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Sue and I have been married 59 years and I have owned 63 cars (USAA insurance keeps track ,and this includes daily drivers). We've lived in Mystic since 1967. Didn't have a suitable garage until the third house and it had a 3-bay barn. My first classic was a 1948 Ford coupe, and I took everything off the car down to the frame. Got the drive train back on but got sidetracked by a 1967 GTO , #3 condition, and so it goes.

Never saw a car I didn't like. Bought a 1956 Caddie Coupe deVille from one of my patients, just viewing it out the dental office window. My favorite was a 1939 Packard, four door phaeton. My favorite but I went in over my head and had to get it to a Packard guy. I started with the Ford Coupe and I may finish with a 1941 Mercury (Ford) convertible. I came across this barn find on a slow Hemmings auction day. With 20 minutes to go I put in a bid nearly double what the other three guys who had been bidding and to my surprise I bought a car. The Merc was in southern New Hampshire and my younger dental partner has a pickup and trailer . Done in 8 hours. The car was in the same family for 81 years, no rust and last registered in 2005. Drivetrain and brakes are being replaced and we need to verify the VIN # and we can register it. I will keep all you nice fellows and gals updated as work progresses.

PS: (some of you did a drive by at GLP for my 80 birthday!!! THANK YOU FOR THE HONOR! John Curtiss.

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My Garage (Home to OLE BUG), by Charley Rossler

4/3/2023

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Over the past 50 years I have rebuilt and painted 2VW Bugs and performed numerous mechanical and body repairs on the family cars, in this spacious work area. Although suitable primarily for Bugs and Model A's, Sally's Buick roadster spent a winter vacation here being revitalized. It was close quarters but doable.

Construction is Circa 1935, Depression era. Note the polished Italian marble floors. Wall treatment is mortared brick and cut stone. Cabinet, sound system, electrical and computerized parts storage work was provided by Charley's Construction. Heat is provided by the adjacent furnace room along with laundry and wash up facilities. Air conditioning via open overhead door and southwest wind. Living quarters in the two stories above.
The shop is provided with the usual power tools as well as a complete array of SAE, metric and VW special hand tools, 5 HP air compressor, MIG welder and an antique single post hydraulic lift seen under the front of OLEBUG in the accompanying photo. Space is also provided for various landscaping and snow removal tools.
My garage has for many years provided a source of peace and enjoyment which I'm sure will continue for years to come.