Port-A-Cool

Looking for economical, effective cooling for your garage? Effective in both arid and humid climates, PortA-Cool Cyclone portable evaporative cooling units cool 500-700 square feet using only water. Using just 115 volts, they will reduce temperatures up to 30°F by natural evaporative cooling for about 8¢ an hour. Both MSRP under $900.

Save-A-Battery

Always creating penultimate equipment to maintain vehicle electrical systems, the Save-A-Battery 6/12/24 Volt Plug-In monitor is a fabulous gift. Able to monitor and display the exact voltage of a battery, it also tests how sulfated the battery is, and indicates how much life is left. It’s also able to test the vehicle charging system to show that the alternator or generator is working properly and maintaining proper battery voltage. Easy to use, just plug it into the cigarette lighter or power port, and it’s working. 510.471.6442 | www.SaveABattery.com

Introtech

Ideal for any man cave, Intro-Tech’s pub table and chairs are highly detailed and stylish, adding a unique flair to any room. Touches like the tire embossed armrest, billet aluminum shift knobs, ABS coil over springs, and Grand 3-Spoke steering wheel foot rest really take this set to another level. Entirely adjustable, all the pieces come with a lifetime warrenty. A perfect gift for the car loving people in your life! www.PitStopFurniture.com

800.695.2942 | www.port-a-cool.com

Better Life Technology

Creating some of the finest rollout and peeln-stick vinyl floors on the market, BLT also crafts some of the best parking pads available. Manufactured in the USA, BLT offers digital imaging which allows for an array of patterns and designs, and their color portfolio is second to none. Recently the company launched their Granite-Spek floor covering, offering the ease of a rollout vinyl floor with the true look of granite. 913.894.0403 | www.BLTLLC.com

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Genuine Hotrod Hardware

This 1:2 scale replica of an Art Deco-inspired 1937 Wayne 60 fuel pump is 40-inches tall with a 14” x 8” footprint, and it has a removable nozzle and rubber hose. On top is an 8 1/2” diameter plastic dome with our vintage-look fuel label, lit from within by an LED. One side of the pump has a replica dial readout, while the other side has a 7.5” wide x 28” tall x 6” deep mirrorwalled display case with a locking glass door and three shelves. #CWP-21081645, $399.95. 800.575.1932 | www.GenuineHotrod.com

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Nicola Wood

Few things are as cherished as a timeless piece of art, and Nicola Wood’s work always seems to amaze. She’s often worked with clients to create commission pieces for loved ones, sneaking a snapshot of a special car, working on the QT in the garage to get the right angles to elicit exacting and unpredicted emotions. Shown here is “Delahaye in Death Valley,” a popular piece originally commissioned by the vehicle’s owner on Giclee. Her work has been commissioned by both well-known and private collectors, featured in various museums around the globe, and she’s a longstanding member of the Automotive Fine Arts Society (AFAS). A custom commission painting by Nicola will long be treasured. www.NicolaWood.com

Sony

The Sony Xperia Z is Sony Mobile’s new flagship Android-powered smartphone with a 5-inch full HD reality display, 13 megapixel fast-capture camera with HDR video, and battery STAMINA mode designed for better battery life. The dust and water-resistant device exclusive to T-Mobile with 4G LTE, is made with durable tempered glass and equipped with NFC technology for easy content sharing. The Xperia Z can be purchased at any U.S. Sony or T-Mobile retail store, or online at www.Sony.com/xperiaz/tmobile.

Patek Philippe

Released at Baselworld this year, the 5200G-001 Gondolo timepiece by Patek is subtly fascinating indeed. With an 8-day power reserve displaying time, day, date, and seconds, the 5200G-001 comes in a matte blue sunburst dial with a hand-stitched blue alligator strap. With a white gold trim it’s truly an heirloom timepiece that will be an astonishing holiday gift. www.patek.com

McIntosh

Long in the business of creating some of the finest audio equipment on the planet, McIntosh recently introduced the McAire integrated audio system. Built in AirPlay allows users to wirelessly stream music from your Wi-Fi network from your Mac or PC-based iTunes library inclusing music stored on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch. Utilizing a USB cable, iPod Classic and iPod Nanos can also be connected. McAire features two 4-inch woofers, two 2-inch midranges, and two ¾-tweeters, ensuring truly remarkable sound from your digital library. 607.723.3512 | www.McIntoshLabs.com

Don Montgomery Zymol

In the world of waxes, polishes, and vehicle appearance tools, few match the panache of Zymol. Hand-blending many of their products in small batches to maintain quality and consistency, the products are produced with all-natural, nourishing ingredients such as palm oils, coconut oils, banana oils, evergreen and more. This season it might be the perfect time to treat someone to a Zymol kit – microfibers, brushes, polishes, waxes, and more in one spot. Zymol makes a number of off-the-shelf kits, but you can also custom order products if you like. www.zymol.com

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The Old Hot Rods Scrapbook is a true gem – featuring over 500 images of hot rods, it’s a fascinating collaboration of images from early hot rodder’s albums. The images show many of the early inspirations in building the cars, and peeks at how things were done back in the original days of rodding – details of stances and elements that set each rod apart from the other, dashboards, lights, and more. It’s a fabulous chance to remember the days, and have a reference to build a period-correct rod. 760.728.5557

Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

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Holiday

garagalogue

For 100 years, Kennedy has been building the industries most dependable storage units. Our products are built to work & built to last. Quality in design, construction & fabrication create maximum durability and functionality.

Better Life Technology (BLT) is a market leader in the garage flooring market and has created a new product category in vinyl that has revolutionized that industry. BLT produces roll-out garage flooring and Peel&Stick tiles. The products are manufactured in the USA in a variety of patterns, colors, thicknesses and now with Digital Imaging, almost any look is possible. BLT provides some of the most unique and creative looks in Garage FLOORING. Our product is available through internet retail and various retail locations and websites. Please visit our website at www.bltllc.com or call 913-894-0403.

Intro-Tech Automotive introduces a full line of racing inspired furniture for the car enthusiast, this pitstop furniture is designed for all active lifestyles, this exhilarating, high performance automotive furniture line is engineered and manufactured using the highest quality components available today! Such as; tire embossed height adjustable, armrests, a billet aluminum shift knob, ABS coil over springs, color coordinated brake caliper kits and five spoke racing wheels! Visually breathtaking. It surpasses the customer’s expectations and carries the Intro-Tech Automotive Inc. Lifetime Warranty! Please visit our www.pitstopfurniture.com to see our entire product line or give us a call 866-3198500 to request a FREE catalog!

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Organize your garage from top to bottom with our tool board systems which provide quick visual & safe access to tools, parts & accessories. Kennedy also offers the ultimate in tool storage; from roller cabinets & chests, gas shock lid stays, heavy duty casters, ergonomic push handles, to mini workshops. Visit our website www.kennedymfg.com; to request a catalog or locate a distributor in your area.

Swisstrax modular interlocking flooring offers a practical and modern alternative to concrete and epoxy floors. Swiss Engineered and Made in the USA, Swisstrax tiles combine strength and versatility that can weather most conditions. Choose from 19 colors ranging from Racing Red and Pearl Silver to Mocha Java and Royal Blue, every floor is its own creative design. Swisstrax offers six different tile styles including Rubbertrax, which are made from recycled tire rubbers. Garages, hobby rooms, gyms, patios, indoor/outdoor events, displays and more, Swisstrax tiles ensure that you will have a stunning floor for any setting. Visit www.Swisstrax.com or call 866-748-7940.

Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

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Matt’s

column

All Roads Should Lead You to Stuttgart By

Matt Stone

I

love car museums, and I hope and suspect that you do too. Confession: I’m a proud Porsche 911 owner, and freely admit to having drunk more than my share of Stuttgart “kool aid.” That said, you must know that Porsche’s very own Museum, built on factory property across the street from Stuttgart’s fabulous Porsche dealer and the main gates to the factory grounds, is one of the best automotive history facilities in the world. The building is an amazing example of modern architecture (engineering, and construction) and is the work of Viennese architect Delugan Meissl; the multilevel structure can comfortably display around 80 vehicles at a time, and is also home to the elegant Christophorus steakhouse restaurant (no mere museum cafeteria is this; it’s one of the area’s best known fine-dining destinations); plan on a full day of seeing cars and shopping at the Museum’s over the top gift and bookshop, then ending your day with a fine bottle of wine, or German beers, and steak at Christophorus. But, before you sit back and order up a few steins, make sure to pop your head into the new car dealership across the street – it’s mouthwatering, if not only for the cars, but also for the building architecture and the gift shop. No museum can function without a proper shop to keep the cars fettled and maintained. Although it’s not open to the public, I can tell you that the Porsche Museum shop is one over-thetop garage. And don’t plan on making an appointment for an oil change or to have your car restored, as this shop exists only for factory owned and museum cars; Customer cars are attended to at the Classic Center.

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Master mechanic, Kuno Werner is in charge of the “shop” aided by a skilled team of four mechanics who work regularly at the shop, nicknamed the “Men in Black” because they all wear black uniforms. This immaculate, superbly organized shop measures about 500 square meters. There are two vehicle hoists, lathes and cutting machines at their disposal. And of course world class tools and other equipment. You may think this is a lot simply to care for 80 cars; but keep in mind that the museum only displays about that many at a time, although the company’s own historic collection is a dozen times larger than that; from complete running cars to cutaways, bucks, and non-running prototypes, plus some cars awaiting restoration. And the shop has to be equipped and prepared to handle any job from any era; there are cars dating to the early 1900s, to the oldest Porsche extant on earth, and generations of Le Mans winners, prototypes, and a variety of racing machines. I recall strolling the main shop area, only to be greeted by a Porsche 917 flat-12 racing engine, naked and sitting on a stand, parked next to the 1998 Le Mans-winning Porsche GT198 – I attended that 1998 race, and watched this car win (in fact, it placed 1-2 with its near identical team car) – representing Porsche’s most recent overall victory at La Sarthe. No matter, it’s really the shop that took our collective breath away, and just what you’d expect from Porsche: an efficient, high tech, well-organized and smartly managed facility that any of us would be happy to work at, live in, or even help sweep the floors.

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Garage

meanings

In the Garage with Cindy Meitle

Bill Warner Founder of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and Cannonball Run talks about the best room in the house and at work What’s your favorite item in my garage other than the cars? My Seeburg 100 R juke box. It is loaded with 50’s music and car songs, “Little Old Lady from Pasadena,” “Little Deuce Coupe,” etc., etc. I crank it on and work on the cars. Hard to pick a favorite car. It’s like choosing your favorite child. What is the one item you always wanted in your garage that you hope one day acquire, and why do you want it so much? I will never afford it, but I would like a Ferrari 250GT SWB Berlinetta or a Ferrari 250GT Series 1 Pinin Farina Cabriolet. I just feel they are the ultimate expression of ‘50s automotive art. I’d want the Berlinetta for touring and the Series 1 Cabriolet to get front door parking at Joe’s Stone Crabs in Miami, or the Beverly Hills Hotel. There is not a bad line on either car, but both sell in the millions now, and I missed a Berlinetta in 1983 for $ 100,000, so realistically, unless I hit the lottery or Bruce Meyer leaves me one in his will, providing I outlive him, it isn’t going to happen. What is the strangest item in your garage? How did you acquire it and why does it remain in the garage? There are two things: One is part of a concrete wall I took out at an event in Nassau. I spun the TR6 into a concrete wall and flipped over it, bouncing once on the roll bar and landing on its wheels. All my heroes were there, Sir Stirling Moss, Phil Hill, Ed Hugus, Brian Redman to witness my brain fade and subsequent results. Each signed a piece of the wall and gave it to me. It constantly reminds me to maintain some sanity in my life….if only a little. Second item is a Philco Predicta television from the ‘50s. It is a re-creation by Telstar, and I play old Jack Benny programs on it through a DVD player. I had some guests over one night, the garage doubles as a party room, and some lady asked me how I was getting the Jack Benny Program on the TV. I told her that TV signals were out there forever, but you had to have an old TV to receive them. I had her believing it. What are you doing most of the time in your garage? I really have two garages. One at home, where I keep the cars that are running, most of the time, I’ll do minor repairs. At the garage at the office, I’ll do major repairs. The office garage has two lifts, one chassis and one roll-on, a bead blasting cabinet, a work bench, a brake, and a welder though I can’t weld now, 80

Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

grinders and polishers, an engine stand, and engine hoist. For entertainment, I have another Seeburg 100, and a 1948 Rock-o-la Juke Box loaded with ’40s music, an IRace driving simulator, a digital darkroom with all my automotive photographs and negatives, and two Playboy pinball machines. The “glamour garage” at home has a flat screen TV, Seeburg Juke box, Predicta TV, a 1939 Mills Mystery slot machine, and my collection of model cars and photographs and other ephemera. It is my adult toy box with stuff I’ve collected all my life that will be a burden to my estate when I reach room temperature. What cars are in the garage at this time? The glamour garage at home has a 2005 Ford GT, a 1958 Cadillac El Dorado Brougham rumored to be a Ricky Nelson car, 1971 Ferrari 365GTB/4 ex-Chuck Jordan of General Motors. And a 1971 Porsche 911T I’ve owned since new, it’s bumped to 2.8 liters with special 911R wheels and Carrera deck lid and front spoiler. It is a Car & Driver cover car and ran in the 1975 Cannonball Seato-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash. In the working garage at the office, is a 1928 Chevrolet powered barrel racer that raced on the beach in Daytona in 19291932, a 1952 Muntz Road Jet, my wife’s 1979 Mercedes-Benz 450SL, the 1971 Group 44 Triumph TR6 which is a two time D Production National Champion with John McComb and Paul Newman, and one of the two Triumph TR8 Trans Am / IMSA race cars that won Daytona GTO in November 1980. Out finishing restoration is a 1970 Maserati Ghibli Spyder, and off on loan to the Cummer Art Museum in Jacksonville is a 1957 Cadillac El Dorado Biarritz used in the TV series, Miami Vice. What does my garage mean to me? It is a fun place to entertain people and share some stories of great cars. It is not so much a place to escape to as it is a place to celebrate my passion for cars and all things automotive. In my later years, I have become a really hands on guy with two of my teachers, Randy Kimberly who was once the area service advisor for GM, and Steve Boyle, a fabulously talented engine builder who built Buick Indy engines for Ruggles in Atlanta, and was the crew chief on our Camaro back in the ‘80s. Steve is teaching me engine building and car set up. At 70, I want to still be on the learning curve.

Back yard mechanics to world famous car builders and traditional hot rods to multi million dollar classics are all featured on “The Vintage Vehicle Show”. Lance Lambert, the show’s producer and host, has been taking you on four wheeled adventures since 1993 and “The Vintage Vehicle Show”, broadcast nationally and internationally, can be enjoyed every week on your TV and computer screens. Check your local listings for times and topics, or log on to www.vintagevehicletv.com

MAGIC HAPPENS A reader at the recent Mecum Auction in Anaheim, California, spotted this family enjoying the excitement of an auction. What a day! Garage Style Magazine and SEMA encourage you to take a kid to a car show! Share the passion and enjoy time with one another in a great setting! Send us your youth-related car show stories and an image to info@garagestylemagazine.com.


Garage

bazaar

Auctions

Architecture/Design/ Construction

Mecum Auctions 262.275.5050 www.mecum.com

Chapman Design Group 864.224.7563 www.chapmandesign.com

Bonhams 415.503.3248 www.bonhams.com

Tailored Living featuring PremierGarage 866.590.8604 (USA) 866.311.8915 (CAN) www.garagestylespecialoffer.com

Automobile Restoration/ Maintanence

Art/Automobilia/ Collectibles/Media James Pixley Mascot Magazine 404.556.4698 jim@mascotmagazine.com Genuine Hotrod Hardware 800.575.1932 www.genuinehotrod.com Rally Legends www.rallylegendsrc.com Mike Gulet http://MyCarQuest.blogspot.com Matt Stone www.MattStoneCars.com GarageArt.com 800.708.5051 www.garageart.com Vintage Vehicle Show www.vintagevehicletv.com

Wheelsmith 800.854.8937 951.898.4563 www.thewheelsmith.net 401k Restorations 714.993.401k www.the401kclub.com Custom Auto Service 714.543.2980 www.customautoservice.com

Clothing/Accessories

Secure It 562.677.3777 secureit@ngcia.com

Travel/Leisure/Dining

Shure Garage Equipment 800.227.4873 www.shureusa.com Save-A-Battery 888.819.2190 510.471.6442 www.saveabattery.com

Flanagans Restaurant-Pub 831.625.5500 www.flanaganscarmel.com

Port-A-Cool 800.695.2942 www.port-a-cool.com

Tools/Equipment

Zymol 800.999.5563 www.zymol.com

inTech Trailers 574.773.9536 www.intechtrailers.com CoverCraft 800.4.covers www.covercraft.com

Moduline 888.343.4463 www.modulinecabinets.com

Advertise in the Bazaar! Spaces are just $42 per quarter.

Private Listings

LuxVelocity www.luxvelocity.com

Flooring BLT 913.894.0403 ext. 21 www.bltllc.com

Furniture/Electronics

Petroleum Collectibles Monthly www.pcmpublishing.com

PitStop Furniture 866.319.8500 www.intro-techautomotive.com

Autobooks-Aerobooks 818.845.0707 www.autobooks-aerobooks.com

Custom Auto Sound 1.800.88.TUNES www.custom-autosound.com

Art Era www.arterasigns.com

Insurance

Ultimate Garages www.ultimategarages.net

Heacock Classic 800.678.5173 www.heacockclassic.com

Arte Auto 830.864.5040 www.arteautoauction.com

Museums

Kit Car Builder 866.Kit.CAR1 www.kitcarclub.com

Mullin Automotive Museum 805.385.5400 www.mullinautomotivemuseum.com

Wall Words 888.422.6685 www.wallwords.com

Petersen Automotive Museum 323.930.CARS www.petersen.org

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Security

Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

1940’s Neon sign made by Arkansas Neon. Porcelain sheet metal all original. Sign had wings originally but missing when found. Wings fabricated as original and added. Neon replace with all modern components. $10,000 Free delivery within 50 mile radius of Yorba Linda, CA. Contact Jim Gilliland 714.701.0771.

Original “OK Used Cars” double-sided neon sign. This sign has not been restored other than the neon lights have been replaced. The sign has great patina for its age. Sign comes with a custom made roll-around stand. $12,500. Contact Tommy at 803.669.1010 or email Tommy at palmettoclassics@yahoo.com.

Zymol Carnauba Wax Florida

Fresh, naturally derived cleaners, conditioners and glazes. Quality control grown from the ground up !.

Can we help you sell it? Advertise your automobilia, petroliana, literature or other related treasures in Private Listings. 40-50 words, plus a picture, $90 PrivateListings@garagestylemagazine.com

Official Sponsor 2013 Ferrari Club International Meet Garage Style Magazine Fall 2013

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Nobody Sells More Than Mecum. Nobody. AUGUST 15-17, 2013

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa On Del Monte Golf Course Monterey, California

SEPTEMBER 4-7, 2013 Dallas Convention Center Dallas, Texas

OCTOBER 10-12, 2013 Schaumburg Convention Center Schaumburg, Illinois

NOVEMBER 21-23, 2013 Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, California

DECEMBER 5-7, 2013 Kansas City Convention Center Kansas City, Missouri

BROAD C A S T LI V E O N

N S I Style G N Magazine A V E Fall H I 2013 CLE 84 C OGarage

MecuM.cOM

262-275-5050

R E G I S T E R

T O

B I D


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.