[Healeys] My Garage List

[Editorgary at aol.com]

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