Ed, and his wife, Pam began Opposite Lock Accessories in Thornleigh, Sydney, in September 1974, stocking and selling motorsport equipment as well as many of the usual road car accessories. The following year, they began selling seats, driving lights, suspension, etc to 4WD owners and then rapidly progressed to bull bars, winches and recovery gear.

Ed bought a new Landcruiser FJ45 (LWB Soft Top) to tow his rally car to various Australian Rally Championship events in 1977 and soon modified this vehicle with every possible accessory. From this it was a natural progression for him to spend weekends pursuing 4WD recreation.

At the end of the 1970’s, Opposite Lock changed its direction, from the relatively limited motorsport market to the expanding 4WD market. Ed Mulligan could see the writing on the wall – Australians were changing their view of 4WD vehicles and the role those vehicles played in our daily lives.

Ed’s passion for rally driving has always been mirrored by his gusto for 4×4’s and his business acumen.
A branch of Opposite Lock opened in Melbourne in 1984, complimenting the two Sydney stores. With the ever-expanding boom in 4WDs, stores were opened and acquired in Brisbane, Canberra and Tamworth, and franchises began in the mid-80’s in Perth, Orange and Wagga.

The company had a large fleet of 4WD vehicles, including:

• Toyota Landcruiser – 60 Series & 80 Series
• Toyota Hilux – all models
• Nissan Patrols – all models
• Toyota Landcruiser 45 Series
• Nissan Navaras

The Opposite Lock company promoted its sales using a comprehensive catalogue and a wide range of magazine advertising.
Field days and motor shows promoted the company’s wide range of 4WD products that included:

• Suspension kits
• Alloy and steel bull bars
• Roof racks, including the Rhino brand
• Cibie lights
• Electric and PTO winches
• Stratos seating
• Milford cargo barriers
• Spare wheel carriers
• Long range fuel tanks
• Recovery gear

But with the arrival of Paul Keating and the floating of the Aussie dollar – the 4WD boom slowed as the recession we had to have arrived with a thud we didn’t want!  The result saw Ed sell the Opposite Lock name to his franchisees and concentrate on the previous headquarters at Rydalmere, in Sydney, now trading as Auto Team.  With lower overheads and by trading seven days a week the business grew to become Sydney’s largest 4WD outlet until Ed sold it in 1999.

In the meantime, Ed had also started 4WD World on the internet in 1995 – creating a way to successfully compete with ARB and TJM’s catalogue marketing. 4WD World combined the area of accessory specialists with service and repairs, wheels and tyres, 4WD modifications, parts operations and tours and training specialists.

The product range and outlets of 4WD World grew and, coupled with a 1800 number and Ed’s immense product knowledge attained over the years, ensured 4WD customers were well catered for with a wide range of quality 4WD products and services.

After selling Auto Team in 1999 Ed moved to the Northern Rivers area of NSW and enlarged 4WD World to cater for a wider range of 4WD products.

He formed a marketing group of 4WD Business and also did contract web development and marketing for other companies including Cooper and Mickey Thompson tyres, Milford Industries and other companies. 4WD World site then morphed into a more retail online business with suspension, lighting, barwork, winches and air bags becoming major product lines.

In later years we have started new websites to make relevant product information on each specific item much easier to find for our clients. These sites include:

• Bilstein World
• Suspension World
• Airbag World
• 4WD Shop

We are constantly improving our communication with clients via newsletters, Facebook and other systems such as Podium messaging.

Ed’s motorsport career has involved a variety of surfaces and vehicles, from competing in the 1970 Round Australia Rally as a young lad to owning and driving one of Australia’s first monster trucks and touring with the American monster truck legend Big Foot. Most, however, have involved dirt, off road and the outback, bringing a unique quality to the man who runs 4WD World.

His competition background includes:

• Rallying in State and National rallies for 45 years; he was a nationally classified rally driver (Australian top 10) 1973-1983.
• Off road racing included stadium off road events and the Goondiwindi long course.
• Circuit racing included competing in Series Production (Commodore) in 1983.
• Monster Truck competition and displays between 1985 and 1995, including the International Challenges in 1989 and 1991.

Among other accomplishments were:

• Winning 2 categories in the 7 day Silver Fern marathon rally in NZ in 2012 and 2022
• Class winner at the 2022 Sunraysia Safari off-road event
• Classic class winner in National and State rallies over many years (Ford Escort)
• Class wins in selected NZ rallies
• Winning the 5 day Esanda 2GO (1985)
• Winning the teams award twice at the televised Toshiba Rallysprint with Jim Richards

Ed has rallied a wide range of cars including:

• Ford Escorts MK1 and MK2
• Holden Commodore V8
• Holden L34 Torana
• Mazda RX2
• Mazda RX7
• Subaru RX Turbo
• Toyota Sprinter
• Peugeot 404
• Datsun 1600s (a few)

He currently competes in:

• MK2 Escort (Cosworth powered)
• Opel Manta Group 4 (V8 powered)
• BMW E30 (in NZ)
• BMW 130i (tarmac sprints)
• Isuzu D-Max 4WD (Cross Country Rallies)

BETTE PARKINSON

 Bette has been with 4WD World for over 20 years, handling all aspects of the business. She has a great knowledge of motor accessories, from cars to all makes and models of 4WDs. Her specialties include air suspension, soft tops for 4WDs (including Suzuki and Jeep) plus the entire range 4WD World handles. She drives a Pajero and enjoys caravanning with her partner as her pastime.