I've always had a love of cars, most certainly inherited from my dad, who was a trained car mechanic in his youth and had a fascination for all things mechanical. My earliest car memories are from riding in the back of his 1965 Mercedes 190 (W110), a car he kept long after having access to new company vehicles. Another early memory is sharing the back seat of my grandaunt's 1960 Morris Minor with her beloved Collie. At a ripe old age, she decided to use her bicycle only, and handed the car to me. Having been in the family since new, it became the first car I restored and it is still in my ownership.
A dream came true, when I was able to write my Master's Thesis in the wind tunnel at Porsche's Development Center in Weissach, Germany. At that time, there were still 959 prototypes parked on the area. This was just before launch of the iconic 993 with early prototypes of the Boxster being tested. In hindsight, a highly significant time in the company's history and a fantastic experience for a young Swedish student. Back home again, I graduated from the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, with an MSc in Applied Mechanics and Vehicle Engineering.
I have extensive experience within the automotive industry, gained during 14 years with Audi and the Volkswagen Group, assuming increasingly complex senior management positions in the fields of technology and supply chain management in a multicultural environment and working in six different countries. I then moved to Hungary to build and lead a business at ABB, one of the world’s leading power and automation companies, driving sales, market positioning and profitability of its automation products.
After this long career in the corporate world, some years ago I decided to pursue my life-long passion for collectors' cars and set up my own business, Petrolhead Classics. Being able to do what I love, is a true privilege. Interacting with like-minded enthusiasts is what makes this hobby so fascinating, whether it's about searching for a rare part at an autojumble or attending an auction of some of the most exclusive cars in the world.
I'm truly fortunate to have awesome contacts at the Heritage Departments of major car manufacturers and have met many legendary racing and rally drivers, designers and other important individuals.
In addition to my professional experience, I bring with me linguistic know-how (native Swedish speaker, fluent in English, German, Spanish and Hungarian) and an international network within the classic car world, including manufacturers, private collectors and other players. When not immersed in the classic car hobby, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, travelling, music, gastronomy and sports (mainly running).
Johan Lundberg