Sam Smyth II represents the third generation of a distinguished family dedicated to motorcar service, repair, sales, parts, and diagnostics. Educated from an early age under the guidance of his grandfather and father, Sam carries forward nearly a century of expertise.
Since 1934, the Smyth family has been a trusted name in the sale, maintenance, and restoration of British, German, Italian, and domestic high-end luxury automobiles — including vintage sports cars and exotic racecars. Their legacy spans respected service establishments and garages across Ireland, Great Britain, and the United States.
George Smyth, the family patriarch, operated Stadium Motor Works in Belfast, Ireland, from 1934 to 1957. His workshop specialized in legendary marques such as Hispano-Suiza, Cord, Packard, Auburn, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Duesenberg, Lagonda, Pierce-Arrow, Maserati, Allard, and Jaguar — among many other now-iconic classic automobiles.
Samuel M. Smyth, Sam II’s father, continued the tradition in Cincinnati, Ohio, running Smyth Imported Car Service, Inc. from 1940 to 1992. He was a licensed new car dealer for Triumph, Sunbeam-Roots, Saab of Sweden, and TVR, while also importing fine motorcars, including Rolls-Royce, from his father’s garage in Ireland. Since 1977, Sam Smyth II has led Smyth Imported Car Service from its current location near Indian Hill, Cincinnati.
Notably, Sam II’s father owned a rare Maserati 4CLT — custom-built by the Maserati brothers with a Roots supercharger — marking an early chapter in Formula 1 history. He raced this vehicle internationally, embodying the family’s deep connection to both luxury and performance.
Beginning in New York City in the 1950s and later moving operations to Cincinnati, Samuel M. Smyth established dealerships and service centers representing Jaguar, Porsche, Lotus, Mercedes, Rolls-Royce, and other premier marques. His Florida dealership in Pompano Beach further extended the family’s reach, catering to collectors and enthusiasts of vintage and luxury motorcars.
Begin by thoroughly wetting the vehicle, ensuring it is completely soaked. Use a fresh sponge and a clean bucket designed to keep the sponge elevated above any settled dirt. Using only Mothers Car Soap, wash the car panel by panel, starting from the highest points—such as the hood and deck lid—progressing downward methodically.
Regularly refresh both the bucket water and soap solution, and continuously rinse the vehicle to prevent any soap or water from drying on the surface before it is cleaned and wiped.
To maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and prevent contamination, sponges used on the lower sections of the car are never reused on the upper panels. Similarly, any terry towel used on the wheels is discarded immediately after use. Towels that come into contact with the ground are also discarded without hesitation.
Dry the vehicle carefully with dampened microfiber cloths or a shammy, ensuring the drying tools remain uncontaminated throughout. Windows are rolled down to allow for wiping and drying of the door jambs and interiors, maintaining thorough cleanliness.
For paint care, employ a three-step product system—preferably Mothers—adjusting steps according to the condition of the paint and the product instructions. The leather interior is treated with a conditioner specially formulated not to strip color or dry the surface.
When applying wax, use a two-pass method: first applying wax in a clockwise motion, then following with a counterclockwise pass for even coverage. For stubborn contaminants, Mothers offers a clay compound designed for safe and effective paint decontamination.
