Benburb salesman retires after ‘incredible’ 60-year career

WHEN Patsy Lennon began selling Land Rovers in Dungannon in 1962, little did he know his career with the well-known brand would stretch for another 60 years.

Benburb man Patsy worked for the same Land Rover retailer for the entirety of his lengthy career, first under the Dan Davidson name, then WH Alexander and – as it is today – Donnelly Group Jaguar Land Rover.

Rawdon Glover, Jaguar Land Rover UK managing director, said, “We can’t thank Patsy enough for his frankly incredible career selling Land Rovers.

“His customers and his colleagues at Donnelly Group speak so highly of him as a man who consistently shares his enthusiasm for Land Rover, even after six decades.

“Through five generations of Range Rover, five generations of Discovery and the introduction of game-changing models like Evoque, Patsy embraced Land Rover from utilitarian British start-up to global automotive powerhouse.

“We’re exceptionally grateful for the part that Patsy has played in that success.”

But while the location remained the same over Patsy’s 60 years, the process couldn’t have been more different.

During his early years, Patsy would make visits to local farms and allow potential buyers to test drive the car, experiencing its peerless off-road ability, its strong powertrains and its rugged simplicity. The Series II was the ultimate go-anywhere vehicle; there were variants designed as mobile cinemas, armoured cars, crop sprayers and the more obvious ambulances and fire engines.

Eight years into his career, in 1970, the first major leap in Land Rover’s evolution to luxury brand would take place with the introduction of the Range Rover. Available for £1,998 it was powered by a 130bhp V8 engine and came with permanent four-wheel-drive to complement an elegant three-door design.

Patsy would go on to witness the genesis of model lines that still define the Land Rover brand today, starting with the Discovery in 1989.

His sales environment would transform from muddy fields to a state-of-the-art dual brand showroom, complete with the latest technologies and interior design trends. But his close connection to his customers never changed.