About Us

Christies Beach SA

With hard work and commerce in his veins, Wayne’s lineage traces back to South Australia’s early pioneers. His ancestors explored the Mount Lofty Ranges on horseback in search of suitable farmland, where they sowed the few bushels of wheat and oats they had brought with them. They went on to raise and harvest some of South Australia’s earliest crops, which they carted to market in Adelaide. Wayne began his journey in the automotive industry at just 15 years old, washing cars at the local Holden dealership, John H Ellers Holden, while attending Brighton High School. In 1965, he also launched his football career with the Glenelg Football Club. His Saturdays were spent washing cars in the morning before racing down to Glenelg Oval to play football in the afternoon. By the age of 17, Wayne was offered a trainee salesperson position at John H Ellers Holden.

At just 20 years old, Wayne obtained his motor vehicle dealer’s license and established his first car yard, marking the inauguration of Wayne Phillis Motors at Edwardstown, South Australia. Rapid growth soon led to an expansion and relocation to a larger premises on Pulteney Street, Adelaide. Continued success prompted yet another move, this time to an even larger site on Brighton Road, Brighton.

Wayne also enjoyed a distinguished football career. In 1973, he was part of the Glenelg Football Club’s Premiership-winning team, and in 1978 he again tasted Premiership success with the Norwood Football Club. By the time his coveted football career concluded in 1979, Wayne had played 270 league games, won two Premierships, and represented South Australia in five State Games. From humble beginnings, Wayne grew his business into one of South Australia’s premier automotive dealership groups. As the company expanded, so too did family involvement, with his wife Terry and sons Todd and Sam playing active roles in the business, ensuring it remained true to its family values. Today, Wayne Phillis employs over 125 people and remains proudly family owned and operated.

In 1985 Wayne was appointed as a Ford Dealer with the inauguration of Wayne Phillis Ford at 127 Beach Road, Christies Beach, where it still stands today. Here Wayne Phillis Ford has achieved many coveted awards, including Ford Dealer of the Year.