From Croatia, through Montreal, and operating as Adria Import Car Service since 1973 in Vancouver, Tony Roza, along with his son Mark, has been providing outstanding automobile repair service for nearly sixty years. Adria solves all makes and models of Import Car Repair, but German cars, especially Volkswagen, have always been a specialty and passion.
Owner Anton, (Toni) Roza left his homeland of Istria Croatia in 1956, escaping communist rule in the former Yugoslavia. Living in a refugee camp across the Italian border he was offered work in a coal mine in Western Germany. He was quickly promoted to work as a maintenance mechanic and his love affair with mechanics began.
After visiting the 1958 Brussels World Fair with his soon to be bride, Hannelore, they decided Canada would be their future. Tony headed to Montreal alone where he got his first job at a Volkswagen dealership. Soon after he sent for Hannelore and their new life together began in Canada.
In 1963 the Rozas bought a Sunoco service station and began specializing in Volkswagen repairs. Toni and Hannelore's first child, Mark, was born in 1962 and it didn't take long for him to develop an interest in cars.
Because of the political unrest and an unrelenting winters Toni and Hannelore decided to leave Quebec and head west to beautiful Vancouver.
After a brief stint running a Union 76 service station they had the opportunity to purchase their own automotive repair shop... thus Adria Import Car Service was born.
Tony diversified his mechanics and worked on all makes of cars, domestic and import, yet Volkswagen remains his speciality and passion.
As a teenager Mark worked part-time at the shop, and after attending Vancouver College Mark joined the family business. He received his automotive technician license in 1989 from BCIT.
Two years later Adria Imports became an authorized Bosch Automotive Centre, which provided Adria with technical training and specialized tools and vehicle information.
Mark continues to attend courses and stays current with new technology as a master Bosch Auto-Technician. He also sits on the Canadian Bosch advisory committee.
Adria Imports is proud of its family history which continues with Mark at the helm. Into his late 70's now Anton remains as passionate about his trade as he was when he began almost 60 years ago.
