Magnificent motoring career winds down with FORD

csv8 · 08-02-2008, 11:14 AM

JOE David is 90 years old and still kicking tyres.

Queensland's oldest and longest-serving licensed motor vehicle dealer has just received his 39th consecutive annual licence renewal.

He runs Joe David House of Used Ford, at Woolloongabba in Brisbane's east, with a staff of four and is a terror for work, clocking on seven days a week.

He muses that over the years he would have sold thousands of cars – mostly Fords as he specialises in used US-made Ford F Series utilities.

"I buy trades. People ring me up and ask me what a vehicle is worth and I put a price on them and they do the deal," he said.

"I get up at 4am every day and I leave home by 6.30am, so I can get in and put the kettle on for the boys so they can have a cup of tea before they start work.

"It's like that every day except for weekends. I still come in then but it's only to feed the bloody cat."

Wife Jean is the other half of the partnership. They have been married for 62 years.

"I'm only 83," Mrs David said. "We fight and argue every day."

Mr David is proud of his business record. "In all the years I've been dealing in cars, I've never had a complaint."

He said he received inquiries almost weekly from developers wanting to buy his car yard.

"I want to to get rid of the stock this year and then I'll sell the property," he said.

I wish Joe and his wife a happy retirement . I am sure he will miss selling FORD's after all those years.