THE strength, customer service ethic and family foundation of Doug Barton Motors are what has made the dealership a market leader. The business began in 1945 when Ken Barton, just returned from serving with the RAAF in New Guinea, teamed up with friend Alf Giles to start G&B Motors, a mechanical business.

The business was called G&B, rather than B&G, as a result of the toss of a coin on the steps of the Treasury Building. Early growth came when they secured a contract to service a local bus company.

The pair acquired new premises on the corner of Tingal Rd and Burke St, essentially a big hole in the ground that they filled with old car bodies and ash before building.

After selling petrol from a Shell bowser, the business became a sub-dealership for Coachcraft Ford in 1949 before switching to Holden the next year.

G&B Motors moved to 106 Tingal Rd in 1958 and the partners ran the Golden Fleece petrol station across the street with the help of Basil Leben, who stayed with the company for 35 years.

Another significant contributor to the business, John Harrison, joined the company as general manager in 1963 and later became a dealer principal and partner.

Doug Barton said Mr Harrison was largely responsible for the growth of the business from the 1960s to the early 1980s. The dealership moved to its present site at 200 Tingal Rd in 1972, marked by a parade from the old site to the new. "Hundreds of local people attended that. It was a big day for Wynnum," Mr Barton said.

"At that time it was considered to be a very modern facility - purpose-built." Doug Barton followed his father into the business in 1973 as a new Holden salesman, took over as dealer principal in 1980 and bought the business in 1982, changing its name to Doug Barton Holden.

The Mitsubishi dealership was added in 1992 , leading to a renovation and the mezzanine floor's installation, creating upstairs office space. Mr Barton said another major renovation was done in 1998 "really due to growth" and to ensure customer needs could be met. After the 2004 fire, Mr Barton worked with experts from Holden and Mitsubishi to design and build the renewed dealership.