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Forgotten Hits

kk @forgotte nhits .com

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Your Top 50 All-Time Favorite Garage Bands

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THE GREATEST GARAGE BANDS OF ALL-TIME!!!

It all started innocently enough ... one of our readers sent in an email asking about the group ? and the Mysterians and, during the course of her letter, mentioned that, thanks to their #1 Hit "96 Tears", they had to be the greatest garage group of all time. After we published her letter, we started to get a ton of responses ... "What are you, crazy?!?! The greatest garage group of all time has to be The Kingsmen ... there is NO greater garage song than 'Louie Louie'!" ... which, in turn, prompted, "What about The Standells and 'Dirty Water'?" and "How can you even talk about garage bands and leave out The Shadows Of Knight? 'Gloria' is the ULTIMATE Garage Band song." More letters followed, nominating artists and tracks like "Surfin' Bird" by The Trashmen, "Wild Thing" by The Troggs and "Wooly Bully" by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs.

Suddenly, we knew we were on to something here ... so, in 2012, we decided to poll our readers in order to determine, once and for all, who are The Greatest Garage Bands of All-Time!!! Just over 9000 votes came in (9008 to be exact!) and, with THAT kind of response, I think we've been able to assemble the definitive list.

We counted down The Top 20 in Forgotten Hits (with 13 Runners Up ... we felt that any band that earned more than 100 votes deserved at least SOME sort of recognition!) and, during the course of the series mentioned that the band who WOULD have come in next (with 98 votes) would have been The Ides Of March, thanks to their 1966 Hit "You Wouldn't Listen".

We partnered with Mike Dugo of the excellent website 60sGarageBands.com and wrote brief bios on each of the finalists ... and then decided to expand the list to include The Top 50 so that we could permanently post something on the website. And that's what you're reading here today ... the results of our Forgotten Hits Survey to determine

THE GREATEST GARAGE BANDS OF ALL-TIME !!!

50 - The Nightcrawlers

An absolute garage band classic — and a staple for thousands of teen bands that performed during the prime garage band era — ‘Little Black Egg’ was recorded by Florida’s Nightcrawlers. Led by Chuck Conlon, the ‘Crawlers recorded a handful of singles, but their lone hit has been responsible for an Ace / Big Beat Records full CD retrospective, as well Cracking’ The Egg: The Untold Story of The Nightcrawlers , an excellent documentary released in 2008. (Mike Dugo)

"Little Black Egg" didn't chart here in Chicago ... so I wasn't familiar with it until the early '80's when a woman at work mentioned that it was her all-time favorite song ... and was the ONLY song that she could play on the guitar! Being the "music guy" that I am, I couldn't understand how a song that I had never even HEARD of before could be somebody's favorite ... so I did some research. Although The Nightcrawlers were out of Florida (where "Little Black Egg" was a #1 Hit), this girl grew up in Ohio where, she said, it was ALSO a huge hit ... so SOMEBODY had to be playing it! (I can't believe our AM Powerhouses WLS and WCFL passed on this track ... it perfectly fits in with the music they were playing on their stations at this time!) It ultimately peaked at #78 nationally ... not a huge hit by any stretch ... but a garage band classic nevertheless ... and enough of our readers felt so to award The Nightcrawlers the #50 position in our All-Time Favorite Garage Bands countdown.

By the way, the girl who turned me on to this track makes an excellent point ... not only about THIS song but about most garage band songs in general ... they were simple enough that virtually ANYBODY could learn to play them on the guitar! Three or four simple guitar chord changes and you were in business. These records weren't perfect ... far from it, in many cases ... but this was all part of their appeal. The fact that 9000 votes came in some 40+ years later certainly proves THAT point ... this music touched our lives ... and we still love it today! (kk)

The opening of ‘Open My Eyes’, the Nazz’ best-known song, was without question inspired by the Who’s ‘Can’t Explain.’ Philadelphia’s Nazz also incorporated the Who’s earlier mod rock look as well, at a time when psychedelia and bubblegum were taking over the airwaves. Okay ... we’ve gone beyond 50 words into our write-up and have yet to mention Todd Rundgren, who formed The Nazz and assuredly requires no introduction to Forgotten Hits readers. Be sure to check out the Nazz’ much slower take on Rundgren’s ’70 solos smash, ‘Hello It’s Me’. (Mike Dugo)

Numerous attempts to make both "Hello It's Me" (a very slowed-down version of the HUGE hit Todd Rundgren would go on to have as a solo artist) and "Open My Eyes" earned Nazz a bit of a cult following in the late '60's and early '70's ... but not much chart success. (Their version of "Hello It's Me" ultimately peaked at #47 after at least three separate single releases.) You voted them as your 49th Favorite Garage Band of All-Time. (kk)

48 - Michael and the Messengers

For the true scoop on this Milwaukee group, be sure to pick up Mike Markesich’s garage rock book, Teenbeat Mayhem! Two recording groups using the Michael & The Messengers’s moniker scored hits, covers of ‘In The Midnight Hour’ and ‘(Just Like) Romeo & Juliet’. Markesich’s book spells it all out, and is necessary reading for anybody that is reading this list. (Mike Dugo)

Might I also suggest the definitive book on Wisconsin Rock by Gary Myers. Michael and the Messengers scored big here in The Midwest, despite never hitting Billboard's Top Singles Chart ... "In The Midnight Hour" hit #5 and their version of "Romeo And Juliet" went to #12.  (kk)

47 - The Gentrys

Memphis, Tennessee’s Gentrys recorded hits into the early ‘70’s, but none came close to topping 1965’s ‘Keep On Dancin’. A classic dance ‘n’ stomp tune, it made the Top 5 and solidified the Gentrys’ standing

as a teen band to be reckoned with. Follow up songs included ‘Brown Paper Sack’ (a very minor hit in 1966), ‘Every Day I Have To Cry’ and ‘Cinnamon Girl’. (Mike Dugo)

"Keep On Dancin'" is a personal favorite ... this song STILL sounds great today, so full of energy. (A whole new generation discovered this tune when it was for a "Little Boppers" advertising campaign!)

Jimmy Hart went on to become well-known in the Wrestling World as "The Mouth Of The South". (kk)

46 - The Fifth Estate

‘Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead’ is completely removed from what garage rock is commonly defined as, but there’s no denying the song’s appeal. It is, of course, based on the classic Wizard Of Oz song, and no doubt its genesis has been explained previously here within Forgotten Hits. Drummer Ken ‘Furvus’ Evans, who I’m thankful to call a friend, has assembled a new line up of The Fifth Estate, and the group released a well-received CD in 2011. Due to Wayne Wadhams’ (‘Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead’ arranger) unfortunate passing a few years ago, Evans’ has also been largely responsible for reissuing the band’s ‘60s recordings, of which many, many are truly great – including those by The D-Men, an earlier incarnation of the Connecticut combo. (Mike Dugo)

Furv has been a good friend to Forgotten Hits as well over the past few years ... and their "Anthology, Volume One" was just released in late 2012. It presents the wide variety of music these guys tackled over the years. And they're still sounding great ... their 2011 release "Time Tunnel", featuring all new material, remains true to their '60's roots while still offering a contemporary sound for today's audience. (kk)

45 - The Strawberry Alarm Clock

Has there ever been a band or song that defined an era better than The Strawberry Alarm Clock and ‘Incense & Peppermints’? The song’s backstory is too convoluted to recap here, but needless to say it struck an immediate chord for music listeners in the late ‘60s. The nonsensical lyrics tied nicely into the group’s psychedelic name and image, which helped them land appearances in two far our flicks, Psych Out and Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls . (Mike Dugo)

"Incense And Peppermints" topped our chart of Your Top 20 All-Time Favorite Psychedelic Songs (found elsewhere on this site) ... so I was a little surprised to see The Strawberry Alarm Clock "cross over" to the Garage Band Chart, too ... but we've had several instances of this, which you'll see as the countdown continues. These guys headlined Cave Stomp, an annual tribute concert to The Golden Days of the Garage Band Sound, a few years ago ... so apparently SEVERAL folks across the nation feel these guys belong here. (kk)

44 - The Gants

Singer and songwriter Sid Herring of The Gants was a huge Beatles fan, and the absolutely charming ‘I Wonder’ was an obvious ode to the Fab Four’s greatest song, ‘In My Life’. Although hailing from Mississippi, The Gants were strongly influenced by the British Invasion and, albeit somewhat obscure today, recorded several excellent songs, including ‘My Baby Don’t Care’ and ‘(You Can’t Blow) Smoke Rings’. (Mike Dugo)

Their biggest hit was a tune called "Road Runner", a remake of the old Bo Diddley tune, in 1965 ... it just missed The National Top 40, peaking at #41 ... but became a Top Ten Hit here in Chicago. You've got to be pretty knowledgeable about your garage bands to vote these guys into The Top 50 ... but that's exactly what happened ... further proof that this list was created by the fans of this genre of music. (kk)

43 - Bubble Puppy

Personally speaking, Bubble Puppy’s ‘Hot Smoke & Sassafras’ is perhaps the weakest song that entitled its recording group to make Forgotten Hits’ Top 50 Garage Band list. Released in 1969, as the “garage band era” was fading fast, ‘Hot Smoke & Sassafras’ reached the Top 20 and led to release of a full album, A Gathering Of Promises . Bubble Puppy would disband shortly thereafter. (Mike Dugo)

Another group that crossed over to our Psychedelic Chart (their hit "Hot Smoke And Sassafras" came in at #10), these guys, too, seem to have quite a cult following. This was, without a doubt, their claim to fame ... still, as a legitimate Top 20 Hit, shouldn't we hear this track at least once in a while??? (kk)

42 - The Rivieras

Much like ‘Brown-Eyed Girl’ by Van Morrison and ‘I Should Have Known Better’ by The Beatles, ‘California Sun’ by South Bend, Indiana’s Rivieras is a song that everybody seems to like. Interestingly, the song is the earliest recorded tune to make the Top 50 Garage Band list, riding the charts even before Beatlemania hit. The Rivieras had three other songs make the Top 100, but none have experienced anywhere near the lasting impact of the classic ‘California Sun’.

(Mike Dugo)

We have devoted many, many pages to The Rivieras in Forgotten Hits over the year ... hop on over to the other website and type "Rivieras" into the Search Engine and you'll find plenty. They never recaptured that magical sound of "California Sun", as Mike says, a universally appealing record ... that still sounds fresh and exciting today. All the more remarkable because it was a remake of an old Joe Jones B-Side! (kk)

41 - The Castaways

Minnesota’s Castaways rode their lone hit, ‘Liar Liar’, to a Top 20 placement on Billboard’s Hot 100 list in 1965, as well as appearances in the beach flick It’s A Bikini World and the forgotten daytime teen soap opera Never Too Young . The clever and simple song, based on the common child taunt, is truly unforgettable. (Mike Dugo)

The Castaways were a One Hit Wonder in the truest sense ... but what a classic, timeless hit that was. "Liar, Liar" sounds like nothing that came before it or since ... it's a haunting track that has stood the test of time ... not bad for a then bunch of teenagers out of Richfield, Minnesota! (kk)

40 - Richard and The Young Lions

Let’s get this out of the way: ‘Open Up Your Door’ is a truly fantastic song, and deserved much better than barely breaking the Billboard Hot 100. In fact, the song reached number one on charts across the country and went Top 10 in several locales as well. The fuzz bass and screams endear the tune to garage rock aficionados, but at its core it’s a classic catchy pop song. The group called Newark, New Jersey home. (Mike Dugo)

A Dave The Rave Favorite, "Open Up Your Door" spent exactly one week on Billboard's Hot 100 Pop Singles Chart ... and that week was spent at #99 ... so the fact that a track THIS obscure made such an impression on so many garage band fans to rank this group at #40 on our All-Time Favorites List is nothing short of remarkable.  (kk)

39 - The Strangeloves

The Strangeloves — purportedly Giles, Miles and Nigel Strange, Australian sheepherders — were in reality the songwriting team of Bob Feldman, Jerry Goldstein and Richard Gottehrer. Everybody knows their infectious pop ditty ‘I Want Candy’, a song that it seems is remade almost every year, but garage rock fans are more likely to identify ‘Night Time’ as The Strangeloves’ greatest hit. Feldman, Goldstein and Gottehrer have had many musical highlights throughout the years, including involvement with a 1965 single by The Beach Nuts and, reportedly, discovering The McCoys.

The story of The Strangeloves (and their connection to the aforementioned McCoys) became a major topic during our Forgotten Hits Countdown of Your All-Time Favorite Garage Bands. Too long to rerun here (and too involved to simply recap), may we suggest that you check out the original piece on the other Forgotten Hits Website:

38 - The Outsiders

As with many other groups of the era, the “one-hit wonder” tag doesn’t adequately apply to Cleveland’s Outsiders. Yes, ‘Time Won’t Let Me’ will forever be the group’s signature song, but ‘Girl In Love’, ‘Respectable’ and ‘Help Me Girl’ also scored some chart action. The Outsiders recorded several EPs and full albums and later legal entanglements led to lead singer Sonny Geraci forming the group Climax, who scored BIG in 1972 with ‘Precious and Few’, a soft rock song that is generally either loved or loathed. Like it or hate it, garage rock it ain’t. (Mike Dugo)

I was a little bit surprised to see The Outsiders on the list ... to me "Time Won't Let Me" was pure, infectious pop ... a little too polished to be considered for "garage band" status. "Girl In Love" is a lushly produced ballad and, while I love their version of "Respectable" (originally an Isley Brothers tune), it, too, is just a little bit too "clean" to fit the bill. (And forget about Mike's reference to Sonny Geraci's Climax hit ... that blows this right out of the water!) Still, The Outsiders rank as amongst Cleveland's "Favorite Sons" ... and the fans have spoken, placing them at #38 in our official countdown. Geraci's been through a rough round of brain surgery but is reportedly on the mend. Meanwhile, singer Dennis Tufano has been making appearances singing both Sonny's hits and his own chart-toppers for The Buckinghams, much like Sonny did when Rob Grill took ill, filling Grass Roots dates. As always, the show must go on. (kk)

37 - The Sonics

Without question the rawest band to grace the list, Tacoma’s Sonics more than exemplify what garage rock was / is / will always be. ‘The Witch’, ‘Boss Hoss’, ‘Psycho’, ‘Strychnine’ and ‘You Got Your Head On Backwards’ will all scare you if you dare listen alone. It’s no surprise why the Sonics never scored a national hit, but any discussion about garage rock wouldn’t be complete without including them.

And I'll be the first to admit that I've never heard ANY of these tunes (and apparently for good reason! lol) Which makes it all that much more surprising to see them rank so high ... proving again that THIS list was put together by the connoisseurs of Garage Band Rock. (This is a true testament to the accuracy of our list ... our role is not to question it ... the votes came from the masses ... and this is how they landed. With that thought in mind, we must accept not only some of the bands we may not be familiar with but some of the unlikely Top Ten Finishers as well!) kk

36 - The Swinging Medallions

Considering their home town was Greenwood, South Carolina, the Swingin’ Medallions are today rightfully grouped as a Beach music band rather than a garage band. I won’t attempt to describe the differences here — but many similar groups have also been lumped in as garage bands. The Medallions’ ‘Double Shot Of My Baby’s Love’ was a remake of a song originally recorded by Dick Holler & The Holidays. They followed it up with ‘She Drives Me Out Of Mind’, which scored some minor chart action, but ‘Double Shot Of My Baby’s Love’ was and still is largely responsible for the group’s party band reputation. (Mike Dugo)

If we polled our readers for their All-Time Favorite Party Rock Songs, "Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love)" would most certainly come out near the top. (You'll find that true of many of our Garage Band finalists ... "Louie Louie", "Gloria", "Wooly Bully", "Mony Mony", "Surfin' Bird" ... ALL of these songs make the cross-over transition ... so why not The Swinging Medallions? (In fact, when deejay Phil Nee counted down Your Garage Band Favorites on his WRCO Radio Program "Those Were The Days", one of the first "extras" he played was "Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love)" ... and he hadn't even seen the rest of the countdown yet! Great choice ... party on! (kk)

35 - The Cyrkle

It’s somewhat difficult to pigeonhole The Cyrkle in any way as a “garage band”. Their two best known songs — Paul Simon’s ‘Red Rubber Ball’ and ‘Turn Down Day’ — are out-and-out pop, and it’s fair to state that they didn’t record even one song that could be called garage rock. Nowadays, however, many ‘60s groups that aren’t currently household names are seemingly classified as garage bands, whether or not their music represented that particular style. Despite recording two albums and a soundtrack, and releasing many singles, The Cyrkle is also remembered for their connection to Brian Epstein and John Lennon. (Mike Dugo)

Agreed that The Cyrkle's sound was a little too "clean" for garage band status, it DID make for good '60's Pop. Mike may be right about the lines being "blurred" just a little bit over time. We see it more between the psychedelic bands and the garage bands, all today lumped into a category called simply "nuggets". You'll see more and more of these cross-over artists as we continue to climb up to the top of the list. (kk)

34 - The Ides Of March

Another group whose biggest chart success, in this case the horn rock / classic rock ‘Vehicle’, would seemingly exclude them from a list of favorite garage bands, Chicago’s Ides Of March recorded many songs before hitting the national charts. ‘You Wouldn’t Listen’, ‘Rollercoaster’, ‘My Foolish Pride’, and ‘Give Your Mind Wings’ are all excellent, although definitely better classified as pop or garage pop than outright garage rock. (Mike Dugo)

Our original plan was to count down The Top 20 All-Time Favorite Garage Bands, as voted on by the Readers of Forgotten Hits. But as we tabulated the votes, we found that 33 bands had each earned 100 votes or more ... so we expanded the list to include "Runners Up" positions, feeling that ANY band that earned THAT many votes deserved a spot on the countdown. The guys who JUST missed (with 98 votes) was The Ides Of March, most certainly more for the likes of "You Wouldn't Listen" than "Vehicle", a classic rock chart-topper that STILL plays several times a day. I can personally vouch for their garage band status because I used to hang outside the basement where these guys used to practice back in the day with a bunch of my friends, trying to decipher and sounds we could through the brick and closed windows! The Ides Of March were pretty raw back then ... but were a bunch of teens still going to high school when their first record hit the charts! (It was a #7 smash here in Chicago ... and still ranks amongst our favorites from this era.) And The Ides (with four original members) still perform summertime shows in the area today! (Of course now they incorporate some of leader Jim Peterik's other musical accomplishments into the act, including songs by Survivor and .38 Special amongst their own hits.) We're currently in the midst of a campaign to get Jim Peterik a guest spot sitting in with Paul Shaffer and the band on the "Late Night With David Letterman" show! (kk)

#33 - The Balloon Farm

By far the most obscure group on the list (at least as far as the amount written on them), the Balloon Farm completely epitomizes the term “one-hit wonder.” ‘Question Of Temperature’ made Billboard’s Top 40 and was later immortalized by appearing on the Nuggets boxed set. The core members of New Jersey’s Balloon Farm also recorded singles as Adam and Huck Finn (as well as ‘Hurry Up Sundown’, the follow-up to their hit). Member Mike Appel found later success managing and producing Bruce Springsteen. ( Mike Dugo)

© Copyright Kent Kotal / Forgotten Hits, 1998 - 2023 ... All rights reserved

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Best Car Lifts for Home Garages in 2022

From offering you easier car maintenance to additional vehicle storage, a home garage car lift is a dream for every car enthusiast.

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When it comes to owning cars, not everyone is happy to just be the driver. Some people want to be their vehicle's caretaker, doctor and mechanic. And any at-home mechanic needs a car lift to help with repairs. If you like to work on your car, you need one of these essential pieces of equipment. Getting under the chassis is much easier and safer with a car lift -- malfunctions and accidents are something you can't afford to have happen.

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best garage tour

Triumph NSS-8

Best overall car lift/best four-post car lift (update: unavailable).

When it comes to a residential garage car lift that's easy to use and works well whether you're storing your car or working on it, it's hard to beat the Triumph NSS-8. This four-post garage lift has an 8,000-pound weight capacity, plus it has a lift height of 72 inches, meaning that you can safely and easily park a standard-sized car under your lifted vehicle.

The Triumph NSS-8 comes with accessories that make using it more convenient. For instance, this vehicle lift has a set of casters so it can be wheeled around a garage, as well as drip trays that prevent any fluid from running off a lifted vehicle onto whatever is stored underneath. Finally, there's a jack tray that allows for a jack to lift one end of a vehicle.

The Triumph NSS-8 was one of the top 10 best-selling vehicle lifts on Amazon, with an average rating of 4.6 stars out of 5. Satisfied customers have cited the reliability of the product and the ease of installation as selling points.

best garage tour

Triumph NT-9FP Two-Post Auto Lift

Best two-post car lift.

Like the best four-post lift, the best two-post lift is also a Triumph model from National Auto Tools. In this case, it's the Triumph NT-9FP, which has two-stage and three-stage lifting arms that work in both symmetrical lifts and asymmetrical lifts, depending upon your car-repair needs and preferences.

The Triumph NT-9FP vehicle lift can give up to 72 inches of clearance underneath your vehicle, but if your garage won't accommodate that lift height, it's not a problem. There are different latch positions that will allow you to raise your vehicle to different levels, providing a customizable experience as you work on your car.

Just like the NSS-8, the Triumph NT-9FP was another top seller on Amazon with an average rating of 4.6 stars out of 5. The most frequently cited pluses from satisfied customers include the reliability of the product and the fairness of the price.

Comparison of the best car lifts for home garages

A green car being held up by a BendPak scissor lift.

Which type of home garage lift is best for you?

How to pick the right car lift for your home garage

While there are many different types of automotive lifts, three of the most common are four-post lifts, two-post lifts and scissor lifts . These names refer to the shape of the lifts, with each one conferring specific characteristics that may or may not make it the right choice for you.

All three types of car lifts feature either a flat metal plane or arms onto which you drive and then park your vehicle before it's lifted. In a four-post lift, four hydraulic posts located at the corners of the planes lift your vehicle up. In a two-post lift, the hydraulic posts are located on either side of the plane or arms. Finally, in a scissor lift, the lifting apparatus is made of crossed bars underneath the planes.

Again, each lift style has its pluses and minuses. Scissor lifts tend to take up the least amount of space, but since the lifting mechanism is directly under where the vehicle rests, you can't park another car underneath and your access to the chassis is limited. Some two-post lifts may be able to accommodate vehicles underneath in terms of space, but they should not be used to do so . Finally, four-post lifts are sturdiest and can most easily and safely provide an additional parking space, but they are usually the most expensive.

A gray car being held up by a BendPak scissor lift.

Scissor lifts are the more compact car lift option, but parking another vehicle underneath it is out of the question.

"Scissors lifts [are] more compact when in the down position, but can sometimes be a hindrance in working under the car," says John Velazquez, owner of Autobahn Auto Service in St. Charles, Illinois. Velazquez has more than 18 years of automotive shop, maintenance and repair experience. "Many home scissor lifts are more for folks who want to change the wheels on their car for SCCA racing, etc. They are not for major work on a car at home. That is because many of them support the car in weird spots, making the undercarriage not as accessible. A post lift is best, with two posts or four. A four-post lift is better for larger/heavier vehicles, but a two post lift is more than adequate and that's what most commercial shops use."

Andy King, managing director and founder of Jamjar.com , agrees. Jamjar is a UK-based web service devoted to car-buying comparisons that has been helping consumers since 1997. "If the farthest you're going to go is just changing the wheels and brakes, a low-rise scissor lift would do just fine. These are often smaller and don't go as high as a conventional four-post lift, but can still carry around 4.5 tons depending on the make and model. These are pretty secure and have a little less of a risk factor due to the shorter lift. 

"If you expect to be working on the underneath [of] your car a lot and you need a larger amount of room [for] parts and movement, I would recommend a two- or four-post lift. This will help to keep you safe, offer a lot more floor space, and lift your car higher than a scissor lift, too. This means you can stand to work under your car rather than laying down."

Someone welding the underside of a vehicle.

Getting a car up in the air helps make many repairs that much easier.

The way that specific lifts are constructed may also eliminate your ability to perform certain tasks. For example, lifts designed specifically for parking often won't provide access to the car's chassis, meaning that you won't be able to use these lifts for car maintenance. Additionally, if voltage is a concern, you may want to opt for a 4 post car lift. According to JMC Equipment , most four-post lifts only need a 115-volt power supply for the hydraulic system, while two-post lifts typically need 220 volts of power for their hydraulic pump.

Some customers have questions about the size of the arms that lifts use -- namely, are larger arms better? The truth is the size of the arms doesn't matter -- it's the weight capacity rating that's important. "The lifting arms must be adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of different-sized cars and trucks," says Richard Reina, product training director for CARiD . Reina has spent more than 30 years in the automotive industry working in engineering, mechanics and sales. "The size of the arms is not the critical factor, but rather it's the weight rating of the lift."

"The power generated by the lift will take into account how heavy its own parts are," adds King. "So, if you have two lifts and both can handle 4.5 tons, for example, just because one has larger lift arms doesn't mean it can lift less -- they can both lift an extra 4.5 tons."

A partially disassembled vehicle on a two-post BendPak auto lift.

It's not the size of the lift arms that counts, but the weight rating of the car lift itself. 

Obviously, a major question that many users have when it comes to auto lifts is safety -- if a car falls, it's not good for anybody. The reality is that if a lift is certified as safe and you use it properly, then risk -- while never eliminated -- is minimized. Any certified lift is designed to safely support a vehicle in the given weight range, though the specifics of how it does just that will vary based on design.

Simply based on the shape, four-post lifts are less likely to see a vehicle tip off than a two-post or one-post lift (as the name suggests, these use one hydraulic lift to raise up a car) are, but those accidents are almost always due to user error . "Everything else being equal, a four-post lift is safer than a two-post lift; it's sturdier and more secure, and the better choice if the lift is being used for storage, not just lifting," says Reina. "A vehicle stored on a four-post lift can be safer to store for long periods of time, as opposed to two-post lifts." 

No matter what kind of lift you have, it's incumbent upon you to make sure that it's certified and that you use it in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

A yellow muscle car on a four-post auto lift.

If you're looking for a garage lift to store vehicles for longer periods, a four-post list is the safest choice.

Installing a car lift

The safety of your lift doesn't just depend on the lift itself and your use of it -- proper installation in your home garage is also a huge factor. When it comes to a piece of machinery as large and powerful as a car lift, there are several factors that dictate safe installation.

One of the main questions that people have when it comes to installing a garage car lift is just how much clearance space they need -- in other words, how high should the ceiling of the garage be? Like with anything else, the answer depends on your needs and personal situation. But that's a good thing. As North American Auto Equipment explains, it's very rare that we get to choose the specifications of our garages, so knowing that there's a host of lifts that can accommodate your restrictions is comforting. Sure, you may not have the room for a four-post lift underneath which you can park another car, but you can still get a lift that offers us plenty of benefits, even if you have a small garage.

A black pickup truck lifted up by a two-post auto lift.

Ceiling height and concrete integrity are a couple of big factors to consider when installing a home garage car lift.

Just a note: If you have limited garage space, you may be considering installing a lift in your driveway or in another outdoor location. This is not recommended, as your lift will then be exposed to temperatures and weather elements for which it isn't designed. Some lifts' warranties will be voided if they're installed outside.

Another important concern when installing a car lift is the integrity of the concrete underneath. While a 1,500-pound lift may not seem very heavy compared to the 10,000-pound truck that it's going to be holding, the weight will be distributed differently (and won't be balanced on soft tires). For this reason, it's recommended to place the lift on a sturdy concrete surface -- and if you don't have one in your garage, you'll need to pour one.

Eagle Equipment suggests only using 3,000 PSI reinforced concrete, and allowing a minimum thickness of 4 inches for lifts up to a 10,000-pound capacity, while allowing at least 6 inches for lifts up to a 15,000-pound capacity. Bendpak, meanwhile, offers a more detailed chart referring specifically to the company's own products. Whichever product you ultimately end up buying, you should follow the manufacturer's specific foundational advice.

A green Jeep on a BendPak auto lift

BendPak says the typical cost for having a professional install a garage car lift is $500 to $10,000, depending on type.

The installation process itself will depend on what kind of home garage lift you get (portable lifts notwithstanding). Regardless of the type, though, you'll want to make sure that the job is done correctly for safety reasons, which means it's highly recommended that you have a professional install the lift. According to Bendpak, the average installation price for a two-post lift is $500, while the price for a four-post lift is $1,000. Having a lift installed in the ground -- which is an option with some models -- is much costlier, running up to $10,000.

Each lift will have its own installation instructions, but the job typically consists of putting the lift itself together, as well as mounting it into the cement foundation. Again, these are difficult and demanding tasks that can be better done by a professional -- not only will they be able to more safely execute the installation, but their work will ensure that the device is less likely to encounter dangerous problems while being used.

A close-up of the underneath of a car being held up by portable auto lifts.

With a portable car lift, you won't have to worry about the potential added cost of professional installation.

Five things you need to know before you buy and use a home garage car lift

  • Why are you considering buying a car lift for your garage? Factors like wanting to park cars on top of one another or wanting easier access to your car's chassis will ultimately affect what kind of lift you need.
  • What kind of car lift do you want? Again, your reasons for buying a lift will point you in a certain direction, but criteria like cost and lifting capacity will also help you decide between a four-post lift, a two-post lift, a scissor lift or a different kind altogether.
  • Can your garage floor accommodate a car lift? Check (or have a professional check) to make sure that your garage floor consists of enough solid inches of PSI 3,000 concrete to support your lift of choice. If it doesn't, you'll need to have new concrete poured.
  • Who is going to install your home garage lift? It's highly recommended that you have an experienced professional perform the job, as it can be difficult and dangerous. Find an installation expert whom you trust -- one with experience installing car lifts.
  • Finally, and most importantly, what are the operating instructions associated with your car lift? Make sure to familiarize yourself with all of them in order to minimize the risk of property damage or injury.

Written by Scott Fried for Roadshow.  

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Parking in DC: Where to Park Your Car When You Visit

When you start planning your trip to Washington, DC you will discover that every hotel offers parking. And yes, it’s expensive! Many consider the hotel rates completely outrageous. It is not uncommon to see rates for hotel parking in DC in the $40-$50 range per night. If you’re willing to consider another option, we have seven ideas for where you can park your car.

Where to Park in Washington DC

1. Union Station.

This is our top recommendation for out-of-town visitors. The Union Station garage is located about a half mile north of the Capitol. This is pretty convenient if you are staying anywhere downtown. Parking costs $24 per day. It’s not cheap. However, it is still a discount over what you would pay at a hotel.

The best thing about Union Station is that the garage is open 24/7 and the rate is the same all the time. So, you do not have to worry about whether the garage is going to be open when you are ready to come or go, or about the rate.

2. Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center

For general tourism, the garage at the Reagan Building is one of the most convenient in the entire city. It is about a block and a half from the White House. It is also across the street from the Smithsonian’s American History Museum .

This is a great option if you are coming in on the weekend. Weekend rates are only $15 on Saturday and Sunday. However, during the week that price jumps to $35 per day. One thing to note about this garage is that it is in a federal government building. So, when you pull in a security guard will ask you to pop the trunk and will take a look around. Some people do not like this. However, others really do because it makes it feel like their car is in a really safe spot.

3. CityCenterDC

The garage at CityCenterDC is very centrally located downtown. So, if you are staying at a hotel downtown, this could be a very convenient option. Overnight parking is $24, same as Union Station, with a few discounts for nights and weekends as well.

4. The Wharf

The Wharf is a brand new development in Southwest Washington, about a half mile south of the National Mall. The garage at the Wharf costs $26 per day and it’s located just off of Maine Avenue SW. There is also a real time garage tracker on the Wharf website. So, you can check to make sure that there is a spot available before you arrive.

5. SpotHero

SpotHero is an app and a website that lets you find and pay for parking in advance. It is pretty easy to use. You can enter your the location of your hotel, when you plan to arrive and leave, and click search. The results will come up on a map. Each pin on the map shows you the total price to park during your stay. After you check out, you will get a confirmation email. At some garages there’s a QR code that you’ll scan on a reader when you arrive. At other garages, you will show your confirmation email to the person working in the booth. They will get you set up.

The most important thing to know when you use SpotHero is that most garages in downtown DC are closed overnight and on the weekends. So it’s imperative that you check the hours to make sure that the garage is going to be open when you plan to arrive and when you need to leave. Garages will usually let you leave your car overnight or on the weekend when they’re closed. However, you will not be able to leave until they reopen on Monday morning.

6. Economy parking at the airport

The long-term economy lot at Reagan National Airport is $17 per day. It works just like parking at any airport. Although, here you can actually reserve your spot in advance online. The disadvantage to using this option is that you’ll need to take a shuttle to get from the parking lot to the airport terminal, then use the Metro to ride into DC. So, if you’re staying downtown, it’s not the most convenient option.

7. End of the line Metro stations

Four of our Metro stations currently offer overnight parking where you can leave your car for up to ten days. Those stations are Greenbelt , Huntington , Franconia-Springfield and Wiehle-Reston East . These are the stations at the end of the green, yellow, blue, and silver lines respectively. Parking at each of these stations is about $5 per day and free on the weekends. So, it is definitely the cheapest of the options. But, these stations are really far from downtown. So, in addition to the inconvenience, you will need to factor in the price in Metro fare that it will take to get your family to and from the car.

Other Metro stations with parking lots officially do not allow overnight parking. So, if you do park in one of them you may come back to find a ticket on your windshield or even that your car was towed. Now, many people have told us they have parked overnight at these stations without any trouble. However, it is definitely an “at your own risk” situation.

What about DC street parking?

If you’re a Washington, DC visitor, do not park on the street.

Most street parking downtown is either metered or time restricted in some way. So you need to know when you need to pay, how much, and when you need to move your car. And if you get it wrong you will be ticketed and possibly towed.

If you’re thinking that you park in a residential neighborhood for free, think again. Street parking in many neighborhoods is free… but only for those who live there. Most neighborhoods in DC have permit parking, which means that you have to actually live in the neighborhood to get a permit.

Regardless, it’s still not a great idea to leave your car unattended for long periods on the street. Temporary no parking signs can pop up for all kinds of reasons. Lastly, while Washington DC is a very safe city for visitors generally, car break ins are still a problem. So stick to a garage, it’s worth it to keep your car safe.

Looking for a Washington, DC tour after you’ve parked your car? Trip Hacks DC was founded by Rob, a veteran tour guide in the Nation’s Capital. Trip Hacks DC provides tips, tricks and travel hacks for planning your trip; and guided tours to show you around once you get here. Our tours are family and school group friendly and our guides specialize in the major Washington, DC sites.  Click here to check out the upcoming tour options  and to book your tour here today!  Feel free to contact us if you have any tour questions.

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Owning a Gibson

Visit the Gibson Factory in Nashville

Visit the Gibson Factory in Nashville

If you are a music enthusiast and love guitars, visiting the Gibson Factory in Nashville is a must. Gibson is a company passionate about manufacturing guitars, amps, and effects pedals. The company has two factories, one in Bozeman, Montana, and the other in Memphis, Tennessee, producing acoustic- and hollow-body guitars.

The new Gibson Garage is situated within Nashville’s iconic Cummins Station. It boasts an impressive stage for live performances, a Custom Shop where players can build their guitars, memorabilia displays, and an expansive retail area.

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Is gibson still giving tours in the gibson factory in nashville.

As of October 2023, it has been confirmed that Gibson is not currently offering factory tours in Nashville. To our knowledge, Gibson has not resumed offering these tours. However, if you wish to immerse yourself in the world of Gibson, you can pay a visit to The Gibson Garage.

Experience the Guitars

Are you a guitar player looking to improve your skills? Gibson recently opened the Gibson Garage, an educational center for musicians and professional guitarists, inside Cummins Station in Nashville.

Visit the Gibson Factory Nashville

The 8,000-square-foot Gibson Garage offers the premier guitar experience for professional musicians, casual guitarists, and music fans. It includes a state-of-the-art stage for live concerts and virtual live-streaming performances; a public retail sector stocked with electric guitars from Gibson, Epiphone, Kramer KRK, and Mesa Boogie brands; a repair & restoration center; as well as historical memorabilia displays.

Experience one of the many attractions at Gibson Garage with a tour of their guitar production plant. On this guided tour, guests witness guitar construction from start to finish and even get an up-close view of the wood shop where imported and domestic lumber is used in crafting guitars.

One of the more fascinating aspects of this factory tour is witnessing the chambering process that goes into creating a guitar’s body. While highly automated, it can also take an immense amount of time. That is why most Gibson guitars have lifetime warranties and are built to last.

On this tour, visitors are treated to the surprise of a room filled with vintage guitars that have lain dormant for years. Not just any old guitars, though – these are some of Gibson’s most prized and sought-after models from its history!

Finally, there is the Artist Lounge, designed as an Artist Relations Center, content creation space, and Green Room for performing artists. Here, Gibson Brand Ambassadors like Jared James Nichols and Lzzy Hale can work and perform in a comfortable atmosphere.

The Collections

One year after relaunching with new leadership, relevant guitars, a compelling vision, and widespread industry support, Gibson, the all-American-made instrument brand, still exceeds expectations. This includes historical accuracy, contemporary updates, signature collections, customized creations, award-winning guitars, improved quality control, and more incredible artist and fan engagement than ever before.

At just a 10-minute walk away from Broadway’s neon glow and lively nightlife, Gibson Garage provides players and fans with more than just an everyday retail experience. Featuring lessons, historical exhibits, and frequent live performances, this venue has quickly become one of Nashville’s must-visits.

On Thursday night, Gibson hosted an opening night party at Wildhorse Saloon with live performances by Jason Isbell, Nathaniel Rateliff, Jim James (My Morning Jacket), Chris Isaak, Lee Roy Parnell, Ray Wylie Hubbard Temecula Road Honey County Aaron Lee Tasjan Travis Denning Parmalee Cassadee Pope and Jayden Tatasciore Ben Goldsmith Reece Malone and Carter Wilkinson. With rocking sets alongside intimate performances of hits and fan favorites alike, everyone joined on stage for an electrifying finale that saw all guests join forces on stage for one last wild finale!

At the Gibson Factory, you can explore an expansive collection of electric and acoustic guitars from Gibson, Epiphone, Kramer, Mesa Boogie, and KRK, plus gain insight into their iconic 128-year history through captivating storytelling, interactive displays, and memorabilia. Plus, you can catch a taping of the award-winning Gibson TV network or explore more about its vibrant music culture at Murphy Lab.

At Gibson, we believe that artists are the cornerstone of our business. Through Gibson Gives, our philanthropic arm, we aim to empower artists and the global music community with youth-focused education, music in schools, health & wellness initiatives, and more. At Gibson, we want musicians everywhere to realize their aspirations by offering one-of-a-kind experiences, guitars, and chances to give back to the industry.

Experience Live Music in the Gibson Garage in Nashville

For an unforgettable music experience in Music City, don’t miss a visit to the iconic Gibson Factory in Nashville. This facility produces some of the world’s most legendary guitars.

Experience the Gibson Factory Tour for an up-close and personal look at how the legendary Les Paul Custom is made, plus gain insight into their history through exhibits of memorabilia. Additionally, you’ll have the chance to hear live performances and watch award-winning TV shows!

In addition to seeing how guitars are made, you’ll have the opportunity to shop for Gibson instruments, accessories, and apparel. Plus, you can try guitar playing or even build a guitar from scratch!

Experience an exclusive concert at the Gibson Garage featuring Warren Haynes, Margo Price, Kip Moore, James Bay (of Mana), Lzzy Hale (Halestorm), Marcus King, Orianthi (Sam Fish), Morgan Wade Sadler Vaden Tak Matsumoto Celisse Emily Wolfe Meghan Lindsey Tyler Cain Striking Matches Matt Heafy from Trivium.

The Gibson Garage is the ultimate guitar experience in Nashville and a must-see for guitar enthusiasts of all levels. Here, you can explore collections of Gibson, Epiphone, Kramer, and Mesa Boogie guitars and KRK studio equipment, play and shop for new gear, take lessons, or hang out in the backstage artist lounge. Additionally to live music performances, The Gibson Garage will host tapings of award-winning Gibson TV series and celebrate generations of Music City history through captivating installations and programming.

Kirk Hammett Greeny 1959 Les Paul Standard 2023

Screenshot 2023 04 04 8.34.18 PM

The Murphy Lab

Tom Murphy is the Master Artisan at Gibson who has been recreating the aesthetic and character of vintage guitars on new instruments for over 25 years. With his expertise in authentic instruments and a deep understanding of guitar aging, he has developed innovative techniques for greater accuracy and meticulous attention to detail.

Tom Murphy and his artisans have designed a line of Gibson-branded guitars tailored to different levels of age and wear. From Ultra-Light to Ultra-Heavy, each Murphy Lab guitar is expertly crafted using only the most modern tools and technology.

Tom’s unique aging techniques on these guitars draw on his skill and deep understanding of vintage instruments, combined with his creative vision to add natural wear and cracking that replicate how a guitar ages. The result is an instrument that captures the timeless vibe of classic Gibsons with an authentic look.

The Best Les Paul For Every Budget

This guitar is highly playable and easy to tune. The minimal lacquer checking, combined with Vintage Original Sheen (VOS) hardware and hand-rolled fingerboard binding, simulate fifty years of average playing wear.

This classic semi-hollow body guitar, featuring its sustain-enhancing center block and sustain-enhancing, feedback-fighting design, is both beautiful and playable. Plus, with its unique Murphy Lab-aged finish, you get all the feel and performance of a genuine relic guitar at a fraction of the cost.

Welcome to the Murphy Lab, Gibson Custom Shop’s first-ever guitar aging department designed and managed by master artisan Tom Murphy. This initiative is an integral part of their mission to restore their brand to what players desire in a guitar.

Mastering Gibson Guitar Finishes: A Complete Guide

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Garage Tours 105: Hendrick Motorsports tour

Forsberg gets exclusive access to Hendrick Motorsports complex outside of Charlotte, North Carolina with Jeff Gordon’s crew chief Alan Gustafson as his guide. Home to four NASCAR Sprint Cup teams with some of the biggest names in motorsports at the wheel including Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. 

Garage Tours ALL Season 4 Season 3 Season 2 Season 1

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Garage tours with chris forsberg: season one finale, drifting the driveway with ryan tuerck.

Car Tech & Gear

Garage Tours 109: Menzies Motorsports' Beast Trucks

Garage tours 108: bondurant racing school, recommended, garage tours 106: sprint car garage, garage tours 104: magnus walker's porsche 911 garage.

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Back to the Future! - Garage Museum of Contemporary Art

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  • Garage Museum of Contemporary Art

Probably one of notable Starchitect Rem Koolhaas’ lesser-known works. It is smallish and apparently... read more

best garage tour

The Building by Remment Koolhaas is as expected modern, spacious and polished. The collection was... read more

best garage tour

Back to the Future!

Metro Oktiabrskaya is the best way to go. As you exit go toward the Gorky park. Nobody was able to help us out with directions. It is still a very new museum. Don't get discouraged. The Garage exists! It is new, informative, exciting in some parts and most welcoming at all stages of your visit place. There is no permanent installations at this point. But you will be inthralled into the world of multi media, paintings, sculpture, videos and 3D art objects. All museum guards are young vibrant inquisitive polite people. English may be a problem but desire to communicate is powerful. It is worth two hours of your visit. And the cafeteria is superb!

I really enjoyed visiting this museum. I love that it is open until 10pm most nights. The two main exhibits when I visited were very interesting. The galleries were well organized, with Russian and English signs, and multimedia exhibits. I highly recommend going here, and I look forward to returning and seeing their new exhibits.

Amazing contemporary art museum, the best of this genre in Moscow. Located in the midst of Gorky park, it's housed at the impressive building which is a great example of Soviet modernist architecture. The exhibitions are always interesting and though-provoking and show contemporary art and culture from different angles. Besides, there are lots of events happening there, from lections and discussions to movie screenings and concerts. The staff is always friendly and helpful. Tours are available in Russian and Engish. The cafe is very nice and the food is delicious. Another great reason to come is a bookstore offering a wide range of books and museum souvenirs. What is also important: the museum is a disability-friendly site and offers special tours for disabled people. Highly recommended place to visit in Moscow!

One of the Autumn exhibition is the Neue Slowenische Kunst movement, which is something I never heard about before and I thank the museum for yet another new thing to learn about. The curator did a good job collecting mind blowing pieces. I love this place.

best garage tour

We went inside after a walk in Gorky park. The museum has a really nice store with a lot of cool books. Just one exhibition of was open when we went, but we enjoyed it very much.

best garage tour

I absolutely LOVED visiting the Garage museum. The exhibits were were beautiful and thought-provoking and I found the staff to be friendly and knowledgable. One tip: they do not have a formal coat check. There is a place to put your things but no one is watching it.

best garage tour

best garage tour

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Only in cabarrus county, weekend getaway, motorsports vacation, family adventures.

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Live at the Davis Theatre: Unspoken Tradition

Mar 22, 2024.

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Charlotte AutoFair

Apr 4 – 7, 2024, events calendar, submit an event, motorsports events, music events & concerts.

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Davis Theatre Concord

Enjoy new, original Bluegrass music in the heart of Historic Downtown Concord, NC.

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Go behind the scenes and learn the history of local racing legends.

Share in our community’s enthusiasm for motorsports with tours of the area’s most storied racing locales. Feel the adrenaline surge by taking a tour of Charlotte Motor Speedway , complete with a trip around the legendary oval and up its 24-degree banked curves. Pay tribute to racing legend Dale Earnhardt Sr. in his hometown of Kannapolis. Or spend a full day with Garage Shop Pass Tours exploring race shops plus the NASCAR Hall of Fame and other points of pride along the way.

Pro tip: Plan your racing tours around big events and race weekends to increase your chance of spotting your favorite cars and drivers.

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Motorsports Mania: The Ultimate Itinerary for Race Fans in Cabarrus County, NC

Race fans, start your engines! It’s time to speed into a long weekend filled with NASCAR race shops, speedway tours, motorsports museums ...

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Start Your Engines: Pro Tips for First-Time Race Fans

Our first tip? Arrive early! Check out these suggestions to help you plan the ultimate NASCAR race weekend in Concord, North Carolina.

Upcoming Motorsports Events

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Occurs Every Month

Fill your fuel tank and your mug, then head to “America’s Home For Racing” for Cars & Coffee Concord! On the third Saturday of each month from 8-11 a.m., join like-minded automotive enthusiasts at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Fan Zone.

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Apr 26 – 28, 2024

Zmax dragway concord.

Nitro thunder returns to zMAX Dragway! Every ticket is a pit pass, so come early to see your favorite drivers and their cars up-close before a festival of 40,000 horsepower ignites the excitement!

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    Overnight parking is $24, same as Union Station, with a few discounts for nights and weekends as well. 4. The Wharf. The Wharf is a brand new development in Southwest Washington, about a half mile south of the National Mall. The garage at the Wharf costs $26 per day and it's located just off of Maine Avenue SW.

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