Car sales king Kenny calls it a day
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IT was time to drive off into a well-deserved retirement for an award-winning local car salesman.
Kenny Gunn, from Portgordon, hung up his keys for the last time in his role as a sales executive at Honda dealer Ewen's of Cornhill recently.
It brings the curtain down on a career in car sales spanning more than four decades at dealerships across the north-east.
Looking back on his career, Mr Gunn said: "In May 1981 almost 41 years ago, I started selling cars after being trained as a motor mechanic by Dougie Forbes.
"When I was a mechanic I used to assist my father, Jimmy, who was a driving instructor, fix his car. I had all the parts to maintain his Ford Escorts and Rover Metros and would work into the wee small hours after he finished at 10pm to make sure the cars were kept in tip top condition for his pupils.
"I sold MG/Rover cars in Archibald Motors in Buckie for over 12 years before moving on to Falcon Motors in Elgin for a year before it was bought by Alan Milne.
"I went on to work there for almost four years.
"After that I worked at Ewen's of Cornhill selling MG/Rover and then Honda cars, something I've done for the last 24 years.
"I have been delighted to work in these dealerships and I am proud to have been involved with the national award winning team for customer sales and service Ewen's. We were top UK Honda dealer for three years and topped the northern region for seven years.
"Having dealt with generations of families it has been very rewarding to have provided them with excellent repeat sales and importantly the back up to retain the customers. It has been a privilege to serve them for so long."
However, it is now time for Mr Gunn to take the pedal off the metal a tad and enjoy lift at a slower pace. Indeed, as part of their parting gifts his former colleagues at Ewen's cheekily included two balls of wool and knitting needles to help keep him occupied during his retirement.
However, it is unlikely their services will be required.
Mr Gunn added: "At 63 I am about to become a grandfather and Vanessa a grandmother – we are looking forward to changing from one set of four wheels to a more sedate pram which is more environmentally friendly and will hopefully get us fitter, too.
"Still with more time available I hope to concentrate on my passion of Portgordon fireworks which we have had to put on the back burner for two years and hopefully the fireworks event will definitely be up in the air for 2022.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank customers, colleagues, family and friends for their valued support, great cards, gifts social media comments."
