San Diego’s car scene is built in garages, industrial parks, and small bays tucked behind roll-up doors.
This page documents the shops that shape the local automotive culture—not through promotion, but through observation. Each shop listed here has been visited, photographed, and recorded as it operates today.
No rankings.
No endorsements.
No sponsored placements.
Just working businesses and the people behind them.
Shops
What This Page Is
These are the places where cars are maintained, modified, repaired, and occasionally rethought. Some specialize narrowly. Others work across platforms. All are documented for how they operate, not how they advertise.
Each feature focuses on:
The shop’s background and specialty
How work is approached
The types of customers they serve best
Cultural or technical perspective
The Shops archive exists to provide context.
What This Page Is NoT
Not a directory of every shop in the city
Not a recommendation list
Not a price comparison
Inclusion here reflects access and documentation—not popularity
This archive is best used as a reference.How to Use This Page
If you are trying to understand:
How certain styles are built
Where specific types of work are done
How shops think about cars and customers
The individual features provide more clarity than a simple recommendation ever could.
Performance Specialties: Classic American restoration heritage with full-service capability
Classic American restoration heritage with full service capability
Shop Feature: JDM of San Diego
JDM of San Diego is a local importer focused on supplying low-mileage Japanese engines and transmissions to enthusiasts, repair shops, and builders throughout Southern California and beyond.
While many enthusiasts think of importers as places that bring in full cars or rare body parts, the reality is more focused. Today, the shop concentrates almost entirely on complete engine and transmission assemblies, maintaining in-warehouse inventory and fast shipping times.
Autofashion-USA (miramar)
A San Diego automotive shop known for VIP builds, air suspension systems, and custom audio. AutoFasion-USA has worked across platforms for over 20 years.