Family ties still drive Jim Wyer

For Jim Wyer, the motoring industry is in his blood but it’s also a passion forged over more than 40 years.

The owner of Wyers for Tyres follows in the footsteps of his grandfather Jim Wyer Senior, who opened his business of the same name four decades ago.

Since then, Jim has carved his own path in the industry as the owner and operator of several automotive businesses on the Redcliffe Peninsula.

“Granddad Jim Wyer started Wyers for Tyres, an automotive and tyre shop in Robson St, Clontarf, back in 1981,” Jim explains.

“I worked for grandad for a few years, before heading to my uncle’s wrecking company followed by my dad’s Redcliffe Spare Parts business.”

It was then, Jim went out on his own, buying a Millard Tyre Mechanical then changing to the Dunlop Super Dealer Group in 1993.

In the years that followed, Jim started and owned several companies. In 2014, he purchased Hullys Automotive, in Elizabeth Ave.

“For six years we operated under the name Hullys Automotive, but we could never shake the family name or stop the confusion that people thought we had started back up the Wyer family business Name,” he explains.

“It made sense for my family and I to rename the business to Wyers for Tyres, as not only a tribute to grandad, but also to acknowledge our family’s long history providing support to the Redcliffe community.”

The business has been at Macdonnell Rd, Clontarf, since March 2022.

While a strong family link motivated Jim to follow his grandfather, father and aunt into the industry, his own passion continues to drive him 42 years on.

“I enjoy the challenge of diagnostics these days. When we were younger, we used to rebuild cars and get them going fast … looking after your mates’ cars … it was exciting. Nowadays, it’s more the diagnostics side that keeps you interested,” he explains.

“You’ve really got to think old-school and bring new-school into it. Sometimes knowing the old-school makes it easier to diagnose the newer stuff because you know your principles.”

Changing industry

Jim says there have been massive changes in the motoring industry throughout his career.

“The industry has become a very throwaway society. Things aren’t made to be rebuilt anymore. When we were apprentices, we had to rebuild brake master cylinders. Nowadays, you just throw them away and replace them because you can’t buy kits for them,” he explains.

“Cars aren’t really made to last, like they were.”

But, when it comes down to it, “cars are still cars”.

“They still have all the same principles. To me, probably what’s stayed the same is the enjoyment of knowing that the car coming towards me, if I’ve serviced it, it’s safe,” Jim says.

He believes good customer service and communication are still important parts of the industry, as is supporting your community.

Jim has supported local junior sporting clubs over the years, including soccer and the Redcliffe Dolphins as well as community events and causes.

Wyers for Tyres is open Monday to Thursday, 7am-4pm and Friday, 7am-3pm.

To find out more, phone (07) 3883 2006 or follow Wyers for Tyres on Facebook.