Started building the new shop (ALL FINISHED! Photos added on page 18)

[TA Wanted]

You're building us SUCH a beautiful backyard and shop but, I noticed the pictures don't quite do it justice... we better have all your Cuda-Challenger friends over when we're done so they can see it in person!   

Cody What a great thread.

That place is really looking sweet!!!. When Charlie and I were there you were just starting the patio project. It is the garage mahaul in my book. Great job by the both of you!!! Cant wait to check it out in the spring... I like the party idea.

[70mopes]

My friend Dennis and I were invited out to Cody's last July/Aug time frame.   Cody had a part I needed so we road tripped down to pick it up.  It was a beautiful day.  The shop was up and he had dried in the parts room on the 3rd floor.  The outside/entertainment area was just about to get underway.

We knew about the shop and were anticipating seeing it.   Early on, I had seen just a few pix about the time the slab was being laid.  That was it.

You think pictures set the tone for this awesome structure?... to see it in person is quite unbelievable.   The extent that Cody went to in order to ensure maximum structural strength and rigidity is impressive unto itself but when you actually stop and think that he and his wife basically did this on their own is mind numbing.   I am an engineer by trade and structural things intrigue me.  The framing, joist work, beam size, stairs,  foundation and space layout left my mouth agape.   The way it was wired and the quality of all components, how it was approached (i.e. see pix of Cody hand sawing 30 degree cuts into the patio glue lam and his wife finish sanding it) shows that nothing was left undone.   The effort is commendable and stuff most folks could only dream of.   

I am a huge mopar fan and let me tell you folks, Cody has some nice cars etc.   As I walked through this shop, looking at cars really became secondary.   For me, it takes a lot to move my attention away from great and unique mopars, but this shop did just that.   The parts room is especially nice.  It is on the third floor and is a pretty good climb up a beautiful hand built stairwell.  All that stuff was hand carried up there - a daunting task unto itself.   It was an open room when we saw it and he was putting in the HVAC stuff etc at the time.  It's footprint alone is greater than some shops.  I was picturing it as a great parts room as Cody was expressing his vision of it.  The pictures of it with custom built shelves loaded with parts is impressive and cool. 

It really is a remarkable effort - inside and out.     

Congrats my friend....on seeing it, doing it and for pushing through to the finish line.

Charlie

[Cuda Cody]

Knowing what to share on the internet and what to keep private is always hard.  When starting this thread my thought was to encourage, inspire and show others they can to can build the shop of their dreams too.  While lots of the comments have been praise, kind words and remarks that could give a person a big ego, I always know there is someone with a bigger shop, more cars, nicer restorations or anything else you can think of.

Having a big shop is nice, but it's nothing compared to the feeling I get from being around and sharing my love for cars with family and friends.  Some of my best life long friends I've met through car events and sites like this.  And that's exactly how I met Charlie and Dennis, at an auto swap meet a few years ago.  We quickly became good friends and I've been lucky enough to see some photos of the projects they have done.  I don't recall seeing Charlie post any photos of what he has done, but I can assure you he is one talented mopar restorer.  So when someone like Charlie, who is not only a big time engineer at a major company but a top notch car guy, says what he just did it means the world to me.  For all the encouragement and comments from everyone, I thank you and it's truly been great source of motivation for me.

My friend Dennis and I were invited out to Cody's last July/Aug time frame.   Cody had a part I needed so we road tripped down to pick it up.  It was a beautiful day.  The shop was up and he had dried in the parts room on the 3rd floor.  The outside/entertainment area was just about to get underway.

We knew about the shop and were anticipating seeing it.   Early on, I had seen just a few pix about the time the slab was being laid.  That was it.

You think pictures set the tone for this awesome structure?... to see it in person is quite unbelievable.   The extent that Cody went to in order to ensure maximum structural strength and rigidity is impressive unto itself but when you actually stop and think that he and his wife basically did this on their own is mind numbing.   I am an engineer by trade and structural things intrigue me.  The framing, joist work, beam size, stairs,  foundation and space layout left my mouth agape.   The way it was wired and the quality of all components, how it was approached (i.e. see pix of Cody hand sawing 30 degree cuts into the patio glue lam and his wife finish sanding it) shows that nothing was left undone.   The effort is commendable and stuff most folks could only dream of.   

I am a huge mopar fan and let me tell you folks, Cody has some nice cars etc.   As I walked through this shop, looking at cars really became secondary.   For me, it takes a lot to move my attention away from great and unique mopars, but this shop did just that.   The parts room is especially nice.  It is on the third floor and is a pretty good climb up a beautiful hand built stairwell.  All that stuff was hand carried up there - a daunting task unto itself.   It was an open room when we saw it and he was putting in the HVAC stuff etc at the time.  It's footprint alone is greater than some shops.  I was picturing it as a great parts room as Cody was expressing his vision of it.  The pictures of it with custom built shelves loaded with parts is impressive and cool. 

It really is a remarkable effort - inside and out.     

Congrats my friend....on seeing it, doing it and for pushing through to the finish line.

Charlie

[brads70]

  Hi Cody any updates?  Any plans on coming to Carlisle next year?

[anlauto]

Cody promised pictures of his cars, both past and present and projects.

[Topcat]

He's probably out Steelhead fishing again. 

Where are you CODY?

[Cuda Cody]

Topcat, you're good!  I did spend some time on the Deschutes last week, but was blanked.  No biggie, as I let everything I catch go anyway.    First time I was away from the shop in a long time!  The plan was to fish for a week, but after 2 days I wanted to come home and work on the shop, so I left early.   

Brad, I want to go to Carlisle more then you will ever know!  I do hope I have my $ h i t  together next year and make it over there to see everyone. 

Okay, so I'm really excited to get this project done so I can spend more time on cars and hanging out here with you guys.  Alan, I will post more photos soon.  Picked up a cool 68 Charger recently that I might need some tips on so don't be surprised if I call you.  I'm not a B-body expert yet.

Spent most of the summer finishing up the outside of the shop (photos below).  The stone work took me months longer then I thought it would.  I have a new respect for masons and what they do.  Now working on the Theater Room and Game room.  Hope to have those both done in about 2 months.  Then finish the final floor and trim work in the main shop before moving the lifts and cars in place. 

There's no words to describe how excited I am for the next couple years.

He's probably out Steelhead fishing again. 

Where are you CODY?

[dodj]

Words fail me.
Awesome Cody!

[spamtank]

   Wow, outstanding job. 

[blown motor]

Awesome job Cody. I made the mistake of showing your pictures to my wife. Now she's  and I'm 

[cwestra]

Looks perfect.

[74 challenge]

I....I...am so jealous it's bordering on hating you.

I am quite excited to see the finished shop too. Keep up the good work! and the pictures!

[71gogreen]

Cody ,I see our board meeting area ,but where's the hot tub? Is there anything you would have done differently?

[brads70]

Looks great!    I showed my wife your pictures....... BIG mistake!  ( she loves decorating/interior design stuff)

[anlauto]

Yes, very nice. You must do a large amount of "large party" entertaining...