HISTORY >>

BWA auto commenced in 1976 as Bob Whyms Automotive Pty Ltd when Bob, having worked for many years out of his garage, realized the need to start his own dedicated workshop in order to offer a high standard of service and repairs of Porsche motor vehicles. Over the following years, his workshop trained many mechanics, some who now own their own business or have gone on to bigger and better careers. Now with his son, Craig, in the business, there is someone in training to continue the legacy and maintain the high standards set by Bob from the beginning.

As the workshop grew and the awareness of the business became larger and larger Bob recognized a need for quality spare parts for Porsche's without the dealer price tag. In 1979, Bob started to import his own spare parts from Germany. BWA auto has now become the largest Australian aftermarket Porsche supplier of new parts, outside of the dealer network.

THE TEAM

Bob:

Bob has over 30 years experience working on Porsche and Volkswagen cars. In the late 1960's he started working on 356's and early Beetles at Manly Repair Centre. Bob specializes in fuel injection diagnosis and rare gearbox repair, though he does have considerable experience in race car preparation as a result from many years running competitive club and Porsche Cup cars, including his own famous 3.0ltr RSR. (see History section). Bob is a qualified automotive mechanic and auto electrician. His other interests include motor sports, reading, traveling and golf.

Kathy:

Originally a qualified teacher, Kathy married Bob in 1968 and continued to teach up until the birth of their first son, Craig, in 1984, when she then became solely involved in running the business with Bob. Kathy now has over 20 years experience in accounting and office management. Her other interests include involvement in the Porsche Club of NSW, walking the dog, relaxing on weekends and her new found love of quilting.

Kristy:

Kristy came to us straight from school as a junior receptionist and started learning the family business from the phones up. She left us for a short while exchanging motor parts for Hair and Beauty Supplies, much more to her liking. This lasted for around 9 months and then after battling traffic and petrol queues she came back to us in 2004 when she decided the beauty industry wasn’t really for her after all.

Kristy attained her Business Certificate 2 in 2003 and is currently studying Small Business Management at Baulkham Hills Tafe. Bit by bit she is lifting the load from her poor little ageing mother who will soon be able to retire leaving the office in Kristy’s capable hands. She also has several beauty certificates to her credit and in her spare time she plays tennis and piano for her own enjoyment.

Craig:

Craig started in a full time capacity with us in November 2000. He attended Blacktown Tafe for four years to achieve his Automotive Light Vehicle Certificate 3, but at the end of his time he chose to become our parts interpreter, preferring parts to tools. He is now fully fluent in Porsche, BMW and Merc, his german not quite so good-yet. He also has his A/C Licence and is Dyno Dynamics Shoot Out accredited. He is also our local Bosch Committee member for our Bosch Authorised Service Dealer Network.

In his spare time he enjoys extreme sports, plays tennis and golf, and is currently learning the guitar. Learning too what it takes to run a business from the inside out, and how to take the load off his poor old ageing father.

Good on ya guys!

Ben:

Ben came to us from SVM at Lindfield where he served his 4year apprenticeship and stayed on for a further 4years. Although a qualified motor mechanic his role with us is as a parts interpreter. Along with Bob and Craig he is Dyno Dynamics trained, so when he’s not too busy with the parts and a car comes in needing a dyno check, he likes to keep his hand in, and we’re happy for him to help out in this way.

He is happily married to Emily and they live close enough for him to ride his bike to work in good weather. In his spare time he rides mountain bikes, works around the house and in the garden. Fourteen years ago he was given a drum kit for Christmas. He’s now a talented drummer of local repute.

Matt:

Matt is our 4th year apprentice who came to us from SVM at Willoughby in ‘06 when in the second year of his apprenticeship. Having completed his mechanics tafe course he is now doing his auto electrical course at Hornsby tafe inorder to become dual certificated within the four years.

In his spare time he works with a V8 Super Cars Race Team. So when not spending his weekends away at such exotic locations as Sandown, Eastern Creek, Oran Park, Winton, Bathurst or Goulburn, he tries to squeeze in some time for surfing, playing guitar or youth leadership activities.

Christian:

Chris started his apprenticeship at a holden dealership but transferred to us after twelve months. That was eight years ago. He is currently our longest serving highly valued staff member. Last year he satisfied the requirements for his ARC National Refrigerant Handling Licence and also gained his RTA Vehicle Safety Check Inspector’s Certificate. This helps to take some of the load off Bob, which is greatly appreciated.

In his spare time he likes to go fishing, watch movies and work on keeping his new Hi-Lux as well as the rest of the family members vehicles well maintained and on the road.

Carlos:

Carlos has been with us since January ‘06. He has been working on cars in either paid or non paid capacities since he was 16 and ran his own repair business in Canada for seven years. He moved to Europe where he worked mainly on diesels and 4X4’s. His experience ranges from motor bikes to Ferraris, from Rolls Royce to drag cars.

He lives locally and shares his off duty hours with a beautiful girl called Kimba whom he rescued from the RSPCA, a 2 year old white Bull Arab who shares his love of the outdoors. When not working on cars he likes doing any outdoors activity from skydiving to canyoning to a friendly game of golf. But his real passion is to travel the world.

Michael

Michael joined the team last year,’07, and came from Denlo VW at Parramatta.He has worked extensively with VW and Merc but also spent ten years with BMW. He is a qualified Mechanical Engineer and has 3 welding certificates. Like Chris he qualified for both his ARC Licence and his RTA Inspector last year.

Spare time? What’s that asks Michael. Two years ago he started building his own home in the beautiful Blue Mountains where he lives with his wife Annica, young son Luke and the family’s two cattle dogs. He’s a keen motor cyclist and occasionally rides to work from his hideaway in the mountains, that’s keen-especially in winter. Michael is a keen hammer player as well.

Tim

Tim is our second year apprentice and transferred to us from Trivett Classic in Parramatta at the end of ‘07. He seems to be fitting well into the workshop with the rest of the team, learning a lot from all the combined years of experience

In his spare time he plays drums too. One of these weekends we’re all going to get together for a jam session with Chris and Carlos as lead vocals so we can then hire ourselves out as the BWA Workshop Band.