Ultimate Car Enthusiast Club Idea?

[AFB24911S]

Brainstorming an idea I've been kicking around for a clubhouse for car enthusiasts. I want to buy an old service station or mechanic's garage, strip it and renovate it into a fancy clubhouse, and provide car storage/minor service/DIY service bay rentals for fellow car enthusiasts. There would also be nice leather couches, big TVs, a beer fridge, wine, liquor, exercise equipment, everything a young car enthusiast living in a cheap, small apartment doesn't have and everything a seasoned (older), wealthier car enthusiast who's sick of their country club would want.

I work in construction engineering, so I know almost exactly what it would cost to do the renovation, but I have no idea how much people would be willing to pay for the car storage, the club experience, or a space with tools to work on their cars. I can change oil and brake pads relatively quickly on just about any car, but I don't think I'd want to offer my services on anything more extensive than that. Maybe just helping out fellow club members with their projects for a small, small fee.

I've got to imagine that the insurance on this kind of a place would be astronomical. Maybe a good deal less without the alcohol, but still a lot especially if the cars I stored were worth anything.

Matt Farah of Westside Collector Car Storage seems to have a good gig going in Los Angeles; I live in Denver, Colorado, but the car community is really thriving here too and a lot of wealthy people have some very, very expensive cars. I can imagine a world in which bringing another gorgeous collectible home, even one they can easily afford, would miff their partner and having a fun place to keep it and talk cars with other people might be fun.

What do YOU think? Would you pay for membership in a club like this? What would you want, what don't you want? What's a dealbreaker? Most importantly, what's your budget for something like this?

[Noah930]

You might not be marketing to the right crowd. I'm not sure the average Pelican DIYer is the same kind of guy who would pay to be in a car country club thing. Not that your idea is bad--I love it. My friend (who's in construction) and I ran into Farah at a car event while he was building his place, and we chatted about his construction challenges. I think it's very possible, but you might have to approach a more upscale group than PPOT. This place may be filled with car guys, but not necessarily the right car guys for your clientele. Good luck. Sounds like it'll be a cool place to hang out.

[LWJ]

The idea has merit. But I won’t be doing it. I am a tight wad. I like the idea of community wrenching. But it just isn’t me.

There is a place near me that does this with wine storage. Almost the same business model. It is for profit.

And, I know of a guy who did this just for his own fun.

Keep us posted.

[KFC911]

Other than a few on this site .... we are NOT your potential clients....

PP .... Penny Pinchers

Good luck though!

[Seahawk]

Many Navy bases have essentially what you are describing.

NAS Patuxent River has a five bay garage available for active duty military to work on their cars.

It may be of value to see if any of the military bases near Denver do this as well and pick their brain.

[sc_rufctr]

Sounds like the ultimate man cave!

[ZOO]

I'm looking to downsize, and the only thing keeping me from doing so is how I am going to manage my track prep on two cars without a garage. I'd love a small condo, and an offsite place like this . . . depending on price, of course.

[PorscheGAL]

As I remember, there is a place like that in Atlanta.

Found it:
https://www.atlantamotorcar.com

Maybe they could help? Or you could get an idea from them?

[Racerbvd]

We were looking at doing this around 15 years ago, found a good location, had everything lined up, then one of the money guys, who was also going to set up the insurance (he was a agent) got a job offer that took him out of state. Sadly for me, the property sold and is now a cross fit studio.
Then, about 3 years ago, it looked like another space was going to be available in the industrial park that my small warehouses are located, I img got on to my leasing agent to get me a "as is" price to make a club house out of, I had been running it by different guys at multiple cruise ins, and looked to be a popular idea, but the owner of the property turned out to want the a storage for his toys. When we 1st conceived the idea, there wasn't anything l Iike it locally that we knew of, but now there are a few different types 9f the concept locally, including a upscale garage condo, early cost was around $200K, and a load of rules about what you can have and what you can do in it.
I say go for it.

[rfuerst911sc]

A rent-o-man cave .......... on the surface sounds like a great idea . The business model has to at least break even and better yet make a profit . Ever been involved in a group buy ? Lots of guys speak up " yeah I am in " but when it comes to opening their wallet not so much ☹️.

And with our VERY litigious society insurance becomes a huge factor . The first guy that has his car fall off the lift is on the phone to his lawyer 😡.

But I have no doubt it can be successful . Like any new business hard work ....... some luck and a good ratio of fun and profit gets you there . I wish you the best .

[Chocaholic]

Seems it would need to be located in a densely populated area. I looked at the Atlanta link Porschegal shared above...pretty glitzy “club” atmosphere for the very well-healed. I’m guessing that there is no grease under those finger nails...and no mention of lift bays. Couldn’t even find their specific location or address, but may have missed it in quick perusal.

You’d have to attract from probably a 20 mile radius. Not unreasonable in a city environment.

[GH85Carrera]

There is a place here near downtown Oklahoma City that is that setup. Very nicely finished interior "clubhouse" feel with big screen TVs for race watch parties. The folks that have a car stored there can work on cars, but most are doctors and lawyers and mostly hire the work done.

[Nickshu]

There used to be a similar place like this in our area for years. Closed in the 1990s, from what I was told, due to liability insurance costs. I can't imagine insuring a place like that would be cheaper today.

[Dr J]

Check this out for ideas:

https://www.garageyourself.com/

[911 Rod]

This has been discussed here a few times.
Too many pitfalls.

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by LWJ

There is a place near me that does this with wine storage. Almost the same business model. It is for profit.

Wine storage club is literally the most idiotic business idea I ever seen. Some idiots tried to start one in my area and it was gone within a year, after they lit all their money on fire.

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by AFB24911S

clubhouse for car enthusiasts. ?

Bad idea
Unless you want to light money on fire, just like he did building a vanity garage by hemorrhaging daddy's money.

Young car guys are generally dumb and broke.
Family age car guys with money are too busy.
No one is going to sit around some empty room hoping another car guy shows up.
No one is going to pay to wrench in your space, which is why that entire sector is a fail.

Entire idea makes no sense, except in fantasy

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Many Navy bases have essentially what you are describing.

NAS Patuxent River has a five bay garage available for active duty military to work on their cars.

It may be of value to see if any of the military bases near Denver do this as well and pick their brain.

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.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

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.

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.

[Jims5543]

I bid on construction services on a cool condo project here.

It is called an Auto Vault. Pre-construction sales price was 190k per unit. Condo fee was 100 a month. About 50 units were built. 20' ceilings inside, you could build a loft / man cave and not lose any floor space.

I had a contract in had to buy a unit and then Covid hit. I backed out.

My friend pushed forward and bought two units @ 190K each. He just sold them both for 250k each. Not a bad profit in 1 year.

The place sold out during the pre-construction sale.

It was so wildly successful they purchased 2 more sites and are developing them now in the next 2 towns to the north of me.

https://jensenbeachautovault.com/

Down in Palm Beach County there is a really nice one. Actually there are several now.

https://thehangargroup.com/


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