Repco Melton

The early 1920s were an important time for transport in Australia. After WWI Australians were taking a major interest in motor vehicles following the introduction of the Model T Ford in 1908. There were almost 100,000 cars on the road – almost one car for every 55 people! In Melbourne, one enterprising young man identified a growing need to make replacement parts for all those cars on the road. Geoffrey Russell opened a small factory in a tin shed in Collingwood, Victoria trading under the name Automotive Grinding Company. Around the same time in Queensland, three men decided that they could carry mail by air. Their company would become Australia’s national Airline, Qantas. Geoff, in his little factory would not have known that he was building an equally iconic Australian brand, Replacement Parts COmpany (REPCO). Repco was soon trading all over Australia, and internationally. During WW2 most of Repco’s capacity was turned to supporting the war effort. Post war highlights included Repco’s development and manufacture of many components of the first Holden, the 48-215 of 1948. In 1966, Repco Brabhams propelled Sir Jack Brabham to victory in Formula One Racing, the only time that any individual has won both the World Constructor and Driver Titles. This feat is unlikely to ever be repeated. Repco continued to grow and expand – moving into New Zealand and developing the famous dual format, Retail/Trade stores during the 1980s.