John Walker’s Workshop

I have known Walker for over 16 years. He is honest and you can trust his work and incredible knowledge of air cooled porsches. I generally do most of my own maintenance and take walker the stuff that I can’t figure out. He is always willing to help and his prices although not cheap are reasonable. Now I just wish he worked on the water cooled porsches.

Seattle tub guy here,
Johns shop is amazing. I wish I was able to drop in once a week to view the amazing craftsmanship performed by John. His talent and quality way of doing business is truly amazing. This guy hopefully never retires but if he does he should teach his ways to the youth of today not only his mech. skills but how he treats a customer cause I’ve felt like a very important customer for around 20 years and it was like that the first time I stopped in with my first 911.

I wish I could take all my cars to John Walker. In fact, he’s one of the reasons I bought my 911.
Last time I needed John, just a couple month ago, it was for brakes that were dragging badly after the car has sat outside for so long. 2.5years long, actually, because it wouldn’t fit in the garage.
I had taken the car to Eurotech to have a small body issue checked out, when I lost all braking going through Bothell. Boiled the brake fluid. Not fun, driving to Kirkland without brakes!
I had expected a full caliper and pad replacement, but John was able to un-​stick the calipers, replace a couple other parts, and I walked out of there with a bill less than half of what I was expecting.
John is a great guy, for sure.

When’s the last time you went to a mechanic and they didn’t charge you for anything? When was the first time? Has there ever been one? My first and last were the same time and it was my recent visit to have my ’76 911 serviced by John Walker.
I took my car in because I wanted a small oil leak assessed. After a few hours with the car, he called and gave me a rundown of what he found. Despite a couple «wet spots» on the engine and an obvious but minor leak, he recommended against doing any work on it. He suggested I leave well enough alone ’cause tinkering could very well lead to making the problem worse (and costly). Besides, what old 911 doesn’t have an oil leak?
While the car was there, I also had him adjust a high idle. He knew exactly how to fix it and was even able to quote the wrench size (13 mm) to do it, should I want to tweak it myself. The thing now runs better than I thought possible.
The charge for all this work? Absolutely nothing. I almost felt guilty leaving without giving him a cent. They really don’t make mechanics like John any more.

Ever hear the saying Cheap, Fast, and Good, pick two?
Well at John Walker’s Workshop, the customer gets all three.
After a horrendous experience with another shop in town, John Walker set my 1971 911T straight, correcting a seriously botched carb setup from the other shop, as well as providing an excellent transmission refurbishment. John clearly knows his craft well. The invoice was EXACTLY what he said it would be, and the work was done on time. He had the car for less than two days, in fact.
I’ve sense put nearly 4000 miles on the car without so much as a hiccup from the carbs. The transmission has worn-​in nicely, and shifts smoothly for an old 901 box.
I recommend John to anyone with an air-​cooled Porsche that wants competent, timely, and honest service.

John continues to amaze me with his vast knowledge of air cooled Porsche’s. I was recently in for a LOF and to check an oil leak, which turned out to be a transmission bearing seal which he fixed and I found out that the tranny had the wrong oil in it from another garage which made the car hard to shift, needless to say I left poorer but the car no longer leaks gear oil and now shifts great, thanks John!

I’ve relied on John for 15 years. He is the mechanic you trust absolutely to make the right repair. Always the bill is a pleasant surprise, and when he fixes something it stays fixed.
John only works on oil cooled 911, but you might get him to work on a ‘40s cadillac, or a Pace Arrow. Definitely won’t touch a 996 or later. I think his speciality is the early 930.
Between his ability to debug issues instantly, willingness to fix parts, and his store of old parts, In all cases John makes 911 ownership economical.

In 26 years of owning my air-​cooled 911, John is the best mechanic, most honest and thoughtful gentlemen/​business owner I’ve had the privilege of bringing my car to. I have lived all over the country in the last 20 years as an Air Force officer and have simply not found a more knowledgeable, professional enterprise. I drove the car to him from South Dakota one year. :)

I echo the above sentiments. He is good guy. A straight shooter, flawless wrench and beyond reasonable in pricing.
Wish all shops were like John’s.

I had a chance to meet and converse with John Walker inside of his vintage Porsche workshop located in Seattle. There are things you can tell from mechanics and there are things you can tell about their character. First of all. he is downright honest. If you have a question about cars, and not only Porsche, ask him. he has some great connections. His shop is a combination of a mechanic, a hobby shop and of course his getting down to business. Race Car, Concours, Daily Driver or seeking DYI, he will get you going in the right direction. I was there inquiring ways to backdate my own car with matching year motor should I need to take that direction. Though it may not be something I need to not do now, it is an alternative I need to know about in the future. John was very helpful. (1969 motor/​$ 2500 2.0L w/​weber carbs — needs restoration)

John rebuilt my 911’s transaxle last year. He did a great job and helped me get back on the road as quickly as possible. I can’t recommend him enough for air-​cooled 911s.
I’d suggest calling ahead and making an appointment before you stop by. He’s a one man show, so if he’s out to lunch or gone for the day, there won’t be anyone there to help you.

I no longer have my air cooled Porsche, but when I did, no one touched it except John Walker. Its no exaggeration to say that he is one of the best Porsche mechanics in the country.
Johns a straight shooter, and he does what he says he’s going to do. He has saved me money by talking me out of unnecessary work that I had requested. I trust his opinion completely.
Enough said. He’s the best.

If you own a Porsche then you already know that John is the best mechanic in the country for air cooled Porsches. If you are thinking about getting an older Porsche and are worried about maintenance then this is your savior right here. Sometimes it can be a wait to get an appointment but it is worth it.