Automotive legend Allan Gray inducted into Australian Auto Aftermarket Hall of Fame

Those in the Australian 4×4 industry would no doubt be well aware of Allan Gray. 

Through his decades of Toyota LandCruiser expertise, his engineering work with Terrain Tamer, or the hugely popular “Ask Allan” series alongside John Rooth, Gray has long been regarded as one of the country’s most respected figures in the off-road world.

Now, the veteran engineer has officially been recognised with induction into the Hall of Fame at the 2026 Australian Auto Aftermarket Awards, celebrating a career that has shaped Australia’s 4WD aftermarket industry for almost 80 years.

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Gray began his apprenticeship in 1948 at just 14 years old, later going on to work on one of the first Toyota LandCruisers imported into Australia for the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme. His career would evolve alongside the rapid growth of the nation’s off-road and touring culture.

In 1977, Gray established Allan Gray Toyota Service, one of only three specialist Toyota 4WD workshops operating in Australia at the time specialising in Toyota 4WDs. His reputation for diagnosing difficult driveline and mechanical issues quickly earned recognition, particularly among LandCruiser owners and remote area operators.

Following the sale of the workshop in the early 1990s, Gray joined Terrain Tamer (↗) as head engineer, where he played a key role in advancing product durability, preventative maintenance practices and technical standards across the 4WD aftermarket sector.

Among his many engineering contributions were developments in crown wheel and pinion setup procedures, suspension and shock absorber installation techniques, and the promotion of parabolic spring technology for leaf sprung four wheel drives.

Outside the workshop, Gray became a familiar face to Australian off-roaders through the long running “Ask Allan” educational series with John Rooth. Remarkably, Gray still works three days a week with Terrain Tamer at 92 years old, contributing to research and development, troubleshooting and technical mentoring.

The Hall of Fame honour also recognised Gray’s charitable contributions beyond the automotive industry. In 2021, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to both the automotive sector and the community, including decades of volunteer work with the St Vincent de Paul Society soup van program.

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“The Awards events are always one of the most rewarding parts of the Expo because they shine a spotlight on the incredible talent, innovation and commitment across our industry,” said Stuart Charity, CEO of the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association.

“From groundbreaking new products and outstanding business initiatives, through to recognising individuals making a real impact, these awards reflect the strength and professionalism of the Australian automotive aftermarket industry.”

Gray was inducted alongside fellow industry veterans Steve Broad and Shayne Quaile.