About Us | Callaghan Motors Warrnambool
About Us
In 1933, Mr Frank Callaghan joined forces with Campbell Graham and established Graham and Callaghan Motors, with a starting capital of 75 pounds.
Unfortunately, Mr Graham was killed in a car accident about twelve months later, leaving Mr Frank Callaghan to run the business on his own from 1934. During World War II, Callaghan Motors were commissioned by the Federal Government to produce munitions. This was a major acheivement and Callaghans were proud to be part of the Australian war effort.
Such models pertaining to Callaghan Motors history include:- 1933 – Willy’s 77, Auburn, Hudson, Terraplane, Diamond T Studebaker, Stewart & Willy’s Utilities
- 1936 – Chrysler, Desoto, Plymouth Cars & Fargo Trucks
- 1937 – Morris, Wolseley, MG Cars, Morris Commercial Trucks
- 1958 – Morris & Chrysler Franchise relinquished, General Motors Holden, Chevrolet Pontiac & Vauxhall cars, Bedford trucks. (Vauxhall was the first car to win at the Bathurst 500.)
- 1965 – Callaghan Motors expanded by taking over the premises of Ross Motors, and Vauxhall was discontinued
- 1968 – Chevrolet discontinued
- 1976 – Suzuki franchise
- 1981 – Mitsubishi franchise
- 1986 – Mercedes-Benz Elite partnership
The son of Frank Callaghan, Mr Brian Callaghan, joined Callaghan Motors in 1964 at the age of 22, after completing a degree at Melbourne University.
Brian went on to become Dealer Principal and has since been succeeded by his son Stephen. Callaghan Motors are Warrnambool’s longest established Motor Vehicle Dealership as well as being Warrnambool's largest multi-franchise Dealership.
Callaghans have become an integral part of the local history with 75 years of continual service to the people of Western Victoria.
