Interview with Sir Colin

It was back in April 2016 that Autofile published an interview with Sir Colin Giltrap. What follows is an edited version of that article ahead of his funeral in Auckland on May 1. It was rare for him to be interviewed by the media.

DRIVEN BY LABOUR OF LOVE

For more than 60 years, Sir Colin Giltrap has been building his empire as a motoring magnate. 

Never afraid of hard work, talking to people and taking the odd gamble, he now sits as head of the Giltrap Group although, with sons Richard and Michael taking the managing directorial reigns, he calls himself more of a “roving chairman”.

That said, he still has burning ambitions and his fingers are very much on the pulse of the car industry.

Looking back to his beginnings in it, it all started in New Plymouth, opposite his father’s tractor and machinery business. 

“I was also selling cars for my dad to other dealers when I was 13 or 14,” Sir Colin told Autofile. “The first one I sold was a 48 Ford Mercury and we did very well out of it. 

“Things could have been a lot different though, as my father wasn’t all that keen. He loved cars too, but wanted me to go farming. He actually sold out and took the whole family off to Ireland. But I refused to budge, I just wanted to sell cars.

“I was 18 and knew what I wanted to do. Mad about cars, I couldn’t wait to sell the Jaguar 2.4, which was the greatest car around at the time.”

Sir Colin’s eyes sparkle as he recalls those halcyon days. While his knowledge of dates and figures may be a tad vague, he remembers vehicle specifications and details like a true salesman. 

With his career die cast, he moved to Hamilton and founded luxury-car dealership Monaco Motors. 

“I just loved luxury vehicles, and we knew how to sell and buy them. I had contacts at nearly all the embassies in Wellington, which was a great source of top-line cars. 

“I got to know a few of the chauffeurs. They all met at various functions at government or embassies. I also had a scout at the airforce base in Christchurch. Wigram it was. 

“Senior American personnel were allowed a car a year. We would almost tell them what to buy – maybe a red, yellow, blue Chevrolet. You didn’t have to be very high up in the American embassy to get diplomatic privilege.”

Confident and determined, next up came the purchase of his first dealership, which was Matamata Motors in 1970. 

“They were great times down there with Bacardi and Cokes galore. Back then when the import licensing was in, I used to buy up companies that had one. I just knocked on their doors.” 

It was the following year when Sir Colin had what he describes as his “first big break” when he moved to Auckland to buy Coutts & Co, which was the Daimler importer at the time.

The business had a big import licence. “That was undoubtedly my best industry buy. We had a number of franchises there including Daimler, Rover and Triumph. Then I bought Shelley’s in Wellington, which had a BMW licence. Then we bought the

Peugeot franchise off Campbell Motors and that was big. I was always looking to grow.”

This expansion policy even extended to overseas projects and one was a particular success – but not in the way Sir Colin expected.

“Twenty-five years ago, I bought a company called Bradshaw Webb, which was the main Mercedes-Benz dealership for London. 

“Now, it was unheard of for a Kiwi, or anyone from overseas to come in like that, but I’d had a few recommendations and managed to grab the franchise ahead of some serious opposition. It was around Wandsworth and Chelsea. We even considered moving to London at the time. 

“Anyway, we bought some properties, but eventually sold the business as it was taking up too much time and wasn’t practical.”

Blessed with an acute sense for a good deal, he invested in Skoda in 1996. Despite a somewhat negative perception, especially in the UK back in the 1970s and ’80s, he could see its potential.

“Today, it’s a fantastic franchise and younger people don’t take notice of the past. We think it has terrific models. It wins awards all over the world and is one of the top vehicles in the Volkswagen range.”

Of course, it hasn’t all been plain sailing for the Giltrap Group. “We had a tough time back in 1986-87 during the financial crash as many people did. We’d expanded too fast and basically over-borrowed.

“Interest rates shot up to ridiculous levels and it was a tough time. We had nothing but just kept going. Profits were minimal but we managed. With the help of the bank. we got through it.” 

Arrival of used imports

A decision by the government that had a major impact was when the import-licence requirement was lifted in the early ’80s. “Suddenly everyone could bring in cars and Japanese imports flooded the country. Your premiums just disappeared, especially on hard-to-get models.”

This flooding of the market is a major bugbear for Sir Colin. “There should be an age limit on used cars coming in – maybe around seven years and that’s probably being generous. Cars are coming in that are ready for the tip.

“From a safety and quality perspective, it’s not a great situation and the government is turning a blind eye. It’s one of the main reasons why there are too many cars on the road and terrible congestion. I was fighting my way back from Pauanui the other week and didn’t believe traffic could ever get this bad.

“We’re not against used imports, but it’s crazy to allow cars in that are so old. It’s costing millions to put another lane on the Southern Motorway. They’re trying car-pooling in California, but I’m not sure it will work here. 

“The bus lanes on the North Shore are great, but you see families today with four cars. Kids get a licence, buy themselves cheap rockets and they’re on the road. In my day, if you were a good boy you could borrow mum or dad’s car. No way they bought you a car, even if you were 21!”

Keeping it in family

While the Giltrap Group is headed by Sir Colin, the effective CEOs are sons Richard and Michael – and he couldn’t be more proud.

“There was never any pressure on them, the boys could have done what they
liked. However, they used to come with me to the Monaco GP, aged eight or nine, and knew all the drivers. They were big Ayrton Senna fans. We would take them everywhere and they got a liking for it. 

“It was good because Richard did a business management course at Harvard, while Michael was a bit more of a salesman so he tended towards the retail side. He actually started off washing cars on the North Shore, then moved into spare parts for a while, then selling cars.

Wife Lady Jennifer is also a popular topic. “It’s been tough for her, especially at the beginning when I was away a lot. But we go to London together – she really loves to play a round of golf there – and I couldn’t do it without her.”

And Sir Colin is determined not to let go of the reins quite yet. “Even now I have meetings with my sons all the time, we’re forever on the phone.”

There may even be another Giltrap waiting in the wings. “Richard’s youngest boy Marco, he’s 12 and into go-karting, won a few races. They tell me he’s going to be good. He’s got Mitch Evans as a tutor so that’s always going to help.”

Foray in A1 series

Sir Colin’s passion and involvement in Kiwi motorsport is well-documented. But one unsuccessful venture was the ill-fated A1 “single make” racing series. Kicking off in 2005, it lasted just four seasons and he was a key player.

“The A1 concept was incredibly exciting. I initially dealt with Martin Birrane, who owned Lola and produced the cars. I still catch up with him in London when I’m there. 

“He introduced me to Sheikh Maktoum and got some big names involved. Emerson Fittipaldi bought the franchise in Brazil and Alan Jones in Australia. Support was strong, everybody loved it. It was gaining traction, but we were just unlucky.

“A1 cost a lot of money, but it was a wonderful thing. But following the English banking crash the funding stopped. They made the mistake of buying new Ferrari engines and it couldn’t survive. It would’ve been huge today, especially with Formula One. That’s nothing more than a procession. A1 was a true test of driving skill.”

A real petrolhead, Sir Colin raves about the brilliance of talent coming out of New Zealand – Jonny Reid and Earl Bamber were his Kiwi drivers in A1. And he still gets up at 2am to watch the IndyCars and a certain Kiwi superstar.

“I’m so pleased to see Scott Dixon still winning. He’s absolutely fantastic. I remember Roger Penske told me a few years ago that he’d love to get Scott in his team, he’s that good. I even helped him out with a car once.”

Looking to the future

Despite being well past retirement age, Sir Colin doesn’t appear to have any intentions of taking his foot off the pedal. He’s still sharply in tune with the industry, especially in terms of technology.

“Electric cars are sure to be big. Within the next two years, they will have batteries approaching 500km and pre-orders for the new Tesla are phenomenal. 

“People want to be seen to be green, but the million-dollar question is can they sustain volume without a dealer network? But I’ve had a go in one and the performance is outstanding.”

On intelligent transport and self-driving cars, Sir Colin is more sceptical. “I don’t think they’ll take off any time soon. Kiwis love driving and although it would be handy from time to time, I can’t see them giving up the freedom of driving their own cars. Although five years ago, we were saying that about electric cars.”

Closer to home, the Giltrap Group will make a big splash early next year with a new showroom on Great North Road. Unsurprisingly, it will be a luxury vehicle dreamland stocking Bentley, Aston Martin and Lamborghini. 

“There will be nothing like it and it’s the most interesting project we’ve done on the building front. It’s costing a lot of money and will be the most impressive dealership in New Zealand.”

Proud of his roots, he may spend three or four months of the year in London – “such a safe city with great culture” – but will always call Aotearoa home. “I’m a Kiwi. I follow the All Blacks everywhere and know them well.”

Sir Colin was awarded his knighthood in 2012, was recently inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame and was recognised by his old school in 2015 – New Plymouth Boys’ High with an alumni merita.

His philanthropy extends to supporting many charities. Passionate, innovative and determined, it appears he still has plenty to achieve. 

COPYRIGHT: Autofile / 4Media Ltd. Magazine issue: April 2016