Greg Hannah, owner and operator of Hannah Motors at King, William and Ontario Streets in Cobourg has been around cars his whole life and the Hannah family has been in the automotive business for just about as long as cars have driving the streets of Cobourg.
If your family has lived in the area in the last hundred years, you’ve either had, or know someone who has had their car fixed, sold or rented by a member of the Hannah family.
Greg’s grandfather opened Ideal Garage back in 1915, and for a little perspective on how long ago that was – their telephone number was just two digits, 8 and 5.
A big part of Ideal Garage’s business in the day was providing service to wealthy landowners who came to vacation on the shores of Lake Ontario from Pennsylvania. They’d have their autos transported to Cobourg and the Greg’s grandfather would make sure they were serviced and ready to roll when their owners arrived.
Around 1926 General Motors made Hannah the first authorized dealer of Oakland and Pontiac cars in the region. The cars were considered a big step forward from the Model T’s they’d been working with, offering a much smoother ride. These early vehicles were still being made largely of wood with wooden spoked wheels.
Fast forward a couple of decades and Greg’s father joined the business.
In 1971 the business moved to it’s current location on King Street. At the start of the 70’s they were selling Mazda but they changed franchises to become an American Motors dealership after a couple of years.
Greg remembers selling his first car in 1973, which was poetic in a way as it was a Pontiac, the very same brand his grandfather sold fifty years earlier.
Hannah said that today is a lot different than his fathers or grandfathers time.
We asked Greg about the importance of small businesses to Cobourg.
Greg says that during his time as owner of the business he’s enjoyed a good working relationship with the town.
Hannah Motors takes pride in offering drivers safe, reliable vehicles at affordable prices – a tradition that continues today and with his son Jackson working along side him, into the future.
While the business has changed, the Hannah family has worked to keep pace.
For Greg, it’s become just another aspect of doing business in the 21st century.
So if you’re in the market for a vehicle that will stand the test of time, head over to Hannah Motors and talk to Greg. You won’t be disappointed.
Written by Joseph Goden
