2 Years and counting...

[Big Fish Customs]

Hey everybody,

I've been a lover of 1st Gen Honda's since my friend in high school picked up a 70's Civic. 2 decades later, I own a 79 and 80 Accord (serious projects). The 79 used to be my daily :). Unfortunately city zoning and my wife are on my tail, so I thought I would at least introduce myself before letting my cars go (Ann Arbor area doesn't like cars that don't run). If anyone wants to come to SE Michigan, I would love to see them go to a good home. I included pics of my 79, she's a beater, but I love her... Have you guys ever had to choose between your wife, your house and your car? Anyway, you guys are awesome, especially Hazwan , he's my Accord building inspiration for the last 2 years!

[conozo]

Build a nice wood fence around it with a garden. I bet that will make everyone happy.

[Big Fish Customs]

I did a mock up for the fence idea, the issue with that is that the side walk elevation is higher than the side yard where I park. I am only allowed (zoning again) to build a fence starting from the face of my garage, and the maximum height fence I am allowed to build is 6', so fencing it in creates a "visual corral" for my complaining neighbor and the zoning officials. What I need is a humongous plot of land :) Or even better, a larger garage (which was also rejected by zoning because of "permeable land restrictions"). I love our city, great schools, clean community, safe environment, but also to maintain those things, they are crazy sticklers about the rules. I understand why, I just don't like the way it interferes with my dreams. Thank you for the suggestion, I'm open to hearing any options at this point.

[2oodoor]

A weekend with a bobcat bucket loader and a few bundles of 1x6 treated boards and that car would be safe and secret! In Michigan they don't allow storage for snow tires, chains, and removal tools on your property?.
Good to see ya check in, 1st gen love :D

[79cord]

Just need a 4.2x 2x 1.5m "garden shed" Minimal size & temporary so could not be considered a garage, easily removed sides for work access .. Projects do need to be worked on/protected.
Not that I can comment with far too many of them, but seeing some done/worked on does help the inspiration & hopes.
7234

[Big Fish Customs]

Just need a 4.2x 2x 1.5m "garden shed" Minimal size & temporary so could not be considered a garage, easily removed sides for work access .. Projects do need to be worked on/protected.
Not that I can comment with far too many of them, but seeing some done/worked on does help the inspiration & hopes.
7234

I love this idea!!! I looked into the zoning through-out the weekend, and I can lawfully put up a temporary building for up to a year (one of those PVC tents :). Unfortunately because of the "permeable ground" rules, I can't put in a permanent shed, unless I remove my current shed. At least I might get another year though with a temporary shelter! Thanks!!!

[Big Fish Customs]

79cord, your Car Domain page is amazing! I love the hockey stick retro paint and the blacked out hood overlays! I'm gonna end up stealing your 4x100 conversion if this all works out :)

[Big Fish Customs]

Thanks for the suggestion 2oodoor! I never considered raising my yard to match the garage ground profile. I will be looking into the $$$ on that. Our homes previous owner used "urbanite" for the retaining wall, so that expense is relatively small, it's all just time from there, which I'm very limited on :).

[79cord]

CarDomain is a bit of a disaster unfortunately after they dumbed it down drastically.
Found the cheap plastic 'tents' a complete disaster. So I'd aim a little higher with corrugated iron painted to match existing house/garage so it may last more than a few months, (years if no-one complains), without looking rubbish.

[Big Fish Customs]

Looks like I'm going to go the route of 2oodoor's suggestion, because of the permanence of the solution. My other neighbor is in construction, and he said he can source fill fairly inexpensively (sometimes free), so now it's all about time, waiting for the frost restrictions to be off for the dump trucks and find enough urbanite for the wall. Thanks for all of the suggestions guys.

[Big Fish Customs]

I should have updated my intro post.... I quoted the stuff I wrote in the "For Sale" forum below. Time is counting down on all of this city stuff. If one of you is serious about taking care of my Hondas, and promise to put the parts to good use and not scrap them, I will make you one heck of a deal.... Big Fish Customs @ Yahoo . com (No Spaces)

"Zoning won the battle for now, I have 30 days to get rid of my Honda or get it running and driving. Unfortunately, I don't have the time to work on it. Hoping somebody would like to take my 79 and it's 1980 parts car for 500.00. The 79 was my daily, it needs CV's and the fuel system flushed at a minimum.. currently neither cars run. I'm confident it would run again if a 1g lover would give it the time. I have rebuilt CV shafts that come with it. The 1980 is a deluxe auto, the 79 is a 5sp w bare bones options... only the 79 has a title. Both cars are rusty in all of the typical areas. I would entertain trades for a quality tool chest or metal working tools. Sorry to give up on the fight, work is demanding, my girls have been repeatedly sick since Halloween. I'm just tired, tired of dealing with the neighbors when I have more important things to worry about... mostly my sick kids. Both cars have tires that hold air for a roll-back or tow-dolly. Thank you to everybody who helped with suggestions up till now."

[Dr_Snooz]

There was a time in history when the neighbors would come by to help you get your car running. Now we hide in our homes and sic bureaucrats on each other. This is the road to hell and we are goose-stepping down it. When we get there, we'll wonder how it all went so wrong. "Oh gee. We were spineless shits who went around sniping each other like they did in East Berlin. Now everything's all screwed up." Who could have known?

[Big Fish Customs]

There was a time in history when the neighbors would come by to help you get your car running. Now we hide in our homes and sic bureaucrats on each other. This is the road to hell and we are goose-stepping down it. When we get there, we'll wonder how it all went so wrong. "Oh gee. We were spineless shits who went around sniping each other like they did in East Berlin. Now everything's all screwed up." Who could have known?

It's funny, the local police say they have to enforce the laws due to "City Beautification", and I get that, but it doesn't look any different in my driveway from when it was running and driving. If I had it up on blocks, or taken apart, I wouldn't have the justification to fight so hard. But according to the laws, the police and zoning enforcers are right, and I am wrong... it is an unregistered, non-running car

[Big Fish Customs]

Everyone, thank you so much for your help! Two weeks ago both cars went to their new home in Grand Rapids.