Can I get a GT40 in my Garage - Page 2

DON S. · 11-09-04, 01:42 PM

A very nice arrangement that a friend had in similar restricted-width garage circumstances was to install an electric winch on the floor at the back end of the garage. A couple of trial-and-error sessions yielded a nice "bridle" that was attached to the bumper mounts of his car (not a GT40) that was then connected to the winch cable. Trading off the potential of a strained back for rather slow movement into the garage from the winch seemed to be a fair deal. I think at one point my friend was considering installing a removable pulley in the drive that the winch cable could be looped around and used to tug the car out of the garage, but as getting out of the garage seemed easier than going in (perhaps due to a bit of a slope out from the garage), the driveway pulley notion was not implemented.

DC · 11-09-04, 02:08 PM

Are you sure it is 5' 10"? My garage is single width at about 7' 9" widest. When I started my car I also bought a winch intending to wind the car in and out but never needed this option (although I did use it before I had the power plant running). I discovered a novel way (at least I thought at the time) - I stand on the seat then the sill, do a pirouette and step backwards over the door hinge.
I am sure this could be done with a 7' width as I park closer to one side occasionally.

When we went to the Top Gear studio for the Ford GT day I was dying to tell Clarkson to try this - but obviously the whole point of the sketch was to lampoon his new purchase.

BenL · 11-09-04, 03:18 PM

[ QUOTE ]
A very nice arrangement that a friend had in similar restricted-width garage circumstances was to install an electric winch on the floor at the back end of the garage.

[/ QUOTE ]

Keeping the winch on the floor is a good way to avoid reprising the scene from "The Gods Must Be Crazy".

Dave Bilyk · 11-09-04, 03:35 PM

Eureka! the winch idea, taken to its logical conclusion. You drive to the garage entrance, attach the winch cables, one to the front eye hook, and one to the rear. You press the remote button, and hey presto! as the electric door closes it winches the car in. To drive away, press the remote again, and the garage door opens winching the car out, detach the cables and drive away. Filing the patent tomorrow. Warning... do not leave the car in gear or the handbrake on or you will pull the garage door off! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Brian Magee · 11-09-04, 03:50 PM

I think you will find that a GT40 is at least 70" wide, wider if it has flared rear arches. My trailer bed is 6'1" and the car only just goes on. Looks like a house move coming up!!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Brian

Craig White · 11-10-04, 06:31 PM

I've got a 3.5m(11.5') wide garage, it's actually a tandem(1 car behind the other).

Just got to test fit the GT40 last week. Prefer to park the GT40 in the middle as it allows easy access all the way around it. In the middle allows both doors to 3/4 open, which is enough for both driver and passenger to get in/out in relative comfort.

Got to stick some carpet or something to walls and it is really easy to knock the doors into them when getting in/out. And they are brick so not really paint friendly. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

JOSEPH · 11-10-04, 09:02 PM

All you guys are making this to complicated. All you need to do is to open the door 10 inches and then wiggle up through the opening in the roof and then put one foot on the door sill and step over the door hinge to the floor. Once your left foot is on the floor you can lift your right foot out of the car. Caution is needed to measure your inseame to see if you can do this with out to much pain. Joe [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

JOSEPH · 11-10-04, 09:05 PM

Chuck, Is the lot your house is on that small that you couldn't have made your garage a little larger? Joe

Chuck · 11-11-04, 08:13 PM

Joseph,
It's a farely generous 3 car garage with a short wall dividing it into a 2-1 arrangement. There is a lift in my side which takes up alot of space. I would love to redo it but tooo many rocks to move.

Keith Hardy · 11-11-04, 09:15 PM

I'd just love to see a 70" wide car get into a 70" wide garage. Reckon I could do it after 6 pints of Stella though. Getting it out again (ever) might be a tad difficult.

Brett James-McCall · 11-12-04, 04:42 AM

Hey Keith,
I once saw a lets say for purposes, a 6'6" car go through a set of 6' wide bollards, so it can be done..... however, the car was being driven by someone that was not he owner, and looked rather worried as for some reason there were 4 cars with blue flashing lights following him... I don't know these boy racers with blue strobe lights... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Brett