The Kloster Story

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 Newcastle 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.