This is the story of how McGrath Automotive Group began. The McGrath family is well known in Chicago for treating their clients with respoect. Our honest, low pressure approach is a staple at each McGrath location.

1. Family owned and operated since 1964, The McGrath Automotive Group is
committed to providing excellent service around Chicago. Now in its fourth
generation, Shanna, Chris, and Dave all admire the courage and passion their
grandfather had nearly a half a century ago. They plan to continue the family legacy
as their father, Gary, did. The following is a story of how the family began and grew
over the years.
Grandfather, Leo, grew up with his family in Minnesota. His boyhood passion for air
planes led him to join the Air Force to fly P-51 fighter planes. He received the
Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroic actions in World War II and Korean. After
serving in the military, Leo looked to pursue his passion for automobiles. His father
owned at small dealership in Minnesota, and with the experience he earned there,
he was hired as a District Sales and Service Manager with The Buick Motor Division.
After 12 years with Buick, Leo’s wife Jeanne and their eight children were tired of
their life on the move. Leo realized he knew enough about dealership operation and
was ready to take the risk. In 1964, he put all of his earnings on the line and
founded McGrath Automotive Group. Leo purchased McBride Buick in downtown
Elgin allowing his true passion to become realized.
No stranger to hard work himself, Leo sought to teach his boys the family business.
Beginning in grade school Gary started working in his dad’s dealership. It began
with washing cars, but as he gained experience, he was given more and more
responsibility. Eventually he worked his way through all of the departments at the
dealership. In 1971, Gary realized his dream when he purchased the family Buick
store from his father.
Gary had larger dreams and in 1973 purchased the lot next to the Buick dealership.
He took a risk of his own in opening his first Honda Franchise. These small cars
were very different from the large Buick and Cadillacs of that era, but offered great
gas mileage during the gas embargo of the early 1980s. They were a huge success!
But he wasn’t finished there.
Gary took a chance on another unknown at the time, Acura. Honda’s luxury brand
was the first of its kind. He was selected to be the 13th dealer in the country and in
1986 opened its doors just north of the city in Glenview.
A few years later he was offered another opportunity with General Motors in St
Charles. Gary opened an Oldsmobile and GMC Truck point on Main St just east of
downtown. Over the years he saw the phase out of Oldsmobile and the addition of
Honda, Buick, and then traded Nissan for Pontiac. By the late 1990s Honda was
ready to venture out on its own. In 2001 Gary converted the gravel lot next door
into the wonderful facility you see today.
Audi, our latest addition, joined the family in a rather lucky way. The then low
volume franchise was paired with a Mercedes Benz dealer in the north suburbs. MB

2. refused to give him more SUVs until he was a Mercedes only dealer. Gary obtained
Audi to pair with the medium volume Acura store in Glenview. He saw the potential
and within a few short years realized Acura and Audi were no longer the low
volume, unknown vehicles of the past. In 2003 he built a stunning 90,000 square
foot, three level building to house Acura just to the south in Morton Grove. The
original 1986 building was refurbished the exterior to Audi’s Hanger Concept and
completely changed the layout and design.
After years of little facility adjustment, Gary headed the push to develop new
property at the corner of Randall Rd and the I-90 expressway. Our original Honda
store on Chicago Street needed a significant upgrade. In September of 2009 our new
100,000 square foot Honda facility opened its doors. The responses were
overwhelming! Even Gary himself found it hard to believe we lasted so long in the
old “Tiki Hut” styled building.
Never willing to give up on his dreams, Gary weathered the 80s, through Desert
Storm and several trying economic times. With strong leadership, loyal employees
and great products, the dealerships continue to flourish. New facilities will be
needed to better serve the growing customer base. The story of the American
Dream coming to life right here in Chicago is far from over. Many generations to
come will continue to keep this dream alive!