The couple started Melbourne Auto Air (later Cooldrive) in 1977 as an importer of automatic air-conditioning systems. The business operated from home with “Senior” doing deliveries from the garage – which doubled as the storage unit – and Shirley working from the kitchen table taking orders, and conducting all the invoicing, banking, payroll and administration.
In a statement, Cooldrive said that “with Senior’s attention to detail and entrepreneurial spirit, combined with Shirley’s business sense and organisational skills, the CoolDrive business grew exponentially, setting the scene for future generations of Blanchards”.
“A true trailblazer, Shirley was an incredibly well-respected figure within the automotive aftermarket industry and her love for and support of Senior and their family helped shape the CoolDrive business to where it is today.”
Senior died in December 2021, aged 87 years. His achievements were recognised in 2019 when he was inducted into the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association’s Hall of Fame.
His career started at his parents’ garage ABC Motors in Clifton Hill (Melbourne), helping his father as a five-year-old which led to the ability to service cars by age 11.
After leaving school he worked with Volkswagen, Kenworth, Land Rover, New Holland and Girling, before a stint overseas and then opening his own business.
Cooldrive employs 650 people and has 38 branches in Australia and New Zealand.
Shirley Blanchard is survived by children John (Cooldrive CEO) and Jennie and six grandchildren Tim (Cooldrive COO), Adelyn, Jack, Harry (Cooldrive product manager), Simon and Sam.
By Neil Dowling
