Garry and Warren Smith Honda

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.

Our Honda Dealership was started at Oakleigh in 1974, Garry and Warren Smith are the fourth oldest Honda dealer in Melbourne.