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Repco Heritage
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.
Repo continued to grow and expand – moving into New Zealand and developing the famous dual format, Retail/Trade stores during the 1980s.
Repco Today
The Repco brand stands for ‘Authenticity’ derived from having quality products which have earned the trust of our customers for over 95 years.
Repco’s distribution system ensures customers are provided the right parts at the right time. No other competitor can boast of such a wide store footprint. Our regional store network services country towns better than anyone else.
Our partnership with GPC, the world leader, positions Repco with sheer scale, world-class information and logistics systems, and financial capacity to significantly increase the speed of our planned growth in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific. This will further ensure that Repco can get the right products to the right place at the right time at competitive prices for our customers.
With an Australasian footprint of over 400 stores supported by over 4000 staff, unmatched distribution and on-line solutions, Repco remains number one in the Australian automotive aftermarket, standing proud as one of Australasia’s most iconic brands.
Our Corporate History
1922
Repco founded as an automotive grinding business
Mid-1920's
Opened first replacements parts trade supply store
1932
First country branch opened in Hamilton, Victoria.
Repco first began advertising
1937
"Repco Ltd." and becomes a public company
Repco made history by elevating Maud Terdich to the position of company secretary - the first ever female secretary of an Australian public company
1938
Repco's first annual general meeting
1930's
Grows replacement parts business through the Depression
1944
Superannuation scheme introduced for employees
1950's
Grows automotive manufacturing business
1959
Repco purchases a string of parts distributors in NSW and Queensland
1960
Repco moves into South Australia and Northern Territory
1960's
Boom times for Repco with 14 factories in 1960 increasing to 38 factories in 1970
1969
Repco opened its first stores in Western Australia
1981
Acquires first New Zealand store
New parent company for all of the Repco companies was registered - Repco Corporation Limited.
1985
Ariadne acquired a controlling interest in Repco
1988
Pacific Dunlop purchases the Repco business from Ariadne
1996
Opens first Australian dual format store
2000
Pacific Automotive formalised as a division of Pacific Dunlop
2001
Management buy-out of the Pacific Automotive division of Pacfic Dunlop. Business renamed Automotive Parts Group
2002
Celebrates 80th Anniversary
2003
Lists on Stock Exchange
2007
Acquired by CCMP (now known as Unitas Capital) and delisted from Stock Exchange
2009
Repco Group rebranded as Exego Group, and CCMP rebranded as Unitas Capital
2012
Repco wins the Guinness World Record for most cars washed in multiple sites
2013
Repco launches first Auto Centre in Geelong Victoria
2017
Celebrates 95th anniversary
1947
Repco assists in the build of Charlie Dean's "Maybach 1"
1954
Maybach 3 wins New Zealand Grand Prix.
1959
Jack Brabham wins his first Formula One Championship.
Driving a Cooper Climax with Repco providing support and parts such as clutches and universal joints.
Repco launches its first fully designed and built futuristic sports model car; The "Repco Special".
1961/65
Formula 1 cars badged Repco Brabham.
1963/64
Jack Brabham and Repco win both Australian Grands Prix in a "Repco Brabham" using a Repco modified Climax engine.
1964
Repco commences design on a new 2.5 litre V8 racing engine for Tasman series.1965
The BT19 was constructed in England. It was powered by the Repco Brabham V8 engine.
1966 - WHAT A YEAR!
First 620 BT19 engine used at South African Grand Prix.
Repco Brabham Engine Company is formed. During the year the facilities at Richmond are relocated to another Repco site at Maidstone
Jack Brabham wins the French, British, Dutch and German Grands Prix and World Formula One Driver's Championship in the BT19.
Repco and Brabham have their most successful year to date.
Brabham wins French Grand Prix to be the first winner of a Formula One Grand Prix in a car bearing its driver's name.
Denis Hulme gets two 3rds in the French and British Grands Prix.
1967
Denis Hulme wins world F1 driver Championship in Repco Brabham.
1969
Frank Matich wins the Australian Sports car Championship in the Repco sponsored Matich SR4. With 13 wins from 19 starts.
The F5000 engine was developed at Repco Engine Development Company.
1970/74
Success with Repco Brabham F5000 engines.
1979
Jack Brabham knighted by Queen Elizabeth. The first person to recieve knighthood for services to motorsport.
Repco sponsors the Repco Reliability Trial won by the late Peter Brock.
1996
Repco sponsors triple Australian Nascar Champion Rob Paine.
Brabham drives the BT19 down George St Sydney at lunchtime. The stunt causes an enormous sensation.
2000
Repco sponsors the winning Bathurst team of Jason Bargwanna and Garth Tander.
2002
Australia Post honors Sir Jack Brabham with the release of a stamp featuring the BT19.
2006
Repco sponsors the Historic Garage at the Grand Prix in Albert Park.
The BT19 takes the Queen's baton on a leg of the commonwealth games relay around the grand prix circuit.
2007
Repco Brabham takes prime position in the National Sports Museum
2008
Repco becomes the naming rights sponsor of Repco Rally Australia and New Zealand.
2018
Repco partners with Shell V-Power Racing Team and DJR Penske in the Virgin Australia Supercars Series.
