Your garage Part.2

[CXRK]

I know there was a tread some time ago on this subject but by the the time my car arrived (May) AND I had 85% of the garage completed enough to show an image, the thread seems to be LONG GONE!

So here you go...please feel free to add...even if you have before!

I still have to complete the ceiling and install a ceiling fan. Complete the lighting, finish the area above the corner storage cabinet (where the compressor, welder is stored) , install the roller air line and electrical cord. there is a 27" flat screen with a sound system. I'm all set to enjoy my winter finishing up the TVR, some updating on my BMW and of course adding some "tasty" bits to my Elise!!!

[Ara]

Is your Mini RHD?

[CXRK]

Originally Posted by Ara

Is your Mini RHD?

No....It's not as close to the tool box as it appears. Also, I'm pretty thin so I have no problem exiting.

-C

[vidoprof]

looks like a stage for a play. NICE.

Uhh I don't have a garage cause I don't have a house.

Ryan

[DesignIt]

Originally Posted by Ara

Is your Mini RHD?

Neither is my Miata, but climbing out the passenger side makes the ingress/egress of the Elise seem great.

John

[darkSol]

Outside:



Lotus Wall as of this morning 10/5/2005 - (not quote done yet... but close):





Enjoy!

[CXRK]

I took a look at yor pics on the "Just got my Elise" thread. Glad you posted them here and awesome garage!!

-C

[DesignIt]

darkSol, your garage is indeed beautiful. I like the wall covering. Is that metal sheet with wood over the top?

Clygroup, your garage is going to be awesome when it's finished. I just visited a friend in Austin last weekend who is also an Industrial Designer and a gearhead. His garage was a work of art too. Of couse the full CNC 3-axis mill and 14" metal lathe didn't detract from the overall appearance either.

Actually, the person who should post photos of his garage mahal is Ara. Are you listening, Ara? I know you have better photos of it than I do...

John

[darkSol]

Originally Posted by DesignIt

darkSol, your garage is indeed beautiful. I like the wall covering. Is that metal sheet with wood over the top?

John,
The "LOTUS" wall is three color paint (sherman-williams green / 3" metallic rattle can silver / sherman-williams yellow). The LOTUS letters are brushed aluminum attached with double-sided tape, available from XTEC MotorSports (tell Justin I sent ya!). 80% of the garage walls are covered in commercial maple slatwall with 6" spacing (instead of standard 3") - with finished aluminum inserts. Each channel can hold 75lbs/linear foot - more than enough.

I really wanted to have a 18'x3" piece of brushed aluminum roll for the stripe but couldn't find it... it doesn't look too bad using rattle spray can paint instead.

[waydui]

Hi David,

Wow, what a great garage!

I'm already pricing the flooring you've got for my own garage. That really looks "First Class".

Maybe I'll hand-deliver the Elise car plaques to you just so I can drool over your set-up!


Wayne

[kenp]

Intside and outside view

[babak]

Am I the only one that gets nervous looking at that picture?

[NMRJock]

I start feeling all tingly inside when I look at it. Is that what you mean?

[smoseley]

Kenp, that's awesome! What a creative use of space! Are there any negative side-effects to keeping your elise on a lift long-term?

[Ara]

Originally Posted by DesignIt

Neither is my Miata, but climbing out the passenger side makes the ingress/egress of the Elise seem great.

John

You'd have no problem if you took that silly hard top off.

[kenp]

Originally Posted by transio

Kenp, that's awesome! What a creative use of space! Are there any negative side-effects to keeping your elise on a lift long-term?

I was forced into a compromise solution. I already have a four car garage and live in a conservation area where planning and development is tightly regulated. I mimicked a traditional coach house where a coach and horse would be sheltered.
I don't expect any long-term ill effects. The lifting arms have pads which are set to contact before lifting (on the approved lifting points) ensure that the weight is evenly distributed. In any event, it is not long term. Both the Elise and the Exige are used regularly and the positions rotated.

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by transio

Are there any negative side-effects to keeping your Elise on a lift long-term?

Yes. Storing a car with the suspension "drooping" is not a good idea. The suspension bushings consist of an inner and outer sleeve (tube) with rubber in between. The outer sleeve is usually clamped to the suspension arms, and the inner sleeve is clamped to the chassis. Suspension movement is permitted by the twisting of the rubber between the two sleeves.

Storing a car with the load off the suspension causes the suspension to droop to it's maximum deflection - the rubber is twisted to it's maximum. Leaving the rubber bushings twisted will increase the deterioration and hasten the failure of the bushings.

Storing a car with the suspension in it's normal position minimizes the effects on the bushings.

Storing a car on a "drive on" lift where the car is supported by the tires on ramps is a better way to store a car.

Lifting an Elise by the arms of a two post lift (as shown in the picture) can be a problem. The front lift points are accessible, but the rear points are under the under-tray. Using the accessible lift points on the side of the car is lifting it by its "balance point" - hardly any weight (only a couple of pounds) is supported on the front arms. Potentially dangerous to lift it this way...

[Terry]

Right now I'm in the process of trying to decide which 4 post storage lift to buy; the choices are confusing. All of the lifts look pretty much the same, the prices vary pretty widely ($1750 - $2800), some have a lot of options included, some say they're American built, some stress certifications, etc. I've seen lifts labelled Rotary (or Revolution), American, Eagle, Direct Lift/ProPark, CSP (Car Stacker Portable), Garage Master and others. Does any one know this marketplace and can make a recommendation? For what it's worth, the website for Direct Lift has a nice picture of a green Elise (my color) on a lift which supposedly belongs to Bill Luken of Cincinnati.

[Florida Chris]

I have a couple of Rotary/Revolution lifts. They are American made and the company has been in business for many years making commercial lifts. Easy to get parts and service locally. They are powder coated, not painted. They are at the high end of the price range but well worth it in my opinion. Do not choose on price alone (you bought a Lotus didn't you, not a Miata).
No, I am not affiliated with them in any way, I am just a happy customer.

[Lumn8r]

Originally Posted by Terry

Right now I'm in the process of trying to decide which 4 post storage lift to buy; the choices are confusing. All of the lifts look pretty much the same, the prices vary pretty widely ($1750 - $2800), some have a lot of options included, some say they're American built, some stress certifications, etc. I've seen lifts labelled Rotary (or Revolution), American, Eagle, Direct Lift/ProPark, CSP (Car Stacker Portable), Garage Master and others. Does any one know this marketplace and can make a recommendation? For what it's worth, the website for Direct Lift has a nice picture of a green Elise (my color) on a lift which supposedly belongs to Bill Luken of Cincinnati.

I have a Superlift SR-7H http://www.superlifts.com/ which I bought through Detailer's Paradise. I posted the picture in another thread, but here it is again. I am very happy with it, the caster kit was great to have while doing work on the garage. I am not affiliated with either Superlifts or Detailer's Paradise, but will recommend them to anyone.