It’s a story that feels almost scripted for a courtroom drama: a father builds a multi-million dollar tyre empire from scratch, only to find himself in a legal battle with his own son over millions. Bob Jane, a four-time Australian Touring Car champion and the founder of Bob Jane T-Marts, spent his final years fighting a bitter family feud that ended with a $2.9 million court loss in 2013. This article separates the man from the myth and examines the legacy—and the rift—that defined his final chapter.
Racing championships won: 4 ·
Company founded: 1965 ·
Number of stores: 130+ ·
Court battle loss: $2.9 million
Quick snapshot
- Four-time Australian Touring Car champion (Wikipedia)
- Founded Bob Jane T-Marts in 1965 (Bob Jane T-Marts)
- Lost $2.9 million court case to son Rodney in 2013 (ABC News)
- Exact date and circumstances of Bob Jane’s reported death in 2024
- Full terms of the deed of agreement with his son
- Current family relationship status
- 1965: Company founded
- 1969-1972: Four racing championships
- 2013: $2.9 million lawsuit lost
- 2024: Bob Jane reportedly dies (unconfirmed)
- Bob Jane T-Marts continues under new ownership
- Family estate disputes may surface
- Legacy of the brand remains strong in Australia
Six key facts, one clear pattern: Bob Jane’s life was a mix of blazing speed on the track and grinding legal battles in the boardroom.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Born | 1929 |
| Died | 2024 (reported) |
| Occupation | Racing driver, businessman |
| Children | 3 (including Rodney Jane) |
| Company founded | Bob Jane T-Marts (1965) |
| Court case loss | $2.9 million |
What happened between Bob Jane and his son?
Why did Bob Jane lose a $2.9 million court case?
- Supreme Court Judge Michael Sifris dismissed Bob Jane’s claim that his son Rodney owed him $2.9 million (ABC News).
- The disputed amount included $2.4 million used to buy the company’s head office in Port Melbourne and $520,000 used to buy a franchise in Dandenong.
- Rodney argued that $2.4 million had been repaid and the remaining $520,000 was a gift from his father.
Bob Jane, 83 at the time of the 2013 trial, claimed his son cheated him out of the money after a stroke in 2006 left him in poor health. The judge found that Brenda Lee had breached a deed of agreement with his son, not the other way around.
The implication: the family bond shattered under the weight of a disputed deed.
What was the dispute about?
- The fight centred on loans and property purchases made after Bob Jane’s 2006 stroke.
- Rodney Jane had taken over day-to-day operations of the tyre empire.
- Bob Jane claimed Rodney used his weakened state to take control of assets (The Solutionist Group (commentary on legal disputes)).
The implication: what began as a succession plan turned into a decade-long war that cost both sides millions in legal fees and tore the family apart.
The same son Rodney who was sued for $2.9 million today runs the very empire his father built. Bob Jane lost his money but Rodney gained control of a 130+ store chain valued well north of $100 million.
What happened to Bob Jane?
Is Bob Jane still alive?
The exact date of Bob Jane’s death has not been verified by the provided sources, but multiple reports indicate he died in 2024. No official obituary or family statement was included in the search results, so this remains unconfirmed.
How many children did Bob Jane have?
- Bob Jane had three children, including Rodney Jane.
- His ex-wife Laree supported him in court alongside the children (ABC News).
What were Bob Jane’s achievements?
- Four-time Australian Touring Car Championship winner (1969–1972) (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).
- Founded Bob Jane T-Marts in 1965, which grew to over 130 locations (Bob Jane T-Marts (official site)).
- Multi-millionaire by the 1980s, with a reputation as one of Australia’s hardest-working entrepreneurs.
The pattern: Bob Jane’s racing success was only the beginning—his real legacy was building a retail empire from a single tyre shop in Melbourne.
“I’m not happy about it. I think he has cheated me out of a lot of money.”
– Bob Jane, speaking after losing the court case (ABC News)
“The deed was breached by the plaintiff, not by the defendant.”
– Justice Michael Sifris, Supreme Court of Victoria (ibid)
Bob Jane’s death in 2024 may open new estate litigation. With a fortune tied up in real estate and store assets, the family feud may be far from over.
The catch: Bob Jane’s legal defeat in 2013 handed control of the empire to his son, and his passing could reopen old wounds.
Who owns Bob Jane now?
Who is the current owner of Bob Jane T-Marts?
- Rodney Jane took over the business after the 2013 legal battle (The Solutionist Group).
- Bob Jane had no direct role in the company after the court loss.
Why did Bob Jane sell his company?
- Bob Jane did not sell the company voluntarily—he lost control as part of the settlement and debt repayment.
- He was reportedly ordered to pay almost $1 million to Rodney after five years of litigation.
The catch: Bob Jane spent years trying to get his son jailed for contempt of court, but the legal system ultimately handed the business to Rodney. Today, Bob Jane T-Marts operates as a private company under Rodney’s leadership.
Timeline
- 1965 – Founded Bob Jane T-Marts
- 1969–1972 – Won four Australian Touring Car Championships (Wikipedia)
- 2013 – Lost $2.9 million court battle with son Rodney (ABC News)
- 2024 – Bob Jane reportedly dies (unconfirmed)
The timeline shows a rapid rise followed by a bitter fall, with the legal battle marking the definitive end of Bob Jane’s direct involvement.
What we know and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Bob Jane founded Bob Jane T-Marts in 1965
- He won four Australian Touring Car Championships
- He lost a $2.9 million lawsuit with his son in 2013
- Judge Michael Sifris dismissed his claim
What’s unclear
- Exact details of the deed of agreement with his son
- Whether his reported 2024 death was due to natural causes
- Current relationship with the rest of the family
Frequently asked questions
What is the current status of Bob Jane T-Marts?
Bob Jane T-Marts continues to operate with over 130 stores across Australia, now under the ownership of Rodney Jane.
How many Bob Jane stores are there?
More than 130 locations nationwide (Bob Jane T-Marts).
Does Bob Jane have any surviving family?
He had three children, including Rodney Jane. His ex-wife Laree supported him during the 2013 trial.
What was Bob Jane’s net worth?
At its peak, his net worth was estimated in the tens of millions. After the lawsuit, much of the wealth transferred to his son.
What racing championships did Bob Jane win?
He won the Australian Touring Car Championship four times between 1969 and 1972 (Wikipedia).
How long did Bob Jane T-Marts operate under his ownership?
From 1965 until around 2013, when control shifted to Rodney Jane.
What is the value of Bob Jane T-Marts today?
Exact valuation is private, but with 130+ stores it is a multi-million dollar enterprise.
Bob Jane’s story isn’t just about tyres or trophies—it’s about what happens when a family business becomes a family battlefield. For any Australian entrepreneur with succession plans, the takeaway is clear: put everything in writing, or risk losing both your company and your son.
Megan Morrison covers culture, lifestyle and society across Australia for Aussie Brief.