Ultimate Car Enthusiast Club Idea?

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Very well run, just like an aircraft squadron maintenance department.

There's the key. If you could find a retired aircraft squadron maintenance department head to run the place, then an idea like a clubhouse and workspace for gearheads could have a chance, as long as the infrastructure and legalise were in place that everyone involved knew what was what, and who was who.

Dad lived his final years in an airpark - the thing about airplanes in groups, there tends to be a lot of retired military hanging around the hangars, and I always had the impression that the discipline to maintain the bylaws and resolve grievances was more or less baked into the zeitgeist of the concept just because so many of the fellas understood the idea of 'the greater good for the organization', and they would bring the ones who didn't into line. Not sure if everyone thought that was OK, but I respected the way the leaders kept a thirty-home airpark neighborhood in order.

(One of the smartest guys there and well respected, was Jack, retired AF, who had a lead role in SR71 maintenance back in his glory days. He filled his retirement years doing little projects like cutting 2 cylinders off of air cooled volkswagen motors to put into his home built airplane.)

[Scott Watkins]

The Howard and the track villa are pretty cool.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inbIHL7AhR4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPQ3X287xQk

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Air Force bases in the era when I was still a dependent had a "Auto Hobby shop" on most bases. That is partly where I learned to work on my cars. I replaced the push rod tube seals on my 60 VW bug at one. They were leaking like mad, and had to be replaced. I have few if any tools of my own, but I could use their tools, and a lift. It was wonderful to have access to it. I also just hung out there some watching and asking questions of the folks that did not tell me to buzz of.

It was mostly enlisted men and dependents that used it. Not many officers wanted to be seen getting their hands dirty.

I painted my first car in an AF hobby shop paint booth (at Shaw AFB in Sumter SC) in the late 70's. I had two or three stripes then. I had rebuilt the top end of the engine for the same car earlier (1977) in the hobby shop at a different base (Lowry AFB in Denver CO). I pulled the head out in my apartment building parking lot using a small set of sockets from Kmart that I hiked about 10 miles to buy). I then had to carry the head several miles to the base and back. They did the machine work/valves after I took it apart for a small fee. Put it back together and it ran great (and stopped smoking). It was my first attempt at a major repair on a car.

[fintstone]

This is an old gas station in the area where my father lived in Asheville NC as a young man in the 1940s (after leaving home for work in the big city). I have a rental home nearby.

The area retains many of the buildings from between 1910 and the early 40's. I have always wanted to buy this one (now a muffler shop) and convert it into something else:


The area (West Asheville) has become trendy and where the hippies and tourists hang out...so probably way overpriced now. Right down the street, there is a restaurant made from a much smaller station at (784 Haywood Rd) where they have done converted a similar 1947 Pure Oil Station (it is appropriately named The Universal Joint):

[fintstone]

There is another one of these converted gas stations (into a restaurant) on the north central side of town (Asheville). It is a very good little restaurant called Mamacita's Taco Temple (132 Charlotte St). You can see how this design would make for a cool car hangout as well (with a few automotive or racing theme decorations:

[unclebilly]

Hmmm. I like it.

[fintstone]

There is a Greek restaurant in Albuquerque in the Nob Hill District (on Central) near University of NM called Yanni's. They have installed glass garage doors as windows on the patios so they can make it open air when they want (but still use it when the weather is not optimal). I think I would incorporate this idea into a car/garage theme as well.

[Alan A]

There’s places like that without the wrenching here.

Liability and the fact that people that can afford the costs don’t want to do anything but drive the cars are the kickers.

Your target audience is cash rich but time poor.

[Zeke]

Every venture needs cash reserves. I would consider taking in a small side business like a detailer to 1) be on site a lot of the time, and 2) provide a source of revenue for the 'club'. This person could also do concierge duties as needed, which would be handy.

You cold also arrange with him to do the housekeeping.

[look 171]

to be honest, I think its great idea, and fun but the reality is, no one will really pay to use your place. All your car friends will expect to use it for free.

I think you are much better off charging other's for storage and reserve a lift for yourself when you feel like getting down and dirty. I know a guy here who do just that and he has two buildings just for cars. He rented a space to an old P car mechanic there almost full time, and a detail person.
I can't say thing enough to people. When there's money exchanged, there's always potential law suits if someone scraps up their elbow. The insurance may cost you a more then a few bucks. Cover yourself, my friend. You are better off having a dyno in there and charge others to tune their cars and use the place to live, or hang out. Again, insurance.

[white85carrera]

There are at least two in my area. both focused mainly around track cars but not entirely. One is a focused group of buddies that form the core group of about 5 and the other is more membership based. Both are great groups of car loving folks focused on comradery, track and/or restoration. Common themes-multiple lifts (4-6) and individual work areas, lots or storage and a nice socializing area.

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by white85carrera

There are at least two in my area. both focused mainly around track cars but not entirely. One is a focused group of buddies that form the core group of about 5 and the other is more membership based. Both are great groups of car loving folks focused on comradery, track and/or restoration. Common themes-multiple lifts (4-6) and individual work areas, lots or storage and a nice socializing area.

Do you have a website link for the membership based club ?

[Scott Watkins]

"Do you have a website link for the membership based club ?"

https://msrhouston.com/villas/

[Pazuzu]

https://garagesoftexas.com/garages/

They key difference is that by SELLING you the space, they put the onus of insurance on YOU. Insurance is the killer of any sort of "rent our garage spot and tools" idea.

[KevinTodd]

We have one here that was started by a couple of club racers and now has begun growing through franchising. I joined in July of this year and currently have 4 spaces, including one double with a 4-post lift. I have brought several friends in as well and collectively I believe we have 13 spaces or so.

The space is approximately 18000 sf and has two lifts that can be utilized by members at any time (with appointments preferred so there's no conflict), a tool room with community equipment, a wash pad, and a separate lounge under air with a kitchenette, restroom, and TV.

I have 24/7 app-based access and the space is very secure.

The owner expected to have about 30 spaces leased before the end of this year, but he is nearly at capacity and is now ordering additional lifts for several spaces to make them doubles. He does not own the building, but is considering purchasing one elsewhere to open a second location.

He's had several shows/shop parties/park & shine events and it is a diverse group of folks with one thing in common--the love of cars. There's everything in there from 40's resto-modded trucks to a slammed E30, a few race cars and everything in between. Lots of Porsches. of course.

[white85carrera]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

Do you have a website link for the membership based club ?

https://www.flxautostorage.com/about-us/

[cassisrot]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Lots of junior O's used it when I move here in the late 80's. This area was very rural then.

I did all the maintenance on my 912 and SC there because of the lifts and oil disposal.

Very well run, just like an aircraft squadron maintenance department.

My dad just to take me fishing at Benedict in the 50’s. I thought it was pretty rural then.

[aschen]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

https://garagesoftexas.com/garages/

They key difference is that by SELLING you the space, they put the onus of insurance on YOU. Insurance is the killer of any sort of "rent our garage spot and tools" idea.

The woodlands one is about 5 min from my house apparently. I would love to have something like this if I wasnt such a tight wad.

Seems way cheaper to just rent some industrial space in a less residential setting. Private garage at the track seems like the ultimate luxury and an easy way to burn crazy money. I can barely dream about the $20,000 stack of tires most seem to have on the back wall.

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by Scott Watkins

"Do you have a website link for the membership based club ?"

https://msrhouston.com/villas/

This has nothing to do with OP's idea.
This is a track membership for $5000 up front + $3300/yr.

[unclebilly]

The more I think about this, the more I think that you have something here.

There are wood working clubs with lathes, jointers, bandsaws, planers, table saws, etc. lots more risk there than a shop with a couple hoists and hand tools.

The trick is differentiating this from a U-Wrench where people pay by the hour for access to a shop and tools.

I wonder if there is more to what you propose including a concierge that plans club events such a drives, track days, car shows, etc. I think if you had a way to include car storage, you would have a real winner.