A big congratulations to Des Higgins at Des Higgins Motor Bodies in Salisbury South and Frank van Gastel at Power Brakes for reaching the significant milestone of 50 years of membership.

Des Higgins joined the MTA in 1972, back when the MTA was known as ‘South Australian Automobile Chamber of Commerce’. He has been a proud member ever since.

Mr Higgins has always operated under his own name and currently trades as Des Higgins Motor Bodies in Salisbury South, a crash repair boutique alongside a team of five mechanics.

In the early 1960s Des Higgins purchased, restored and on-sold his mate’s MG TF sports car, which “whet the appetite” for what’s been a nearly 60-year career in the automotive industry.

Since then, Mr Higgins has taken great pride in his work with all repairs completed by his craftsman. “What I love about crash repair is the challenge to take a crumpled-up vehicle and present it back to the client in a refurbished or restored condition,” he said.

According to Mr Higgins, the MTA has assisted him with negotiations with insurance companies and has helped to keep unity with all crash repairers. He believes the MTA is similar to insurance. Although he hasn’t required assistance often, he knows he has someone to back him up if need be.

For Frank van Gastel of Power Brakes in Gilles Plains, he knows his customers have come to expect a quality service and product. It’s this level of professionalism which has been his secret to success where he recently celebrated 50 years of MTA membership.

Now in his sixth decade of business, Mr van Gastel has adapted his operations to meet evolving consumer and economic conditions, and has competed with often cheaper international competitors.