It's safe to say that when a 16-year-old Steve Johnson bought his first VW, a 1972 1300 Beetle, back in 1992 he had little idea of just where his evolving passion for classic air-cooled Volkswagens would eventually lead. Certainly not to owning his own workshop/showroom and employing a hand-picked staff of full-time restoration specialists.    

After leaving school and following a stint in the mainstream motor-trade, Steve struck out on his own launching Johnson Autoworks in 2001; “we started out small, in a tiny lock-up barely big enough for a single car, but we soon outgrew it and within 18 months had moved into a larger workshop.” 

Since then Johnson Autoworks has grown steadily into what it is to today; a large purpose built workshop with a spray booth and vast used parts store, plus a purpose built showroom and demonstration area. In addition, the current site also offers secure, year-round, indoor storage for customers who want to safely store their beloved vehicles over the winter months or longer. 

Working in the picturesque countryside on the border between Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire has allowed Steve and his team to quietly build a well-deserved reputation as one of the UK’s leading Classic VW specialists. As Steve says it is the team that is the key to the success of Johnson Autoworks; “we have four experienced full-time restoration technicians, who work really well together. We are a tight-knit bunch and we all share the same passion for classic air-cooled Volkswagens of all types. We also share the same dedication to high-quality workmanship and attention to detail which along with our easy going and hassle-free approach ensures that our customers always go away happy.”

Over the years Steve and the guys have built and restored countless classic campers and VW's of all types with many vehicles receiving awards for the top-notch quality of their build and paintwork at shows across the country. Johnson Autoworks restorations have also been regularly featured in both VolksWorld and VolksWorld Camper & Bus magazines, further testimony to the quality of their work. 

“It’s been a terrific experience building this company up to what it is today. We've made many great friendships along the way with both customers and suppliers from around the globe and we hope to continue doing so for many years to come.”