Celebrating 35 Years of Joe Davis Autosport

On January 2nd, Cindi and I will celebrate our 35th business anniversary. Reflecting on this milestone, I can’t help but think about the journey of Joe Davis Autosport, which began humbly in our home garage and grew into the shop we all know today. It’s a story of determination, risk, and the incredible support of a community I’m so proud to be part of.

It all started with necessity. Back when Cindi was home raising our young children, and I was driving a truck to make ends meet, I needed to find a way to supplement my income. My love for cars and knack for mechanics gave me an idea. A coworker whose family owned a junkyard introduced me to repairable cars and parts, and I began fixing and selling them along my truck route. Before I knew it, I was juggling two full-time jobs, pouring every ounce of energy into my side hustle during my three days off from driving. For four years, I worked 90-hour weeks until I faced a choice: stay in the comfort of a guaranteed paycheck or gamble on building something of my own.

With three kids under the age of 8 and a mortgage looming, I made the leap. Failure wasn’t an option. I set out to build a shop, starting from our unheated garage, working 7 days a week. I was the mechanic, the tow truck driver, the salesperson, and the accountant—all rolled into one. Despite the hardships, I loved it. I had a vision, and with Cindi’s support, we turned it into a reality.

By the time we moved into our current location in Perkasie, the work was pouring in. I hired young apprentices eager to learn, invested in lifts, and specialized in Saabs—a niche market that found me more than I found it. Through grit, long nights, and learning from mistakes, we grew.

But growth isn’t without challenges. When the dot-com bubble burst, the phones stopped ringing. It was a stark reminder of how fragile success can be. We weathered that storm, just as we’ve weathered many others, by adapting, learning, and leaning on the relationships we’ve built over the years.

Technology has reshaped our industry in unimaginable ways. We’ve gone from carburetors and handwritten repair orders to computerized diagnostics and cloud-based systems. Cars today are marvels of engineering, demanding skills and tools that were unheard of when I started. It’s no wonder finding good techs is tough—it’s not glamorous work. It’s demanding, both physically and mentally, and requires constant learning and investment. Yet, through it all, I’ve been fortunate to work with some incredible people, many of whom started their careers here.

Helping others has always been my “why.” Whether it’s mentoring young technicians, serving loyal customers who’ve been with us since the beginning, or giving back to this community, my greatest joy has been building something that benefits others. They say, “Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he eats for a lifetime.” That philosophy has guided me every step of the way.

As I look to the future, I’m confident that the legacy of Joe Davis Autosport is in good hands. Nate, Ryan, and the rest of our incredible team are poised to carry the torch. We have a five-year plan, and I look forward to seeing how this shop continues to grow and serve.

For now, I’m filled with gratitude—for the challenges, the triumphs, and the people who’ve been part of this journey. Thank you for trusting us with your cars and for being part of our story. Here’s to 35 years of memories and to the road ahead.

Until we meet again, Happy New Year!

Joe