I just wanted to share a thread on a different forum that shows how a lot of work and persistence can pay off. Restored 1930's Auto Shop - The Garage Journal Board

 

I'd really like an honest accounting of how much that cost. He apparently did a lot himself, but for a private garage that is over the top!

The project is in line with a thought I've had for some time. There are places like that all over the country, full of character and old equipment, that can be bought for a song. Out in the country (which I like). I've seen 5 - 10 acre parcels with old salvageable buildings in rural areas go for as little as $25k.

 

Thats a neat old shop, I would love to have some old shop like that to fix up.
although I think the interior would probably end up looking more like the original pictures after I used it for a year or two.

It looks nicer and cleaner inside than most people's kitchens of course they probably havent used it yet??

 

As a retired contractor, please forgive me for eyeing the building harder than the auto contents inside, but I love the way the guy set the gable of the addition under the original gable end of the shop...very good looking detail, and most would have just extended the roof line out and never thought about it, one way or the other!!...what a remodel!!

 

I would love to find an old shop to restore myself, but there aren't any around here. Next best thing is to build a new garage/shop to look like an old shop. And that's how I found this link. Anywho, after tearing down the trailer last year, it's time to start planning my new shop. Should only take 10 years, lol.

 

I am a neat freak. With that said...I have cleaned up and restored quite a few shops and garages in my lifetime.
This is awesome....and thanks for showing us!!
Must have been alot of great parts in that building!!

 

Boy you could call that a very nice shop. I don't think I would be able to keep it that clean.

 

That is a beautiful transformation, thanks for the inspiration Havi. My shop always ends up looking like the before pictures. Would be very nice to have a well equiped shop like that, maybe if I ever win the lottery.

 

A clean shop denotes mental illness and I am a VERY healthy minded person. My shop looks like the before pictures, but I have had many years to gather all my junk! Mine is 48X60 and can usually get three cars in due to all the junk in the way.
Great to see old buildings rebuilt and used.

 

That rebuild takes two things I never have enough of time and money! Can't convince the wife that a two car garage in the back yard would add value to the house!!!

 

Five of the eight Gas Stations/Garages that my Dad owned or worked at are still standing - non as an operating garage.
I would really like to get one and restomod it into a garage/hang-out for the gang to get together and lie, burb and fart.

This is the 1st "Gas Station" my Dad opened in 1954 "Mom, Dad and Me"

 

I was able to convince my wife that a two car garage in the back yard would add value to the house. Unfortunately, I had to spend money making it look like it belonged in our neighborhood. I bought a kit from Country Carpenters (Timber Frame Barns, Post and Beam Carriage Houses & Post & Beam Garden Sheds) in Marlborough, CT and put it up with the help of friends. It's worked out fairly well and provides space for my two vehicles. You can see a picture of it at the end of the thread " winter heat".


Timber Frame Barns, Post and Beam Carriage Houses & Post & Beam Garden Sheds