1890
- 1919
Christian Henry 'Harry' Kloster was one of the early innovators in the Australian automotive industry
working for the Dalgety company who were importing vehicles and vehicle bodies for assembly in the
1890s.
Harry founded Standardised Motors Limited with the Macquarie Street dealership boasting what was
considered
to be the finest car showroom in Sydney.
1930
Harry Kloster saw the potential to expand the business to the Newcastle and Hunter Valley
region. He
was convinced that the era of 'the motor car is a luxury' was passing.
1934
- 1936
The first Klosters showroom opened at 335 Hunter Street, but within the first year Harry
invested
in the design and construction of a purpose-built facility "with frontages to Darby and King Streets,
Newcastle". The building was luxuriously appointed with the showroom facing Darby Street and the
delivery
and service facilities facing King Street.
1939
By the late-1930s, Klosters moved used vehicle sales to the corner of Tudor and Gordon Streets
in
Hamilton.
1950
Kloster's spare parts business was expanding with deliveries being made by plane from the old
Newcastle Aero Club at Broadmeadow to country areas of NSW.
1965
Major building works commenced in 1965 to build a modern, new showroom with a glass-curtain
wall,
and this building is still the home of Kloster Ford today.
1984
1984 sees the addition of premium brand BMW to the Kloster group.
2007
The acquisition of The Kloster Group by AP Eagers in 2007 saw the group become part of
Australia's
oldest listed pure automotive retail organisation.
2009
A brand new building in Newcastle West for Kloster BMW and Kloster MINI Garage.
2019
In 2019, Kloster Motor Group joined the Tony White Group - Australia's largest family owned
automotive group, entering a new decade and a new era for auto retailing in the Newcastle & Hunter
regions.