Our Story…..

Since the mid 1990’s, two generations of the Gist family (Leslie, Shane and Scott) have worked in, managed and led Supreme Automotive and its team of mechanics to become experts in mechanical repairs, auto-electrical work, vehicle modifications and authentic vehicle restorations. Our story began in 1964 when our Father, Leslie Gist completed his apprenticeship at White’s Holden in Ayr. By the late 1980s, Les had undertaken various roles with General Motors Holden working across all divisions - spare parts, mechanical workshop as foreman and service manager and panel and paint workshop as leading hand. After leaving White’s Holden, Les was employed with the Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade (QATB ) as a mechanic and panel beater and was responsible for the maintenance of the QATB fleet.

Following his relocation from Ayr, Les accepted a role with Eagers Holden before embarking on self employment with his own mechanical repair workshop, Iretons Tyre Service, purchased from Mr Warren Ireton, a business which was established in 1957 at its original location of 1 Jones Street Townsville. Les quickly expanded the tyre business to include a full range of mechanical servicing and repairs and soon became a leader and innovator of Townsville’s automotive repair industry.

By 1995. Les saw the need to expand the business further and added a panel and paint division and rebranded Iretons Tyre and Mechanical to Twin Cities Mechanical and Smash Repairs to meet the needs of the then two cities of Townsville and Thuringowa. As time progressed and youngest son Scott became involved in the business, the business was born again and rebranded to Supreme Automotive in 2005 to meet the demands of the changing automotive world. Coupled with this change was the establishment of a specialised Hybrid Service Centre, the first of its kind in Queensland. 

In 2012, Supreme Automotive expanded into South East Queensland establishing a workshop in Seventeen Mile Rocks, Brisbane. After 8 years of successful trade in the outer Western suburbs, Supreme Automotive relocated to its current inner Brisbane location in West End. Our family now proudly offer our services across Brisbane and Townsville, with our focus on ensuring a quality one-stop service centre for private, commercial and fleet vehicles.

Iretons Tyre Service

The first era of Supreme Automotive. Initially a Good Year tyre retailer, the business was expanded to include a mechanical repair division and later a panel and paint division.