The dealerships are now owned by Sam Elabbasi and his family and team. The move also farewells the Booth’s Motor Group name from the communities, with new owners to trade as the Central Auto Group with franchise names of Central Coast Mitsubishi, Central Coast Hyundai, Tuggerah Mitsubishi, Tuggerah Hyundai and Coast Ford.

David Booth, outgoing dealer principal and third-generation owner of the business with his family, told GoAutoNews Premium that his grandparents – Fred and Evelyn – started in 1939 with the purchase of a petrol station and parts supply store with a small mechanical workshop in Gosford.

The war years brought rations of food and spare parts, including electricity which led to Fred making a pedal-operated petrol pump to fuel customers’ cars. 

The business grew to become a larger workshop and petrol station until it was taken over by their son, Kevin, who further expanded the business by taking on the franchise of the Rootes Group cars.

Kevin is now age 92 and in a nursing home, only giving up going to the dealership three years ago.

Chrysler took over Rootes Group in 1964 and Booth’s Motor Group stayed a Chrysler dealer until Mitsubishi took over in 1981.

Kevin’s children David, Col and Sandie joined the business in the 1980s and created the foundations for growth.

Mr Booth said selling the dealerships was a bitter-sweet moment, saying: “I love the business.”

“We do have mixed emotions about our decision, but by selling now, we will have more time to spend with our parents and families.

“We jointly decided that the time was right to sell the business and retire.

“In retirement, I want to keep involvement – in some way – with the industry. Along with that, we as a family will continue to support the community, as I believe the new owners also intend to do.”

Mr Booth said that his family survived through wars, recessions, financial crises and pandemics “growing and satisfying Central Coast motorists with new and used cars, finance, parts and service.”

“We have all enjoyed the ups and downs, and every member of the extended families has had an involvement in the business over the years,” he said.

“Kevin and Nancye, David and Kate, Col and Jacquie, Sandie and Rob, Jake, Emily, Matt, Kelly, Sophie, Hamish and Hannah have all enjoyed being involved in the business over the years. 

“We particularly want to thank Jake for his hard work over the past 16 years.”

Jake Parry, great grandson of the founders and Sandie’s son, will stay on with the new owners as the PD manager.

Mr Booth said: “We are all sad to be bringing this chapter of our family history, and Gosford history, to a close. Nothing lasts forever.

“Thank you to the many employees that contributed to making the business strong and grew with us over the years, some of them committing over 30 and 40 years to the business.”

He said that most of the 150 staff are staying on with the new business and “we wish them well and thank them for their input to our business over the years.”

“For those that are moving on, we are sorry to see you go, and wish you the best in pursuit of another position, or in your retirement,” he said.

“We would also like to thank the many suppliers that we have worked with over the years. They have been extremely supportive and worked with us to make our customers happy.

“Speaking of customers, we have had the most amazing long-term repeat relationships with many Central Coast families over these years. 

“People love telling us stories about what they remember Fred or Evelyn or Kevin doing for them to help them out of a difficult motoring situation.

“Thank you, Central Coast motorists. It has been a pleasure to serve you over the past 83 years.

By Neil Dowling