stacking cars in garage [storage]

[Steve P.]

This is a variation on the 'garage lift' thread. I'm running out of space to store all of my Britmobiles, and have been trying to come up with a solution that doesn't involve adding on another garage. The garage I have is quite tall (12' to the rafters), and I've been thinking of ways to add a raised metal structure that would allow me to stack cars. I'm not talking about a lift, but a permanenet fixed structure that would support the weight of something like a Bugeye or Midget. Has anyone here done something like this? I'm sure I'm not the only person here with way too many cars. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif

 

[tony barnhill]

That's my plan also...I want to put 3 Midgets up on top of other cars but need the lift to get them there....I've even thought about using 6x6 wooden posts with 2x10's as framework for metal "U" channel....

1953 MG TD
1956 MG ZA Magnette
1959 MGA
1960 MkIII Farina Magnette
1963 MG 1100
1963 MGB
1963 MkI Midget
1967 MGBGT
1968 MGC
1970 MGBGT
1974 MG Midget
1974-½ MGBGT
1977 MG Midget
2-1979 MGBs (1undergoing a V8 conversion)
1960 Morris Minor Convertible
1973 VW Bug
1971 VW Karmann Ghia
1980 Rover SD-1
1983 Mercedes 380SL

 

[Steve_S]

Get some industrail shelving rated at the load you require. Try McMaster-Carr. I've bought some pretty heavy-duty stuff there for storing 12-foot I-beams.

For getting the cars up there, you can use a lift with casters so you can line it up with an open slot in the shelving. Or rig (professionally) a pulley / winch system. Use rated straps to lift the car by the chassis. I'm sure others will have ideas as well.

 

[screenprinter]

Not that this will help, but it's interesting - I work for a German Pen manufacturer and when they shipped me to the fatherland for some orientation I stayed with the VP of Manufacturing at his condo - When we arrived he drove up to this rather large door at the base of the condo complex and drove his BMW into the slot, got out and pressed a winking, numbered button on a control panel - The car sank downwards, out of sight leaving an empty space for the next owner - It was a huge rotating belt that stored a number of cars on a Ferris wheel like arrangement - When you want your car back you press the number button you pressed when parking and it brings your car up - just like a vending machine! - The neat thing is that you get to peek at all the cars on the slots before your car as they go by - Porsches, Bimmers, A couple of Benz's! Outstanding!

But when you guys arrive at an effective design please let me know - I'm car poor and storage challenged down here.

Tony - looking at your list, you better order a lotta lumber!

 

[tony barnhill]

Steve...just want to put 3 Midgets up there! I'm still waiting for the company on the other thread to get back with me - the one that supposedly modifies lift sizes
...& I've seen those things in Europe also...was staying in a hotel in Amsterdam that had one....at first I thought I'd lost my rental car forever!

 

[Steve_S]

I used a car park in Italy which was pretty impressive. You pull in, get out of the car, and then the attendant presses some buttons. The area of the floor the car sits on then moves inside a machine which looks like the start of Mr Toad's Wild Ride. The door closes behind it and goodbye car. Turns out the thing works like a giant automobile vending machine. Cars on individual platforms moving up, down, side to side, etc. Pretty cool!

 

[Steve_S]

Steve P, just came across the Stinger Inc site. Look at the bottom of THIS page. They sell "car balconies" which are basically shelves for cars. You then purchase a lift with casters and just roll it in front of whichever balcony you want to load or unload.

 

[Jim Weatherford]

In Dan Gurney's American Eagle shop in Santa Ana he uses the industrial shelving and in some areas he has them stacked 3 high, formula cars, Eagles and assorted sports cars. I rather imagine they use a forklift to get them on the racks.

I'm reminded of a Ray Stevens song where at one point in the lyrics it's said..."How'd you get that Harley up on that diving board Coy?" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nopity.gif

 

[MattP]

I don't know how much the stuff costs, but, when I was in college I worked at a shoe warehouse. The relevent bit is that there was one ares that was made 2 story in side the place by the addition of a steel platform. It may not be so now, but at one time it had to be cheaper that normal construction, or that place wouldn't have done it. (trust me nothing went in those doors that wasn't the cheapest possible.)