Local extreme collector dedicates life to the things he loves

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Some folks who love to collect-- whether it's art, wine, comic books, or memorabilia-- just can't seem to stop. For Garland Sharp collecting makes him feel good. The 76-year-old Fresno man loves his music and much more. His home is a series of man caves full of collectibles.

"It's something I've done all my life I guess and I've never stopped. It's just in my blood."

Sharp's collection also pays tribute to his favorite era.

"It keeps it all together. The 50's-- it keeps all the memories together."

Sharp founded Hot Rods of Fresno in 1998. His latest classic car is a rebuilt 1944 Ford Coupe and every space in his garage and workroom is full of items having to do with cars. Including a gas pump which he refurbished.

"I go way overboard. I know I do, but it's not going to change and my wife knows that."

But whenever Sharp leaves the house his wife Charlene reminds him not to buy anything else.

"Oh, I tell him all the time. It's gotta be the end of it but he never listens."

Charlene once worked at Bob's Big Boy on Blackstone so her husband worked some of those items into his vintage Coca Cola collection at his outdoor bar.

Sharp also said he loves garage sales.

"You never know what you're going to find. It's something I love doing."

The backyard-- also known as Sharp Park-- features what appears to be a nursery. Sharp has 300 sago palms growing all over his property. They come in different shapes and sizes.

"Once I got started they just totally fascinate me because they're all different. I always tell people, they're kind of like a woman. You never know what they're going to do," said Sharp.

Charlene walked away at that point, but as we've seen with everything else he collects Sharp can't have just one of anything.

"There's no method to my madness. I just do what I do."

Sharp probably could open a museum with all of his stuff when you consider all the memorabilia he still has in storage.