By Staff Writer
Great looking shop. Nice to see the big Healey was represented. I just completed my own race shop after years of planning.
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My shop is a labor of love that I designed and built myself, including the drywall, floors and surround sound. I did all the work to finish this space.
It brings together more than two decades of collecting automobilia and tools into a functional garage for working on my cars: a Porsche, a 1961 Austin Healey with a Shelby GT350 motor, and any new project that may be coming soon.
My passion for cars, motorsports and people all combined to create my ultimate dream space for entertaining, working on cars, or just bench-racing with my friends.–Bryan Rasch
Never Too Big:
When planning,
always make your garage bigger.
You will fill the space quickly.
Start Collecting Early:
Even
before your budget allows you
to build your dream garage, start
collecting the things you want to
have in it. When you see something
you want, buy it. Otherwise,
it will be four times the price later
or not around. I started my collection
over 20 years ago. Until three
years ago, there was no place to
show it all.
Invest in Good Tools:
Tools from
Craftsman, Snap-on, etc., are worth
their weight in gold. Every cheap
purchase has to be replaced. Good
tools last for years and will save you
in the long run.
Invest In Good Air:
If you plan
to work on cars, get a two-stage
air compressor and run piping
to many locations. This will give
you air where you need it. The
new plastic systems are easy
and cheap.
Put Power Where You Need It:
Install garage outlets at waist
height, and make sure they are
everywhere. Wire is cheap; extension
cords are a pain.
Hose and Extension Cord Reels:
The cost is well worth the convenience.
A good retractable reel
for each hose and cord will make
it easy to get air or power anywhere
in the shop. Plus, it allows
for quick cleanup.
Reuse and Recycle:
Some of
the best storage solutions in my
garage came from cabinets that
I found on Craigslist. Take old
file drawers (they hold a ton of
weight), paint them black, and top
them with sheet metal. Old kitchen
cabinets and the like will work, too.
Having the right storage ensures
there’s a place for everything.
Never Stop Dreaming:
My
dream garage lived in my head
for 20-plus years, and every
year things got tweaked–ceilings
raised, layout changed, etc. But
when you finally have the budget
to build, all the ideas will come
together to be a great, functional
and amazing workspace.
This story ran in an old issue of Classic Motorsports. Want to make sure you're reading all the latest stories? Subscribe now.
Thank you again to our shop contest supporters:
Battery Tender
Chubb Collector Car Insurance
CRC Industries
Eastwood
Great looking shop. Nice to see the big Healey was represented. I just completed my own race shop after years of planning.
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In reply to dougie:
Very nice!
Wow guys, great job!
Your Shops look great. Mine isn't as pretty but it does the job. Just not BIG enough! 
In reply to wannacruise: It looks like a very practical work environment. You're right to be proud of it. (In fact, my 2 1/2 car garage looks like that, but yours is a bit larger and I can't put in a lift because of the truss construction 
).
Hi Gary, thanks for the compliment. So now I will get you in trouble with your wife, you can put in a lift.
I built my building about 12 years ago and the roof is all truss construction. But I have a son-in-law that is an excellent builder. 6 years ago,for the width of the lift, we did what is called "sistered" the existing rafters of the trusses. We used 2 X 12" lumber. My trusses were 2x6" and the 2x12s are nailed fast to the sides of the 2x6s. Only the 2x6s that are the roof rafter part. Then we cut "W" truss out. My garage is 28' deep and the boy says there will never be a problem with the roof, even in heavy snows. I think the roof pitch is 8/12 construction if memory serves. The underside of the roof ridge is 12' 6" high. The 10k lift needed 12' 4" to stand it up.
Another tip, don't buy a standard width lift, get an extra wide model. The LBCs are about the only cars I have that fit the standard width lift even though the advertisements show them holding a new Vette. I have a '70 Vette and a C5 Vette and the post are too close to the cars. You can make them work but the front arms and diagonal braces are very close and I jack up the Vettes and use truck riser extensions on the arms to keep the braces from hitting the rocker panels.
In reply to wannacruise:
Very interesting. Thank you for the tip. Actually, my wife Annie is a super-enabler, bless her heart, so she would encourage me to modify the trusses, along with adding insulation and heat! After a lifetime of being an extreme fiscal conservative, I have a difficult time pulling the trigger on those types of expenditures. But at 68 years old, I'm beginning to realize I can't take it with me. So perhaps a garage upgrade is in order. 
What a coincidence. At Christmas dinner about 6 years ago my wife with the son-in-law insisted that I put the lift in. We'd better hang on to those two. The son-in-law too.
You didn't hear it from me, but we have another "show us your shop" contest in the works.
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