BIO

SHAWN CAMPBELL: FOUNDER & CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER

(FROM ENGINETHUSIAST INTERVIEW, NOVEMBER 2020)

Shawn Campbell marches to the beat of his own drum.  So it came as no surprise to learn the Founder & Chief Creative Officer of Campbell Coachworks has an extensive background in design. With over a quarter century of expertise, his career has spanned the full spectrum of vehicle design & consumer product development.  During that time, Shawn has been fortunate to work inside some of the most talented design studios on the planet, including:  Aston Martin-Lagonda, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC Truck, Harman Kardon, Hewlett Packard, Infiniti, Johnson Controls, KitchenAid, Mattel, Maytag, Nissan and Whirlpool.

 To say the least, Shawn has been a successful designer since the mid 90’s, but it wasn’t until 2008 that a side project ignited his passion. The idea for Campbell Coachworks was born during a motorcycle restoration in his basement while employed at Whirlpool. It was down in that basement with bloody knuckles and the smell of fuel in the air, that he realized hands-on design work fulfilled what was missing in his daily professional life. Working in front of a desk is necessary, but for him the most satisfying problem-solving and handcrafting is done in garages and workshops.

 Campbell Coachworks evolved quickly after Shawn relocated to Detroit to design for General Motors. It was in The Motor City, with its abundance of skilled tradesman and side-hustle projects, that he added technical knowledge and fabrication skills to his preexisting talents. GM is where he met his future wife, Deanna, with her own arsenal of Design & Engineering skills, she helped keep their down-time full of motorized projects.

 Early in 2015, Shawn took advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and moved to the United Kingdom to design ultra-premium, luxury sports cars for Aston Martin. While inside the walls of this legendary studio, he immersed himself in an endless utopia of bespoke luxury and hand-crafted vehicles. Side projects at Coachworks flourished during this time in the UK and included a little green FIAT 126, named “Olive,” that he frequently drove to Aston. Shawn spent countless hours laying on a cold, wet West Midlands shed floor to rework every mechanical system. He set about improving “Olive” with added curated touches that enhanced emotional connection.  A bespoke service performed by Campbell Coachworks has since been coined as “Restyling”.

 In the summer of 2018, Shawn accepted a role with Nissan Design America, which brought him back to the United States. Shawn saw this as a strategic career move that positioned them closer to California’s Anza Borrego Desert State Park, one of his favorite places to conduct off-road vehicle research. Soon after returning to California, they purchased a neglected municipal building in the artisan outpost of Borrego Springs, a modest facility that is currently undergoing a “Restyling” of its own, says Shawn.  The desert oasis destination is a basecamp for the Campbell Coachworks Design Studio and CoachWorkshop, with plenty of room for new projects and expansion in the future.

 When looking for suitable personal projects Shawn always has the desert in mind. The shop truck at Campbell Coachworks is a US Army Retired, 1953 Dodge M37 Power Wagon. The M37 is named “Hannibal”, after the leader on the hit TV show The A-Team.  Fully restored, but in the midst of a full Restyling, the M37 takes to the desert like a fish to water. Future plans include converting this war relic into an over-land expedition vehicle for the pristine desert park that surrounds their studio.

 Whether four wheels or two, Campbell Coachworks specializes in hand crafting designs that bring their client’s dreams to life. When looking around the studio, one thing in particular does stand-out – there is a true love and appreciation for vintage vehicles. “Although I’ve designed for cutting edge companies and helped create future focused, alternative powered vehicles, I will always have a passion for patina and vintage steel.  Modern vehicles are safe, efficient and ecologically responsible but vintage vehicles with their abundance of character, rumble and undeniable soul will always have a special place in my heart.”

 When asked about the future, Shawn states: “Coachworks’ long-term plan revolves around 3 parameters:  Design, Destination, and Lifestyle”.  We will continue to focus on hands on design work and cultivate an off the beaten path design oasis for our clients, which is located in Borrego Springs. They eventually plan to host gatherings and weekend adventures out in the desert.  Which by the way, is only an hour drive from San Diego and a tad bit longer from Los Angeles.  Even as Shawn is telling me this, I find myself dreaming about riding some hidden California highway to a remote location to hang with friends. -ENGINETHUSIAST