New girl on the block

Michael.... From the pictures you shared with me almost a year ago I was just starting to forget my extremely painful envy of your amazing collection.... Now I have to start over.... Your collection rocks and I can only dream....:Cheers2:
 
This has got to be the best bang out of the gates new user thread. Great intro and story Franci! I absolutely LOVE the cars being inside the house. It was always a dream of mine but the house we bought last year will never allow cars to be inside, so my wife and I did the next best thing and installed a glass door so we can at least see our babies from inside the house.
I am a Chevy guy and my wife is a Ford girl but unlike yourself, I could not bring her into the light. However, the good news is now I get to go to twice as many car shows!
 
XFIRE82 said:
OK ChevyGirl, you asked so here's a few more :

Holy massive collection Batman (aka XFIRE82); thanks SO much for the virtual garage tour. It's perfectly 'plastered'! We were... wow, wow, oh wow, hey wow, loooook wow!! Superb wall of oil cans. Dig your 'dealer', and unusual 'tire' signs... and the propeller! And, and.... Really fun shop!!

Are you still buying? Do you occasionally sell? We can't resist the large signs and double side-eds; they're so very unusual to come across these days. No matter the condition - roached, bullet-ridden - are still lookers on the barn or lean-to don't cha think?

Your space vrought back memories. When we first built our shop, I tried the sweet 'spousal assist' with the placement/hanging inside - eager suggestions for lining up and organizing. To balance etc, cause that's how my control freak mind works. As you can imagine, that lasted an hour. After 10 years, I see what makes the most interesting garage collection is a bit (or alot) of organized 'chaos'. Wifeology101, Eric!

Franci
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OTCG: Nice cars. U and your hubby live in Victoria - so, should be able to drive those beauties all year round as long as there is no snow (sand & salt) or the temp. too low for those soft summer tires. Mine has been laid up due to very low temps, and then, we got snow yesterday that will keep me off the road for a week maybe? Welcome to CF!!!
 
Riley P said:
This has got to be the best bang out of the gates new user thread. Great intro and story Franci! I absolutely LOVE the cars being inside the house. It was always a dream of mine but the house we bought last year will never allow cars to be inside, so my wife and I did the next best thing and installed a glass door so we can at least see our babies from inside the house.
I am a Chevy guy and my wife is a Ford girl but unlike yourself, I could not bring her into the light. However, the good news is now I get to go to twice as many car shows!
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Hi Riley - so good to meetcha! I am far-klempt! Honestly - it's you guys who are super cool. I enjoy your witty banter! Funny how there can be a renewed appreciation for a love/hobby with a fresh new perspective.

How COOL to hear your same yet opposite story! It's certainly wonderful to share one another's car love! Your looking glass door is the perfect solution to keep an eye on the 'kids'! We joke that it's important to know 'what' your stuff is doing at all times. What's your Ford-Girl's baby? Oh let me guess... a Mustang? A T-Bird? A convertible, yes?? Please post a pic! With friends who are die-hard Ford or Chev nuts, we get kidded alot. I had a fun - but frighteningly unstable - Gen1 Viper for a few years, but otherwise we aren't Dodge collectors.

Having cars inside the house was also our couple dream - isn't it everyone's? We lucked out to find an insanely quirky house with a 100' long wing of glass walls and double doors wide enough to drive em right in. I am in heaven to be able to have all the vettes, a 65 Mustang FB and 27 T in my office! I pretend it's a 1960’s dealership. Often we'll sit in a car, crank up the Rock-Ola and pretend it's date night. The only downsides having em indoors - perpetual dusting, the occasional fluid leak, and a cat with an attitude who thinks it's funny to sit on the '60's convertible top!

HA! Saska-ba-toon! We called it Saska-bush. You've heard em all no doubt! We're both originally from wee Manitoba towns - Portage and Poplar Point. Yup, prairie folk.
 
JCWP said:
OTCG: Nice cars. U and your hubby live in Victoria - so, should be able to drive those beauties all year round as long as there is no snow (sand & salt) or the temp. too low for those soft summer tires. Mine has been laid up due to very low temps, and then, we got snow yesterday that will keep me off the road for a week maybe? Welcome to CF!!!
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Hi JVWP thanks for the westcoast welcome! What year is your convertible? Holy cow hey - quite the unusual snow week for us! Nice temp today; predicting it'll be melted soon. Is it true there are some areas in West Van with heated streets? I know of a few hilly neighborhoods in Nanaimo that have em!

Sweet Jesus - I admire and applaud your bravery drivin a vette all year round! Agreed, weather wise we both would (usually) have no prob getting around this time o year. I homestly just prefer using my SUV to deflect the rain, salt, sand and those super scary winter tailgaters! We do 6mo road/6mo storage ins on the 2015 - but on a clear dry Xmas or NY's day, will take something with a collector plate for a cruise.

Fingers crossed you're back on the road soon!
 
Thanks ChevyGirl. Not many people actually like the big signs, as collectors like to have 4 on the wall instead of just one in that space !!!!! I picked mine up long ago when no one wanted them. Most are from local dealers so I have stories that go with most of them. Like the big round White Rose, I used to buy gas there and when they shut down Nellie sold me the sign for 7 dollars. No I don't sell anything, as I get to enjoy it all yet everyday. I did part with that double pumper North Star awhile back to a friend that really wanted it bad and I kinda needed cash for my project so I had a weak moment. My stuff has alot of flaws, or should I say character. My first sign was the diamond Goodyear up on the peak of the shop, goodyear gave that to dad when he started the shop in 1966. The Red Indian inside below the big GM was at a old service station that my grandfather lived in after the garage closed. I have many stories about the signs where they come from.
 
Those are some great stories to go with the signs Michael! I'd love to bring the Corvette club up some time if you'd have us, but probably not until summer. :p

OTCG, sounds like a wonderfully set up house for Car people. Feel free to post up pictures of your other rides as although we are Corvette enthusiasts, we like all cars.

You are correct that my wife has a Mustang. She grew up riding horses so it was an easy choice for her. :D

Here is a picture of her Roush.
IMG_5675.JPG
 
Riley P said:
Those are some great stories to go with the signs Michael! I'd love to bring the Corvette club up some time if you'd have us, but probably not until summer. :p

OTCG, sounds like a wonderfully set up house for Car people. Feel free to post up pictures of your other rides as although we are Corvette enthusiasts, we like all cars.

You are correct that my wife has a Mustang. She grew up riding horses so it was an easy choice for her. :D

Here is a picture of her Roush.
View attachment 6932
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Holy! Riley, I had no idea! My god man, do you think its too late to get the lady some help? :)
 
XFIRE82 said:
Thanks ChevyGirl. Not many people actually like the big signs, as collectors like to have 4 on the wall instead of just one in that space !!!!! I picked mine up long ago when no one wanted them. Most are from local dealers so I have stories that go with most of them. Like the big round White Rose, I used to buy gas there and when they shut down Nellie sold me the sign for 7 dollars. No I don't sell anything, as I get to enjoy it all yet everyday. I did part with that double pumper North Star awhile back to a friend that really wanted it bad and I kinda needed cash for my project so I had a weak moment. My stuff has alot of flaws, or should I say character. My first sign was the diamond Goodyear up on the peak of the shop, goodyear gave that to dad when he started the shop in 1966. The Red Indian inside below the big GM was at a old service station that my grandfather lived in after the garage closed. I have many stories about the signs where they come from.
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I don't think that I would be too far out of line by perhaps speaking on behalf of a lot of the members on this board, but I would be thrilled to see a thread about your shop and your signs and your cars, and I would be quite happy to read a bunch of stories of how all of these things came into your life. Please do it. Please?

Nik, how do I go ahead and pre-subscribe to the "Legend of X-Fire" thread?
 
J. You're not out of line at all. Michael could write a book I'm sure about all his treasures. I'm with you on this.
Michael. I will throw my 'Please' into the ring as well.!
 
What a great idea you guys!! Michaels's photos are pickin' inspiration!! I was imaging many of you are gas/oil, sign and automobilia collectors like us too. A virtual garage tour thread to share pics and stories would be fantastic! I also like that anyone browsing the forum needs to join to view pics so it's not like they'll get shared all over FB.

Your wife has awesome Mustang taste Riley. Sexy car and color - I bet it's a dream to drive. Hope she also drives the vette. I know many wives/GFs who are really a-scared to scratch or curb the classic and won't even get into the driver's seat. That's what insirance and touch up paint is for.
 
XFIRE82 said:
Thanks ChevyGirl. Not many people actually like the big signs, as collectors like to have 4 on the wall instead of just one in that space !!!!! I picked mine up long ago when no one wanted them. Most are from local dealers so I have stories that go with most of them. Like the big round White Rose, I used to buy gas there and when they shut down Nellie sold me the sign for 7 dollars. No I don't sell anything, as I get to enjoy it all yet everyday. I did part with that double pumper North Star awhile back to a friend that really wanted it bad and I kinda needed cash for my project so I had a weak moment. My stuff has alot of flaws, or should I say character. My first sign was the diamond Goodyear up on the peak of the shop, goodyear gave that to dad when he started the shop in 1966. The Red Indian inside below the big GM was at a old service station that my grandfather lived in after the garage closed. I have many stories about the signs where they come from.
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Just LOVE your stories Michael! Even bullet riddled, a giant $7 sign is still 'holy'! You're a preserver of time; rescuing objects and passing on the amazing history that goes with them. HA - we don't sell anything either! Sometimes a trade out for a new found, less roached version. Yet the crunchy ones still have a place outside. It's always fun to give away a small piece to a young dude just starting out... good collection karma!

Bet we all have many coulda, woulda, shoulda stories! The number of people at car shows alone with their 63 split tales - almost bought it - had to flog it - the wife got it in the divorce and sold it for $100!
 
....oh my, thanks for the idea and all , but don't think my high speed 2 finger typing can hack it .....:(.... this is a classy Corvette site and wouldn't want to run a mile long thread of what many may call junk. My plan is to take down the outside sign wall next summer ( if the force is with me ! ) and add on to the shop , then re-sign the new wall . I am just too crowded in there and shops are never big enough are they ? But will kick the idea around and see. And since I got a couple of minutes , here's another one : See the big double GM maple leaf chev/olds hanging on the pole. Back in the early 80's the days of the auto trader being king for auto ads, I put out a search for 1958 chev cars. A old GM dealer from Birch Hills called me said he hauled a 58 out to the farm years ago that he took in trade that couldn't sell. So I went to look, but the car was really poor, a plain jane 4 door that wasn't worth the 200 he wanted. But the 58 was next to a fallen down shed, and a piece of red paint caught my eye. So I asked him what it was and can I look. " yeah, it's just the sign from the dealership we had " . Well the roof came down on it and bent it up some, but he said if I can dig it out I can have it for 25 bucks. So I managed to pull out the treasure and it now hangs by my shop. Great spot to take car pics under like my 49 media of the month winner. I later picked up another identical one with local history but that can be a story for another day.

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Great story X. Unlikely anyone would tire of hearing about your treasures. Great collection.

Agree on the garage size, it can never be too big.

I have been looking for an old Sunoco sign for years. An antique dealer south of us has one but he will not part with it. I keep looking, maybe one day I will find another.
 
hmmmmm.... Michael. I think you've just proven your high speed 2 finger typing is doing just fine.... Good story my friend...
 

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