Some will say the Wheaton family was born with motor oil in its blood. How else do you explain over 50 years in the automotive sales and service business, with 14 dealerships across Western Canada? Yet it was a hot dog, and not a hot rod, that actually helped to launch this success story...

It was near the end of the Second World War. A young Don Wheaton, finishing off his first year at the University of Saskatchewan, is given his draft papers. A patriot through and through, he spends the next two years in the air force before the war ends and the ticker-tape parades begin.

According to Herb Wheaton, Don's youngest son, the war had a sobering effect on Don. Ideas of furthering his university career were put on the backburner; his new plan was to become a business owner and see where his ambitions would take him. Not having a lot of money, he started with a modest hot dog stand in Bessborough Park in Saskatoon. His charm and business savvy were evident even then, and by 1948, he had saved enough money to marry his sweetheart, Marion and move to Porcupine Plain, Saskatchewan, population 600, to begin the next chapter of his life. He entered into a business partnership at the town's only general store, Larwood and Shaw.

These were simple times, when business was done with a handshake and a promise. Porcupine Plain had one GM dealership. When the current owner felt it was time to sell the business, he posted an advertisement at the Post Office, requesting people to write their name on an attached list. Don Wheaton was very interested in this opportunity. He signed his name to the list, and subsequently became an owner of the dealership in 1955 with two other partners. After a year, his partners decided they were not cut out for automotive sales, and Don became the sole proprietor.

"Dad operated that GM store quite successfully," says his youngest son, Herb Wheaton. "So much so, that GM wanted him to come to work for them at their head office. He decided he liked the retail side of the automotive business too much, so he declined their offer. What he really wanted was a larger store."

Don's wish came true in 1961, when the Hood Motors dealership became available in Edmonton. Through the assistance of GM's financial holding company called "Motors Holdings", Don received the financing necessary to purchase the dealership. He renamed it Don Wheaton Chev Olds. "We still have that dealership in the family," says Herb. "It's our flagship store on Whyte Avenue in Edmonton."

Over the next 40 years, the Wheaton family built up a network of GM stores in Western Canada. They also expanded into the insurance business. Presently the Wheaton's own First Canadian Insurance (a credit, life and disability insurance company) and Millennium Insurance (specializing in property and casualty insurance, home and auto insurance). Perhaps prompted by Don's experience in the air force, and the family's love of flying, both Don and Marion and seven of their eight children are pilots. The Wheatons are also in the aviation business - the family operates Federal Express's jet fleet in Canada. While in Porcupine Plain, Don and Marion had five children. When they moved to Edmonton in 1961, Marion was pregnant with twins. Herb Wheaton was born in 1965. All eight children are involved in the business in some respect. "We're a pretty close family," says Herb. "There are also 36 grandchildren, so we have a couple of generations of Wheaton's to follow into the family business."

Herb has fond memories of growing up in Edmonton. On Saturdays, he would go with his dad to "the garage" as it was called back then. "I literally grew up in the car business, and it was a passion at a young age," he says. "We were fortunate that we all had an opportunity to do anything we wanted to do. But anyone in the car business will tell you that once you're in it, it's hard to leave. It's an exciting business that is constantly evolving, and has been very good to our family."

Herb operated a Chevrolet dealership in Red Deer until 1992, when he moved to Regina and purchased the Wheaton Chev Olds store from his brother Will. (The Wheatons had purchased the GM dealership on North Albert Street in 1984, which had previously been owned by Art Hauser.) He says that being part of a family business does have its challenges. Fortunately, each family member has an opportunity to shine, as the businesses are spread out across Canada. Herb says the benefits far outweigh any negatives. "We have a good support network," he explains. "You can't live long enough to make all the mistakes yourself. It's nice to be able to bounce ideas off of your family. There's a lot of support in that respect."

Herb has continued one favorite family tradition, started by his dad, with his own four young children. On Saturdays when Herb goes to the dealership, one or two of his children usually come along.

"My oldest daughter, who is thirteen, already can do a 6-postion walk-around on a car and close a sale better than I can," remarks Herb. "And the youngest, who is seven, is crazy about cars." It looks like another generation of Wheaton's is already showing an interest in the family business. Which means you'll be seeing the Wheaton name - and its commitment to selling quality GM products - around for a long time.