Gsm Issue 28

Page 1

Slot Car Garage

Mecum Motorcycle Sale

magazine

Spring 2015

On stands until May 2015

Issue 28.indd 1

Garage Style Magazine Spring 2015

1

3/1/15 12:21 PM


Simply unroll the beauty of granite

Floor shown in Tuxedo

Buff

◊ Same tough solid-vinyl floor material as traditional G-Floor flooring

Wine Barrel

◊ Easy roll-out installation and maintenance ◊ Available in 9 popular GraniteSpek styles

Harvest

Midnight

◊ Two surface pattern: tread and ceramic ◊ Protects floors from nearly all common garage floor chemicals

◊ Tuxedo

Ocean

Issue 28.indd 2

www.GarageStyleMagazine.com

www.gfloorgraphic.com info@gfloorgraphic.com 877-810-6444 ext 321

Army Green

Earth 2

Almond

3/1/15 12:21 PM


e

G with raphic m of pa wide ats v rint opti ariety ons

◊ Same tough, vinyl floor material as traditional G-Floor flooring ◊ Clear vinyl with printed pattern bonded to reverse side ◊ Available in several popular graphic images and styles ◊ Two surface patterns:—tread and levant

For Purchase Information: www.garageflooringllc.com sales@garageflooringllc.com Toll-Free: (800)-956-4301 Issue 28.indd 3

Garage Style Magazine Spring 2015

3

3/1/15 12:21 PM


contents 20

features 20

Snakes and Bulls

26

Tales from the Garage

30

Crafty Two Car

34

The Long, Long Garage

38

Recapturing the Feeling

42

Playing the Slots

46

Garages in History

30

34 4

Issue 28.indd 4

special features 48 Storage Thoughts

www.GarageStyleMagazine.com

3/1/15 12:21 PM


You followed your heart when you bought it. Use your head when you insure it. Trust your car with a company that really “gets it” when it comes to handling insurance claims for passionate car enthusiasts. Trust your “baby” with Chubb.

knowledgeable and resourceful. So when you need a flawless paint job, or a hard-to-find part, you can get it.

Our great coverages and features include Agreed Value, choice of body shop and no deductibles — all backed by our great people.

To learn more about Chubb and our decades of experience with collectors, call us at 1-866CAR-9648 (1-866-227-9648). Or visit us on the Web at chubbcollectorcar.com.

At the time of a covered loss, they’re empathetic, fair and polite. Above all, they’re

Because anything else could be a real heartbreaker.

www.chubbcollectorcar.com

Chubb refers to the insurers of the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies. Chubb Personal Insurance (CPI) is the personal lines property and casualty strategic business unit of Chubb & Son, a division of Federal Insurance Company, as manager and/or agent for the insurers of the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies. This literature is descriptive only. Garage Style Magazine 2015 Not available in all states. Actual coverage is subject to the language of the policies as issued. Chubb, Box 1615, Warren, NJ 07061-1615. ©2012 Chubb &Spring Son, a division of Federal Insurance Company. 1962 Porsche 356 Twin Grill Roadster

Issue 28.indd 5

5

3/1/15 12:21 PM


departments 8

Publisher’s Note

10

Lance’s Column

12

Phil’s Column

14

Garage News

18

Office Profile

55

Barn Finds

56

Auction House Journal

62

Automobile Review

64

Unique Artists

68

Personality Profile

A Matchless Fire

18

The Bar in the Garage

Art Goldstrom’s Space

2015 Shelby GT

Randy Ema

62

68

Book Reviews

76

Matt’s Column

79

Garage Meanings

80

In the Garage

82

Garage Bazaar

Walt’s Garage

Ted Theodore

68 6

Issue 28.indd 6

www.GarageStyleMagazine.com

3/1/15 12:21 PM


Garage Style Magazine Spring 2015

Issue 28.indd 7

7

3/1/15 12:21 PM


Publisher’s

note

Looking forward, as usual Images courtesy of Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

W

elcome to the New Year – by now, I’m sure you’ve had your share of Happy New Year greetings, and are already well engaged with the year, and hopefully this will be the last time you read the sentiment. Or, maybe you don’t mind reading it again – either way, I hope it’s going great for you and yours. Here at GSM we’ve been busily scurrying about prepping for and attending various events. We’ve hit SEMA and CES, and are looking forward to the shows, not the least of which is the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. July and August are always just a flurry, because one whole week is dominated by the events at Monterey in August, and August is a magazine release month, meaning we’re working with printers, wholesalers, distributors to make sure the magazine gets out on time, while we’re prepping for our Monterey attack. Flurry – when I started this magazine, I was about 33. I can’t recall much between 33 and now, so I’m hoping I’ve been having a good time. Our Garage Tour kicks off Monterey Week on Monday, and our Lounges litter the landscape at events like Mecum Auctions and the Mission Classic, and we just hustle from one venue to another. The week concludes with the famed and fabled Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, an event that defined a category. Heralded as one of the finest automotive events in the world, if not the finest, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is more than a Concous – it’s a true event, featuring an auction, an art showing, a display of modern cars, a smattering of concept cars, a vendor space, and more. Like Disneyland, it’s pretty much impossible to see it all, do it all in one day. But what a lot of people have forgotten, I think, is that the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is the reason Monterey Car Week happens. Notice, there are no car events after Pebble. People go home, and the Monterey Peninsula returns to a relatively sleepy coastal region. The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is like Sinatra – the audience will arrive, enjoy some entertainment by opening acts and patiently await the headliner. And when the headliner arrives, a standing ovation ensues. Because this group of dedicated loyalists has waited 365 long days to attend, enjoy, and even indulge. And then, as quickly as it arrived, it ebbs, and that’s it. We wait another 365 days. It’s a little early to be talking about August – but as the editor-publisher of a quarterly magazine, time is always truncated, and already we’re planning our Monterey attendance. In fact, we’re planning our 2016 event already – if all works out well, it’ll be a full-fledged event, an expansion of the Monday Garage Tour, but in typical Garage Style fashion, it’ll be kept intimate, held at a private venue, and attended by known subscribers and locals we’ve become friends with along the way. No, it won’t be like the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, nowhere near it, but my hope is that it’ll grow, develop, and become one of the enjoyable opening acts, and give people something to look forward to. - Don Weberg

8

Issue 28.indd 8

www.GarageStyleMagazine.com

3/1/15 12:21 PM


Garage style

magazine

Editor-Publisher Don Weberg

PERSONALIZED SIGNS

Art Director Web Designer – Coordinator Kari McDaniel Business Development Manager Michele Weberg Columinists Lance Lambert Phil Berg Matt Stone Rodney Kemerer Arts Editor Jeremiah McDaniel Contributors Robin DePry Bob Estrada John Gunnell Dr. Rick Rader Bill Nakasone Terry Doran Mary Wortman Ron Lampley Jim McGowen Specialized Photographers Dale Quinio

ORDER ONLINE AT WWW.GARAGEART.COM

Toll Free: 800.708.5051

Advertising – Public Relations Cindy Meitle 480.277.1864 | cindy@GarageStyleMagazine.com Advertising Doug Holland 910.398.8307 | douglas@hhpr.biz Carmen Price 714.276.5285 | carmen.price1@aol.com

Subscriptions – Address Changes Garage Style Magazine PO Box 92198 Long Beach, CA 90809 GSM@pfsmag.com 888.881.5861 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.

Printed in the United States by American Web Printers

Issue 28.indd 9

3/1/15 12:21 PM


Lance’s

column

A Matchless Fire

M

y brother Jay has been and continues to be an automotive mentor in my life. He’s had several cool cars and motorcycles during his lifetime, and he’s an expert at transforming a pile of parts and pieces into a running vehicle. The process has usually gone well, or at least until the occasional unexpected thing happens. I guess setting the house on fire would be one of the unexpected things. Jay acquired a motorcycle when he was 16 years-old. What he actually acquired was a bike in rough shape along with a bunch of parts that had previously been a 1952 Matchless 500 Twin. He was, like nearly all of his peers, a near penniless teenager with a part-time job and the need for any type of transportation. His only option was to do his best to turn the pile of parts into a complete and running motorcycle. At the time Stately Lambert Manor had a collapsing garage with no door and a leaking roof. Bringing the Matchless back to life in that structure was not going to happen, so Jay used the only other option available: the basement. Our home’s basement was below ground. A flight of concrete steps descending from the ally was utilized to gain entry from outside of the house. Getting Jay’s The Lambert home. motorcycle and the various parts into the basement took a bit of strength and a few trips, but everything necessary found its way into the subterranean space needed to resurrect the Matchless. This project was interesting enough to me that I would occasionally park my 12 year-old self nearby and watch the mysterious things done that were necessary to breathe life back into the bike. When I became bored I’d walk up the wooden stairs leading to the kitchen and go about my important pre-teen business. Little did I know that the wooden stairs within the house and the concrete stairs leading to the outside of the house would soon be the source of ruin and rescue. One weekend afternoon my big brother was putting the finishing touches on the Matchless while my mother and I were engaged in some activity in the kitchen. We were not aware that Jay’s project was nearing completion and would be ready that day to emerge from the basement womb and out into the world. He did face one dilemma; this re-birth would only happen when he figured out how to transfer the bike from its subterranean location to the outside world, via the concrete steps leading up from the basement. The solution seemed obvious to him; start the Matchless and ride it up the basement stairs.

10

Issue 28.indd 10

Our mother and I were still working in the kitchen when we heard something that sounded like a gunshot. The noise was the result of my brother trying to start the motor. His attempt resulted in a flurry of activity in the Lambert residence. Upon hearing the blast I walked to the basement door and looked down the stairs. This was the same moment my brother came running up the stairs. “The house is on fire!” he shouted as he raced by me. I glanced down the staircase and, sure enough, there were flames engulfing the rear of the motorcycle. Apparently my brother had somehow set a match to the Matchless. My mother, being older and, therefore, a bit smarter than her sons, did the appropriate thing by calling the fire department. The fire had begun when Jay tried to start the engine. He stood on the kick-starter, pushed hard with his foot and was then startled when the bike replied with a loud back-fire. This same back-fire set fire to some gas soaked rags that he’d been using to clean off some of the engine’s grime. It must have been a Rube Goldberg type of progression; foot goes on kick-starter, kick-starter goes down, back-fire flame exits the exhaust pipes, pile of rags and container of gas catch fire, brother jumps off of bike, flames quickly grow, motorcycle mechanic runs up the stairs, little brother opens door, big brother runs past, little brother’s mouth opens wide and eyes get very large… Jay raced into the kitchen, filled a pot with water and ran back down to the flames. Our home was located only three blocks from the fire station so the firemen arrived very quickly. By then Jay had put out the flames and was sitting on the wooden steps assessing the damage. It is common knowledge that water usually will not put out a gasoline fire. I guess neither those gas soaked rags nor my sorrow soaked brother knew that piece of common knowledge. I excitedly watched the arrival of the firefighters as they came running down the outside basement stairs. What impressed me most was how quickly our home went from being a Norman Rockwell type of scene to a painting resembling Dante’s Inferno. The good news is that the smoking Matchless was carried out of the basement by the firemen. The damage to the bike was mostly superficial and it was easily repaired and cleaned up. What did the Lamberts gain from this experience? Jay continued repairing motorcycles but didn’t again try to ride any of them up a set of stairs. I learned that repairs should be done in a garage, rather than in a basement, and that living three blocks from a fire station was a good thing. My dear mother learned that despite her best efforts, her sons sometimes did the wrong thing when they were trying to do the right thing. -Lance Lambert

www.GarageStyleMagazine.com

3/1/15 12:21 PM


Restored Original Gas Pumps Garage Style Magazine Spring 2015

route32restorations.com (765) 307-7119 Issue 28.indd 11

11

Dealers in signs, neons and everything gas & oil

3/1/15 12:21 PM


Phil Berg’s Dispatches from the Ultimate Garage Tour

The Bar in the Garage

Mancaves are more important spaces than you might think

I

n the 1986 movie Crocodile Dundee, the main character compares a small-town Australian bartender as having the same social function as a sophisticated psychoanalyst in New York City. Expert sociologist James Twitchell suggests that men tend to burrow down in mancaves in search of solace and a space to process thoughts and emotions, as opposed to partaking in an upstairs group such as a coffee clutch or living room. Thus it is the function of a bar, like the fictitious Cheers being in the basement of a building, and in a garage the gathering area is most often designed as a bar. Tim Merchant, the British author of the 2014 book “Living With a Psychopath,” proposes that the “public house,” or “pub,” is precisely the male version of a battered woman’s shelter, while my friend Billy built a mancave in his basement precisely to create a space for organized “hero’s journey” work for men, after extensive training from the group Mankind Project. I see the need for these spaces as integral with the garage as a vital place for men to gather and do guy stuff, and the following places are examples of how these visions have taken shape as bars. - Phil Berg

Loft Bar

Mintle Gameroom Bar

12

Issue 28.indd 12

Dixon Bar

Furness Pub

Kruse Bar

www.GarageStyleMagazine.com

3/1/15 12:21 PM


Garage Style Magazine Spring 2015

Issue 28.indd 13

13

3/1/15 12:21 PM


Garage

news

New Level of Storage Protection

Recently, CarCapsule introduced the Showcase, an ultrapremium vehicle storage shelter, and the next evolution of CarCapsule technology. According to CarCapsule, the Showcase seals vehicles away from dings, dust, dirt, corrosion, mildew, musty odors, and pests, while presenting it in a show quality display. Described as a “Touchless Car Cover,” Showcase provides a high level of protection, yet never touches the vehicle. Supported by heavy duty and resilient inflatable air columns, and featuring a zippered front panel, it’s easy to park or remove a vehicle. The side panels are also zippered, providing easy walk-in access and enabling vehicle doors to be opened without interference. The

Evaporative Storage System (E.S.S.) technology exchanges air inside with filtered outside air 3-5 times every hour, keeping the temperature inside consistent with the temperature outside and eliminating moisture that could condense on the vehicle. Featuring 10 mil PVC windows and an 18 mil PVC floor that is mildew, abrasion and flame resistant, as well as impervious to oil, gas and antifreeze, the Showcase offers durability as well. Available for automobiles, motorcycles, or as a solution for most any situation that requires a dust free and dry storage shelter, custom configurations, made to customer specifications, are also available.

Save A Battery Introduces Micro-Jump In today’s modern world, it’s not just car batteries we need to look after. Everything seems to have a battery – phones, laptops, personal tablets, all have batteries that need looking after. MicroJump provides a slick way to keep everything functioning at top level. Micro-Jump will jump start your vehicle without another vehicle, and charge your mobile devices as well. Contained in a slick carrying case with the cables and connectors for various devices, it’s a kind of one-stop-shop for everything you need. Just toss it in your car and you’re ready to go – pop it in your work bag or backpack and never be left out in the cold. The portable size allows it to go where you need to go.

14

Issue 28.indd 14

www.GarageStyleMagazine.com

3/1/15 12:21 PM


Office

profile

Art Goldstrom’s Space Every guy needs an office

Text by

Don Weberg Images by

Dale Quinio

T

he office of Art Goldstrom is surrounded by love. And stuff. Lots and lots of stuff. Having owned and operated a successful demolition business in Las Vegas for a number of decades, his love of family and community runs very deep, and it’s omnipresent in his office. “Most everything in here was given to me,” he said. “I really didn’t buy much of it at all, and it’s a lot of fun. There’s always something to look at. I’m not even sure I know what all is in here.” Small, the office is pretty much just for Art to deal with his papers and keep track of his cars and monitor his demo business, but is nonetheless filled to the brim with elements and collectibles. From brass bits to crystal pieces, from liquor decanteurs shaped like cars to models of trucks, it all seems to be here. And lots of pictures, family, friends, and life. “It’s a little overwhelming,” he said. “But it keeps the eye moving.” For the most part, all the real business dealings have been handed over to his daughter, Sheri. Art enjoys a semi retirement, but is still very active in a number of ways. “I love sharing the collection with people,” he said. “My daughter put all that together too, I had it stashed here and there, and she wanted to organize it and make it presentable and trackable. She did a good job.” Sheri had no small task before her. The Goldstroms own a large industrial complex in Las Vegas from which they run their various enterprises, and within a few of the garages are displays of collectibles ranging from Las Vegas staples such as slot machines, to musical historical moments to dolls to documents to cars. It’s a fun place, and really exemplifies the Goldstrom’s interests in having fun while running a solid business. “When I first came on board, I was blown away, I just kept digging and digging through things, and told my parents, ‘we need to get this stuff catalogued and organized,’ and they went along with it,” said Sheri. Shirley, Art’s wife and Sherri’s mom, is largely credited for collecting the bulk of the odds and ends. She loved dolls, and musical bits from Edison and Crosley, and it grew from there into a major private museum. Be sure to catch the May, 2015 issue of Garage Style Magazine for more on this collection. GSM

18

Issue 28.indd 18

www.GarageStyleMagazine.com

3/1/15 12:22 PM


garage

features

20

Issue 28.indd 20

Completely apropos in a collection of Lamborghinis is this period and original Bertone sign. Recall that Bertone was an Italian design house much like Pininfarina, Ghia, Giugiaro/ItalDesign, and others, and was a frequent contributor to Lamborghini design. Among the most famous Bertone designed cars from Sant’Agata are the strikingly dissimilar Miura and Countach.

www.GarageStyleMagazine.com

3/1/15 12:22 PM


NEW! Visit the App store on your iPhone, or iPad and search for us! Subscribe!

V INTAGE S TYLE S IGNS

ORDER ONLINE AT WWW.GARAGEART.COM

Toll Free: 800.708.5051

Issue 28.indd 24

3/1/15 12:22 PM


Issue 28.indd 25

3/1/15 12:22 PM


83 Years – 25 Cars – One Garage Text and Images by

Rodney Kemerer

T

ales From The Garage tells stories about garages, cars and people. This tale is just about a garage, an elderly garage by modern standards. This garage, actually one garage with three bays, is a stately eighty–three years old with its original doors, hardware, floors and walls. It has worked its whole life as a garage and still does today. No cushy retirement, no golf, no travel, no early–bird specials. It has hosted approximately 25 cars including a few of the earth’s most rarified vehicles. It has protected each one regardless of their pedigree, size, shape or value and gives validity to the phrase, “meaning accrues in duration.” Starting at the beginning, at the height of The Great Depression in 1931, a successful Los Angeles engineer decided to build a proper house for his new bride. His wife had witnessed the 1906 San Francisco earthquake as a child and was terrified of buildings that collapse. Her husband assured her this building would not collapse. Eighty-three years and seventeen major earthquakes later, he has made good on that promise. The house and garage remain perfectly in place with barely a wrinkle to show its age. In Los Angeles in 1931, the Depression was at its lowest point and very few houses were being built. In 1931 only 6,600 were constructed, down from 15,234 only two years before. This garage was one of those lucky few. And lucky it was with its poured in place, steel reinforced concrete walls, 24 inches thick, coupled with its solid vertical-grained redwood doors and unique commercial grade “fused fire door” designed to slam shut in case of a vehicle fire. It housed its first car in December 1931. That first car was the builder’s own, a 1929 air cooled Franklin 137 Airman Sport Touring. A car that spoke of its owner’s taste for unique engineering. During those first years the garage also held a 1925 Flint 55 Sport Roadster in “Pyramid Grey and Desert Sand” and a Ford Model T , Black, of course, among others. Unfortunately, the original builder lost the home less than ten years after he built it. The Depression had a way of taking people under, even after the economy began to recover. The second owner, a band leader, motion picture music director and self-described car enthusiast, filled the garages for the next twenty-six years with some of the most exotic cars ever built. He began his occupancy in 1940 by parking his Chocolate Brown and Yukon Yellow 1936 SSJ Duesenberg in the garage in the east bay, one of only two such vehicles in the world. Over the years, at various times, he parked his 1939 Rolls Royce Wraith Mulliner 24/30 Sedan, a 1940 Rapide V-12 Lagonda Roadster, a 1951 Cadillac Series 62, a 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300S Coupe, a 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300C Cabriolet and a 1960 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud. Enough interesting sheet metal for Motor Trend magazine to write about him and his cars in the June 1951 issue. Clearly plenty of cars to make any garage happy. The third owner, a Hollywood and Broadway actress and singer did not have the same lofty taste in automobiles but kept her own stable of cars well protected. During the next twenty-six years a beautiful selection of Mercedes Benz’s included a Brown 1972 280SE and a Dark Red 1971 280SE, as well as a delightful Jaguar just for fun. Research indicates that she only used the center garage. Its door always open. Perhaps because the doors are very heavy and require

Home builder with his 1929 Franklin 137 Airman Sport Touring.

The second garage owner with his 1940 Lagonda Rapide.

The second garage owner with his 1936 SSJ Duesenberg.

Garage Style Magazine Spring 2015

Issue 28.indd 27

27

3/1/15 12:22 PM


Unassuming, the garage holds a treasure trove.

Crafty Two Car

Showroom and workroom, it’s all good

Text by

Don Weberg Images by

Max Resnick

T

om and Gloria Scotto are a pair of exemplary people you just love to know. Accommodating and enjoyable, they’re never at a loss for words, and always have something interesting to say. Having built a very unique home for their retirement, Tom wanted to include a garage of enjoyment. “I’ve always loved cars, and a long time ago decided I wanted to have a garage I could tinker in and have some fun,” he said. “So when we built the house, we included a detached garage where I could keep my cars and a machine shop.” Split into two sides, one side accommodates the cars and memorabilia, while the other is the aforementioned machine shop. Split down the middle by a wall with a connecting door, the garage is truly impressive and well thought out. In the car park, or showroom side, Tom has coated the garage floor and given the walls a duo-tone treatment of electricallycheery yellow on one side, and white on the other. The yellow blends well with his pre-war hot rod Ford truck, while the white

30

Issue 28.indd 30

provides a little relief from the more blinding side of the garage. A single window is covered with a checkered flag curtain, and various awards, advertisements, pictures, signs, a stoplight, and so on cover the walls and provide tons of visual stimulation. Lighting is courtesy of a few recessed bulbs and two old, factorystyle hanging fixtures with protective grilles. These old hanging fixtures always grab attention and add to the visual details, but combined, the lights all provide a terrific amount of light. On the other side of the wall, the machine shop provides all the tools and space most anyone would need to make some parts, polish up some pieces, or just tinker about. Primarily grey, it’s not much to look at, but it’s inviting to anyone who’s ever been interested in working with tools. The overhead fluorescents and charming, industrious clutter indicate well this space was meant for work, not show. “It’s a really fun place, I always have a great time in here, and my family and friends enjoy it too, so it’s more than just mine, it’s an extension of the house, a place to gather,” said Tom. Across the support beam, Tom has hung a number of license plates from various states in a zigzag pattern lending some zest to an otherwise bland wooden beam. This detail is like so many others in Tom’s garage, where he’s truly accomplished a sense of design balance within – the garage doesn’t seem ‘heavier’ on one side than the other, in spite of the duo-tone walls or number of collectibles on the walls or freestanding on the floor. “I’ve collected things like this all my life, I like these things and find them at swap meets, yard sales, online, and sometimes people just give them to me,” he said. “It’s everything I

www.GarageStyleMagazine.com

3/1/15 12:22 PM


The Long, Long Garage Collector duo enjoys solace in eclecticism Text and Images by

Don Weberg

Buick and Ford Woodies blend perfectly with the decor.

34

Issue 28.indd 34

www.GarageStyleMagazine.com

3/1/15 12:22 PM


Above, Fire hydrant is a great touch; Below, A natural blue and red theme emerged.

Recapturing the feeling Building from scratch made things easier Text and Images by

Ron Lampley

B

ob had been looking for a new home when he found a developer that was having difficulty selling some of the homes he’d built. It was 2009, and financially, things were bleak, especially in the home market. The home Bob and his wife chose still needed some work, but after discussing the idea, they decided this parcel would be just perfect for them. To Bob, the home was ideal for both he and his wife as they could mold the home the way they would like to have. Since the yard and garage were not built yet, Bob saw an open canvas upon which to build a dream garage. Likely the Great Dream for most car collectors, and there was Bob, with a blank canvas. Wanting a larger garage, he set out to build a 2,700-square foot building. During construction, Bob paid a lot of attention to innumerable details; each garage door was custom made, and instead of having them painted Bob had the frames, tracks, and all the metal parts powder coated. Bob’s wife hired a lady to texture the interior walls, so Bob brought her out to his garage and she did the same there. Bob enjoys working on his cars, so he knew he wanted a lift. When it came time to install it, he had the contractor wire in-

38

Issue 28.indd 38

www.GarageStyleMagazine.com

3/1/15 12:22 PM


Garage Style Magazine Spring 2015

Issue 28.indd 41

41

3/1/15 12:22 PM


Playing The Slots

Text by

Rodney Kemerer Images by

Don Weberg

Y

ou would not look twice at this standard, very suburban stand alone two-car garage. Nothing about it makes you take notice. It looks like a thousand other garages in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, hiding its secret life behind a stock rollup aluminum door. But wait, there’s more… After the door opens, you can never see this garage the same way again. Its owner, a long time devoted “car guy,” has lovingly put together a stunning collection of more than 400 hand-built slot cars and track in 1:32 scale. Slot cars predate video games by a good 25 years. Before you could race around a real race track with a POV helmet camera in 3-D on your video monitor, there were slot cars. Complete with their high revving motors with a slightly acidic electrical smell and burning rubber miniature tires. The tiny crowd still goes wild at the snapping of the miniature checkered flag. This collection, assembled over seventeen years, shows a wide

42

Issue 28.indd 42

range of models and styles. What they all have in common is an owner/collector who loves the look, sound and detail of the 1:32 scale cars racing past pit crews and grandstand fans. You can almost smell the miniature popcorn. Look closely at the individual Plexiglass display cases of each car and you will see such examples as a Lancia/Ferrari D50, a Bentley Birkin (1949), a Ferrari C126C2, a 2014 Bentley GT, a 908 Porsche Flunder (1971), a M8B/C Mclaren, a BRM-P154, a 4.5 Litre Bentley, a STP Turbine Special (1968), a 1951 Cadillac Lemonstre and a 1936 Chenard Walcker. All detailed and track ready. The passion for motorsports does not distinguish between size or shape but lives in the very heart of gearheads and car guys everywhere. Sometimes it transforms a plain two-car garage into a real life speedway of imagination and racing thrills. Gentlemen, start your (tiny) engines! GSM

www.GarageStyleMagazine.com

3/1/15 12:22 PM


Think of us as a road trip with 30,000 friends.

If you love, lease or own a Mercedes-Benz, you belong here. Call, click or log-on today to begin your membership adventure.

Learn more: mbca.org | 800.637.2360 FREE mobile app at Apple Store or Google Play

More Than a Car Club. We’re a Community.sm

Style!

Organize with

LIFETIME

Professional Grade. Designer Appearance. Delivered as Promised. (888) 343-4463 modulinecabinets.com

Issue 28.indd 45

3/1/15 12:22 PM


Garages in history

Wally’s Service Station The garage at 625 S. Main Street, Mount Airy, North Carolina Text by

Rick Rader

Photos Courtesy of

Rick Rader and fineartamerica.com

I

n the opening line of the novel “The Go Between,” British novelist L.P. Hartley offered, “The past is a foreign country, they do things differently there.” From our current cultural vantage point the popular 1960’s TV series Mayberry RFD (an offshoot of the Andy Griffith Show) indeed depicted a foreign country, where indeed they did things differently. Jake Easton remarked, “It was a timeless and

46

Issue 28.indd 46

heartwarming portray of American small-town life during simpler times, where traditional values were cherished, and people respected and cared for one another. And where they tried their best to repair the cars. The place where Mayberrians brought their misfiring Dodges and smoking Studebakers was Wally’s Service Station. A garage with the technical skills, productivity and reliability reflecting the

www.GarageStyleMagazine.com

3/1/15 12:22 PM


Storage

feature

Storage Thoughts Text and Images by

Don Weberg

Sometimes storage is inevitable. It’s evil to vehicles – they hate it, but sometimes, it’s a necessity that can’t be avoided. But, when it’s done right, it can be the difference between having a lengthy, potentially costly resurrection when the weather becomes car friendly, or simply firing it up after a few simple steps of precaution. Here are some thoughts from our friends.

After months of outdoor storage the Caprice was filthy.

48

Issue 28.indd 48

www.GarageStyleMagazine.com

3/1/15 12:22 PM


Cleaning it up

When it comes to storing a car, it’s important that the car be as clean as possible. Our Caprice lives in the carport of a mobile home in San Pedro, California, not the best place for a car, but essentially it’s all we’ve got, and the price is right. So, we make due. Aero International stepped up and offered a way for us to clean the car without having to move it in spite of all the dirt that had built up on it over the months of sitting with their Shine, Finale, Immaculate, Protect, and View. Having worked with International Aero before, we trusted their advice and went to work. Using a number of clean microfiber cleaning cloths and a few bottles of Shine, we sprayed the paint liberally and wiped lightly, removing the dirt with ease and leaving no streaks or residue behind. The entire car was safely cleaned, and following up with Finale ensured a great shine. Inside, we went over the interior vinyls and surfaces with Finale and Immaculate and achieved fine results. Finishing up with View, the windows and chrome came out beautifully. All said, it took less than an hour and we used no water. While it seems sacrilege to perform a ‘detail’ like this, the results were fantastic, and the car didn’t suffer at all. And yes, the Caprice sports its original paint, making it even more important to be cautious. International Aero has long been in the detailing game, specializing in aircraft over automobiles until just a few years ago. Bringing their aircraft technology to the automotive segment has broadened their appeal and given car guys something truly remarkable to use. The products do take some getting used to – they’re borderline, or actually, professional grade, and require a little work to understand. But, once the understanding is had, you realize how easy the almost exclusively spray on products are to use, and being based on aerospace guidelines, the protective nature and efficient actions make Aero tough to beat. www.InternationalAeroProducts.com

Aero’s products come in spun aluminum bottles.

Wipe lightly in one direction.

No scratches, clean, easy.

Spray Aero Shine liberally, no water needed.

Aero View window cleaner works great, cut through thick dirt gently.

Garage Style Magazine Spring 2015

Issue 28.indd 49

49

3/1/15 12:22 PM


The Carband is a must. Protective, it also keeps the cover in place.

Wrap it up

While the cover is a fantastic invention, one of our favorite protective products has long been Covercraft’s Carband. Made of thick XD Spacer Fabric highly reminiscent of Neoprene, the material is breathable and UV resistant, perfect for indoor or outdoor use. Literally a band for the entire car, the Carband stretches from end-to-end around the vehicle providing a tight fitting barrier protecting from door dings, stray balls, and helping car covers stay in place. Using the Carband with a car cover is an absolute way to protect any car from a variety of maladies. Kind of like a fitted mattress sheet, the Carband takes a little patience and thought. But, with two people, beginning with one at the front left corner, the other at the right rear corner, the Carband wrapped the Caprice in less than a couple of minutes. The piece of mind the Coverband provides is indescribable. www.Covercraft.com

There are a ton of ideas to protect a car during storage: rubbing down the body with Cosmoline grease, pulling spark plugs and spraying the chambers with Marvel Mystery Oil and plugging the holes with a plastic plug, draining all the fluids, lifting the body on jack stands allowing only the tires only a little bit of contact with the ground, and so many more, it’s easy to go crazy storing a car. But, these are some basic ideas to get you going if longer-term storage is an idea you’d like to exercise on your car. Obviously it’s a great idea to check with your maintenance professional for their ideas too. GSM

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

Matt Stone 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

James Garner's Motoring Life, from Baja to Daytona, the movie Grand Prix and The Rockford Files. CarTechBooks.com or Amazon.com

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

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

Please visit www.MattStoneCars.com

Issue 28.indd 52

3/1/15 12:22 PM


Issue 28.indd 53

3/1/15 12:22 PM


The Coolest Accessory in Your Custom Garage Port-A-Cool® portable evaporative cooling units are perfect for your custom garage, shop, pool, patio or anywhere traditional A/C is cost prohibitive or ineffective. • Lowers temp up to 30˚F • Cools with tap water and 115v • Rolls easily on casters

Visit Our Booth at SEMA Expo For more information, call 936-598-5651 or visit www.port-a-cool.com

Issue 28.indd 54

3/1/15 12:22 PM


Issue 28.indd 55

3/1/15 12:22 PM


Barn

finds

Barn Find With Working Papers Text and Image By

John “Gunner” Gunnell

L

ooking like a cross between the Headless Horseman’s ghost coach and a truck from Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show, George Skorohod’s 1922 Model T Ford wrecker actually won a yellow ribbon at the Milwaukee Masterpiece. Which kind of shows how far a “Barn Find” can go in life. Skorohod wondered what Tony Wirka would think about the ribbon. Wirka was a mechanic in Rescue, Nebraska, a village of tiny proportions that has since become a ghost town. He hauled busted cars to his one-pump fillin’ station with this homemade tow truck. Skorohod purchased the barn find truck at an estate auction 25 years ago. He got it running and left it the way it was. “I kept it all original,” he laughed. “I had other tow trucks, but I thought this was a unique machine.” Now Residents of Lincoln, Neb. who stop at Skorohod’s shop rarely leave without seeing the tow truck and

Issue 28.indd 56

hearing its story. George says “Speedy” Bill Smith of Speedway Motors wants the truck in his museum. “Bill likes it because it’s a barn find that comes from and was built in Nebraska,” he explained. After Wirka died in 1989, Skorohod waited for an opportunity to buy the truck from his 78-year-old son. “It’s a barn find that tells what towing was like in the old days when Tony Wirka was hired to do a job for the railroad,” George said. “He had to back the truck onto a trestle six feet in the air, while sticking his head out a little window on the left side. The railroad wanted him to lift cement blocks that were so heavy two railroad workers with big, heavy overalls had to bend themselves over the front fenders and lean far forward to keep the front end of the tow truck from lifting up from the load at the rear.” Now that’s gittin’ it done! GSM

3/1/15 12:22 PM


Specialized Restoration Of All Classic British and European Sports Cars From The 50s-60s-70s XKS Motorsport is a division of XKs Unlimited

email: shop@xks.com • www.xksmotorsport.com

850 Fiero Lane | San Luis Obispo | CA 93401 Call Direct M-F, 8-5, Pacific Time 805-594-1585

Ask about our FREE transport service too

PARTS FOR ALL JAGUARS 1948-ON MANUFACTURERS OF VINTAGE JAGUAR PARTS

Replacement Parts • Performance Parts • Upgraded Parts Personal Accessories • Car Accessories • Books, Manuals, And CDs

Model-Specific Jaguar Parts & Accessory Catalogues Sent No-Charge Postage Paid

www.xks.com

Visit the website anytime to order a catalogue or parts, view the classified ads, see club activities, and much more

• Same-Day Worldwide Shipping • Intuitive Parts Look-up • State-Of-The-Art Web Security • View Catalogs On-Line • Easy One-Page Checkout • Specials and Web Features

Issue 28.indd 57

Come in and visit our cool showroom with original murals

C A L L – FAX – E M A I L

NORTH AMERICA CALLS : 800-444-5247 WORLDWIDE CALLS : 805-544-7864 WORLDWIDE FAX : 805-544-1664 Garage Style Magazine Spring 2015 57 EMAIL ANYTIME : parts@xks.com

International Suppliers of Classic And Contemporary Jaguar Parts

3/1/15 12:22 PM


outlook AUCTION HOUSE JOURNAL

automobilia

Motorcycle Auction Wows Crowd The second annual MidAmerica Motorcycle Auction by Mecum proved to be a higher success than last year, with more attendees, more motorcycles, and higher hammer sales. Bringing nearly 800 motorcycles together for sale at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas created a wonderful environment for bike and transportation lovers to come together and share stories, buy and sell bits and pieces, and enjoy a good auction. In typical Mecum fashion, there was something for everyone – from BMWs to Harleys to Matchless to Honda and more. The new Las Vegas Harley Davidson dealership, located across from the famous Las Vegas Sign on the Strip, was host to a preview party, blending food, music, and test rides of the latest Harley-Davidsons available. In the end, the top seller was a 1952 Vincent C Rapide in excellent condition which sold for $132,500. Followed by a 1918 Henderson 4 Cylinder which found a new home for $87,000 and a 1927 BWM R47 Racer which sold for $80,000, there were a number of bikes that sold for considerably less, creating an environment for seasoned collectors and people starting their journey to buy bikes. GSM

58

Issue 28.indd 58

www.GarageStyleMagazine.com

3/1/15 12:22 PM


Saving the Signs The Walker Sign Collection Text By

Chelsey Hinsenkamp Photos by

Dan and Carol Duckworth

O

ne of the most prolific collections of Road Art that Mecum Auctions has ever had the honor of offering will be presented as a stand-alone auction this March 27 and 28 in West Memphis, Arkansas. The collection of more than 400 signs consists mainly of dealer-sized double-sided porcelain neons and was assembled in its entirety by one man. Walker, 74, set out on a mission more than a half century ago to “save the signs.” A lover of great classic cars and street rods, Walker says his affinity for signs seemed like a pretty natural progression. “Well being a car guy, I thought owning some of the dealership signs would be something fun to get into,” Walker explains. “And once I got into that, I quickly found that the future of these signs was not shaping up to be such a pretty picture.” Walker explains that other buyers of these large double-sided signs were taking them apart and turning them into two signs. They would then turn around and sell them individually in hopes of making a healthy profit.

60

Issue 28.indd 60

“They were destroying the history of these signs,” says Walker, “so when I realized what was going on, I just went crazy buying signs.” For some time, Walker worked on restoring the signs as he bought them. His intentions were to ready them for museum display. But Walker changed his mind before ever bringing the museum to fruition, and instead, he continued to buy and store them. “I just kept stacking them; two-thirds of them are still in crates and even more of them are workable signs,” Walker explains. Walker recently made the decision to sell his collection, and though it wasn’t a decision made lightly, his reasons are many and good. “I’m 74 years old and I’ve got to do something with them!” Walker exclaims. “I didn’t want my family to have to go through dispersing them. It’s certainly not that I don’t like them anymore. It was just that I figured they should be hung up so people can enjoy them.”

www.GarageStyleMagazine.com

3/1/15 12:22 PM


dealing with somebody you could trust.” Another reason for Walker’s quickness to consign with Mecum is his familiarity with the auction house’s following. “It takes a real car guy to understand the value of these signs,” he explains. “And I know of some people that I’m sure are real interested in some of the signs. They won’t be chopping these up. Most people are starting to realize that you just don’t destroy this type of history.” The Walker Sign Collection Auction will be held this March 27 and 28 from Walker’s personal storage facility at Highway 50 and US 70 in Proctor, Arkansas, just west of Memphis. This is an opportunity to own a rare original porcelain neon sign from a time when neon lined the streets and truly great cars ruled the roads.

Issue 28.indd 62

3/1/15 12:22 PM


SOLD $71,500

SOLD $85,000

SOLD $198,000

CONSIGN NOW FOR OUR SPRING 2015 AUTO AUCTIONS

April 25 – Las Vegas, NV May 9 – Denver, PA For more information on consigning please contact Dan Morphy Email: Dan.Morphy@MorphyAuctions.com Phone: 877-968-8880

SOLD $88,000

2000 N. Reading Road Issue 28.indd 63

www.MorphyAuctions.com

877-968-8880 3/1/15 12:22 PM


Automobile

review

2015 Shelby GT Refined, revitalized, rejuvenated – again Text and Images courtesy of

Shelby American

H

ome to car enthusiasts and performance aficionados, Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale auction hosted an historic event by Shelby American this year. On Friday, Jan. 16, 2015, almost 50 years after Shelby’s 1965 World Manufacturing Championship, the 2015 Shelby GT Mustang was unveiled. In front of a crowd of fans inside the Ford Motor Company booth, the covers were pulled off the car to a wave of applause and cheers. Packed with 627 horsepower, the 2015 Shelby GT incorporates the company’s 50-year heritage of expertise in engineering, while keeping an eye on contemporary standards. And for the first time in its history, Shelby American is planning to sell these Mustangs around the world. “This 2015 Shelby GT incorporates all of the engineering lessons we’ve learned building high performance vehicles over the past 50 years,” said Joe Conway, co-CEO of Carroll Shelby International and CEO of Shelby American “With the international distribution of the current Ford Mustang, we worked closely with our partners to develop a car that can be offered in both North America and overseas. It’s the first Shelby muscle car in our

64

Issue 28.indd 64

history designed from day one to be a truly global vehicle.” The first late model Shelby GT was introduced to the world in 2007, which was the first small block Shelby mustang since 1970. With the collaboration of three all-American companies: Ford Division, Carroll Shelby and Ford Racing, the Shelby GT was born. The Shelby GT started off as a naturally aspirated 4.6L that was assembled by Ford then shipped to the Shelby American shop in Las Vegas. The 2007 and 2008 models were immensely popular, even winning its class in SCCA racing those years. Shelby and Ford have brought the much anticipated GT back but in an entirely new way. This time around, it’s a post-title car. Like its predecessors, the 2015 Shelby GT features Ford Racing Performance parts including a 627 horsepower supercharger, performance handling kit and half shafts. Gearing has been upgraded to 3.73 gears and paired with chrome-tipped Borla exhaust. The Shelby GT rides on a staggered set of WELD Racing wheels shod with sticky Michelin tires. “The 2015 Shelby GT is a nicely balanced muscle car that does everything well, whether on the track or on the drag strip” said

www.GarageStyleMagazine.com

3/1/15 12:22 PM


uNIQUE

artists

Tom Hale Tom Hale’s work is like nothing I’ve ever seen. He perfectly blends reflections, colors and the beauty of the classic to paint an automobile dreamscape. The colors in his pieces flow together with the elegance of a ballet, while the light allows the shadows to seamlessly define his masterpieces. www.tomhalegallery.com

Donna Wayman

Donna Wayman-Maurer is a self-taught artist whose paintings have the caliber to make the most schooled artists envious. She uses a photo-realistic techniques to tell what she says is a story and not just a car. Filled with incredible amounts of detail and some hidden gems, her work is not to be missed. www.donnawaymanart.com 66

Issue 28.indd 66

www.GarageStyleMagazine.com

3/1/15 12:22 PM


2015 Events at

the inn at

Spanish Bay

TM

AUGUST 13 –15, 2015

Pebble Beach Classic Car

Pebble Beach

RetroAuto

Forum

Pebble Beach Classic Car

expo

tm

presented by

Featuring automotive luminaries discussing pertinent topics of the collector car world.

Completing the ultimate automotive experience with an international array of exhibitors.

Exhibiting authentic and unusual vehicles for sale from highly respected classic car dealers.

All events are open to the public at no charge. Exhibitor applications available online at www.pebblebeachconcours.net or contact Katee Waller for further information at 831-236-4717 or kwaller@pebblebeachconcours.net

Pebble Beach®, Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® Logo, Pebble Beach RetroAuto™ and The Inn at Spanish Bay™ are trademarks and service marks of Pebble Beach Company. © 2015 Pebble Beach Company. All rights reserved.

Issue 28.indd 67

3/1/15 12:22 PM


The 20th Annual

Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island The Golf Club of Amelia Island

March 13-15, 2015

Honoring

Sir Stirling Moss, OBE Celebrating the 60th anniversary of his Mille Miglia victory and Mercedes-Benz World Sports Car and Formula 1 Drivers Championships Featuring Stutz Automobiles Benefitting

The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Foundation For Advance Tickets & Event Information, visit

www.ameliaconcours.org Photo Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

Issue 28.indd 69

3/1/15 12:22 PM


Personality

profile

Randy Ema

Keeper of the Duesenberg

Text and Images by

Don Weberg

R

andy Ema hides his business in plain sight. While he’s a little reluctant to allow just anyone to visit, he’s an open book once beyond the door. Having built a reputation of knowing Duesenberg automobiles over many decades, his business provides restoration, maintenance and good conversation to enthusiasts and owners alike. But, like so many keepers of such valuable a flame, Randy feels it’s best to keep his location low key. “We’ve been here for a number of years, so a lot of people already know we’re here,” said Randy. “But, I don’t keep a sign up on the door, it’s just not necessary, and my customers like keeping things quiet.”

70

Issue 28.indd 70

Randy got his bug a long time ago when he became interested in Auburns. At 15 years old he bought an Auburn, and spent his last two years in college working in a Maserati dealership restoring an Auburn for the owner. From that he became truly enamored with the brand, and was developing a reputation. “Once the Auburn was completed, I went to work for the dealership,” he said. “I finished college with a degree in history, which has always fascinated me, but I wanted to keep close to cars. Working at the Maserati dealer made sense, and led me to work later for a Lamborghini dealership.” As a child, Randy played very loyally with Matchbox

www.GarageStyleMagazine.com

3/1/15 12:22 PM


Indy’s Most Unique Space For Rent!

For Leasing Information, Contact Anne Jester

(317) 488-7373 • TheStutz.com 1224-814.Garage Style Magazine Ad (Sept 2014).indd 1

8/27/14 2:07 PM

S

ND RA B VE OTI OON! M UTO G S E A OMIN R O C

M

Issue 28.indd 73

3/1/15 12:22 PM


Book

reviews

Fast Cars, Cool Cars, Racetracks… Something For Everyone!

STREAMLINED Malte Jürgens , Michel Zumbrunn In 2009, the Prototyp car museum in Hamburg, Germany, organized a special two-month exhibit where 25 classic, streamlined automobiles had an unprecedented “aerodynamic rendezvous.” The exhibition included such automotive gems as the 1940 BMW Mille Miglia Touring Coupe, the 1977 Mercedes-Benz C111/III, Porsche’s 356 Pre-A coupe of 1950, Petermax Müller’s 1938 World Record Volkswagen, Das Auto magazine founder Paul Pietsch’s 1952 Avus Coupe, and the Kamm K3 from 1938.

BONNEVILLE A CENTURY OF SPEED Dave Fetherston Ron Main NEW 2nd Edition now available! Includes the whole 2014 season plus 26 extra pages, more photos and updates. Bonneville books are few and far between, but this new exhibition book by David Fetherston covers the collective history of Bonneville racing in a massive 302 page layout. Created to celebrate 100 years of Bonneville racing the book starts at the root of land speed racing in 1898 in France and quickly moves to America with a brief the Florida Speed Trials and to the first known racing

74

Issue 28.indd 74

Michel Zumbrunn, who specializes in classic cars, photographed this unique exhibition of never-beforeshown-together works of art. The result is this book, an unparalleled artistic documentation of the history of the aerodynamically optimized automobile. Anyone with a passion for classic cars and the science of aerodynamics will revel in these gorgeous images coupled with historical and technical information based on research by renowned experts. on the lake in 1914, onward to the 2013 season. It’s filled with grand images of the great Bonneville champions including Mickey Thompson, Donald Campbell, John Cobb, Ab Jenkins, the Burke family, the Latin’s, the Lindsley’s, Les Leggitt, Al Teague, Scott Guthrie and many others. The book will help you appreciate that the core of Bonneville is the greater land speed community who have raced on the lake all these years and you will close this book in awe at the wonderful historic collection LSR streamliners, the roadsters, the coupes, the production cars and the bikes displayed in its pages.

www.GarageStyleMagazine.com

3/1/15 12:22 PM


Garage Style Magazine Spring 2015

Issue 28.indd 75

75

3/1/15 12:22 PM


Garage Style Magazine Spring 2015

Issue 28.indd 77

77

3/1/15 12:22 PM


Matt’s

column

Walt’s Garage

A

bout the time that the surface of the Earth was cooling, I was in the real estate business. I’d been contacted by a family who was moving up to a larger house, and had their older, smaller one to sell, and wanted me to list it for sale, which is great because that’s what I did for a living. The house, a jewelbox-like two bedroom ranch in an older, established area of Pomona, California, was immaculate with attractive curb appeal. The only thing that didn’t initially appeal to me was the single car detached garage; I admit that at that point, I was already a garagesnob of the opinion that the minimum that any human being worth the rights to own a car wouldn’t settle for less than a two car garage. This single was at least a full-sized one staller, not one of the narrow Model T sized huts often found with older homes in SoCal. The driveway up to it was clean, flat, and uncracked, with a nice single carport built onto the side of the building. It’s the inside that surprised and delighted. Immaculately turned out, with sturdy looking wood shelves on both sides, fluorescent lighting hung from the beams, above-beam storage, and a handy looking built-in workbench. All the woodwork was squarely measured, cleanly sawn and mitered, and well assembled. The spaces between the wall studs were insulated

Issue 28.indd 78

and covered with drywall or plywood. Although after a bit of looking, it was obvious that the lumber was slightly mismatched here and there, but every line and joint neat as a pin. I asked the owner about his methodology for finishing the garage, and he told me that his budget was limited and he had some friends in the construction business, so they let him come pick among job leftovers, or anything they’d stripped from existing buildings, including the Romex wiring, light fixtures, electrical boxes and three pronged outlets and even a soapstone wash tub. Only the nails and screws he used were bought new because he wanted all the hardware to match. Plus Home Depot paint, five gallons at a time. That’s right, virtually everything in this spotless, bright, well planned space was scrounged. At no cost. I was blown away, and regret that I don’t have photos of this marvelous little garage to share with you. I went from being a single garage hater to the more enlightened position of appreciating the creativity, effort, and budgetary cleverness of Walter’s approach. Of course we’d all love that large, sprawling, fully finished, car and mancave, but not everyone has the room nor the money for that, and the point is that even a rather humble box can be made fabulous with ingenuity and some hard work. I promise you’d have loved this stuff. He had no car in it, which seemed a shame, but was already making plans for the two-car garage in his new house, including the restoration of a ramshackle old Triumph Spitfire that he had his eye on. The moral of this story is that the house sold in a week, for a full price offer, with no haggling. Most real estate brokers will tell you that its kitchens and bathrooms that sell a home. Likely true in most cases, but this time, it was the garage, I promise you. - Matt Stone

3/1/15 12:22 PM


Garage Style Magazine Spring 2015

Issue 28.indd 79

79

3/1/15 12:22 PM


Garage

meanings

In the Garage with Cindy Meitle

Ted Theodore, SouthernDrivers.com Blog Ted Theodore has lived in Greenville, South Carolina for 17 years. He started racing SCCA with a Bugeye Sprite in the ’80s, is a 5-time division Hillclimb Specials Champion, a Time Trial administrator and Dragon Hillclimb Manager. He publishes the SouthernDrivers.com blog. What is your favorite item in your garage and Why? My collection of car marque badges. I’ve been collecting them since I was a kid. I’ve owned 91 cars, so my walls hold reminders of MGAs, Porsche 914s, Austin Healey Sprites, Pontiac Firebirds, Opel Mantas, XKEs, etc. It makes for a messy appearance with badges all over the walls, but each one carries a memory and a story and they make me feel like a little bit of each of the cars I’ve owned is still with me. What is one item you have always wanted in your garage that you hope to one day acquire, and why do you want it so much? I’ve wanted many things in my garage, but my biggest dream has always been to have good quality tools and a well-lighted space to work on cars. I finally have these things. Having the skills to work on cars without space or good tools is frustrating. Good lighting is underrated as well. What’s the strangest item in your garage? How did you acquire it and why does it remain in your garage? A stuffed animal, a white seal. When dating my wife, she lived outside Zurich. At the doorway from the garage to the stairs up to her apartment was a big light and under it a big white stuffed seal. Each time I walked under it to go upstairs, I’d stroke his chin. I was in love with this lady but wondered if it would ever work out that we would be together. When she agreed to marry me and move to the US, I put a white stuffed seal over the garage door as a reminder of dreams that do come true. What are you doing most of the time when in your garage? Listening to music and working on the Westfield 7 Megabusa (Lotus 7 clone race car with a Hayabusa motor) getting it ready for Hillclimb season. Keeping tools organized, clean and lubricated was never important to me until now. I always thought it was nice to work on a car and when finished, leave the tools right where they are. Now I enjoy keeping order and organization from air tool maintenance all the way down to lubricating pliers; it really does make a difference. Did you spend much time in the garage growing up? What are your memories? I spent a lot of time in the garage with my dad growing up. He was

80

Issue 28.indd 80

a 1940 Clemson grad in Mechanical Engineering and went straight into the military at the start of WWll. He was a flight instructor and supervised aircraft maintenance, flying commercially for years and designing experimental aircraft when I was young. I learned about machine shop and aero handling the tools. Modern race cars are airplanes without wings to me. Of all the things he taught me in the garage, the most important was to never be intimidated, to open up a differential or a transmission without knowing everything, but trusting you’ll figure it out along the way. He taught me mechanisms have similarities and by applying a wrench and starting to take it apart, you’ll see a way to repair most anything. Give me a quote about the garage. “The bedroom is where you sleep. The dining room is where you eat. If you’re a car guy, the living room isn’t where you live… you live in the garage.”

www.GarageStyleMagazine.com

3/1/15 12:22 PM


Garage Style Magazine Spring 2015

Issue 28.indd 81

81

3/1/15 12:22 PM


Garage

bazaar

Art/Automobilia/ Collectibles/Media

Bonhams, Page 83 415.503.3248 www.bonhams.com

Porcelain License Plates, Page 71 www.BPpanels.com

Morphy Auctions, Page 45 1.717.335.3435 www.morphyauctions.com

Route 32 Restorations, Page 11 765.307.7119 www.Route32Restorations.com Matt Stone, Page 50 www.MattStoneCars.com GarageArt.com, Page 9 and 24 800.708.5051 www.garageart.com Vintage Vehicle Show, Page 78 www.vintagevehicletv.com Autobooks-Aerobooks, Page 44 818.845.0707 www.autobooks-aerobooks.com Ultimate Garages, Page 54 www.ultimategarages.net

Auctions/Events Amelia Island Concours d’Elegence, Page 69 www.ameliaconcours.com Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegence, Page 67 www.pebblebeachconcours.net Festivals of Speed, Page 78 www.festivalsofspeed.com

Clubs

Furniture/Electronics PitStop Furniture, Page 41 866.319.8500 www.intro-techautomotive.com

Mercedes-Benz Club of America, Page 45 www.MBCA.org

Custom Auto Sound, Page 9 1.800.88.TUNES www.custom-autosound.com

Automobile Restoration/ Maintanence/Sales

Insurance

Zymol 800.999.5563 www.zymol.com Wheelsmith, Page 53 800.854.8937 951.898.4563 www.thewheelsmith.net 401k Restorations, Page 24 714.993.401k www.the401kclub.com Custom Auto Service, Page 9 714.543.2980 www.customautoservice.com

iCollect247.com www.icollect247.com Mecum Auctions, Back Cover 262.275.5050 www.mecum.com

Steve Contarino, Page 55 978.423.3770 www.rolls-royce-motors.com

Issue 28.indd 82

BLT, Page 2 and 3 913.894.0403 ext. 21 www.bltllc.com

Packards International www.PackardsInternational.com

XKS Motorsports, Page 73 805.594.1585 www.xksmotorsport.com

82

Flooring

CHUBB Personal Insurance, Page 5 chubbcollectorcar.com 866.227.9648 Heacock Classic, Page 25 800.678.5173 www.heacockclassic.com

Museums

Simeone Foundation - Automotive Museum 215.365.7233 www.simeonefoundation.org

Security Secure It 562.677.3777 secureit@ngcia.com

Travel/Leisure/Dining Talbott Vineyards www.talbottvineyards.com Carmel Boutique Inns www.carmelboutiqueinns.com Flanagans Restaurant-Pub 831.625.5500 www.flanaganscarmel.com

Tools/Equipment Save-A-Battery, Page 13 888.819.2190 510.471.6442 www.saveabattery.com

The Stutz, Page 71 317.488.7373 www.thestutz.com

Port-A-Cool, Page 54 800.695.2942 www.port-a-cool.com

Mullin Automotive Museum 805.385.5400

Moduline, Page 44 888.343.4463 www.modulinecabinets.com

www.mullinautomotivemuseum. com

Petersen Automotive Museum 323.930.CARS www.petersen.org

Empire Car Covers 855.886.6779 www.empirecovers.com

www.GarageStyleMagazine.com

3/1/15 12:22 PM


Consignments now invited for upComing automobilia auCtions

inQuiries +1 (415) 503 3248 automobilia.us@bonhams.com a 1:8 sCale 1931 rolls-roYCe pHantom ii HenleY roadster by Giuseppe Da Corte, 1973/1974, made in Italy Sold for $21,875

Issue 28.indd 83

bonhams.com/automobilia

3/1/15 12:22 PM


MARCH 27-28, 2015 W E S T M E M P H I S // A R K A N S A S

Featuring Over 400 Original Double-Sided Porcelain Neon Signs Including a Select Number of NOS Signs in Original Shipping Crates

84

Issue 28.indd 84

www.GarageStyleMagazine.com

For more information contact Mecum Auctions today! (262) 275-5050 // info@mecum.com

3/1/15 12:22 PM


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.