Remember when your dad’s garage was more than just a place to park the car? It was a workshop, a storage unit, and an unofficial museum of interesting odds and ends that might “come in handy someday.” Each garage had its own unique character, but there were a few items that every dad’s domain had during the 1960’s. Come with us as we take a trip down memory lane to those nostalgic, well-organized (or wonderfully cluttered) spaces that every handyman called home.
Table of Contents
- 1 1. The Trusty Metal Workbench
- 2 2. Coffee Can Full of Random Nails
- 3 3. WD-40 and Duct Tape
- 4 4. Old Paint Cans
- 5 5. Wooden Extension Ladder
- 6 6. Lawn Boy Push Mower
- 7 7. Fishing Gear
- 8 8. Stack of National Geographic Magazines
- 9 9. Glass Jars of Hardware
- 10 10. Car Care Products
- 11 11. Wooden Sawhorses
- 12 12. Model Paint and Airplane Kits
- 13 13. Transistor Radio
1. The Trusty Metal Workbench
The command center of every 1960’s garage was without a doubt the metal workbench. Typically painted with an industrial gray, complete with a vise, is where dad fixed everything from broken toys to broken appliances. Most of these customized workstations, from brands like Craftsman or Delta, were built to last generations and were good enough to hang pegboard tools. Many of these workbenches are still in use today, showcasing how enduring and practically timeless they were.
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2. Coffee Can Full of Random Nails
Every dad had at least one coffee can from Maxwell House or Folgers that was filled with an assortment of nails, screws, and other unknown hardware. These containers were the early 90’s practical recycling. The rattle sound of that coffee can was the sound of every weekend project. Dad always managed to find the exact nail he was looking for in that treasure trove.
3. WD-40 and Duct Tape
WD-40 and duct tape are the ultimate DIY duo. Back in the day, garages were stocked with duct tape and WD-40 for all of life’s little problems. Duct tape was used to fix things that were moving and shouldn’t, while WD-40 was used for things not moving that should. This pair could handle squeaky doors and sticky bolts.
4. Old Paint Cans
Every 60’s household had a collection of paint cans that were stored in the garage. Each labeled with the room name and year to identify touch ups and repairs. The paint cans were a time capsule with colors like harvest gold, avocado green, and 60’s pink.
5. Wooden Extension Ladder
Every homeowner also had a wooden extension ladder that they hung from the walls in their garage. These were big, heavy, and sturdy. Each spring they would use them to clean the gutters and paint the tops of the house.
6. Lawn Boy Push Mower
The iconic green Lawn Boy push mower was emblematic of 1960s suburban life. Its two-stroke engine was temperamental, but as long as you mixed gas and oil just right, it could be relied on. Saturday mornings across America were defined by the exhaust fumes and cut grass smell from the mower. Many fathers took pride in keeping their mower in tune.
7. Fishing Gear
The typical garage in the 1960s was filled with fishing rods, tackle boxes, and lures, which were not just sporting goods, but boxes that contained memories and adventures. Each tackle box told tales of “the one that got away” while lures, hooks, and fishing lines would get snagged and tangled over time, creating new stories.
8. Stack of National Geographic Magazines
Older magazines were carefully stacked in the garage instead of being thrown away. Many felt, for whatever misguided reason, they would be worth something one day and used them for “booster seats, fire starters, windows for kids on rainy days” in addition to offering us a more enriched view of the world.
9. Glass Jars of Hardware
While many remember the 1960s for their canning and preserving, jars were also used for organizing garage parts. Repurposed jars were used for organizing and storing nuts, bolts, and washers, leaving shelves more neatly arranged. Some dads were clever enough to screw the lids to shelf bottoms, creating makeshift hanging storage.
10. Car Care Products
Most dads were their own mechanics, and every garage needed a shelf dedicated to automotive products. Turtle Wax, STP Oil Treatment, Gunk Degreaser, and Simoniz Polish were supplemented by chamois and buffer pads to keep family cars looking new and fresh for Sunday drives.
11. Wooden Sawhorses
The typical DIY dad always have a pair of homemade, 2×4 and plywood sawhorses. These workstations were so versatile, they could be used to create a painting station, or even a table at a garage sale. The best ones were built in shop class, or given to them by grandpa. These had been used in lots of past projects. You could see the paint and sawdust from previous uses.
12. Model Paint and Airplane Kits
If you have been in any garage in the 60s, you will have seen the corner dedicated to building models. There were tiny Testors paint bottles and unfinished Revell airplane kits. It was in this corner that the fathers and sons bonded over the careful assembly of the P-51 Mustang and even the 57 Chevy. The distinct smell of model glue and enamel paint, meant instructions were being followed to the letter.
13. Transistor Radio
Every 60s dad needed a garage radio and a trusty transistor radio was the best choice. These models typically came from Zenith or RCA. They worked with a 9 volt battery, and an important game could be interrupted by static if you tapped it.
