About us

A young man with short dark hair and a beard leans against a vehicle in an urban setting with graffiti on the brick wall behind him.

The Story Behind Reliance Auto Works & RAW Motorcraft

I'm Jonathan, the founder of Reliance Auto Works and RAW Motorcraft. My journey began in Queens, New York, where I was born in 1991 to immigrant parents from South America. My father owned an auto body shop, and though he left the country when I was young, the time I spent watching my parents work there planted the early seeds of my love for cars. My mother raised me alone after that; her strength, grit, and business sense became my blueprint for resilience.

From a young age, I was fascinated with how things work. I'd take things apart just to figure out how to put them back together. Over time, that curiosity evolved into a deep passion for mechanics, design, and craftsmanship. I spent years learning everything I could. From hands-on trade work to understanding what it means to build a business with real values. I didn’t follow a straight path, but each step gave me something. Perspective, experience, and a deeper connection to the craft. I knew I didn’t just want to fix cars. I wanted to create something people could rely on. Something built on trust, quality, and care.

Three people standing in front of a closed shutter with graffiti, on a sidewalk in an urban area at night.
Three men standing in an empty, industrial-style room with a high ceiling, exposed beams, and construction equipment. Two of them are giving thumbs-up gestures.

The first auto body shop Jonathan opened with friends was in 2017 in East NY.

Six men standing together in front of a car, smiling with arms around each other, in a garage setting. They are wearing matching black t-shirts with the 'RAW' logo.

Our Mission

I started Raw Motorcraft with a simple goal:

“To build an auto body shop where people feel confident, respected, and genuinely cared for.”

We know how stressful accidents and car repairs can be. That’s why we’ve created a space where trust, honesty, and attention to detail are at the heart of everything we do. Your car isn’t just a machine; it’s part of your everyday life, your memories, your independence. And we treat it that way, with care, precision, and pride.

Craftmanship is Our Art

A black sports car with damage on the rear quarter panel, missing wheel, and exposed brake disc, parked inside a garage with a white sedan lifted on a hydraulic lift

To me, craftsmanship isn’t just about fixing; it’s about creating. Cars are more than machines; they’re works of art. While machines have replaced much of the human touch in modern manufacturing, our work embraces imperfection and artistry. That’s what makes it real.

I often draw inspiration from nature, fashion, and architecture. I dream of incorporating natural materials into builds, blending performance with authenticity. Cars, painting, drawing, and even web design are all part of the same creative spirit that fuels what we do here.

Family, Purpose, and Legacy“To build an auto body shop where people feel confident, respected, and genuinely cared for.”

We know how stressful accidents and car repairs can be. That’s why we’ve created a space where trust, honesty, and attention to detail are at the heart of everything we do. Your car isn’t just a machine; it’s part of your everyday life, your memories, your independence. And we treat it that way, with care, precision, and pride.

Raw Motorcraft: Personalized Automotive Craftsmanship

A mechanic working on a car engine in a garage. The mechanic is wearing a jacket with 'RAW MOTORCRAFT' on the back, and is using a tool while inspecting or repairing the car's engine.

As the industry evolves, with automation, ride-sharing, and disposable car culture becoming the norm, I saw an opportunity to go against the grain. That’s why I launched RAW Motorcraft, a space where performance meets personal expression.

Personalization is like architecture: you come in with an idea, and together we design it, refine it, and bring it to life. Whether it’s custom bodywork, paint finishes, interiors, or performance upgrades, my goal is to create something that feels like an extension of you. Projects like full-custom Brabus-style builds are where I get to transform not just the look of a car, but also the way you experience it

My family is at the core of everything I do. After the hardships I faced growing up, my biggest goal is to build a better future for my children and to leave behind a legacy, as “the car guy” people trust and remember

A young man standing next to a parked black car in an urban setting with graffitied brick walls and a closed metal shutter behind him.

What matters most to me is how people feel. Whether you're here for a major custom project or after an accident across the country, I want you to feel supported, understood, and cared for. That’s the kind of commitment we live by.

Core Values

  • Integrity – Always honest, upfront, and transparent

  • Craftsmanship – No shortcuts. No compromises. Only quality

  • Community – Supporting local drivers and giving back

  • Artistry – Elevating automotive work to a creative expression.

Beyond the Shop

When I’m not in the garage, I’m either sketching, reading, or listening to classical music. I play in an amateur soccer league on weekends, and I start every morning with discipline: waking up at 5 a.m., working out, writing, and preparing to do what I love.

My dream car is the Mercedes-Benz 300SL, a timeless symbol of elegance and engineering. It reminds me that everything we see was built by someone no better than us. With vision and dedication, we can build anything.

A vintage Mercedes-Benz classic car parked near a body of water with a large suspension bridge in the background, in black and white.

Thank you

At RAW Motorcraft, we’re not just fixing or customizing cars; we’re helping you build a relationship with your vehicle. Whether you need collision repair, restoration, or a full-blown transformation, we’re here to move you forward, with integrity, care, and pride in every detail. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.