I'm going to be on the other side of the fence for a change on this question. From your description, your yard is a mess.........cars sitting on their rotors, engines apart, etc. How would you like to have a nice home and have a neighbor who had something like this next door to you?

Codes and restrictions are there for a reason, and that reason is that the majority of the people in that area have decided they want a certain standard upheld so that they can live in an attractive, perhaps upscale environment, devoid of eyesores.

The reason I say I am on the other side for a change is because at one time in my life I was inconsiderate of my neighbors by pursuing my car hobby and letting it spill over into my yard. My ex-wife hated it, and now that I look back, she was right and so were my neighbors. Have you ever driven down a street with nice, well kept homes, and then you come to this one house ? It stands out like a sore thumb and brings down the value of the entire neighborhood.

Not trying to get on you, but it sounds like your neighbors have been very tolerant for a long time, even allowing you to run a repair facility (even though you may be doing it free) out of your garage for the import owners.

As suggested, rent a storage building or small shop in an industrial section until you can move far out into the country and have no neighbors near you who have to look at your "toys." I also live in a condo since I sold my home 9 years ago, and that is why we keep a shop in an industrial park to play with our stuff.

It all boils down to being considerate of others.

Don