Ohakune’s Dave Scott reflects on 60 years in motor industry

Dave Scott has retired after 60 years in the motoring industry.

Sixty years ago, a fresh-faced Dave Scott walked through the doors of Ford’s Reynolds' Raetihi motor company - and this year he retired from selling Fords.

After starting at age 22, Taranaki-born Scott spent 24 years at Reynolds' Ford Motor Company before the 1987 Black Monday crash put pressure on the company and forced it to close.

He then joined Wanganui Motors and operated from home in Ohakune, finally stepping down in July 2024 after 36 years. The branch was known as Wanganui Motors Scott Base Ohakune.

The 82-year-old looks back on his time with fond memories and gratitude.

“It’s been a very, very exciting time,” Scott said.

“I could’ve gone to other big cities and earned much more money but I’m happy here and with what I’ve done. I’ve had a good wife and family that have supported me and a good community that have supported me too.

“I’ve been through the best era of motor trading you’ll ever see.”

Some of his most notable memories were the launches and selling of cars such as the Capri, Popular, Anglia, Cortina, Falcon, Ranger and even a few Mustangs.

When he started in Ohakune, locals called him Grassroots Motors as he had two or three cars stationed on his grass verge and operated from his house.

In his first year, he sold 99 cars.

“I never was a car man but I was always a marketing man or someone that wanted to help people.

“I just grew into the Fords and they were always exciting.”

When Covid-19 arrived, Wanganui Motors Scott Base Ohakune shut down and Scott worked from home again.

Scott said retiring was a tough decision to make.

“I got to 82 years old and thought, ‘man I’ve got to retire somehow I suppose'. I didn’t want to because I loved the job.

“I can’t give my professional best now so it’s time I have to face up to it - it took a while.”

Dave Scott is a cherished member of the Ohakune community and founder of the Carrotland Adventure Park.

Wanganui Motors' principal dealer Mark Quirk started the same month as Scott 36 years ago and was thankful he got to know Scott.

He said he knew it would be tough for Scott to retire considering his passion for the product.

“He was just unbelievable to that blue oval. He just lived and breathed that product.

“He’ll never stop working, he was always helping out people with whatever they need, he is that sort of bloke.”

Scott delayed retiring for fear of letting down his long-time loyal customers. He recalled selling cars to three generations.

“One of my apprehensions was ‘oh, can I retire because I still have to look after those people that have been looking after me for so many years’.

“When the word came out they were very happy - I hope they’re happy in the right way.”

Scott has witnessed significant changes in the motor industry, most notably the infrequency of seeing clients and the shift to the digital world.

“I’ve gone from the days when the cars had to be serviced every month for 1000 kilometres, so you saw your clients all the time, but now they are serviced every year and you don’t see them much nowadays.

“The dealer gets less money and margin, it’s more online rather than knocking on doors and selling from connections - less personal.”

Now retired, Scott continues to put his efforts into his beloved Ohakune community.

He is the founder of the Ohakune Carrotland Adventure Park and received the Queen’s Service Order for his contributions to the community.

The park is a big tourism attraction. Scott estimates there are 10,000 visitors a month on average.

He is working 25 to 30 hours a week on the adventure park as well as working with the community group for town revitalisation.

Quirk said Scott’s status in Ohakune was celebrity-like.

“He’s a legend in Ohakune. They will miss him because he was the man on the land, he was the man to help them.

“The motor industry is tough and Dave Scott is tough, he survived it.”

Scott said he had achieved all he wanted in his life.

“I haven’t been flushed with dollars but I’ve been flushed with friends.

“My life value is my family and my friends and it’s really good.”