Modern Motors

The company Modern Motor Service Pty Ltd was registered in the Supreme Court on Monday 8 March 1937. Eventually the business was referred to as just Modern Motors.

As a Ford dealership, the company also performed repair and maintenance of cars, trucks and tractors. Operating initially from a site in Limestone Street, Modern Motor Service lost no time in applying to the local council for a permit to install three petrol bowsers near the kerb of the property. Although kerbside, as opposed to roadside bowsers, was already happening in Brisbane, it seems that this request was a new occurrence for Ipswich. 

By the beginning of 1939 Modern Motors had moved to permanent premises at the corner of Brisbane & Gordon Streets, Ipswich. Their new modern building had a 61 metre frontage curving around the corner that  featured a lubritorium, showroom with large windows, and offices. At the time, the  lubritorium was one of only two such facilities in Australia and so was considered to be cutting edge and a notable acquisition. In 1939 Modern Motors was not only an authorised Ford dealer but also service station, second-hand car dealer and towing service. They provided after-sales service for their vehicles and were the official RACQ agent for the area. Their service station operated from 7am to 10pm daily.

Modern Motors celebrated 25 years (1937-1962) as a Ford dealership however their building and the business would disappear forever from the Ipswich landscape only a few years later. Sometime between 1965 and 1975 the premises were bulldozed and the site was used for parking until Coles commenced construction of their new supermarket there in 1978. 

Coles still occupies the site today (2024). In the 1960s, Vanity Hair Salon was located beside Modern Motors on Brisbane Street to the west. Vogue Newsagency was across Brisbane Street. 

For many years prior to Modern Motors commencing their business here, this site at the corner of Brisbane & Gordon Streets, was occupied by coach builders A. E. Roberts.