Taking care of you Since 1949…

Johnson’s Auto Repair started in 1949, when WWII veteran Roy Johnson opened McHale’s Full Service Gas Station on the corner of NE 45th and Union Bay in the U-District (where Tully’s Coffee and Burgermaster stand today).

Roy earned a reputation for being a fair and honest business owner, making customer trust the foundation of his business. In 1977, Roy’s son, Jeff Johnson, began working at the station. After two years, Jeff attended the Arizona Automotive Institute to study repair and maintenance. Jeff graduated in the top of his class and returned home.

In 1989, Jeff took over the business (now located at the corner of 35th and 95th in Wedgwood). Jeff decided to focus the business on full service repair and changed the name to Johnson's Auto Repair. He continued the family business and carried the same approach forward—building long-term relationships with customers rather than treating every visit as another transaction.

Over the years, many customers became friends, and many families brought multiple generations of vehicles through the doors.

After growing up around the shop and developing his own obsession with cars and motorsports, RJ Johnson became the third generation of the family to continue the automotive tradition.

As Jeff moved toward retirement, the decision was made to downsize the traditional Johnson's Auto Repair operation and create something that reflected both the family's history and the future of the business.

That became Guards Rad Garage.

Located across the street from the longtime Johnson's Auto Repair location, Guards Rad Garage carries the family's automotive tradition forward in a smaller, enthusiast-focused shop.

A young man stands in front of a red sports car inside a garage. He is wearing a gray hoodie with a car logo, light-colored jeans, and colorful sneakers. The garage has large windows, various tools, and equipment. The magazine cover titled 'spie' with the date February 2022, and mentions the Pacific Northwest Region Porsche Club of America.

Same philosophy. new garage

Cars have changed dramatically since 1949.

The principles behind good repair haven't.

Diagnose the problem.

Explain it clearly.

Recommend what makes sense.

Do quality work.

Stand behind it.

And don't sell people things they don't need.

That's the foundation Guards Rad Garage is built on.

Cars Are supposed to be fun

We're serious about repairing cars correctly, but we also remember why many of us became interested in cars in the first place.

They're fun.

Our involvement in Porsche transaxles, classic cars, road trips, rallies, track days, racing, and the automotive community is part of who we are.

Guards Rad Garage is where our family's history of automotive service meets our enthusiasm for everything that makes cars interesting.

And after more than 75 years, we're proud to keep taking care of cars and the people who drive them.

Welcome to Guards Rad Garage.