Published by Gregory's Publishing Company: Sydney 1978
1st Edition
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Gregory's Workshop Manuals were an Australian publishing mainstay from the 1970s through the early 2000s, produced by Gregory's Scientific Publications (later Gregory's Automotive Publications) in Sydney. Specializing in detailed car repair and maintenance guides, these manuals became essential for mechanics and DIY enthusiasts alike, offering step-by-step instructions, exploded diagrams, wiring schematics, and comprehensive maintenance schedules for a wide range of vehicles—predominantly Australian makes such as Holden, Ford, and Toyota, but also many Japanese and European imports. The vintage editions from roughly 1975 to 2000 are distinguished by their bold colour-coded covers (often orange, blue, green, or red) and robust softcover bindings, typically featuring model silhouettes or photographic covers.
During this period, Gregory's carved out a dominant position in the Australian automotive reference market, competing with UK-based Haynes and U.S. publishers like Chilton. Their manuals were written with a distinctly Australian context—using local model names and specifications rather than U.S. or UK equivalents—and often included Australian-specific variants such as the Holden Commodore, Ford Falcon, and Mitsubishi Magna. Collectors now seek these vintage editions for their period-correct mechanical documentation, nostalgic design, and coverage of vehicles no longer supported by modern publishers. They appeal particularly to Australian car restorers, motoring historians, and enthusiasts preserving 1970s-1990s workshop culture."
