I was reading a few posts today and noticed some wild differences in our shops. This got me to thinking. When Motor Trend bought Car Craft magazine then shut it down we lost a monthy segment called "This Guy's Garage". It was always entertaining to see where we spend our time. From the 3 car garage "man cave" to the single car garage we booted the wifes car from. From a leaking barn in upstate New York to the 10 acre "ranchett" in Texas we have some pretty cool digs.
Show us your Shop as is, no need to clean it up and sweep up the sandpaper just the gritty reality of what we do.
Yesterday after I had rolled the car out to sweep up and put some tools away and the car as it sits currently.
My shop is behind my house and is 26x30, it's where I work on my race bikes in the past and the MK5 right now.
House has a 2 car garage but all work goes on in the shop, I've got heat and ac and a couple of ceiling fans to keep the air moving.
Ceiling is only 9 foot tall, I wish it was taller and bigger so I could swing a lift without taking up a lot of room.
My friend helped me redo the whole thing a few years ago and luckily he convinced me to put in a ton of lights.
Mine looks a lot like Allyn's. It's functional, free from painted walls (so I know where the studs are to hang stuff), and no floor grid/coatings. Just simple and functional. I insulated it, sheetrocked it, and put in a mini split in advance of starting my MkIV build.
Built an early MkIII years ago, sold years ago. Back after 18 years to build a MkIV Build Thread Here Partners: Levy Racing, Summit Racing, LMR, Breeze, Forte's Parts, Speedhut, ReplicaParts
MkIV Complete Kit Ordered 4/18/23, Delivered 7/11/23, First start 3/15/25. Legal 6/13/25. Boss 427W, Edelbrock Pro Flo 4, TKX (.68 5th), IRS, Wilwood Brakes, 18" Halibrands, Toyo R888R Tires, Custom Speedhut Gauges
Some of your spaces are soooo cool! Pretty much all function here, just a 30'x50' place with heat and a bathroom to work in and make LOTS of pink dust!
Since "Papa" Dave started by showing his awesome shop I'll post a couple of indoor pics that I took while his car was in process. This is the 30'x30' "dirty" side for mechanical and body prep work:
Here's the 30'x20' "clean" side where they get sprayed:
I have an overhead door in the wall between the two so that I can roll bodies on the bucks from one side to the other without having to take them outside.
I built it all except for pouring the concrete and having two friends help stand up the 16 foot long treated 6x6 posts and give a hand with setting the trusses.
Finally one of my favorite pics taken as I approached the door one evening while doing the final assembly of Dave's roadster:
Lets see some others!
Jeff
Last edited by Jeff Kleiner; 03-27-2026 at 08:15 AM.
Since "Papa" Dave started by showing his awesome shop I'll post a couple of indoor pics that I took while his car was in process. This is the 30'x30' "dirty" side for mechanical and body prep work:
Here's the 30'x20' "clean" side where they get sprayed:
Finally one of my favorite pics taken as I approached the door one evening while doing the final assembly of Dave's roadster:
After seeing some of these really great shops would never post a specific picture of my build spaces.
Kevin
MKIV #8234
Coyote '14/TKO-600/3-Link 3:55 Rear I love the smell of 100 octane in the morning.
NITTO NT01 275X40XZR17 - 315X35ZRX17
Delivered 2/7/14 - Plate "COYOTE NC1965" 3/25/15
After seeing some of these really great shops would never post a specific picture of my build spaces.
LOL - I'm not proud!
Here's mine where I restore a lot of stuff:
Jim Phoenix
Coupe-R delivered 8/10/2024
289 USRRC, F5R1011063RD - delivered same day
Coupe-R has a Ford Performance 363 mated to a TKX, 18084.
Many details on my Coupe-R are different from a typical Coupe build because mine is not street legal, race only.
289 has a BP 302 mated to a TKX 18084.
"For a little more, you can do it yourself." - Ed Hollingsworth... 6-Pack forums
Here's my 30x40. It's a MESS right now because we haven't been here long and I'm trying to figure out the layout and workspace details. My wife is telling me we need to extend it by 20' to add a bathroom, bedroom, and office. I'm beginning to think she wants me to spend less time in the house. Not gonna argue.
289 FIA roadster (in-progress) received 11/2025
331 SBF/Pro-Flow4 port injection/Edelbrock E-street heads/Howards hydraulic roller cam
TKX w/.81 OD and mid-shift
8.8" rear w/3.55 gears and three-link
289 FIA pin drive wheels
I built my MKIV in a single bay of a regular two-car garage. My 5yo son was SUPER curious about all the boxes of parts and my tools; I had to store those behind a locked door in my basement. All you guys with tools on the same floor as your build make me jealous!
You know some of us have some great shops and some of us feel like our shops don't "measure up" so to say.
I remember when I was a kid and my dad built and raced his own sprint cars.
We never had a fancy well lit shop or garage, I wish dad could see how I've remodeled his old shop and what I'm building.
When I was a young kid my dad probably took me to every hole in the wall race or fabrication shop in this town.
I've seen some of the quickest most innovative dirt cars built in old buildings with the musty smell of gear oil, welders, paint fumes and cigar and cigarette smoke wafting through the air.
It wasn't the shop that came up with the ideas and innovations that pushed to new limits but the men with ideas and a dream working with the tools they had at hand. Usually late into the night and still rising early to make their day jobs.
Never be ashamed of the space you have no matter how big or small or fancy or clean or dirty your space is.
Heck in all the years my dad was racing sprint cars we never had an enclosed trailer until dad got me started in karts and we built our own, mostly outside in a really hot summer with leftover metal and parts we bought from the camper lot just down the street from my dad's work that a friend of his owned. scan0003-XL.jpg
This is my dad when I wasn't even walking yet probably, that's his "shop" behind him, a small one car garage in my parents first house.
1965 I think, with one of his early cars.
Last edited by TrackDay17; 03-28-2026 at 08:35 AM.
Mine looks a lot like Allyn's. It's functional, free from painted walls (so I know where the studs are to hang stuff), and no floor grid/coatings. Just simple and functional. I insulated it, sheetrocked it, and put in a mini split in advance of starting my MkIV build.
Greg, Great shop. Really like your mower. I bought a John Deer a couple years ago, not to mow my 20 square feet of yard, but to move my trailer around the parking lot. Like every other vehicle I seem to scrounge up, I cant leave em' alone. Gotta blow it up and do it my way!
Cheer's
My garage is very special to me. I had it built in 2011 just for the pure intentions of someday building a Cobra. Life situations had me waiting till 2023 to finally begin that build. It was worth the wait.
Delivery Date 6-24-23 Build thread Living the Dream
SBF 427 564hp/576tq Holley Sniper with Hyperspark by Smeding Performance. Tremec TKX .68 OD. IRS . Wilwood 12.88 brakes. Wilwood EPB. First start 11-17-23. First go cart 11-20-23. Title Reg. 7-3-24.
I built this about 15 years ago. Stick frame, 50 X 36. It has a wall down the middle splitting the space in two. The right side is the metal side and the left side is the wood shop.
FFR #7388 - Mk 4 Complete Kit w/ IRS, Ordered 10/21/10, Delivered 12/8/10. 302 with FiTech and Under Car Exhaust, Heat & A/C, Rod Top. Hard top and shop built side curtains added 2023.
Just a garage for me. I should mention it's an 8' ceiling which keeps me from installing a lift There's a game room above it which my wife has commandeered as her office since she works from home and doesn't want to give it up. Otherwise I'd be raising the ceiling.
My shop is 30' x 40' and in 4 sections. I wish it was a bit bigger as each area is a little small but OK with scissor trusses for extra ceiling height. 20'x15' 2 post lift 8'door. 20'x15' back insulated/heatable with a quick jack and side table. A 15'x15' heated workshop with cabinets, drill press, grinder, tool storage and storage above. And a 25'x15' open area, 10'door, with a BIG strong rolling table, welder, huge floor vise and overhead chainfall. LOTS of electric and concrete floor throughout. I was hesitant to show my mess but it is an active shop for more than just the MK4. Pics are all 1 -2 yrs old. Some of my many PV panels are mounted on shop roof and help big time with our all electric house and cars(except MK4) IMG_2370.jpeg IMG_2717.jpeg IMG_2711.jpeg
I love the Tesla electric vehicle pulling a gas powered monster. The irony of it all . A friend was one of the first in Canada to buy a Rivian when he retired. When I retired I bought a gas guzzling Mk5 kit IMG_2370.jpeg
Apologies, but I forgot the coolest thing in my shop, my wife had it made for me, best shower curtain ever.
FFR #7388 - Mk 4 Complete Kit w/ IRS, Ordered 10/21/10, Delivered 12/8/10. 302 with FiTech and Under Car Exhaust, Heat & A/C, Rod Top. Hard top and shop built side curtains added 2023.
First pick when I built my Mk4 in a two bay, deep garage in MD. Second one I'm still putting finishing touches on in NC. Three bays. IMG_1627.jpegIMG_3773.jpeg
Kit received Nov. 2011, 76660, legal August 2023, 331, TKO600, 3.31, Miro Type 398 Matte Black, 18x10.5, Falken Axenis RT615K+ 245/40R18, 315/30R18
Here's my 30x40 pole barn with two bays and a work area. I've got a nice mini-split that keeps the temperature comfortable in all but the most extreme conditions. The property "aesthetics planner" pressured me into building out a small porch/sitting area in one corner. It cuts into my work area, but it does look nice. The same person also told me that the contents of the shop should never "spill out." Clearly the contents have spilled out. IMG_8262.JPEG
Bay 1: is currently home to my body shop/paint booth. The Daytona will be getting color soon, and then the Mk 4 goes in. While it's nice to keep the dust and paint contained, I am anxious to get this carport out of my shop! I've been trying out this Pig Mat Grippy Mat - its like carpet you roll out and it holds dust really well and can be vacuumed. So far I really like it - a real game changer for keeping down the dust in this work area and the rest of the shop. IMG_8263.JPEG
Bay 2: is car storage and the work area. I can also slide another car in sideways in front of this. Today the Mk4 is in the bay awaiting the Spintech under car exhaust to get back from the heat coating then it goes out for PenDOT inspection and then the bodywork will begin. The Daytona is in front of the Mk4 - it has 6000 miles from two seasons of driving and just waiting for it's painted body.
Yeah, it's a bit of a mess right now with two cars and a riding mower all pulled apart. Normally it's quite organized. That's the Daytona under the car cover. The Morris rocker is for when my supervisor visits. IMG_8267.JPEG
Build 1: Type 65 Coupe:
Album: Coupe Album | Delivered: February 24, 2022 | Legal: April 20, 2024 | Complete: TBD
Build 2: Mk3 Roadster
Build Thread: TTimmy’s MK3 Basket Case Build Thread | Album: Mk3 Album | Originally Delivered: 2004 | Acquired by me: August 2024 | Legal: 3/31/25
Wow, some really cool shops have been shared. Mine supports the family ranch I manage with its wide variety of repairs (tractors), maintenance and projects (fences, corrals) in addition to fun projects like the Roadster, my Jeep, and 4 engine builds in the last 4 years. This is fun and here’s what I find really useful and the things I wish it had:
Useful Stuff-
Size and Tools-
-The shop is 40 x 40 including the original 30 x 40 pole barn section where most of the work happens and a 10 x 40 lower section which was added (left side of pic ) for additional storage-plenty. The shop has a good complement of tools-arc welders (1 in shop, 1 on welding trailer), acetylene welder, MIG welder, plasma cutter, drill press, bench grinders, vertical press, large compressor, power and hand tools. IMG_7596 Medium.jpeg
Drive Through-
-In addition to 2 normal sized walk in doors, the shop has 2 garage doors which are in line with each other. So, you can drive all the way through , even pulling a tight fitting trailer. Also helps with cross breeze. I love this feature.
IMG_7595 Medium.jpeg
Well lit Task Table-
-The task table has a very bright fully adjustable halogen light and a formica counter top for easy cleaning.
-Counter height with barstools. Flanked by deep plastic sink and parts cleaner.
-Used for everything: Rebuilding transfer cases, fuel injection racks, carburetors and assembling rings on pistons, pistons on connecting rods, etc.
-Marker board with both the SBF and LS firing orders and cylinder layouts. At one point I had both style engines in the shop at same time-my brain hurt. IMG_7594 Medium.jpeg IMG_7605 Medium.jpeg
More Marker Boards, Fridge, Table with chairs
-Key for lists, writing procedures, Teaching moments, OCD—-LOL!
-Gather to curse, laugh, celebrate the day’s challenges and accomplishments over your chosen beverage. IMG_7606 Medium.jpeg
Memories, Signage-
-The shop was my Dad’s and we built it in ~1995–countless great memories.
-My kids and grandkids give me signs for the shop including my Neon “Pops Garage”.
-Like most I have tool chests and cabinets full of stickers.
-Countless pictures have been taken including me finishing up the 347 and the right way to put the intake back on a 6.2 L LS build during install-Climb In!!! IMG_7601 Medium.jpeg
IMG_4281 Medium.jpeg
I Wish the Shop Had-
-Height for Lift-Shop has 8’ ceiling which prevents me from installing a lift.
-Insulation and climate control-Wish it had a mini-split. My kids gave me a Portacool for Christmas, yay!
-Paved road-there’s a 3/4 mile dirt road to pavement. Currently trailer roadster when i drive it. I at least need to improve it to allow slow driving with limited clearance.
I enjoyed writing this. Indeed the shop is my escape—I better get out there and finish cutting and bending rebar for a slab at the ranchouse entry.
Last edited by BUDFIVE; 04-06-2026 at 08:31 AM.
BUDFIVE
Complete kit order 8/28/2023, Delivery 11/28/2023
347 Ford Dyno 10/12/2023
First Start 7/4/2024
Go Cart 8/31/2024
Licensed, Registered 6/17/2025
I have so much shop envy. I have a very dirty, leaky 2 car garage. The wife and I are talking about moving in another year or two. If I do having property with an existing out building or space to build a 2 1/2 car shop.
The fella that bought my first build while looking at it the first time said "I can't believe you built that in here". He caught himself I'm sure worried he said something rude. I assured him it was the nicest thing anyone had said to me in years.
Nice garages, I had one much like some of the ones posted 35' x 40' when I was younger but traded it for a standard 1950's 2 car garage and more bedrooms (had kids). I cant complain I pumped a lot of vintage race car builds out of here before settling down to my latest rides. thumbnail (30).jpgthumbnail (28).jpg
I am really envious of all the beautiful shops. I guess my shop falls in the functional side. It's all the stuff that goes on inside that's the beauty. I currently have 6 engine builds going on at the same time. You can see some of them in the photos. There is a stock 289 2bbl for a Mustang restoration, A fresh 351W about to hit the dyno, A fresh 347 build just finished(dyno'd 430HP), 1970 Boss 302 from a vintage race car (just finished dynoing, now a rebuild chasing more HP). Not shown is an LT4(C8 Corvette engine) that should make over 800 HP when I get a chance to put it together. Lastly another 351 based engine to use the Webers sitting in the back. Oh and the Stack injection is getting a 502 BBC to mount it on. As you can see my shop is never going to be neat and show worthy, but it's certainly a lot of fun!
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Originally Posted by Jeff Kleiner
Not gonna argue.
There's a game room above it which my wife has commandeered as her office since she works from home and doesn't want to give it up. Otherwise I'd be raising the ceiling.
. A friend was one of the first in Canada to buy a Rivian when he retired. When I retired I bought a gas guzzling Mk5 kit 