A Brief History

Shacks was first established in 1922 as a small automotive shop by a young and ambitious Andy Shack. It has stood the test of time throughout the recession and war years, and kept up to date with the latest technology and product advancements. A year after it was open, Shacks was appointed the Fremantle agent for Willys-Overland and later moved to a newer and bigger premises at Queen Victoria Street. Andy Shack originally serviced Willys-Overlands, T-Models, Hupmobiles and many other brand names now long forgotten except by vintage car enthusiasts. With the help of an assistant, Andy supplied petrol from the first petrol pump installed in Fremantle. The petrol was purchased in 4 gallon tins and emptied by hand into an underground petrol tank.

The Company progressed steadily until 1930, when the effect of the Great Depression was severely felt; however with hard work and dedication the Company survived. Two years later, Shacks became the Fremantle sub dealer for Chevrolet and in 1934 was appointed a General Motors dealer. Pat Kerr joined Andy Shack as a business partner in the same year and for the next few years the company experienced improvement until the beginning of the Second World War in 1939. The motor industry was declared a 'protected industry' and Shacks carried out maintenance of large fleets of essential service trucks due to a wartime shortage of parts and manpower.

After the war the business expanded, and with the advent of the first Holden vehicle, Shacks was appointed a General Motors Holden dealer. The Company became known as Shacks Holden and to this day is in the business of providing a complete range of automobile related services from New and Used Sales, to Service, Parts, Panel and Paint within the geographical area of Fremantle and its surrounds.