Down South Dream A Lifelong Passion

Alex Perkins has never wanted to do anything but fix cars.

He and wife Falon have owned Down South Car Repairs for nearly three years, after buying the business from Patrick McFadden who established the business in 2001.

“I was always just drawn to anything with wheels and engines, whether it be aircraft, cars, race cars, anything,” Alex said.

“I never envisaged or romanticised with the idea of being anything but a mechanic since I was old enough to help my uncle wrench away with his stock saloons that he used to race at Murray Bridge.”

That day finally arrived in 2002.

“I finished Year 11 on the Thursday and started work on the Friday, 8.30 bright and early and have never looked back.”

Under Patrick’s guidance, Alex said he quickly learned what it takes to work in and run a successful mechanic business.

“Doing it right the first time is the most important thing,” he said.

“I don’t want to see rework.

“And treat everybody’s car like it’s your own, whether it’s a $200 Datsun or a $200,000 Maybach.

“It’s their Mercedes, you know what I mean?

“And it’s important to have respect and rapport with customers and be able to put yourself in their shoes.”

Living The Dream

Despite fielding offers from the mining industry, it was always Alex’s dream to run his own business.

A chat with Patrick put that dream on a timeline and in 2021, the Lonsdale workshop was sold to Alex with a handshake deal.

“He said, ‘I’ve got two daughters who have no interest in the company so when the time comes, it’s yours to purchase and run.’

“That’s all I needed to know.”

Falon runs the business, front of house and also quotes on repairs, while Alex does what he loves.

“I’d be absolutely stuffed without her. I wouldn’t be as big or successful if it weren’t for Falon, that’s for sure.”

“We have a wonderful team, with two fully qualified mechanics and one 1st year apprentice, and being so busy, we are looking for another person to join our ever expanding workshop.

“They are our backbone, and we feel like it’s a family run business.

“Word of mouth is always king. It is still the best form of advertising. When you do a good job people talk.

“I’m generally three weeks booked out, all year round.

“I find myself doing 60-hour weeks when I’m not open Saturday or Sunday.

Down South services all makes and models including petrol, diesel, performance, race car preparation, log book servicing and hybrid electric vehicles.

It also boasts an EV charger and will soon expand to servicing EVs.

“Being ahead of the technological curve is hard enough as it is but in this game it’s very important because it will leave you behind in this industry,” he said.