WITH almost five decades of experience in the automotive industry, OG Roberts & Co mechanic Mark Vaughan has immersed himself in opportunities most can only dream of.
Recently inducted into the Holden Guild Awards’ Complete Care Hall of Fame, Mr Vaughan said he has met all his life-long legends.
Mr Vaughan was recognised for donating his time and working on a South East resident’s car who was going through a “tough time”.
“She was in a rough spot and I was laying in bed thinking I was going to help her in every way I can,” he said.
“Long story short, the parts we had ordered had not turned up in time.
“So I pulled it to pieces, put it together and managed to get a brake-pad fitted.”
Mr Vaughan then went one step further and donated a fuel voucher to the car owner.
“As she was going on a trip I wanted to fill the car up as well but when I got it, it was already full,” he said.
“So I left $50 dollars in the car for her.
“She sent me back a beautiful card which made my day.”
Mr Vaughan said he first started his mechanic journey as a small spare parts interpreter, selling parts for chainsaws.
“I moved into an apprenticeship at 17 years of age and even to this day I am still learning,” he said.
“I have always had a passion for modified cars in particular and was one of the early founders of the South East Street Machines.
“I have a lovely old SLR Torana, Monaro and a VFII Commodore and as soon as you hop into one you transform into an 18 year old again.”
Mr Vaughan is also a qualified automatic transmission specialist and has worked on race cars for Stuart McColl Racing, Peter Gazzard, ‘Mick’ Doohan, Barry Sheene, Targa Tasmania and Rory Button.
A highlight in Mr Vaughan’s career was working on Mercedes Benz vehicles while employed at Carlin & Gazzard.
“Mercedes was always one step ahead of any other make of vehicle I have worked with,” he said.
“I can see innovations on newer cars now which I saw 10 years ago on a Mercedes.
“What they do filters onto every car and their technology is unbelievable.”
Mr Vaughan said he was with Carlin & Gazzard for almost three decades and has now been with OG Roberts for almost eight years.
“If I hang on for two more years I will have been involved in the industry for 50 years,” he said.
“If I hold up I might keep going.
“I still feel like a 30 year old even though I am 64.”
Mr Vaughan said he enjoys what he does and said it was not a “boring game”.
“Every day brings something different and I work on all types of cars, not just Holdens,” he said.
“I might be working on an engine or a gearbox but then I have to pull apart a seat because it is squeaking.
“I have always said if you can drive it in the door then I will always attempt to fix it.”
