| In
the beginning...
Reg Smith, father of Garry and Warren, was born in
1903. His work career prior to establishing a used car business was
primarily mechanical automotive. However, Reg also learnt motor cycle
work including smash repairs, wheel lacing etc. His automobile technical
skills included mechanical, body, painting, hoods and side curtains.
In 1930 Reg started a business, Smith's Motor Smash
Repairs in Fitzroy and with the depression hardening, he closed
it and returned to motor trimming and mechanical repairs on contract.
In the 1930's, with the advent of wireless and sound pictures, Reg formed
Smith's Radio Pty Ltd and sold wet batteries and electric radios door
to door.
Reg later opened a shop in Ivanhoe, then moved to
Fairfield and then Collingwood before changing to the Fitzroy side of
Smith Street and opening a branch at Footscray.
In 1948, Reg started a Used Car Yard in Glenferrie
Road, Hawthorn under the name of Reno Auto Sales Pty Ltd. This business
prospered and was moved to Richmond, and various other outlets were
opened. Reg Smith had taken up motor sport as a hobby and was
a most regular contender in all its aspects - circuit racing, hill climbing,
trials etc. in a number of different makes of car. On 2nd October, 1960
Reg was competing at Bathurst in a Porsche, and had broken the "Flying
Quarter Mile" record, when his car left the circuit, crashing into a
tree. Unfortunately Reg was killed instantly.
Growing with Melbourne...
In total, nine businesses were then continued to be run by Warren Smith
and after a period of consolidation, continued to prosper and expand.
In the late 1960's Warren Smith had many used car outlets across Melbourne,
trading under various names and became one of the largest ever independent
used car dealers in Victoria.
1988 HSV...
To continue our growth as an Automotive Retailer, Garry and Warren Smith
announced our appointment as the first Holden Special Vehicles Dealer.
Garry and Warren Smith have been the largest Holden Special Vehicles
Dealer in Australia for the past 5 years.
Leading the way...
The Garry and Warren Smith group sells approximately 5,000 vehicles
per year, making us one of the largest automotive retailers in Melbourne.
Garry and Warren Smith holds the number one market share in Melbourne
over five product categories.
Garry and Warren Smith
Melbourne's number one choice for new and used
vehicles.
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