Vintage Motor Garage has a proud history of vehicle restoration in Australia. It has been an industry leader located on the Central Coast of NSW for over forty-five years. In 1973 Jonathan’s father, Max Houston founded Vintage Motor Garage as a one-man operation in an earthen floor farm shed. Max, a mechanic himself did most of the work initially, eventually employing a number of tradesmen to carry out different aspects of restorations. Over the years the earth floor was replaced with concrete and the shed now covers an area of approximately 1400 sq metres. Over the last forty-six years many interesting vehicles have been worked on at Vintage Motor Garage.
Jonathan took over the operations at Vintage Motor Garage in January 2001. The business at one time employed sixteen dedicated full and part time staff successfully weathering the Global Financial Crisis of 2007- 2008. VMG has employed a number of apprentices during Jonathan’s tenure and many of them still work in the automotive industry. During this busy period of Vintage Motor Garage’s history Jonathan opened the doors to car club visits, many of which took the opportunity to organise runs to VMG enjoying a tour of the current works in progress, then a sausage sizzle or picnic in the back paddock. Jonathan also hosted regular visits from Hand Brake Turn as part of the pre-vocational training course they provide to young people.
Vintage Motor Garage has truly been a one stop restoration shop for all vehicles from the early 1900’s to the 1980’s. However, in some ways the business of restoration has come full circle and Jonathan is now able to concentrate on the needs of the pre 1945 vehicle owner. “Returning to Vintage Motor Garage’s roots and my own passion for pre-war vehicles, I can now focus on assisting owners of vehicles from this era, sharing my skills and knowledge to pass them on into the future. These principles can be adapted to any era of course but these vehicles are now my focus”.
Jonathan continues striving to give clients excellent service, value for money and an interactive approach to restoration. In developing ways to assist owner restorers he is writing a new chapter of Vintage Motor Garage history.
Makes of vehicles or major components that have undergone restoration or have had work carried out at Vintage Motor Garage over the last forty-six years.
| A.C. | Ace | Albion |
| Alfa Romeo | Allard | Alvis |
| American Underslung | Armstrong Siddeley | Aspes |
| Aston Martin | Auburn | Austin |
| Austin Healey | Benelli | Bentley |
| Benz | Beta | Blitz |
| BMW | Borgward | Bristol |
| Buckingham | Buick | Cadillac |
| Cagiva | Chevrolet | Chic |
| Chrysler | Clyno | Cord |
| Crocker | Crossley | CZ |
| Daimler | Datsun | Dennis |
| DeTomaso | DKW | Dodge |
| Ducati | Essex | Fantic |
| Ferrari | Fiat | Ford |
| Garford | Gordon Keeble | Healey Silverstone |
| Henderson | Hispano Suiza | Holden |
| Hudson | Humber | Indian |
| International | Invicta | Jaguar |
| Jeep | Jenson | Jewett |
| Lagonda | Lamborghini | Lancia |
| Landrover | LaSalle | Laverda |
| Leyland | Lincoln | Massey Ferguson |
| Mercedes Benz | MG | Minerva |
| Morgan | Morris | Moto Guzzi |
| Motobi | MV Agusta | Nash |
| Oakland | Oldsmobile | Overland |
| Packard | Panther | Peugeot |
| Plymouth | Pontiac | Porche |
| Railton | Reliant | Reo |
| Riley | Rolls-Royce | Rover |
| Ruggles | Singer | Star |
| Studebaker | Sunbeam | Tatra |
| Triumph | Valiant | Vauxhall |
| Vespa | Willys Knight | Wolseley |
| Yankee |
Unusual Commissions include a Mobo Pedal Horse, 1918 Friedrich Krupp Howitzer and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (one of the cars from the movie).
Vehicle models that have been restored or major parts worked on over the years include: –
A.C. – Four cylinder – 12hp & six cylinder – 16hp
Alvis – 12/40, 12/50, 12/60, 12/70, 14.75, Front Wheel Drive, Speed 20, Speed 25, 3-1/2 litre, 4.3 litre, Firefly, Crested Eagle, Silver Crest, TA 14, TB 14, TA 21, TB 21, TC 21/100, TD, TE, TF
Bentley – 3 litre, 4-1/2 litre, Speed 6, 8 litre, MK IV, R type, S1, S2, S3, T type
Cadillac – V8, V16, Eldorado
Lincoln – V12, Continental
MG – PA, L type, N type, SA, TA, TC, TF, Y type, B, BV8, C
Morris – Seven, Cowley, Minor, Mini, Cooper S, J Van
Rolls-Royce – Silver Ghost, Phantom I, II, III, V, 20hp, 20/25, 25/30, Wraith, Silver Wraith, Silver Dawn, Silver Cloud 1,2 & 3, Silver Shadow, Silver Spirit
Studebaker – President 8, Commander 6, Hawk
Vauxhall – A type, C type Prince Henry, D type, OD 23/60, E & OE 30/98, LM 14/40, 20/60
Advertising, publicity and articles about VMG over the years
Vintage Motor Garage 