Todd Hardy
I started my apprenticeship in 1996 at McAlister Motors in Young. I work there for 7 years in that time I worked my way up to be work shop foreman. I later trained with Ford to make the level of Master Technician and also completed training with Volvo and Honda.
During this period I worked on several race cars, a Commodore which ran in the Commodore Cup Series and then went on to run in the GTP series with a Ford EB XR 6 Falcon. Following that we ran a Volvo 850 T5 which placed Second at the Bathurst 3 Hour in 1998. Following the Volvo we were involved in building two Honda Integra race cars, one was built for a customer and the other we maintained ourselves. This car ran in the GTP series with runs at Sandown and another Bathurst 3 hour.
Then we moved on to look after a team of three race utes that ran in the Brute Series and at Sandown and Bathurst.
After this it was time to move on and have a change from working on cars and race cars to working on farm equipment with T&D’s in Young. I worked for T&D’s for around two years and in that time gained training on Massy Ferguson tractors.
After all this time we decided it was time for a big change and we would go out on our own. Hardy’s Garage was born in October 2004 I went into partnership with my Mum, Lorna and Dad, Ian. Since opening Hardy’s Garage I have carried on training with courses through Repco Auto Tech and the IAME.
In 2014, I completed Certificate IV in Automotive Technology
Ian Hardy
I began my apprenticeship at Modern Motors Ford in November 1971, completing a trade course through the Young Technical College. During that time I completed several training courses through TAFE and the Ford Training Centre in Sydney. I carried on though Modern Motors to become workshop foreman and then Service Manager. During those years we also operated the NRMA Road Service.
In 1980, I passed the test to become a full member of the Institute of Automotive & Mechanical Engineers (IAME).
After the closure of Modern Motors in 1980 I moved to a private repairer, Des Wells Automotive, where I took the position of workshop foreman. The main base of our repair business there was Volvo, Mazda, Kubota, and general repairs with McAlister Motors, who operated an adjacent sales outlet. In 1983, McAlister Motors decided to move to a new premises in Zouch Street. At that time, Des Wells had decided not to make the move as well and remained in Lovell Street. During my time with Des we completed several training courses through TAFE Repco and the IAME.
I made the move with McAlister Motors to set up and run their new workshop, and with our main franchises still being Volvo and Mazda, I participated in many training courses with these companies and at that time was able to set up the dealership in Young as the best location for these companies to conduct their training courses for surrounding areas, and in 1984, McAlister Motors was named “Mazda Service Dealer of the Year”. We later became Ford dealers and continued on with other franchises, such as Honda, Jeep, and Land Rover. During this time we became involved in motor racing, preparing, servicing, and regularly repairing the vehicles. We attended many events in various categories over about 7 years, from the Commodore Cup, GTP, and V8 Brute Ute racing, with entries in the Bathurst 3 hour in an ex-Peter Brock T5R Volvo, which ran second. In later years with a Falcon and Honda Integra, followed by several years in the Ute series, attending events such as, Bathurst, Sandown, the Gold Coast Indie, and the Melbourne Grand Prix.
In 2004, we decided to move to our own workshop in Grenfell with son, Todd and wife, Lorna. We had a great start and settled in quickly. In 2007 & 2008 we won the Central West business award for outstanding automotive service.
We received a Highly Commended award from the Weddin Business in 2014 for Excellence in Trade Services.
We strive to continue a high standard of service for our customers and community.
In 2014, Todd and I completed Certificate IV in Automotive Technology.