A civil dispute in the Iredell County Superior Court has placed Jarit Johnson, the brother of NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson, at the center of allegations that he neglected to restore two classic Chevrolet trucks for a pair of California residents.
Julia Tomko contends that Johnson and his shop fell far short of a January 2022 deadline to finish a 1950 Chevrolet 3100 pickup, a project she says was central to a personal friendship that began in high school.
Nicole Taylor, meanwhile, asserts that the defendant owes her and her father $100,000 for an unrestored 1957 Chevrolet Nomad, a vehicle that was supposed to be returned in a fully refurbished condition.
Johnson’s legal history includes a series of lawsuits stemming from similar restoration promises, and court records show that he has only made two modest payments — each for $1,770.84 — in a prior settlement.
When asked about the delays, Johnson has pointed to a combination of health setbacks and the broader disruptions caused by the COVID‑19 pandemic, claims that have been echoed in his court filings.
According to filings, the parts that did arrive from Johnson’s supplier were described by the plaintiffs as ‘junk parts,’ a description that Johnson himself acknowledged when he admitted in a court response that the restoration remained unfinished.
The situation has prompted Tomko’s attorney to announce plans for further court action, signaling that the dispute may extend beyond the current claims.
Johnson’s business, Kustom Koncepts, operates out of Troutman, North Carolina, a location that has become a focal point for the litigation, which also involves the Iredell County Civil Superior Court and has been covered by The Charlotte Observer.
The Role of Supply Chain and Health Issues
While global supply chain constraints have indeed slowed the availability of certain automotive components, Johnson’s reliance on such excuses has not convinced the plaintiffs, who argue that alternative solutions should have been pursued.
Implications for the Classic Car Restoration Industry
The case underscores the risks that collectors face when entrusting vintage vehicles to restoration shops that lack transparent oversight, a concern that resonates throughout the niche community that relies on craftsmanship and trust.