832-444-2998
Restorer, Collector, & Racer
Sabra Johnson is one of the most recognized and respected influencers in the aftermarket industry.
Sabra’s industry connection and service career spans 30 plus years. Starting as a young man working at his cousin’s European Sales and Performance Shop, he learned the value and importance of hard work and dedication. Today, Sabra is the owner of one of the largest classic car restoration companies in the country. Under Sabra’s tutelage, City Classic Cars and Restorations by Sabra in the greater Houston, Texas area maintains a strong footing in the classic car restoration space. Through his multi location company he has developed some of the best clients and custom restoration projects in the aftermarket. Sabra has designed and built vehicles for heads of state, corporate leaders, celebrities, and international leaders.
Sabra Johnson and his brands have built vehicles for clients across America as well as Australia, Dubai, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, and Europe.
Sabra believes that success requires efficient processes, systems, and talented people. Sabra recognized that within the aftermarket industry, there was a monolithic approach to staffing as well as a lack of SOPs and standards. This deficit prompted him to go against the grain of exclusion to attract, cultivate, and develop staff members from all over the globe. This act alone has shattered the aftermarket glass ceiling. Sabra has an international staff from all over the world. Sabra has staff members from Serbia, the Philippines, Honduras, Cuba, Mexico and El Salvador. Sabra’s Project Management team is the only all-female led Project Management team in the industry. Sabra also has a global clientele along with the most diverse staff demographics in aftermarket industry, which allows him to push the envelope of professional greatness daily.
Sabra Johnson is a dedicated aftermarket professional who elevates his corporate brand through the acquisition of world class talent, international clients, and keen business acumen.
Sabra realized that disruptive innovation was the only way to revolutionize the aftermarket. As a visionary, he saw that there was a glaring systems and talent gap in the industry regarding restoration. Sabra’s innovative thinking led him to create his legendary 25 step build process. Sabra created a detailed systematic approach to building vehicles that outlines the flow of the build process. He then built a multi- campus company to implement his 25 Step Build Process along with his signature restoration accounting, billing, and design platform. Sabra’s 25 step build process is now the standard when it comes to professionally building a vehicle.
Sabra’s visionary insight, innovative thinking, and faithfulness were all honed for many years through para church ministry and full-service ministry until his retirement from pastoring and church leadership. Sabra forged both his natural talent and his God given fortitude into the aftermarket and he has catapulted to the top. Today Sabra uses his unique car platform to minister to men, women, youth and industry leaders through relational "car connections" all over the globe.
Sabra has served as an official aftermarket mentor and leader for years helping other companies find aftermarket success. Sabra is a longtime supporter of several aftermarket trade associations which include SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) and PRI (Performance Racing Industry- where he is a Founding Member). Sabra has advocated for the industry to both state and federal legislatures as well as with lobbyist from throughout the country through consistent participation in numerous aftermarket meetings and PAC events. Sabra was the brainchild of a trade association member lead continuing education series designed to document and preserve the stories and legacies of aftermarket legends, in a way that the next generation can learn forward.
Sabra also created, hosted and was a major financial stakeholder of the SEMA Across America film series whose mission was to illustrate the beauty and value of the urban aftermarket. These stories were infused alongside the stories of mainstream brands, which placed a much-needed spotlight on the urban aftermarket. Sabra founded, funded and structured, The Urban Aftermarket Council of the Americas (UAC) because he witnessed first-hand the inequity of the playing field in most aftermarket circles. The UAC represents the Urban sector of the aftermarket and helps Urban Mom and Pop companies find success in the aftermarket space. Throughout the years, Sabra has served two elected terms on ARMO (Automotive Restoration Market Organization) Council, and he has also served as a 3-year leader and moderator of the SEMA Builders Panel at the annual trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Over the years Sabra has participated in the SEMA International Battle of the Builders as well as led aftermarket enthusiast and professional panel discussions regarding aftermarket business success.
Over the years, Sabra has invested his time, talent and visionary insight into entrepreneurs forging their way in various business sectors. Sabra uses his connections, influence, and business fortitude to help them find pathways to success. Sabra believes that giving is one of the foundational principles to finding success in business. Evidence of this principle is his Next Gen apprenticeship program. Sabra works with local school districts to procure students that have an interest in automotive restoration, mechanical engineering, and woodworking. He gives these students a paid apprenticeship opportunity to learn the skills that are necessary to build a career in the automotive industry.
Sabra Johnson understands that building a bridge for the next generation is the only way for the restoration industry to progress.
Sabra enjoys collecting vintage and classic cars from all over the world. You can always find him at one of the leading collector car auctions or at an exclusive collector car sale. Sabra is a member of the Antique Automotive Club of America, Porsche Club of America, The Ferrari Club of America, The Classic Car Club of America, Good Guys, The American Quarter Horse Association Pro Level, The Thoroughbred Racing Association, SEMA, PRI, Redline member of the SEMA Pac, The Rolls Royce Club, The Bentley Driver’s Club, Klein Chamber of Commerce, and High Meadow Ranch Golf Club. When Sabra Johnson is not making industry connections or expanding his business, Sabra enjoys spending time with his wife and family at their Texas equestrian ranch- Horsepower Ranch located in Magnolia, Texas.
Sabra Johnson embodies the spirit of restoration and redemption in his company and in his personal life, as he shares his life story with youth across America via his Sabra Talks program with local Boys and Girls Clubs throughout the country.
Sabra believes the aftermarket future is bright and he is pleased to be a leading trail blazer forging the way for the next generation of professionals in the aftermarket industry.
Sabra Johnson
Sabra Johnson's Restoration Farm & Performance Training Center
Restorations by Sabra is a premier restoration facility known throughout the industry for uncompromising standards in restoration, caring for our projects, and treating all our clients, suppliers, and team members with dignity and respect. To understand and appreciate our campus is to understand the training regimen of Championship horses. Sabra has adapted his restoration campus to the same principles and flow measures used to train and race championship Thoroughbreds. Restorations By Sabra Farm and Performance Training Center is comprised of multiple car barns located in Harris County 2 miles outside Houston, Texas nestled in Spring, Texas.
The Restoration
Office
Sabra has a dedicated office team to handle the business administration, project management, and customer update process to ensure he and his crew of restoration craftsmen can stay focused on the work. This area of the Restoration facility is anchored by Carol Sosa, the GM, Sara Ann, Client Relations, and Chris Knight Marketing and Brand Management.
The Receiving
Barn
Every car that comes to the facility, like a horse entering a new race track, must first enter the receiving barn which in this case is Bay 2. Although Sabra Johnson has an office in the administrative wings, like every great trainer he spends most of his time with the automotive horses.
The Galloping
Track
Horses are born knowing how to run, but they have to be developed to race as champions. The track is where they learn the art of racing. Sabra views his north building as his Galloping Track where the vehicles are broken, legged up, conditioned, and learn to master the “gates”. In this building, Sabra has a dedicated fabrication and suspension Shop for building and modifying chassis, a vintage body shop where cars are worked the old way and finally this building houses Sabra’s paint booth, state-of-the-art mixing room, and the recipes to his specialty signature colors.
The Holding
Barn
About 4 hours before the race, horses head to a secure “holding barn” to ensure there is no tampering and to ensure horses are ready when their turn for the gates arrive. Sabra has a Barn dedicated to “holding” restorations post paint. In the holding barn, projects are broadly assembled, pre-mechanicals are completed and interior touches are finished. Large shelves and countertops allow the many multiple parts to be laid out and the car remains in a quarantine state.
Performance
Stables
Once a horse is trained and racing, he will need rehabilitation and special care to keep winning championships. Classic and Vintage cars require rehabilitation and mechanical maintenance to keep them moving whether that’s minor brake services or major wiring overhauls and safety upgrades. This area of the Shop is dedicated to only servicing classic, vintage and antique for “heavy line” work and restorative mechanical work. In horse racing rehabilitation involves regular examinations, nerve blocks, thermography, radiography, ultrasonography, endoscopy, fully equipped lab and technician all play crucial roles in developing an individualized rehabilitation program based on your horse’s injuries or needs. Sabra has a signature classic car rehabilitation center for cars already built and restored.
The Parade
Paddock
The horse paddock is where the runners in the forthcoming race are paraded for racegoers to get a proper look at them. The parade also gets the horses moving and relaxed. The horses are led around by their grooms, with the process designed to help them stay warm and focused. Racegoers can get an early look at the horses without saddling equipment to assess their raceway demeanor and fitness. In this phase, Sabra has a special Bay where he gets the cars moving in a controlled environment at the front of the Shop area where all staffers and guests like to look and see the iron horses run. Nearer to race time, horses will move from the pre-parade ring to the main paddock. Owners and trainers (often collectively referred to as ‘connections’) will be waiting for the jockeys to appear and to talk over their tactics for the race before the jockeys get aboard their horses and depart the parade ring to go out on the track. Before moving to the ed station, this is where Sabra invites his clients out to view and feel the milestone moments of this phase.
The Test
Barn
Pre and post-race sampling protocols at the racetrack test barn are the industry’s front line for ensuring fair, safe racing through medication and substance integrity. The cars start at Sabra’s bays and the last few steps end at Sabra’s workstation in the shop. Although Sabra inspects every department and oversees every step of the process, he anchors Steps 3 and 22-25, or shall we say the beginning and the end. Like every great trainer, there are some things you must do yourself.
The Road to Restoration Starts Here
We have restored vehicles from all over the world and are well equipped with the knowledge and expertise to ensure a seamless intake and delivery process.
When looking to have your next high-end award winning concours restoration, custom street rod, or major SEMA project built… Look no further than Restorations by Sabra! Sabra and his crew have the experience, the facilities, the passions, the vendor network along with the burning passion, unquenchable drive, and diversity of talents to produce epic and iconic results.
Restorations by Sabra sets the standard in the high-end restoration market. Congratulations on starting your restoration journey!
