Who has the best Garage on Pistonheads?
Discussion
thecook101 said:
Actually it is indeed full of tools and grease - they just all get packed away once I've completed the job. I learned my trade as a ships engineer and on the rolling seas you learn not to leave precious tools lying about. Anyway, glad you think it looks in showroom condition, here's a shot with a little more going on. Cheers. 
As the originator of this thread I am at first amazed that it is still going but even more delighted at the quality and passion I continue to see.
I get depressed when I watch YouTube sometimes as a lot of the kids you see posting "you will know the ones I mean" don’t own a single spanner and judging by their videos have absolutely no idea what lucks under the bonnet of their expensive toys. Some can’t even be bothered to wash their own cars.
Then I come back to this thread and my faith is restored. The petrol head does still exist and they know one end of a spanner from the other and are not afraid to use them, even on exotics.
Keep up the good work folks, one day maybe the YouTube generation will wake up and realise the pleasure and satisfaction of working on your own car does not necessarily involve getting someone else to cover your car is sticky back plastic and adding an obnoxious exhaust.
I get depressed when I watch YouTube sometimes as a lot of the kids you see posting "you will know the ones I mean" don’t own a single spanner and judging by their videos have absolutely no idea what lucks under the bonnet of their expensive toys. Some can’t even be bothered to wash their own cars.
Then I come back to this thread and my faith is restored. The petrol head does still exist and they know one end of a spanner from the other and are not afraid to use them, even on exotics.
Keep up the good work folks, one day maybe the YouTube generation will wake up and realise the pleasure and satisfaction of working on your own car does not necessarily involve getting someone else to cover your car is sticky back plastic and adding an obnoxious exhaust.
Funny, there are comments all through this thread as to working versus parking garages, and how that may or may not determine a true petrolhead. Yes I do work on my cars, but pretty much maintenance work as opposed to re-building engines. All my cars will still go every year to a respected indy for annuals only because regardless of my own desire to spanner on them I remain an amateur and will never have the knowledge, experience and tools of an well-respected independent specialist that does this day in and day out for a living. For me that not only preserves value (I worked hard to afford these cars), but it also protects the car for future owners - I would never spot all the signs of potential failure or wear that someone with 20 years of Ferrari experience would do.
So the job in the picture was to inspect the rotors, fit new pads, and fix skid plates to the front bumper in preparation for a trip to Wales. Right now I'm fitting an uprated F1 pump and replacing fluids before I track the car in a couple weeks. All "pretty basic stuff" that I can do in my time on my terms. It certainly does add to the enjoyment of owning the car but that's because I'm that way inclined - I can't see something without wanting to know how it works. I want to open it up and then put it back together.
But my garage is also my home office and when I am working from there it gives me huge pleasure to have the cars gleaming behind me. I love seeing them polished up and perfect - and that's how they are 75% of the time. The garage is attached to the house and I catch myself walking in there regularly just to look at them.
Both of these scenarios make me a petrolhead, and in equal measures. I don't believe one needs to work on cars to be a petrolhead, nor do I think that they need to be in perfect order to qualify you. You just need to want them, to admire them, to recognise the work they represent, the history they carry, and the dreams they inspire. Garages, whatever type they may be, make this real for people, and every petrolhead should aspire to have one. Great thread by the way, one to inspire like few other can do. Cheers.
So the job in the picture was to inspect the rotors, fit new pads, and fix skid plates to the front bumper in preparation for a trip to Wales. Right now I'm fitting an uprated F1 pump and replacing fluids before I track the car in a couple weeks. All "pretty basic stuff" that I can do in my time on my terms. It certainly does add to the enjoyment of owning the car but that's because I'm that way inclined - I can't see something without wanting to know how it works. I want to open it up and then put it back together.
But my garage is also my home office and when I am working from there it gives me huge pleasure to have the cars gleaming behind me. I love seeing them polished up and perfect - and that's how they are 75% of the time. The garage is attached to the house and I catch myself walking in there regularly just to look at them.
Both of these scenarios make me a petrolhead, and in equal measures. I don't believe one needs to work on cars to be a petrolhead, nor do I think that they need to be in perfect order to qualify you. You just need to want them, to admire them, to recognise the work they represent, the history they carry, and the dreams they inspire. Garages, whatever type they may be, make this real for people, and every petrolhead should aspire to have one. Great thread by the way, one to inspire like few other can do. Cheers.
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 10th June 18:35
Streetrod said:
Then I come back to this thread and my faith is restored. The petrol head does still exist and they know one end of a spanner from the other and are not afraid to use them, even on exotics.
Right on! However, lifts do make the whole job of removing the rear end of a car sooo much easier!
thecook101 said:
Funny, there are comments all through this thread as to working versus parking garages, and how that may or may not determine a true petrolhead. Yes I do work on my cars, but pretty much maintenance work as opposed to re-building engines. All my cars will still go every year to a respected indy for annuals only because regardless of my own desire to spanner on them I remain an amateur and will never have the knowledge, experience and tools of an well-respected independent specialist that does this day in and day out for a living. For me that not only preserves value (I worked hard to afford these cars), but it also protects the car for future owners - I would never spot all the signs of potential failure or wear that someone with 20 years of Ferrari experience would do.
So the job in the picture was to inspect the rotors, fit new pads, and fix skid plates to the front bumper in preparation for a trip to Wales. Right now I'm fitting an uprated F1 pump and replacing fluids before I track the car in a couple weeks. All "pretty basic stuff" that I can do in my time on my terms. It certainly does add to the enjoyment of owning the car but that's because I'm that way inclined - I can't see something without wanting to know how it works. I want to open it up and then put it back together.
But my garage is also my home office and when I am working from there it gives me huge pleasure to have the cars gleaming behind me. I love seeing them polished up and perfect - and that's how they are 75% of the time. The garage is attached to the house and I catch myself walking in there regularly just to look at them.
Both of these scenarios make me a petrolhead, and in equal measures. I don't believe one needs to work on cars to be a petrolhead, nor do I think that they need to be in perfect order to qualify you. You just need to want them, to admire them, to recognise the work they represent, the history they carry, and the dreams they inspire. Garages, whatever type they may be, make this real for people, and every petrolhead should aspire to have one. Great thread by the way, one to inspire like few other can do. Cheers.
I agree with every thing you say. Having the ability to spanner on your car is not a pre qualification for being a petrol head but I do think it adds to the experience and the connection. And if all you do is check the oil and make sure your fluids are at the right level at least you have opened your bonnet to check. My dig at the Youtubers was because most of them have never even done that.So the job in the picture was to inspect the rotors, fit new pads, and fix skid plates to the front bumper in preparation for a trip to Wales. Right now I'm fitting an uprated F1 pump and replacing fluids before I track the car in a couple weeks. All "pretty basic stuff" that I can do in my time on my terms. It certainly does add to the enjoyment of owning the car but that's because I'm that way inclined - I can't see something without wanting to know how it works. I want to open it up and then put it back together.
But my garage is also my home office and when I am working from there it gives me huge pleasure to have the cars gleaming behind me. I love seeing them polished up and perfect - and that's how they are 75% of the time. The garage is attached to the house and I catch myself walking in there regularly just to look at them.
Both of these scenarios make me a petrolhead, and in equal measures. I don't believe one needs to work on cars to be a petrolhead, nor do I think that they need to be in perfect order to qualify you. You just need to want them, to admire them, to recognise the work they represent, the history they carry, and the dreams they inspire. Garages, whatever type they may be, make this real for people, and every petrolhead should aspire to have one. Great thread by the way, one to inspire like few other can do. Cheers.
Edited by thecook101 on Friday 10th June 18:35
My money no object garage would have a show and display area plus a fully equipped fabrication garage tacked on the back. And yes I am a bit a clean freak. All my tools are well used but they are also spotless including my welders, spray equipment and air tools etc, that’s how I roll..
thecook101 said:
Funny, there are comments all through this thread as to working versus parking garages, and how that may or may not determine a true petrolhead. Yes I do work on my cars, but pretty much maintenance work as opposed to re-building engines. All my cars will still go every year to a respected indy for annuals only because regardless of my own desire to spanner on them I remain an amateur and will never have the knowledge, experience and tools of an well-respected independent specialist that does this day in and day out for a living. For me that not only preserves value (I worked hard to afford these cars), but it also protects the car for future owners - I would never spot all the signs of potential failure or wear that someone with 20 years of Ferrari experience would do.
So the job in the picture was to inspect the rotors, fit new pads, and fix skid plates to the front bumper in preparation for a trip to Wales. Right now I'm fitting an uprated F1 pump and replacing fluids before I track the car in a couple weeks. All "pretty basic stuff" that I can do in my time on my terms. It certainly does add to the enjoyment of owning the car but that's because I'm that way inclined - I can't see something without wanting to know how it works. I want to open it up and then put it back together.
But my garage is also my home office and when I am working from there it gives me huge pleasure to have the cars gleaming behind me. I love seeing them polished up and perfect - and that's how they are 75% of the time. The garage is attached to the house and I catch myself walking in there regularly just to look at them.
Both of these scenarios make me a petrolhead, and in equal measures. I don't believe one needs to work on cars to be a petrolhead, nor do I think that they need to be in perfect order to qualify you. You just need to want them, to admire them, to recognise the work they represent, the history they carry, and the dreams they inspire. Garages, whatever type they may be, make this real for people, and every petrolhead should aspire to have one. Great thread by the way, one to inspire like few other can do. Cheers.
I have to agree with the above comments. We are all different and life is about making yourself content.So the job in the picture was to inspect the rotors, fit new pads, and fix skid plates to the front bumper in preparation for a trip to Wales. Right now I'm fitting an uprated F1 pump and replacing fluids before I track the car in a couple weeks. All "pretty basic stuff" that I can do in my time on my terms. It certainly does add to the enjoyment of owning the car but that's because I'm that way inclined - I can't see something without wanting to know how it works. I want to open it up and then put it back together.
But my garage is also my home office and when I am working from there it gives me huge pleasure to have the cars gleaming behind me. I love seeing them polished up and perfect - and that's how they are 75% of the time. The garage is attached to the house and I catch myself walking in there regularly just to look at them.
Both of these scenarios make me a petrolhead, and in equal measures. I don't believe one needs to work on cars to be a petrolhead, nor do I think that they need to be in perfect order to qualify you. You just need to want them, to admire them, to recognise the work they represent, the history they carry, and the dreams they inspire. Garages, whatever type they may be, make this real for people, and every petrolhead should aspire to have one. Great thread by the way, one to inspire like few other can do. Cheers.
Edited by thecook101 on Friday 10th June 18:35
My 'garage' is a workshop that happens to be where I keep my car(s).
Over the next few years I will be building a new workshop, store and garage along with a new house - all built from scratch on a new site.
The workshop and store planning is going in next week for a 4950sqft shed with space for a full height mezzanine floor. It will be 50% workshop and the remainder store for one of my businesses.
I plan a garage for 3 or 4 cars. This will just be somewhere to park them. There will be a covered 'car port' for at least 2 cars (the every day transport).
The workshop is where the sofas, sound system, fridge, etc will be based. It is where I spend most of my time. They will probably be up on the mezzanine with storage for parts, etc.
It is an exciting project and I will probably post somewhere on PH pictures of my progress (if there is interest) as it fits with my ethos of allowing others to be involved.
I suspect that most of the great looking motor house are owned by people who have learned that you don't get the nice things in life working for someone else.
I learned years ago that earning a living base on the number of hours you can work will never see you 'rich'.
'Rich' is a personal 'feeling/definition'. I am far from Rich in the true sense of the word but I make my capital work very hard and use low borrowing rates to generate much higher returns.
I have been lucky with one business being in a growing sector. But I work hard to make sure I take every advantage it gives.
I fully expect to work (albeit part time) until I am 75. It will be very part time after I am 65 as I am building a family business.
Unless you inherit a pot of money you will need to think out of the box.
I learned years ago that earning a living base on the number of hours you can work will never see you 'rich'.
'Rich' is a personal 'feeling/definition'. I am far from Rich in the true sense of the word but I make my capital work very hard and use low borrowing rates to generate much higher returns.
I have been lucky with one business being in a growing sector. But I work hard to make sure I take every advantage it gives.
I fully expect to work (albeit part time) until I am 75. It will be very part time after I am 65 as I am building a family business.
Unless you inherit a pot of money you will need to think out of the box.
Glad to see this was TOTD, it Isobel if my favourite threads on PH.
I wonder if it is worth rerunning the vote we had a few years ago to answer the original question? There have been some great garages added since.
I wonder if it is worth rerunning the vote we had a few years ago to answer the original question? There have been some great garages added since.
Storer said:
Over the next few years I will be building a new workshop, store and garage along with a new house - all built from scratch on a new site.
The workshop and store planning is going in next week for a 4950sqft shed with space for a full height mezzanine floor. It will be 50% workshop and the remainder store for one of my businesses.
I plan a garage for 3 or 4 cars. This will just be somewhere to park them. There will be a covered 'car port' for at least 2 cars (the every day transport).
The workshop is where the sofas, sound system, fridge, etc will be based. It is where I spend most of my time. They will probably be up on the mezzanine with storage for parts, etc.
It is an exciting project and I will probably post somewhere on PH pictures of my progress (if there is interest) as it fits with my ethos of allowing others to be involved.
I'm sure there would be interest!The workshop and store planning is going in next week for a 4950sqft shed with space for a full height mezzanine floor. It will be 50% workshop and the remainder store for one of my businesses.
I plan a garage for 3 or 4 cars. This will just be somewhere to park them. There will be a covered 'car port' for at least 2 cars (the every day transport).
The workshop is where the sofas, sound system, fridge, etc will be based. It is where I spend most of my time. They will probably be up on the mezzanine with storage for parts, etc.
It is an exciting project and I will probably post somewhere on PH pictures of my progress (if there is interest) as it fits with my ethos of allowing others to be involved.
thecook101 said:
I have 3.15m from tile to ceiling where the lift stands. You will probably get two cars in there with 3m but it will be tight. Also consider how much headroom you want under the car when lifted to work in. I'm 6'4 and mine works for me.
I'm 5 foot 10 so that probably works perfectly for me then!Streetrod said:
My dig at the Youtubers was because most of them have never even done that.
Agree 100%. Being a car-spotter, even a successful one, does not make you a petrolhead. And I don't say this as if 'being a petrolhead' is some sort of exclusive club, it's merely that I'd be very unlikely to want to share a beer with someone who thinks that the 'programmed pop' an LT makes on upshift is the best feature of the car. FFS! 
thecook101 said:
Streetrod said:
My dig at the Youtubers was because most of them have never even done that.
Agree 100%. Being a car-spotter, even a successful one, does not make you a petrolhead. And I don't say this as if 'being a petrolhead' is some sort of exclusive club, it's merely that I'd be very unlikely to want to share a beer with someone who thinks that the 'programmed pop' an LT makes on upshift is the best feature of the car. FFS! Edited by Streetrod on Saturday 11th June 14:58
The youtube thing is interesting. I remember watching a video by SOL (Paul Wallace) and he was struggling to understand MPG vs displacement vs fuel tank sizes (not sure how he managed to confuse them all but there you go..). However I am sure he can name every single model of Lambo since 2000, knows all the colours etc.
Either way the fact I was watching the video proves that his actual knowledge does not matter as the clicks = $.
I quite like Seen Through Glass. Seems to know his stuff and videos are slick.
But if you want to watch proper car people it has to be Mighty Car Mods.
Either way the fact I was watching the video proves that his actual knowledge does not matter as the clicks = $.
I quite like Seen Through Glass. Seems to know his stuff and videos are slick.
But if you want to watch proper car people it has to be Mighty Car Mods.
t.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff