Jack Powell celebrated his 100th birthday and was presented with his 41st Volkswagen passenger vehicle from Tom Harvey Volkswagen in Thurles to celebrate this exceptional landmark. A loyal VW customer Mr Powell purchased his first Volkswagen in 1953 and drive out of the showroom in his 41st vehicle, a Polo.
Mr Powell was born on 29 May 1913, the youngest of five children of Bob and Ellen Powell. He has lived through two world wars, the War of Independence and the Civil War. Since 1953, Tipperary has won the All-Ireland hurling final a total of ten times and eight Irish Presidents have held office.
Jack recalls his first VW was a Beetle and says it had a split window and six-volt lighting and suited his job. He had 13 consecutive Beetles, 11 VW Variants, two Golf GTis, four Jettas, four Golfs and two Polos amongst others. He says his favourite was his first Golf GTi which often got him in trouble as it 'couldn't go slow'.
He will use his new Polo for domestic duties.
Paul O'Sullivan, Head of Marketing, Volkswagen Ireland says Jack was 37 years of age when the brand began manufacturing cars in Ballsbridge in Dublin. He says Jack has been a truly amazing ambassador for the Volkswagen Brand and 'we are delighted he has chosen to stay with us'.
