Peter Aschwanden

John Muir (1918-1977) was a writer, mechanic, and expert on the maintenance and repair of Volkswagens. Originally a structural engineer working for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, in the 1960s he quit his job to become a writer and car mechanic in Taos, New Mexico.

In 1969, Muir collaborated with the artist Peter Aschwanden to create the definitive manual for Volkswagen owners, How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive; A Manual of Step-By-Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot. The first edition sold more than two million copies.

In November 1977, Muir passed away from a brain tumor. His self-published first edition is considered one of the most successful self-published books in history, and his manual remains the definitive guide for VW owners.