Garage 77

Ultimate Members Garage

- by Peter Edenberg 2019-04-18

Do you also want to have your own garage with all possible dream cars, where you can pick and choose which car you want for the day?

Just choosing the Porsche to pick up your wife from work one day, or the Bronco to fetch the kids from school the next—without thinking about maintenance, insurance, and all that?

Well, welcome to Garage 77—the members’ club where you, as a member, can come and go whenever you want and use any of the available cars at any time. Doesn’t that sound great?

Of course it sounds like a dream. You don’t have to worry about maintenance, insurance, storage, service, or anything else that comes with owning an iconic car.

At Garage 77, you can one day come in and pick up the Ferrari 328 GTSi and cruise along the curvy roads of Highway One. The next day, take down the Lincoln Continental and give your family a luxury ride through Beverly Hills. Or if you need a different car to take your best friend to her bachelorette party—why not take the Bronco?

A beer hatched the Garage 77 idea

Brian Waldman, along with his friend and neighbor Cameron Murg, came up with the idea for Garage 77 when they borrowed a Dodge Challenger for a weekend. The car was parked in a shared space when they weren’t driving it, so both of them felt like they could use it whenever they wanted. Later that evening, over a beer, the idea of a members’ garage was born—Garage 77.

“At this location, we aim to have 30 members. Today we are at 16, but there are six more joining next week,” says Brian when we meet at Garage 77 in Redondo Beach, Los Angeles.

Along Highway one

The garage was purchased from an old car company. Fittingly, to complete the historical automotive circle, it is located along the classic Highway One that stretches along the California coast. Highway One runs from the redwood forests north of San Francisco down to San Juan Capistrano in Southern California.

Brian explains that the garage is meant to feel like a second home for the members. They should be able to come and go as they please—day or night.

“As a member, you can host parties, meetings, and events in the garage.”

“Yes, that’s why it’s still a bit messy here. We had a great art event this weekend, and we haven’t had time to clean everything up yet,” Brian says apologetically, pointing at two ladders lying across one of the garage doors.

“We have workshop nights, pinball tournaments, art events, and more. It’s not just about cars. Members can also see Garage 77 as a place to meet new people and build connections.”

Car family got a Camaro Cab

At the time when Fascinating Cars is visiting, the latest addition to the car family—a Chevrolet Camaro from 1967—is unfortunately not at home.

Well, what does it matter? Brian and I are standing in front of a Ferrari 328 and a shiny Corvette C1 from 1960.

Outside the garage, you can clearly see the shapes beneath the covers—a Lincoln Continental, a Willys Jeep, a DeLorean, a Porsche Speedster, and an incredibly clean and beautiful Bronco.

continental under cover outside garage 77

Delorean – Drives the least – Breaks the most

While we uncover the DeLorean to let the sun shine on its matte aluminum body, Brian tells me that this is the car that gets driven the least—but breaks down the most.

“It’s frustrating because it’s such a classic. Even though it breaks all the time, it has barely been out on the road.”

I get the feeling, reading between the lines, that this car might not remain part of the Garage 77 family for much longer. Interested? Place a good bid, and you might just end up with a DeLorean.

delorean on the parking outside garage 77

the front of the delorean outside garage 77

Dream car is in the 80.000 dollars ball park

“The dream cars we are looking at right now are in the price range of around $80,000. Of course, a Jaguar E-Type is high on the list. But imagine a shiny James Bond Lotus Esprit—that would be something,” says Brian with an almost boyish smile.

Brian works full-time with Garage 77, and as we talk, I get the feeling that he is living a bit of a dream.

He and his partners, Cameron and Stephanie Murg and Alex Howe, have built a fantastic garage in a 100% retro style. Everything is about having fun, meeting people, hanging out with friends, and driving iconic cars. Who wouldn’t want to work with that?

“When we opened this garage, I felt it was a good idea to move my collection of pinball machines here. It is incredibly appreciated,” says Brian, looking over at the eight classic pinball machines lined up along the wall.

“We will also be getting a vintage 22-foot American shuffleboard table soon—it will be really fun.”

“At the same time, if you just want to come here, sit down, and have some peace, you are more than welcome. Or why not jam in our music room over there in the corner of the garage?” Brian nods toward the corner while I’m still looking—almost staring—at the classic Ferrari.

Brett´s dad hade a Bronco as well

“The interest is huge when it comes to Garage 77’s cars. Almost every day, people pass by and want to talk about one or several of our cars.”

I get to experience this myself as I sit on the ground outside the garage, photographing the Corvette’s rounded, beautiful shapes. A man named Brett approaches me and starts talking. His dad had a Bronco when he was a kid, and he admires the Corvette’s lovely, sleek style. The conversation goes on for 15 minutes.

ford bronco light blue outside garage 77

Santa Monicas next

The shareholders see themselves opening one or two more garages in the near future. The most attractive area at the moment is Santa Monica, a bit north of Redondo Beach.

“We would like to have a garage and a fleet that are at least twice the size of what they are today. We believe that area is more lucrative, so you can attract more members. Of course, we will need more people as a company, but right now everything is still in the planning stage.”

It will be really interesting to follow Garage 77 with its unique and wonderful business concept.