The Supercar Registry Bulletin Board: Hagerty News article

Hey guys,
Thanks for the kind words. Funny thing is I didn't even know about the article! I learn something new every time I log in to yenko.net

The "new" old building is around the corner from my shop that I bought in 1996. I had always admired it and stopped in to ask the two grandsons of the guy who built it in 1927 if it would ever be for sale. For many years they thanked me and politely said "no, this is our family's building". A few years ago they called me and said they had to sell the building. Very sad story, they produced sandblasting and dust collection systems for the monument building industry (headstones, etc). A class action lawsuit concerning silicosis (sp?) that was started in Texas, no relation to this company, decided to name EVERY company that made sandblasting equipment. They fought it for 5 years and finally lost, and had to surrender all of their business assets. The only thing they still owned was the building, which I then bought. After I bought the place, which was so run down it had a stack of code compliance orders as long as your arm and was recommened to be torn down, they had an auction to sell off the equipment. Great old stuff, dozens of drill presses, hydraulic 10 ton bench brakes, etc. Everything right down to the door mats. I bought all of the office furniture, some of it dating back to the 20's but none newer than the 60's. I still sit at the original 1927 desk and use the original chairs the guy who built the place did. It was a project way too big for me but after 18 months of 15-20 hour days and countless "drama" including a 60' section of load-bearing wall that collapsed during the night when we were in the process of trying to repair the rusted lintels above the windows, the building was useable again. It will never be "done", as every day I find something else to do. But hey, it is cool and I like old buildings as much as I like old cars.

Too bad they posted the two worst pictures of the shop...the one with the GTO's is in my back building that is the storage area and workshop. The picture with the AAR Cuda is in the corner behind my office. Bruce, you may have some pictures coming your way to post!

If any of you ever have the unfortunate circumstance of having to visit Milwaukee, you are welcome to stop by and take a look in person. The beer is in the fridge and the cars are pretty cool.

Colin