Garage Widths
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 110
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From: Abington (near Philly) PA
Garage Widths
Folks, I have a question. I've never owned a garage in my life, but with the current housing market my wife and I are looking to buy something down near Philadelphia. That said, here's my question - what is the minimum size in width of a garage that allows me to park the Vette and comfortably be able to open the doors? I've looked at many very nice newer construction townhome type places, and we liked them, but the garages just seemed very constricted.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
You can see the width of the car from this pic
The doors are an extra 45" each side when fully open
73.6" + 45" + 45" = 164"
The doors are an extra 45" each side when fully open
73.6" + 45" + 45" = 164"
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Folks, I have a question. I've never owned a garage in my life, but with the current housing market my wife and I are looking to buy something down near Philadelphia. That said, here's my question - what is the minimum size in width of a garage that allows me to park the Vette and comfortably be able to open the doors? I've looked at many very nice newer construction townhome type places, and we liked them, but the garages just seemed very constricted.
my three car is 40' wide by 24' deep. NOT big enough ( center bay has stairs at the front )
Looking at building a steel building of 60' wide by 80' long for a shop
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Garage must haves:
Sink to wash your dirty hands. Have builder put in sink
drain - are very nice but not likely
items to put in
compressor for air and air tools
Work bench
storage
Lift
Sink to wash your dirty hands. Have builder put in sink
drain - are very nice but not likely
items to put in
compressor for air and air tools
Work bench
storage
Lift
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Issaquah WA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Make sure the ceiling height allows a lift. 10' would be good.
Three bays allows the center bay to be used for working on the Vette. With the other two cars outside the doors can be open.
Plenty of ceiling lights.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Fort Wayne IN
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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In answer to the OP's original question....
You're not going to find what you want in a townhouse/single car garage setup. A total width of 164" in a single car garage just isn't out there, especially in the area you're talking about. Your best bet is going to be to find something with a two car garage with a single door, and put the Vette in the center of it. Otherwise, you're going to end up in a shimmying contest to get in/out of the car.
You're not going to find what you want in a townhouse/single car garage setup. A total width of 164" in a single car garage just isn't out there, especially in the area you're talking about. Your best bet is going to be to find something with a two car garage with a single door, and put the Vette in the center of it. Otherwise, you're going to end up in a shimmying contest to get in/out of the car.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 289
Likes: 1
From: central NC
I would want to be able to at least fully open both doors on an individual car at the same time, but not necessarily both doors on all cars at the same time. Since the Vette is a wide car, I would probably measure the width of it, or a full size pick up truck, whichever is wider, with both doors fully opened.
If I was custom building, I would probably make it so I could open both doors on all cars at the same time. Which would leave a lot of space between cars.
If I was custom building, I would probably make it so I could open both doors on all cars at the same time. Which would leave a lot of space between cars.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 355
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From: Dayton Ohio
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 735
Likes: 7
From: Bucks County Pa
Garage Size
Hi, living in the Phila suburb area, and having within the last 4 years looked for a newer house, I can tell you that the garages are kind of skimpy in new construction, unless you manage to get a large house with a 3 car garage. What I found is that most 2 car garages are approx 21w x 20L. One car's are 12w x 20L. My house which is built within the last 6 years is a 2 car measuring 20w x 20L, but I have a 10'5" ceiling height which allows me to have a 4 post lift which allows me to put 3 cars in my garage, yes it's a bit tight, but it works and I can get into and out of all my cars with caution.
Good luck
Good luck
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 613
Likes: 1
From: Salt Lake City Utah
The garage hooked to the house is roughly 22x40. The second garage is 24x36, it'll hold 4 cars, but I just have the camaro and the vette in there with plenty of room for opening doors. Surround sound wired, heated, two industrial ceiling fans for cooling, a mini fridge for beer, and plenty of lights and outlets.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 510
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From: Laurel MD
St. Jude Donor '08
4 inches max left from each mirror to sealing trim on each side of the door..
my 02 vert is if I remember correctly, using a plumb bob from each mirror, rite at 7 ft wide
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 24,310
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From: Canon City Co
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
"I voluntarily took 60 days off from OT"
Since you'll only be using the driver's door to get in and out of the car pull in the garage hugging the wall that is on the passenger side.....Use a protecting foam strip along the wall on the drivers side so when you open the door youve got some protection against nicks if you hit the wall with your door.....Your passengers can get in or out of your car before you pull in the garage....I have a 24x24 that I keep my C5 Vert, C6 Z-06 and Harley NightTrain in.....It's a snug fit, especially with the C6 Z-06 fender flares
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 2
From: Woodbridge VA
I just had a one car garage built. It's 14x24. I think it's the perfect size for one car. I can open both doors all the way without hitting the walls (but it's close). And I have enough room in front for a workbench (which just collects junk).
