My 'Dream Garage', 40'x36', 12' 1st Floor, Upstairs, 2 Rotory Lifts, etc.

Hello fellow garage enthusiasts/junkies! I have been a big fan of this forum, and am finally taking the time to post my project.

I live in the Allentown PA area. Originally from North Jersey. I am a huge BWM enthusiast, hence this shop.

Been under construction for about 2 years now. Once the exterior was complete, the pace has slowed considerably. Still a ton of work on the inside.

Have been doing everything myself, with the great help of some great friends. The only 'contractor' I had come in was for the stone on the front, as I wanted it to match my home, so i used the same outfit that my home builder used.

- 40x36x12
- 2x6, OSB, Vinyl siding, stone front
- 1/2 bath downstairs, small office, utility room under stairway
- Crazy exterior lighting package (these front fixtures are huge, but look to scale on the building)
- Interior lighting, 10 175W Metal Halide Low Bays with Acrylic lenses, 5 circuits, 2 lights each
- Interior steps, 17x40 upstairs w/2 10' Dormers
- 2 floor drains and gutters routed to 40 ton drywell
- 2 Rotary 2 post asymmetric lifts
- Lyon 12' lab bench with lots of drawer storage (temporarily on casters during construction, will be permanently mounted in front of right side lift)

Much more, but you get the idea.

Todd
90 BMW M3, 25k, custom intercooled turbo system, 356WHP @1 Bar, etc
95 BMW M3, 77K, Dinan Stage3 engine & suspension, etc
96 BMW 740il, 126k, Body colored rockers & bumpers, 2pc forged wheels,etc
03 Toyota Sequoia 4x4, 53k, wife’s winter driver
03 Honda Element AWD, my winter driver
27 Ford Model T, restored all original, always in family, bought new by great grandfather
01 Polaris Sportsman 500HO 4x4 ATV, 360 miles
01 Polaris Scrambler 50cc
99 Kawasaki 400 Prairie Dog 4x4, 130 miles
2002 Kubota B7500 24HP 4x4 Tractor

Some more pics

Some more pics.

Some more pics.

Here is a link to a full size pic if your interested:
http://john.microphobia.com/todd/IMG_0527.jpg

Forgot pics of the toys.

Very nice! Looks more like a carrage house than a shop/garage.

Nice work. The garage looks great with your house and looks like you planned your space well. My garage is 30' deep. I wish I had gone at least 32' to make it easier to get 2 cars in bumper to bumper, but I was really planning on just work space.
Do you store cars on your lift? I was wondering about suspension at full droop. I have that option, but have not utilized it.
Also know what you mean about slow going on the inside. I have been working on inside of mine by myself here and there for about 2 years. 'Bout to head out there now in fact.
Cheers.

oh nice im from allentown also! what area are you in?

Very impressive, love the style and scale...it doesn't look that big until you see how small a car looks in it. Great job!

Boosted1,
Thanks for the kind words on the garage. Regarding storing a car on a 2 post lift, my research showed that there are an almost equal amount of people and an almost equal amount of reasons for it and against it. Personally, I like the fact that I am removed the load off the springs, which fatigue from compression, and you eliminate tire flat spots when stored for long periods of time. On the downside, I don't really like the fact that when raised the shock/strut is fully extended. Should really hurt it, but for some reason I think its not a good thing. I never had a failure/issue by doing so.

Ultimately, I will probably sell one of my Rotary 2 posts and put 2 four post lifts on that side of garage. I would then be able to park/store 6 cars on 1/2 of garage, leaving the other half as shop and convenience parking.

Regards,
Todd

I love it!

What's the concrete pad in the middle of the black top in front, where your old septic tank is? Just curious

nice set up though

Very sick, lots of BMW fans on this site.

Very nice looking garage, Todd!

Hello fellow E30 M3 Owner!! I am building my shop out here in California right now, dedicated to modifying/maintaining/building E30's. Nice collection you have there, keep up the good work!