Faithful employee notches up 50 years

Today is the anniversary of his first day as an apprentice at Symes Motors in Williamson Street in 1965.

At 65, albeit at High Street and under new management, he is still fixing cars under the Symes banner.

Mr Hardiman had no desire for a fuss to be made in his 50th year but his wife and colleagues had other ideas. 

He said it didn't feel like 50 years had passed because he had filled many roles within the company and had always been stimulated by the constant technological advancement of cars.

Mr Hardiman has gone from washing cars and delivering messages by bike in the mid 1960s to being service manager and is now in the spare parts division. 

Starting with a five-year apprenticeship he said the progression to fixing cars was a gradual one, but he always enjoyed each step. 

In the early days Symes only sold two brands of car - Nissan and Datsun. 

Mr Hardiman saw these cars evolve over the years, from the days when heaters and radios were fitted separately, all the way through to the built-in satellite navigation systems and iPod connections.

The evolution of electronics is the biggest change Mr Hardiman has seen in the car industry.

Mr Hardiman believes the most significant advancement has been in electronic fuel injection and automatic transmission. 

The first major innovation he remembers was in the mid 1960s with the arrival of the Datsun 1600 because it had "radical suspension" and an impressive engine. 

Over the years Symes branched out from the Japanese brands to BMW, Hyundai, Chrysler, Volkswagon and Skoda. 

"Probably my loyalty would be with Nissan because I've had more Nissans than any other car," Mr Hardiman said.

Another change in automotive development has been in people's rising expectations of quality.

"These days for a car to do 250,000 kilometres is not considered high... whereas in the old days once a car ticked over 160,000 kilometres it was considered pretty much at the end of its time," Mr Hardiman said.

"The cost of repairing the cars has gone up, yes, but they do last longer. 

"So, (in terms of) value for money, they are probably doing better now than they were back in the older days." 

Cars used to break down more often and Mr Hardiman remembers providing a roadside assistance service.

"In the early days if someone broke down we would pick up our tools and fuel and a set of jumper leads and we'd go out and fix it," he said.

"Whereas now of course the RACV will come and maybe (they will fix the problem) if you've got a flat battery or your petrol (needs filling), otherwise they pick you up, put you on the back of a tow truck."

At 65 Mr Hardiman is showing no signs of slowing down. 

"At the moment I'm happy doing what I'm doing," he said.

"I keep on asking the question, how much money do you need to be able to retire, and nobody seems to be able to tell me, so for the time being, I'm happy to continue with the new owners, it's an exciting time."

Symes Motors in High Street changed hands six weeks ago, with the exception of its BMW business.

Mr Hardiman has been one of the few constants in years of staff turnover, but said he always enjoyed teamwork with his colleagues.

He is humble about his wealth of knowledge and said he only advised young apprentices on the older cars.

His colleagues sing his praises.

Mark Carter has worked with Mr Hardiman for 20 years and said his experience was "invaluable". 

"If you want it done, he does it. He's the first to help anyone," Mr Carter said.

"He always grabs new parts off the truck even when you tell him not to.

"He should be slowing down, shouldn't he? I don't think Pete's ever going to slow down."

Symes BMW after sales manager Greg Argus has worked for the company for 40 years and did his apprenticeship under Mr Hardiman.

"I owe where I am now today to what I learned off Peter," Mr Argus said.

"Not just about work but life too."

Mr Argus said Mr Hardiman had taken only one sick day in 50 years.