My Corvette Cave (Lots of Pics!)

[OldCorvetteFan]

History ...
When we bought our house, it came equipped with an OLD garage that I suspect might have been built in the 1920's or earlier. Anyway, it was in very poor condition, such that we had to tear it down in 2001 ...

There was a big empty spot where the garage used to be, and all I did was mow the weeds that grew there.
Of course, things happen, and in February 2006, we added the '95 to our lives ...

Winter wasn't over yet, so the poor thing had to withstand some abuse from Mother Nature ...

My most excellent wife (and best friend), kept asking me what my plans were for the upcoming winter of 06/07 - and I had to admit that I didn't really have one. Getting the Corvette was such a major accomplishment, and we had a few other things going on, so winter storage wasn't big on my list of things to worry about. So, being the loving woman that she is, she told me that we had a perfectly good starting point right in our own back yard. She pointed out that a 20' by 22' foot Corvette Cave would be perfect for the car. So, heeding this wise counsel, I embarked on a project - the CORVETTE CAVE project.
Here is the story (in both words and pictures) of my quest to build a Corvette Cave ...
It all starts with a good foundation!

My son has been following the developments all the way through ...

And finally, a nice smooth concrete foundation

In October 2006, the structure begins to come together ...

Starting to look like a proper Cave ...

Now lets get that roof done ...

Almost ready for shingling ...

Shingling underway - early October 2006

Shingles installed, and getting ready for siding ...

Now I'm really getting excited about all this!

 

[hotshotzny]

looks to be the making of a fine man cave!

 

[LittleRedFlatBack]

Garage

Awesome. You're going to wonder how you ever did without it. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

 

[LT4man]

What a cool story! Thanks for sharing!

SAVE THE

 

[Toms007]

I know how you feel, I've got mine just about where I want it.

 

[OldCorvetteFan]

The roof is complete, and I painted the trim around the door before the siding went on ...

As I got everything ready for the siding, there became an obvious problem trying to get the car into the garage! That big bump between the original driveway and the garage floor was just too much!

However, there isn't much that a good jackhammer and a strong back won't do to get things ready for your Corvette!

I thought that pile of rubble would NEVER get cleared! The driveway in front of the garage must have been at least six inches thick!

But it sure was looking good on the outside!

And REALLY looked better when all that rubble got cleared away!!

It's the end of October 2006, and I'm starting to get antsy that I may not beat the first snow!
But - the gravel truck showed, gravel was poured ...

And the Corvette Cave was ready to receive!!!

So, my Corvette was now ready for winter!

 

[XLR8]

Nice! One day I hope to build a nice garage (shrine ) to house my Vette and all my Corvette related stuff.

Jane Ann

 

[So Bay Vetter]

Wait! there's still more room in that garage! looks like it's time to by another Vette (the 95 is liable to get lonely)!

 

[LittleRedFlatBack]

looks like it's time to by another Vettequote]

I knew it! Is there a "part-two" to this story? with a C5 or C6?

 

[gmhowe]

I just wish I could get my garage cleaned out of all the wife's old stuff to put my 2 vettes in there and out of the baking Ariziona sun

 

[JimBobC4]

I just wish I could get my garage cleaned out of all the wife's old stuff to put my 2 vettes in there and out of the baking Ariziona sun

Mine would probably melt if it ever even saw the sun. :eyerole

my cave is based AROUND the car. the TV, the beer fridge, the carpeting all based around the spot where the 'vette lives.


I even have a blue line on the floor that is designated as a " kid free " zone. I haven't been able to train the dog yet , but we will come to an understanding soon.

 

[RVN]

Very nice!

 

[oceangal]

Nice job, I am sure your car will enjoy this winter ;-)

I don't like seeing mine out in the winter(even with a cover on it)so i am glad she got to stay inside this winter, next winter....?

 

[OldCorvetteFan]

With the Vette safely tucked away for the winter ...

Spring 2007 brought opportunities to start planning the inside ... starting with electrification! As we all know, power is an important part of cars and garages! So, I wanted plenty of light and plenty of power!

So, I planned on six 96" flourescents - four in the front, and a two in the back (adds light when the garage door is closed!).

I also wanted plenty of outlets on the walls ...

I like neat work, so I did the electrical myself!

Since my plans included drywalling, I also decided to install ceiling mounted speakers - so I built some enclosures ...

I bought four Boston Acoutics speakers to fill the garage with oldies while I remember my past, and dream of the future!
Time to insulate, since I want the garage to be as cozy as possible!

That was my major effort in 2007, and then I started running out of calendar again!

 

[Toms007]

Very nice, but what has happened in 2008? Anything? The suspense is killing me. BTW how high are your ceilings? 10'?

 

[OldCorvetteFan]

The garage has 9 foot ceilings - I would have preferred 10 foot now that I've moved into it (of course, I would also prefer a LOT more room, and mabye a couple more Corvettes to go in it!).

Now, to continue my story ...

With the arrival of Spring 2008, it was time to install the ceiling insulation ...

along with these nifty channels that allow air to move from the soffit to the attic vents!

Since I don't have much expertise installing and finishing drywall, I hired a contractor that didn't have much expertise either (I didn't realize that until the job was nearly complete). He proved to me that I probably could have done a better job (although it probably would have taken me a bit longer).

With the drywall complete, I started priming and painting ...

When the white was on the walls, it was time to install the ceiling speakers ...

Now I'm really getting excited, because the garage is beginning to come together! I was hoping to have it complete before Bloomington Gold, but I just ran out of time!

 

[LittleRedFlatBack]

I never thought about recessed speakers. I LIKE EM!!!

 

[Toms007]

Looking good, do you have plans for cabinets/workbenches/storage?

 

[OldCorvetteFan]

I never thought about recessed speakers. I LIKE EM!!!

I had originally considered wall mounted speakers like these Boston Acoustics Voyager 4,

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=12400&i=065VOY4W&tp=188

but when I started planning the installation, I realized I was running out of room, so I looked at the ceiling mounts, and got the BA DSi455 speakers ...

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=101500&i=065DSI455&tp=193

They sounded pretty good when I hooked them up in the house (even without the enclosures), so I'm looking forward to the garage sound. I've considered adding a subwoofer later on.

Steven

 

[OldCorvetteFan]

Looking good, do you have plans for cabinets/workbenches/storage?

Yeah - I'm such a geek. I made a scale drawing of the garage, outlined the car, and then planned where things like the workbench, tool box, storage cabinet, fridge, Corvette furniture, and other things would go. I then made some rough templates, took 'em out to the garage, and tried to visualize what everything would look like.

We're trying to finish things up. I have two more items on order, and a couple of things to buy, and then I'll be ready to start hanging Corvette art.

I'm hoping to complete the project by the end of summer, but there's no guarantee!

Steven