Biggest mistake I made on the restoration that led to writing the Healey
restoration book: not restoring my garage before restoring the car. I would
have been much happier during the restoration, and my wife would have been
happier, as well. If I were doing this again, here's my list of priorities:
Good quality floor -- best epoxy coating professionally applied
Excellent wiring system with plugs on all four walls and ceiling above work
area, lots of amperage, lights, lights, lights.
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning so the garage/workshop is
comfortable no matter what the temps outside.
Deep sink with hot and cold water for washing hands and rags/pads
Solid workbench at standing height
Lots of solid shelving and an accessible loft or connected storeroom for
bigger and less needed parts.
Telephone
Separate area with good-sized parts cleaner and sand-blast cabinet
Desk, bookshelves, file cabinent, computer, iPod player, radio
Built in compressed air system with heavy-duty compressor mounted outside
and away to avoid noise
The above is mandatory for any complete restoration/repair shop. Below, you
get into the luxuries that are nice to have.
Refrigerator, and your very own oven, washer and dryer (now's the time to
get your wife new stuff for the kitchen/laundry room and move the old stuff
to the garage)
Toilet, shower
Lift - either two pole or four pole (advantages and disadvantages to each)
Exhaust system so engine can be running in closed garage if your climate is
extreme either direction
Big screen TV and comfortable sofa
Note that these are in order of priority, and anything below the need to
have line is optional.
gary
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