The epicenter of this business is in a turn of the century dusty warehouse in Framingham,
Massachusetts, a short 20 miles west of Boston on I-90. Click here for Directions
if you are in the area.
Inventory, which is constantly changing with new purchases (we buy collections large and small world wide),
covers 6000 square feet. Stock includes factory repair manuals, sales brochures, owner manuals, dealer
product books and so on for most U.S. autos, trucks and motorcycles. To a lesser extent the
same is in stock for import: autos, trucks, motorcycle, and U.S. farm, construction, boat and
airplane. Literature covers from the dawn of the automotive age 1900 to present.
I have been collecting cars with my Dad since 1957. Our first car was and is a 1927 Model T
Ford home made station wagon. The "fleet" has grown since 1957 to 13 vehicles.
Skipping ahead a few years Johnson's Auto Literature was founded in 1986 when I read Nat
Adelstein’s widow intended to sell their business. At that time I was dabbling part time
in auto paper while working full time as an independent small business consultant to the U.S.
Small Business Administration. I figured this was an excellent opportunity to leverage into the
paper business. A visit was made to Bordentown, N.J; price agreed on with Mrs. Adelstein and
the rest is history. July of 1986 was a record for heat. For 2 weeks in 95-100 degree heat
60 tons of auto related paper was boxed and loaded on 3 tractor trailers and shipped north to
Framingham. There it was heaved up to a 2nd floor location. The next year plus was spent
unboxing, sorting and placing everything in order on shelves.
Business and inventory grew until in 1992 the 2500 square foot 2nd floor space was literally
busting and sagging at the seams. Ground floor space was secured a short 150 feet away and
downstairs in the same complex. What had started out as 60 tons had grown to better than 100
tons! Four people working full time took 3 months to move and redistribute everything. Whew!
What a job! Now everything is in order and easily accessible- well almost everything. The
old location? Well, the floor moved up 1 1/2 inches after the move.
Within a year I needed another 1000 square feet just to handle the incoming loads. As I take
16 tons of material to Carlisle twice a year this space became invaluable for “setting
up” this inventory which takes a month of work.
From a part time business in 1986 with one part time employee selling original factory
literature, the business has grown fivefold, has 4 employees selling original and licensed
reproduction literature worldwide.
My automobile passions? Ford Model A big trucks, American Bantams, White Model 60 & 61
trucks.
~ B. Johnson
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