 Lyndoch motors was
established by its founder and father Claude Ahrens in 1951.
Claude Ahrens had only a grade seven education and he left the
Sheaoak Log primary school at the age of 13 years.
From here he worked in a number of jobs, as a farmhand
in Underbool Victoria, on the production line at Holden's in Woodville South
Australia, working as a plumber at the Berri Distillery, and later as a forestry worker
for the Dept. of Woods and Forest.
In 1940 Claude was called into the National Service to
serve in the Army during the war. When peace was declared, Claude left the
Army and worked for several garages in the local area. Firstly in Lyndoch (now the local
Bakery), Ray Mattner Motors Tanunda and Kassebaum's Garage at Williamstown.
In 1951
after borrowing the money from his brother John, Claude purchased the Blacksmiths shop on
Gilbert Street, Lyndoch.
 |
| Lyndoch Motor Service trading
at the old blacksmith shop in Gilbert Street Lyndoch. |
Together with his
wife Jean they began trading as Lyndoch Motor Service. Jean took care of the books and
accounts whilst raising a family during which time Claude gained a very good reputation
for his work, and in being able to turn his hands to almost anything. As a team Jean and Claude worked long hours in order to
build the business and repay the loan to Claude's brother.
|
Back in the old days
Claude would repair anything that wandered into his shop. |
In 1954 Lyndoch Motor Service was
successful in gaining the David Brown Tractor franchise, allowing Claude to begin selling
new tractors in the local farming community whilst maintaining his general repair
business.
|
| Claude on one of the latest models in the '60's |
From here the family
company began and grew, with Claude's eldest son Graham joining the business in 1964 and his youngest son Stephen joining in 1979.
Claude has since passed on but Graham and Stephen are continuing the
tradition of friendly service and community involvement that Claude
and Jean Ahrens started back in
1951. |
