The Story of Hanna Motors
by Helen HannaHanna Motors began over 50 years ago and has had a very bittersweet and interesting history.
After finishing Grade 13, the founder of Hanna Motors, Doug Hanna, decided he wanted to go to University, but found it impossible to be admitted, as returned soldiers were given priority over younger men.
School teachers at that time were very scarce, so after six weeks training at Teacher’s College, Doug had no trouble getting a job as a teacher. He did so well – that after teaching two years in rural schools, he was hired to teach in Orillia.
In 1951 he married Marjorie Campbell and their first daughter, Susan, was born in 1952.
During this time, he had become friends with a young man who was selling cars in Orillia, and many times after school Doug would help him. He soon realized that selling cars appealed to him. Later, Doug rented a lot in Orillia and had Joe Spiker as salesman.
In due course, he moved to Stayner, bought a garage from George Fagan and sold new and used cars there. In 1955, he purchased the garage of Keith Robinson in Collingwood, which also included the Ford Franchise. This was a bold decision for a young man in his twenties, but with long hours and determination, the business survived.
In 1958, Doug decided his brother, Ed, was working too hard as a veterinarian, so persuaded him to join Hanna Motors as a salesman.
When Doug bought the business in Orillia, a boat was included in the deal which he traded for a new boat – and with two other men, they started out to Collingwood by way of Lake Simcoe. On the way to Collingwood, the boat hit a pole and sprung a leak and almost sank and Doug was drowned. Before this, Doug had tentative plans to move back to Orillia with his family which now consisted of Susan 8, Debra 6, Sharon 5, and Paul 3. Sadly, the move never took place.
As brother Ed had only been in the car business for two years, he decided it was impossible for him to carry on alone. To help him, Ed chose his brother Jim (who was a car salesman for Watson Motors) and Lyle Dickey as head mechanic . So after buying the business from Marjorie, the three of them now owned Hanna Motors. Many people said a business couldn’t succeed with three owners, but it did.
In 1996, Ed died with kidney disease, and two years later, Lyle succumbed to cancer, leaving Jim as sole owner. With him is a dedicated staff, including his two children, Kim and John and Lyle’s sons, Tim and Brian. Two dedicated staff Jeep and Jim Dickey are also faithful and valuable assets.
Hanna Motors, known for its honesty, friendliness and integrity, is now a highly successful business in two locations, Stayner and Collingwood.
(This story first appeared in the Fall 2006 issue of our newsletter)