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.
Smyth Imports offers a uniquely compelling proposition for any ultra-luxury OEM seeking a dealer partner capable of delivering brand stewardship, technical excellence, and generational stability. With origins dating to 1934, the Smyth family represents one of the longest-standing, uninterrupted luxury automotive institutions in North America. Under the leadership of third-generation principal Sam Smyth II, the company brings more than 90 years of accumulated expertise across Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, and other premier marques—expertise grounded in deep mechanical literacy, institutional memory, and a culture of meticulous craftsmanship.
The firm’s historical qualifications exceed standard dealership metrics. Smyth Imports was the first authorized independent Bentley, Audi, and Volkswagen workshop, recognized directly by Volkswagen of North America and Bentley Motors Ltd. of Crewe. This rare distinction demonstrates not only technical competency but also a longstanding relationship of trust with OEM leadership. The Smyth family’s prior factory authorizations—including Jaguar, Triumph, Sunbeam/ROOTS, Saab, and TVR—further reinforce a track record of compliance, professional discipline, and operational excellence consistent with OEM brand standards.
The customer base served by Smyth Imports is both affluent and generationally loyal, concentrated within Cincinnati’s most established high-net-worth communities, particularly Indian Hill. The firm’s reputation within collector, enthusiast, and preservation circles is unmatched in the region, supported by leadership roles and full membership across the Rolls-Royce Owners Club (USA), Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club (UK), Bentley Drivers Club, Ferrari Club of America, Lamborghini Club of America, and multiple specialty societies. This embedded presence within the luxury-owner ecosystem provides direct access to a qualified, pre-existing marketplace for new ultra-luxury vehicle sales.
Operationally, Smyth Imports combines the agility of an independent specialist with the procedural rigor of a legacy dealership group. The business delivers preservation-grade restoration, advanced diagnostics, and high-value collector appraisal services—skills that far exceed the capabilities of typical retail dealerships and that cultivate a clientele deeply attuned to craftsmanship and long-term brand value. These competencies align precisely with the expectations of modern Rolls-Royce and Bentley customers, who prioritize technical authority, continuity of care, and trusted stewardship.
Strategically, Smyth Imports offers OEMs a ready-made platform with a prestigious heritage comparable to leading historic dealers, including Jack Barclay Ltd. of London. The company’s credibility, multi-generational continuity, and embedded local influence position it as an ideal candidate for a new-car franchise in an underrepresented but economically strong region. Smyth Imports not only aligns with OEM brand values—it elevates them, providing a dealership foundation built on authenticity, legacy, and a 90-year reputation for excellence.
In selecting Smyth Imports, an OEM gains not merely a retail outlet—but a long-established institutional partner capable of embodying and advancing the marque’s identity with unmatched integrity and historical depth
