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.
1969 Holden...
In February 1969, Garry and Warren Smith became a General
Motors-Holden Dealer and took over the long established
business of Williams & Sons in Atherton Rd, Oakleigh.
One of the conditions upon appointment by GMH involved
closing various used car outlets. Prior to taking on the
GMH franchise 8.5 acres was acquired in Dandenong Rd, Oakleigh
from Evans Brothers. Previously the property was a brickworks
and quarry. A complete new dealership was built, opened
in early 1969 and became a showplace for the automotive
industry.
1972 Mazda...
Garry and Warren Smith proudly opened a new Mazda Dealership
in Springvale Rd, Mulgrave. We are currently celebrating
our 37th year as Melbourne's second oldest Mazda Dealer.
1974 Honda...
Our Honda Dealership was started at Oakleigh in 1974, Garry
and Warren Smith are the fourth oldest Honda dealer in
Melbourne.
1975 Suzuki...
Today we are the oldest Suzuki Dealership in Melbourne.
1988 HSV...
To continue our growth as an Automotive Retailer, Garry and
Warren Smith announced our appointment as the first HSV
Dealer. Garry and Warren Smith have been the largest HSV
Dealer in Australia for the past 5 years.
2001 Renault...
In July 2001 GWS
was granted a new car franchise for Renault for
Melbourne's eastern suburbs. The Renault franchise was
initially situated at Forest Hill but moved to Ringwood
when a brand new purpose built new car facility was completed.
2003 Ringwood
Branch...
In January GWS commenced operation of a purpose built showroom
at Maroondah Highway near Wantirna Road right in the heart
of Ringwood. This new complex includes two new car showrooms
for Renault and Suzuki franchises as well as
a service facility.
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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