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Australian drivers who owned or worked in car sales businesses


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#1 wagons46

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Posted 04 October 2010 - 04:20

Just thinking of some names that qualify under this heading as touched on in another topic, I thought I may come up with about 12 or 15 names.

Here's a list of 36 with 4 more I'm not 100% sure on and I've probably missed some very obvious names .

Ian Geoghegan
Leo Geoghegan
Alec Mildren
Bib Stillwell
Greg Cusack
Bob Jane
Denis Geary
Charlie Smith
Arnold Glass
Jack Brabham
Brian Muir
Ron Hodgson
Max Stewart
Stan Jones
Brian Foley
David McKay
Alton Boddenberg
Damon Beck
Peter Williamson
Ken Lindsay
Dennis Cribben
Kevin Burton
Geoff Leeds
Bob Beasley
Robbie Muir
Des West
Monty South
Gary Rogers
Ray Lintott

Doug Macarthur
John Prisk
Bill Bryden
Robin Hood
Ron Ward

And the not sures

Malcolm Mason
Paul Bolton
Noel Riley
John Harvey.

Whom have I missed that is eligible to join this honorable list? (Backyarders don't count )

Edited by wagons46, 04 October 2010 - 04:36.


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#2 Ellis French

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Posted 04 October 2010 - 04:57

From Tassie...if we count as Australia

Donald Gorringe
Lyn Archer
Alan Ling
Bruce Gowans
Ross Ambrose
Robin Bessant
Ross Farmer
John Pooley
David Lewis

Probably others but they are the older better known ones on the Island

Not so old.......
Greg Crick
Barry Charlton
Gene Cook


#3 Lee Nicolle

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Posted 04 October 2010 - 05:46

A few that i can think of:
Jack Brabham in the 70s
Alan Jones in the 80s and used campers in the UK before F1
Clem Smith, Mallala owner and still involved
Brenton Smith
John Cook
Bill Patterson
John H Ellers
Graham Boulter, still involved and still racing.
James Rosenberg, owns the Tim Slade driven supercar and will do you a deal on a John Deere
Grant, David and Graham Jarrett. who will do you a Nissan Mazda deal [and BMC in the 70s]
Bryan Thompson,
Noel Hurd
Bernie Stack
Norm Beechey
John Bowe
Neil Corey
Mike Finnis
Jono Finnis
and myself Lee Nicolle

plus Speedway
John H Ellers,
Clem Smith.
Tony Orlando
Greg Anderson.
Ian 'Zeke' Agars
Ian 'Floom' Jones
Jamie Cobby
Phil March [and father Les]
Kevin Fischer
Ken Bowey
Snowy White
Dennis Freeman
Greg Anderson
Barry Burns
plus motorcycle trade
Dean and Kevin Taylor
Murray Chappel [cars and bikes]
Neil Munro
and Bill Wigzell sold boats!

And there is literally 100s more plus ofcourse Motor Repairers, Crash Shop operators. And some have done all and more.And some still are!

Edited by Lee Nicolle, 04 October 2010 - 06:18.


#4 Ian G

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Posted 04 October 2010 - 05:51

Andrew Miedecke,started in Sydney and ended up in Port Macquarie,i think Gregg Hansford was starting(or already started) a Mazda(Honda?) dealership in Qld.

#5 wagons46

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Posted 04 October 2010 - 06:10

And there is literally 100s more plus ofcourse Motor Repairers, Crash Shop operators. And some have done all and more.And some still are!


If we included these we would nearly cover ALL drivers. It's just that "car sales people" have attracted some unfair criticism regarding morals and ethics, yet some of motor racings champions and idols were involved in this very occupation which paid the bills.
Many were even able to sponsor others and events which supported motor racing for everyone.


Edited by wagons46, 04 October 2010 - 06:11.


#6 Lee Nicolle

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Posted 04 October 2010 - 06:25

Having been involved in the car trade since the late 70s the car trades bad rep is largely overstated and always has been.Too many buyers expect new cars for old money and retail for their trade ins. There is ofcourse bad operators around but really industry's like the Telecomunications Industry or Insurance Industry and the Finance sector are about 1000% worse. And think themselves so high and mighty too. Industrys where the whole population gets burnt on a daily basis, as do often their staff too.

Edited by Lee Nicolle, 04 October 2010 - 06:26.


#7 Patrick Fletcher

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Posted 04 October 2010 - 07:30

Reg Hunt has sold a few cars over the years!

#8 cooper997

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Posted 04 October 2010 - 07:59

John French - Qld. UK Motors BMC/Alec Mildren Alfa Romeo
Peter Manton - Vic. Monaro Motors/Peter Manton Motors
Jim (James) Smith - Vic. Peter Manton Motors/Lotus/ Lamborghini,etc
Reg Smith - Vic. Reg Smith Motors, his sons & grandsons still have the Garry & Warren Smith Group.
Laurie Stewart - NSW. P&R Williams BMC/Brian Foley Motors (half owner)/Laurie Stewart Toyota.
Michael Stillwell - Vic. Stillwell Automotive Group.
Doug Whiteford - Vic. Doug Whiteford Motors.

And no doubt countless more...

Stephen


#9 Graham Clayton

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Posted 05 October 2010 - 03:55

Speedcar driver Ray Revell had a VW/International dealership at Windsor, NSW in the late 1950's.

#10 Terry Walker

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Posted 05 October 2010 - 06:12

A few from Western Australia

Sydney Anderson ("We Never Sleep", plus car rentals)
Cyril Poole (Sewell and Poole), 1930s
Jack Ayres (Superior cars)
Wally Higgs (Wally Higgs Motors)
Jim Harwood
John Hughes (John Hughes Motors is enormous now; John was a salesman when he raced in the 60s)
George Wakelin (Terrace Car Sales)
Don Hall (Datsun dealer and speed shop proprieter)
Eric Armstrong, Armstrong Cycle and Motors WA 1930s, Rhodes Motors Melbourne later

Rally:

Ross Dunkerton, Dunkerston Motors (Datsun-Nissan)

#11 M bennett

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Posted 05 October 2010 - 08:38

Add in Derek Jolly who was the Australian Lotus agent whilst running a racing career along with John Roxburgh and Frank Coad.
Derek was the Lotus salesman, delivery man, and good friend of Colin Chapman. He told me an interesting story of when he drove a new Elite over to Melbourne to deliver to Neville Shute. You could gaze at his newest Lotus, shown off in his restaurant "Decca's Place" in Melbourne Street North Adelaide. Pinnacle of his career ? Driving his Lotus 15 at Le Mans with Graham Hill as co-driver? Funded by Derek of course.
Mike B Adelaide


#12 Terry Walker

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Posted 10 October 2010 - 04:12

More from West Oz:

Ron Lindau - Lindau Ford
Rod Donovan - Donovan Ford
Alf Barbagallo - Barbagallo Motors (Ferrari, etc)

#13 cooper997

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Posted 10 October 2010 - 07:28

Thinking about this again, and a few more...

Barry Gurdon - NSW. Gurdon Motors BMC, Bathurst
John Harvey - NSW. RC Phillips Sports Cars
Ron Haylen - NSW. Lancaster Motors BMC
Clarrie Head - Vic. Head Bros BMC.
Graham Hunt - Vic. Graham Hunt Holden (son of Reg)
Ron Phillips - Vic/NSW. Wangarrata Ford dealer/RC Phillips Sports Cars
Gordon Stewart - NSW. BMC Sports Car Centre, Blakehurst.

Stephen

#14 wagons46

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Posted 10 October 2010 - 08:40

Geoff and Doug Briscoe (Ryans dad and uncle) were both into rally driving for many years .
Phil Alexander, Mark Betar, Keith McCulloch, Graham Blanch and Jeff Rogers.

Edited by wagons46, 10 October 2010 - 21:54.


#15 SJ Lambert

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Posted 10 October 2010 - 09:03

Add in Derek Jolly who was the Australian Lotus agent whilst running a racing career along with John Roxburgh and Frank Coad.
Derek was the Lotus salesman, delivery man, and good friend of Colin Chapman. He told me an interesting story of when he drove a new Elite over to Melbourne to deliver to Neville Shute. You could gaze at his newest Lotus, shown off in his restaurant "Decca's Place" in Melbourne Street North Adelaide. Pinnacle of his career ? Driving his Lotus 15 at Le Mans with Graham Hill as co-driver? Funded by Derek of course.
Mike B Adelaide


A precis of Derek Jolly's motorsport career would be interesting, I don't really know what he got up to apart from a Tourist Trophy at Longford.

#16 Ray Bell

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Posted 10 October 2010 - 10:19

David McKay is only marginal...

He was never in on the selling, as far as I know, basically a major shareholder/partner.

Didn't Frank Matich sell cars for Leatons?

This list could become so big it would never be able to comprehend.

Pat Hogan... BMC and Chrysler at Lismore or thereabouts

Noel Riley, was he mentioned? He worked for Bennett Honda. So did Ken Bryan.

Bryan Thomson sold a few trucks.

Gerry Lister and David Seldon

Baron Revelman

Barry Allen

#17 gkennedy

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Posted 10 October 2010 - 10:38

How far back are we going? I'll give Boyd Edkins a mention, and seeing someone has been quiet recently, I'll also add Bill Patterson to the list.

#18 cooper997

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Posted 10 October 2010 - 11:02

A precis of Derek Jolly's motorsport career would be interesting, I don't really know what he got up to apart from a Tourist Trophy at Longford.


If memory serves correct there is a thread relating to Derek. But you'll need to visit the 'search' function to help locate where it's currently sleeping on TNF.

The early pages of the now 103 pages strong '1950s to 80s Australian photos' thread has plenty of great photos relating to Derek that were submitted by 'kaydee' - Kevin Drage his mechanic in period.

Stephen


#19 David McKinney

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Posted 10 October 2010 - 13:52

How far back are we going? I'll give Boyd Edkins a mention, and seeing someone has been quiet recently, I'll also add Bill Patterson to the list.

Is that a different Bill Patterson from, the one in Post 3?

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#20 Ray Bell

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Posted 10 October 2010 - 21:19

Originally posted by cooper997
Thinking about this again, and a few more...

Barry Gurdon - NSW. Gurdon Motors BMC, Bathurst
John Harvey - NSW. RC Phillips Sports Cars
Ron Haylen - NSW. Lancaster Motors BMC
Clarrie Head - Vic. Head Bros BMC.
Graham Hunt - Vic. Graham Hunt Holden (son of Reg)
Ron Phillips - Vic/NSW. Wangarrata Ford dealer/RC Phillips Sports Cars
Gordon Stewart - NSW. BMC Sports Car Centre, Blakehurst.


Did John Harvey work at R C Phillips? I think he might have worked at one or more of Bob Jane's dealerships...

And is the Ron Phillips in 'R C Phillips' the one from Wangaratta? I never knew that. But all the same, you'd have to add, on that score:

Ted Parsons

Jack Phillips

And then:

John Bourke - Gosford

Doug Clark - Gosford

Fred Otten - Sydney

It's an endless list...

For instance, just looking at the 1971 AGP entry list you find:

Frank Matich
Kevin Bartlett
Max Stewart
John Harvey
Bob Muir
Allan Hamilton
Henk Woelders
Gary Campbell
Clive Millis
Terry Quartly

And some others I suspect but am not sure:

Colin Bond
Frank Gardner
Colin Hyams
Ian Cook
Ross Ambrose

Absolutely endless... this is one race at a meeting where there was a further seven or eight races, all with the same potential.

#21 Lee Nicolle

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Posted 10 October 2010 - 21:32

Did John Harvey work at R C Phillips? I think he might have worked at one or more of Bob Jane's dealerships...

And is the Ron Phillips in 'R C Phillips' the one from Wangaratta? I never knew that. But all the same, you'd have to add, on that score:

Ted Parsons

Jack Phillips

And then:

John Bourke - Gosford

Doug Clark - Gosford

Fred Otten - Sydney

It's an endless list...

For instance, just looking at the 1971 AGP entry list you find:

Frank Matich
Kevin Bartlett
Max Stewart
John Harvey
Bob Muir
Allan Hamilton
Henk Woelders
Gary Campbell
Clive Millis
Terry Quartly

And some others I suspect but am not sure:

Colin Bond
Frank Gardner
Colin Hyams
Ian Cook
Ross Ambrose

Absolutely endless... this is one race at a meeting where there was a further seven or eight races, all with the same potential.

John Harvey worked in the cartrade when young. Later I believe he had a T Mart franchise with the Jane Corp.
May be wrong but I dont think the KB, Frank Gardner or Colin Bond worked retail, mechanical yes but not sales.
And Thommo sold a lot of trucks, he was a Kenworth dealer [others too?] in Shepparton for a long time. Quite a large concern.

#22 wagons46

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Posted 10 October 2010 - 21:42

It will only be endless if we keep repeating names already mentioned. I can put business trading names to all those on my initial list, yet there are names appearing in later lists that I am unaware of their participation in either driving or the sale of motor vehicles. Some interstate names, of course, may be unknown outside their own circles yet be totally legitimate.

I too, think John Harvey sold cars for Ron Phillips in his Cooper S days.

Edited by wagons46, 10 October 2010 - 21:45.


#23 BMH Comic

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Posted 10 October 2010 - 23:22

More from West Oz:

Ron Lindau - Lindau Ford
Rod Donovan - Donovan Ford
Alf Barbagallo - Barbagallo Motors (Ferrari, etc)


The Town of Northam seems to have fallen off your radar Terry, It had nearly every dealer in town in a race car or at least owning one. The dealer principals being the drivers.
Holden Dealer - Badgers Motors Holden- Aubury Victor Badger
Ford Dealer - Possolt Ford?? Ron Possolt
Vauxhall Dealer & BMC. Luscombe Motors (Later LB motors icw with Badgers)- John Luscombe

All raced there own home spun specials and built from parts from there parts departments. Holden V Ford was alive and well in the town.



#24 Ray Bell

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Posted 11 October 2010 - 00:00

Originally posted by Lee Nicolle
John Harvey worked in the car trade when young. Later I believe he had a T Mart franchise with the Jane Corp.
May be wrong but I dont think the KB, Frank Gardner or Colin Bond worked retail, mechanical yes but not sales.
And Thommo sold a lot of trucks, he was a Kenworth dealer [others too?] in Shepparton for a long time. Quite a large concern.


There may well be a point here...

KB may have only been a 'backyarder'. But he did wheel and deal cars. Colin Bond made roll bars for a time, of course, but that's a long way from the 'retail automotive car yard' thing. Mentioned Thommo in Post 17, he sells boats now, or did last I spoke to him. John Harvey probably still has a T-Mart franchise, even if he doesn't work it. But I don't know for sure.

Do you want to look at another AGP entry list?

1958:

Arnold Glass
Stan Jones
Alec Mildren
Gordon Stewart
Paul Samuels
Bill Cooke
Bill Reynolds
Bill Patterson
Bib Stillwell

Not as high a concentration, but there are quite a number of them I don't know much about. Which ones on this list are new to this thread?

Edited by Ray Bell, 11 October 2010 - 00:01.


#25 Ian G

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Posted 11 October 2010 - 05:07

Fred Geissler competed in the ATC with Toranas & Commodores,he worked/ran the family owned Holden Dealership in Goulbourn NSW.

Edited by Ian G, 11 October 2010 - 05:08.


#26 seldo

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Posted 11 October 2010 - 06:37

Barry Allen
Ross Ambrose
Victor Badger
Alf Barbagallo
Kevin Bartlett
Bob Beasley
Damon Beck
Alton Boddenberg
Paul Bolton
John Bourke
Jack Brabham
Bill Bryden
Kevin Burton
Gary Campbell
Doug Clark
Ian Cook
Bill Cooke
Dennis Cribben
Greg Cusack
Rod Donovan
Boyd Edkins
Brian Foley
Frank Gardner
Denis Geary
Ian Geoghegan
Leo Geoghegan
Arnold Glass
Barry Gurdon
Allan Hamilton
John Harvey
Ron Haylen
Clarrie Head
Ron Hodgson
Pat Hogan
Robin Hood
Graham Hunt
Bob Jane
Stan Jones
Geoff Leeds
Ron Lindau
Ken Lindsay
Ray Lintott
Gerry Lister
John Luscombe
Doug Macarthur
Frank Matich
David McKay
Malcolm Mason
Alec Mildren
Clive Millis
Brian Muir
Robbie Muir
Fred Otten
Ted Parsons
Bill Patterson
Jack Phillips
Ron Possolt
Ron Phillips
John Prisk
Terry Quartly
Baron Revelman
Bill Reynolds
Noel Riley
Gary Rogers
Paul Samuels
David Seldon
Charlie Smith
Monty South
Gordon Stewart
Max Stewart
Bib Stillwell
Ron Ward
Des West
Peter Williamson
Henk Woelders

I've just put them in alphabetical order to make it easier to add names without duplication. I think I got everyone so far.

#27 Lee Nicolle

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Posted 11 October 2010 - 07:17

I've just put them in alphabetical order to make it easier to add names without duplication. I think I got everyone so far.

Mostly NSW and Victorians there David

#28 Ray Bell

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Posted 11 October 2010 - 07:17

Just thinking about this again...

Did anyone mention Dick Willis?

John French?

Ron Kearns?

Bob Beasley?

Ray Gulson?

Bert Needham?

Rusty French?

Tom Geoghegan?

Peter Macrow?

Des West?

Carl Kennedy?

Doug Macarthur?

Geoff Leeds?

Chris Heyer?

Terry Shiel?

Alan (Scotty) Taylor?

Kevin Kennedy?

John Smith? (Ferguson's of Hurstville - family business)

Gary Cooke?

Denis Cooke?

Norm Saville?

Don Holland? (Penrith Mazda)

Bruce Lynton?

Tony Camilleri?

Tony Beninca?

Pat Crea?

Barry Sharp?

Ken Matthews?

Bill Buckle?

John Cummins?

Rod Dale? (will a motorcycle shop do?)

John Duggan?

Richard Stiegler?

Kurt Keller?

Bob Salter?

Ron Hodgson?

Ron Marshall?

Johnny Martin?

Ian Mountain?

Tony Mulvihill?

Peter Owen? (TVR sales)

John Rushford?

Barry Singleton?

Bill Slattery?

Graham Storah?

Alec Strachan? (Lotus agent)

Paul Trevethan?

Max Volkers?

Ron Ward?

Ken Wiggins?

Rob Worboys?

I don't think I've made any mistakes there, but on the lists at which I looked I'm quite sure there were others I didn't know had been in the car trade.

#29 Lee Nicolle

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Posted 11 October 2010 - 07:31

Just thinking about this again...

Did anyone mention Dick Willis?

John French?

Ron Kearns?

Bob Beasley?

Ray Gulson?

Bert Needham?

Rusty French?

Tom Geoghegan?

Peter Macrow?

Des West?

Carl Kennedy?

Doug Macarthur?

Geoff Leeds?

Chris Heyer?

Terry Shiel?

Alan (Scotty) Taylor?

Kevin Kennedy?

John Smith? (Ferguson's of Hurstville - family business)

Gary Cooke?

Denis Cooke?

Norm Saville?

Don Holland? (Penrith Mazda)

Bruce Lynton?

Tony Camilleri?

Tony Beninca?

Pat Crea?

Barry Sharp?

Ken Matthews?

Bill Buckle?

John Cummins?

Rod Dale? (will a motorcycle shop do?)

John Duggan?

Richard Stiegler?

Kurt Keller?

Bob Salter?

Ron Hodgson?

Ron Marshall?

Johnny Martin?

Ian Mountain?

Tony Mulvihill?

Peter Owen? (TVR sales)

John Rushford?

Barry Singleton?

Bill Slattery?

Graham Storah?

Alec Strachan? (Lotus agent)

Paul Trevethan?

Max Volkers?

Ron Ward?

Ken Wiggins?

Rob Worboys?

I don't think I've made any mistakes there, but on the lists at which I looked I'm quite sure there were others I didn't know had been in the car trade.

Of that lot I know of:
Ray Gulson, Alfa
Scotty Taylor Holden,
John Smith, Toyota,
Bruce Lynton and his son ?? BMW
Ken Mathews.
Ron Hodgson.
Barry Sharp ran the workshop at Jack Brabham Ford but I do not think he was a salesman?

The rest I dont know though some defenitly ring a bell in relation to car sales.
Proably 2/3 of the people in motorsport have a connection to the motortrade in some way, though often repairers etc or just family connections. All of my list are or have been directly involved in retail car sales, new or used.



#30 wagons46

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Posted 11 October 2010 - 08:12

All of my list are or have been directly involved in retail car sales, new or used.


This is not getting through to some people and names are being offered through association with car dealers."Car Sales" is the key, and we are still doubling up on some names.

#31 Stubbo

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Posted 11 October 2010 - 09:28

Graham Blanchard - Blanchard Holden, Dandenong

and was there a Peter or John Coffey from Coffey Ford?

#32 Team Result

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Posted 11 October 2010 - 09:53

Ray,
Glad you put question marks against them as there are a couple there whose involvement in car sales I wasn't aware of!
Starting with my ex-co-driver, Terry Shiel. Last I heard, Terry had a Bob Jane Tyre franchise, somewhere. AFAIK, prior to that he was a self-employed Mini repair specialist in North Ryde. He used to grimace when introduced to someone who would usually say something like, " Oh, I pass your dealership every day, Terry Shields Toyota!" Duh! His brothers did work in car sales though, and maybe Terry did a stint somewhere, later in life.

Max Volkers - similarly, when I knew Max he was owner of Max Volkers Auto Service, which was a long established car repair business. Somehow I can't seem to picture Max in tie and white shoes!

Tony Camilleri? Do you mean Joe? I'll pay that one as Joe is Dealer Principal of Grand Prix Mazda (nee Grand Prix Auto Sales), which occupies a choice piece of real estate on Gympie Rd, Aspley - quite a landmark in the old days when travelling to Lakeside.


If the OP is thinking of compiling one alphabetic list from everyone's contributions, I'd like to add one name.

Zacka, Paul - raced series production Monaro, then Geminis though made his mark in off-road racing in a Jackaroo. You guessed it - dealer principal of a Holden dealership! ( Zacka Motors of Goondiwindi ).


Just thinking about this again...

Did anyone mention Dick Willis?

John French?

Ron Kearns?

Bob Beasley?

Ray Gulson?

Bert Needham?

Rusty French?

Tom Geoghegan?

Peter Macrow?

Des West?

Carl Kennedy?

Doug Macarthur?

Geoff Leeds?

Chris Heyer?

Terry Shiel?

Alan (Scotty) Taylor?

Kevin Kennedy?

John Smith? (Ferguson's of Hurstville - family business)

Gary Cooke?

Denis Cooke?

Norm Saville?

Don Holland? (Penrith Mazda)

Bruce Lynton?

Tony Camilleri?

Tony Beninca?

Pat Crea?

Barry Sharp?

Ken Matthews?

Bill Buckle?

John Cummins?

Rod Dale? (will a motorcycle shop do?)

John Duggan?

Richard Stiegler?

Kurt Keller?

Bob Salter?

Ron Hodgson?

Ron Marshall?

Johnny Martin?

Ian Mountain?

Tony Mulvihill?

Peter Owen? (TVR sales)

John Rushford?

Barry Singleton?

Bill Slattery?

Graham Storah?

Alec Strachan? (Lotus agent)

Paul Trevethan?

Max Volkers?

Ron Ward?

Ken Wiggins?

Rob Worboys?

I don't think I've made any mistakes there, but on the lists at which I looked I'm quite sure there were others I didn't know had been in the car trade.



#33 Ray Bell

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Posted 11 October 2010 - 09:56

Peter Coffey...

And Michael Stillwell wasn't mentioned yet, was he?

Of my list:

Dick Willis - car yard at Coffs Harbour, IIRC

John French - John French Alfa Romeo

Ron Kearns - pretty sure he was at the Volvo dealers in the city, David will know.

Bob Beasley - Bob Beasley Motors, either Granville or Parramatta from memory

Ray Gulson - well known in the Canberra trade

Bert Needham - sold Studebakers, 'Needham's Motors'?

Rusty French - not sure how far he spread, but he sold US imports among other things

Tom Geoghegan - car yard in Liverpool, Lotus dealer

Peter Macrow - was it not Peter Macrow Motors?

Des West - Des West Holden at Wingham

Carl Kennedy - Dealer Principal at West End Mazda, if not others

Doug Macarthur - Mazda dealership at Medlow Bath

Geoff Leeds - somewhere on Parramatta Road

Chris Heyer - VW dealer at Kingswood

Terry Shiel - similar to Geoff Leeds

Alan (Scotty) Taylor - as mentioned, Scotty Taylor Holden, Albury or Wodonga?

Kevin Kennedy - fairly sure he was part of Scotty Taylor Holden

John Smith - Ferguson's of Hurstville - family Toyota dealership

Gary Cooke - If nothing else, a part of Cooke & Saville Motors, Peugeot dealers, went into Mazda tuning

Denis Cooke - same, but went back to the family scrap metal business

Norm Saville - The 'Saville' in Cooke & Saville, later Norm Saville Motors, Peugeot and Renault

Don Holland - nominal head at Penrith Mazda

Bruce Lynton - another we've caught up with, BMWs in Brisbane

Tony Camilleri - car yard in Brisbane

Tony Beninca - Alfa Romeo dealers in Melbourne

Pat Crea - not sure, but I think he was into either VWs or used cars in Melbourne

Barry Sharp - yes, was in the workshop, but I think he also made it to the showroom

Ken Matthews - dealership of same name... Parramatta Road?

Bill Buckle - took over family business, one of the biggest Toyota dealerships among other things

John Cummins - worked for Suttons among others

Rod Dale - will a motorcycle shop do, he had one at Kempsey, also managed a Ford outlet for Miedecke

John Duggan - pretty sure he worked at Penrith Mazda

Richard Stiegler - again, a 'pretty sure' one, the Toyota dealer at Blacktown

Kurt Keller - Sydney dealer for Jensen among other things

Bob Salter - in everything but the bath

Ron Hodgson - used cars, Holdens... 'Update!'

Ron Marshall - Marshall's Motors, Parramatta

Johnny Martin - Johnny Martin's Used Cars, Neutral Bay

Ian Mountain - worked for the Peugeot distributors in Victoria

Tony Mulvihill - not sure where, but I'm sure he was in a dealership

Peter Owen - TVR sales via his tyre outlet

John Rushford - need help with this one

Barry Singleton - Chrysler dealer at one time, still in the trade I think

Bill Slattery - worked for Needham's

Graham Storah - just a lucky guess

Alec Strachan - Lotus agent in the fifties

Paul Trevethan - somewhere in the trade in Melbourne

Max Volkers - had a yard around Chermside or Aspley in Brisbane, IIRC

Ron Ward - Ron Ward Sports Cars

Ken Wiggins - salesman at a number of yards

Rob Worboys - from Orange, second hand cars IIRC

And can I mention (I certainly don't want to...) Mike Gore?

He had a BMW dealership on the Gold Coast

#34 Stubbo

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Posted 11 October 2010 - 10:12

Alfredo Costanzo - Costanzo Ford in Melbourne

#35 Ray Bell

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Posted 11 October 2010 - 10:56

I don't think that's Alfie, is it?

He's employed (or was...) by an Italian language newspaper in some kind of PR position.

#36 Lee Nicolle

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Posted 11 October 2010 - 11:07

Alfredo Costanzo - Costanzo Ford in Melbourne

He did work for Alan Hamilton I think as a workshop manager and driving instructor/ customer liason or similar. Was originally a repairer

#37 seldo

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Posted 11 October 2010 - 13:20

Peter Coffey...

And Michael Stillwell wasn't mentioned yet, was he?

Of my list:

Dick Willis - car yard at Coffs Harbour, IIRC

John French - John French Alfa Romeo

Ron Kearns - pretty sure he was at the Volvo dealers in the city, David will know.

Bob Beasley - Bob Beasley Motors, either Granville or Parramatta from memory

Ray Gulson - well known in the Canberra trade

Bert Needham - sold Studebakers, 'Needham's Motors'?

Rusty French - not sure how far he spread, but he sold US imports among other things

Tom Geoghegan - car yard in Liverpool, Lotus dealer

Peter Macrow - was it not Peter Macrow Motors?

Des West - Des West Holden at Wingham

Carl Kennedy - Dealer Principal at West End Mazda, if not others

Doug Macarthur - Mazda dealership at Medlow Bath

Geoff Leeds - somewhere on Parramatta Road

Chris Heyer - VW dealer at Kingswood

Terry Shiel - similar to Geoff Leeds

Alan (Scotty) Taylor - as mentioned, Scotty Taylor Holden, Albury or Wodonga?

Kevin Kennedy - fairly sure he was part of Scotty Taylor Holden

John Smith - Ferguson's of Hurstville - family Toyota dealership

Gary Cooke - If nothing else, a part of Cooke & Saville Motors, Peugeot dealers, went into Mazda tuning

Denis Cooke - same, but went back to the family scrap metal business

Norm Saville - The 'Saville' in Cooke & Saville, later Norm Saville Motors, Peugeot and Renault

Don Holland - nominal head at Penrith Mazda

Bruce Lynton - another we've caught up with, BMWs in Brisbane

Tony Camilleri - car yard in Brisbane

Tony Beninca - Alfa Romeo dealers in Melbourne

Pat Crea - not sure, but I think he was into either VWs or used cars in Melbourne

Barry Sharp - yes, was in the workshop, but I think he also made it to the showroom

Ken Matthews - dealership of same name... Parramatta Road?

Bill Buckle - took over family business, one of the biggest Toyota dealerships among other things

John Cummins - worked for Suttons among others

Rod Dale - will a motorcycle shop do, he had one at Kempsey, also managed a Ford outlet for Miedecke

John Duggan - pretty sure he worked at Penrith Mazda

Richard Stiegler - again, a 'pretty sure' one, the Toyota dealer at Blacktown

Kurt Keller - Sydney dealer for Jensen among other things

Bob Salter - in everything but the bath

Ron Hodgson - used cars, Holdens... 'Update!'

Ron Marshall - Marshall's Motors, Parramatta

Johnny Martin - Johnny Martin's Used Cars, Neutral Bay

Ian Mountain - worked for the Peugeot distributors in Victoria

Tony Mulvihill - not sure where, but I'm sure he was in a dealership

Peter Owen - TVR sales via his tyre outlet

John Rushford - need help with this one

Barry Singleton - Chrysler dealer at one time, still in the trade I think

Bill Slattery - worked for Needham's

Graham Storah - just a lucky guess

Alec Strachan - Lotus agent in the fifties

Paul Trevethan - somewhere in the trade in Melbourne

Max Volkers - had a yard around Chermside or Aspley in Brisbane, IIRC

Ron Ward - Ron Ward Sports Cars

Ken Wiggins - salesman at a number of yards

Rob Worboys - from Orange, second hand cars IIRC

And can I mention (I certainly don't want to...) Mike Gore?

He had a BMW dealership on the Gold Coast

"Ron Kearns - pretty sure he was at the Volvo dealers in the city, David will know." No - Sorry Ray - Ron imported and distributed Maruman watch-bands.
"And can I mention (I certainly don't want to...) Mike Gore? He had a BMW dealership on the Gold Coast" He did? He certainly had a mechanical shop at Liverpool near Ron Hodgson Holden - not far from Warwick Farm.
"Johnny Martin - Johnny Martin's Used Cars, Neutral Bay" Neutral Bay Motors actually

#38 Speedy27

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Posted 11 October 2010 - 14:32

Buzz Buzaglo

#39 MCS

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Posted 11 October 2010 - 19:13

Somebody mentioned Alan Jones - "used campers in the UK before F1" - which was Brentford Motor Caravans in West London on the Great West Road, owned and run by fellow countryman Brian Maguire.

Maguire set up the business when he raced the Aero F3 Brabham BT38s with Jones and Alan McCully in 1972 I believe and carried the name on his F5000 Lola some of the time.

But do caravans count?

Edited by MCS, 11 October 2010 - 19:14.


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#40 Ray Bell

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Posted 11 October 2010 - 21:19

Originally posted by seldo
"Ron Kearns - pretty sure he was at the Volvo dealers in the city, David will know." No - Sorry Ray - Ron imported and distributed Maruman watch-bands.

"And can I mention (I certainly don't want to...) Mike Gore? He had a BMW dealership on the Gold Coast" He did? He certainly had a mechanical shop at Liverpool near Ron Hodgson Holden - not far from Warwick Farm.

"Johnny Martin - Johnny Martin's Used Cars, Neutral Bay" Neutral Bay Motors actually


Mike Gore, after marrying Jenny Parker, moved from his Greenacre workshop to the Gold Coast and there became a BMW agent.

As for Johnny Martin, the signs certainly had his name on them... maybe "Johnny Martin's Neutral Bay Motors"?

Thanks for the clarification on Ron Kearns. It must have been someone else who was Volvo-connected, Col got pistons through them for his Austin engine when they were boring out 1800s to 2-litres.

Edited by Ray Bell, 11 October 2010 - 21:20.


#41 mercnut

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Posted 11 October 2010 - 23:06

Mike Gore, after marrying Jenny Parker, moved from his Greenacre workshop to the Gold Coast and there became a BMW agent.

As for Johnny Martin, the signs certainly had his name on them... maybe "Johnny Martin's Neutral Bay Motors"?

Thanks for the clarification on Ron Kearns. It must have been someone else who was Volvo-connected, Col got pistons through them for his Austin engine when they were boring out 1800s to 2-litres.

mike was a large nissan dealer at southport,max volkers had a service station at asply near grand prix mazda

#42 Lee Nicolle

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Posted 12 October 2010 - 00:03

Somebody mentioned Alan Jones - "used campers in the UK before F1" - which was Brentford Motor Caravans in West London on the Great West Road, owned and run by fellow countryman Brian Maguire.

Maguire set up the business when he raced the Aero F3 Brabham BT38s with Jones and Alan McCully in 1972 I believe and carried the name on his F5000 Lola some of the time.

But do caravans count?

Campervans are motorvehicles, as are trucks, tractors and the like. Where I am it is the same dealers liscence to sell them.These days even motorcycles are on the same type of liscence

#43 seldo

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Posted 12 October 2010 - 01:45

Mike Gore, after marrying Jenny Parker, moved from his Greenacre workshop to the Gold Coast and there became a BMW agent.

OK - didn't know that. Funnily enough I ran into Jenny only recently. Has changed very little.

As for Johnny Martin, the signs certainly had his name on them... maybe "Johnny Martin's Neutral Bay Motors"?

Sorry mate. Always only "Neutral Bay Motors" - I knew Marto well and I worked there for about 18mths about 45 years ago. Even remember the phone no - 9091100. Tony Applebaum owned it for years after that. It's still there under different management (now John Phillips) and I think is still Neutral Bay Motors.

Thanks for the clarification on Ron Kearns. It must have been someone else who was Volvo-connected, Col got pistons through them for his Austin engine when they were boring out 1800s to 2-litres.

Ron was a long term friend/client of Volvo dealers British and Continental Cars' principal Tony Lister and hence brother Gerry. As another Kiwi he also knew Bob Atkin well.

Edited by seldo, 12 October 2010 - 01:47.


#44 Wilyman

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Posted 12 October 2010 - 06:52

OK - didn't know that. Funnily enough I ran into Jenny only recently. Has changed very little.

Sorry mate. Always only "Neutral Bay Motors" - I knew Marto well and I worked there for about 18mths about 45 years ago. Even remember the phone no - 9091100. Tony Applebaum owned it for years after that. It's still there under different management (now John Phillips) and I think is still Neutral Bay Motors.


Ron was a long term friend/client of Volvo dealers British and Continental Cars' principal Tony Lister and hence brother Gerry. As another Kiwi he also knew Bob Atkin well.



A few more from WA.
Gordon Stephenson. Raced Alfa Romeo and Mustang. Sold SAAB until the late 80's - '90's.

Max Winkless. I believe he raced and rallied Volvos. Possibly alongside the Listers. Has a new and used Volvo Truck distributorship in WA.
On an interstate trip in his 264 [V6] Volvo he accidently pulled it into a low gear at speed. On inspection in Perth we found it had dropped a valve, breaking a rocker and the cam !

Has Dave Sullivan been mentioned? Raced a "humpy" at Caversham. Built the odd single seater. Ran a speed shop in Subiaco.

#45 seldo

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Posted 12 October 2010 - 12:37

A few more from WA.
Gordon Stephenson. Raced Alfa Romeo and Mustang. Sold SAAB until the late 80's - '90's.

Max Winkless. I believe he raced and rallied Volvos. Possibly alongside the Listers. Has a new and used Volvo Truck distributorship in WA.
On an interstate trip in his 264 [V6] Volvo he accidently pulled it into a low gear at speed. On inspection in Perth we found it had dropped a valve, breaking a rocker and the cam !

Has Dave Sullivan been mentioned? Raced a "humpy" at Caversham. Built the odd single seater. Ran a speed shop in Subiaco.

You sell him a bit short. Max Winkless was in fact the MD of Swedish Motors in Sydney which morphed from a dealer to becoming the Australian distributors for Volvo cars and trucks. He was also a quite handy rally driver of note and along with John Keran, and Bill Nolan, responsible for establishing Volvo's rally reputation in Oz. Also responsible for initiating the developement of the Repco head for the Volvos.
When Volvo wanted to expand and get a bigger commitment than Max was comfortable with, he sold out and Volvo Australia was established.

#46 Lola5000

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Posted 12 February 2011 - 11:48

owen bailey

#47 ken devine

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Posted 12 February 2011 - 23:59

Vin Smith sold cars and tractors for a dealership in Maylands.

#48 Lola5000

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Posted 13 February 2011 - 00:45

Vin Smith sold cars and tractors for a dealership in Maylands.

David Bowden in the 60s ,Big Pete's old mate.
Clive Green in balwyn VIC

#49 ron simmonds

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Posted 09 March 2011 - 06:40

Mike Gore, after marrying Jenny Parker, moved from his Greenacre workshop to the Gold Coast and there became a BMW agent.

As for Johnny Martin, the signs certainly had his name on them... maybe "Johnny Martin's Neutral Bay Motors"?

Thanks for the clarification on Ron Kearns. It must have been someone else who was Volvo-connected, Col got pistons through them for his Austin engine when they were boring out 1800s to 2-litres.


Hi all. Some more names for you from the new, and used car people are, Murray Wright from MW Motors, Alfa dealer in Melbourne,raced Ford 10 specials ,John Emery also from MW,he raced the Alfa TI that won the Sandown 6hr in the 60's and me Ron Simmonds also from MW, now retired after some years as used car manager at Ringwood Mazda, who went on to have some success racing BMC Cooper S ,s in circuit racing and hillclimbs, and I still have a good go in my RX7 at hillclimbs.

Another name comes to mind and that is David Fogg,who raced a Cheeta open wheeler for some time, he sold Chrysler cars in Benalla ,Victoria,and also like me sold cars in the UK during the 70's. I worked with Roger Nathan of Costin -Nathan fame, at Henry Nathan and Son, in Crickelwood.

Like Alan Jones I also sold Dormobiles to unsuspecting tourists in and around the Strand and Earls Crt.

John Reaburn now living back in Melbourne for sometime, was a crack salesman with Chequered Flag in London and went on to race some of their cars like GT40's and the like.

Ron, David and John Reaburn are very keen members of the VHRR and are very active within the club ,Ron and David on commentary at events and John on the social side
.All the best , Regards Ron.

#50 MatthewMagilton

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Posted 10 March 2011 - 01:29

Some with MG connections:

Les Murphy of Select Motors (before the war) and Esquire Motors in Elsternwick, Melbourne after the war.
Otto Stone with Bert Day had the Day and Stone garage AKA Southern Cross Service Station in St Kilda Rd, not sure if they also sold cars though.
Curly Brydon of Brydon Motors, Kings Cross. (Anyone know the rego number of his black MG SA saloon?)
Firth and Whiteford Sporting Car Specialists, Nepean Hwy, Gardenvale.
John Barraclough Sporting Cars William St Sydney circa 1937 (See his excellent biography "When I Grow Up" )
John Snow and Jack Saywell, Monza Service, East Sydney, late 1930's.
John Crouch Motors, Darlinghurst. Bristol and Cooper agents.
Clem Dwyer's family in Perth owned Comet Motors.
Britannia Motors had directors like Norm Putt and Ces Warren and Neil Gullifer who may have taken their turn on the floor.

Matthew.