Traditional Tennessee Mechanic Marks 95th Birthday While Working at the Garage
News Channel 5 Nashville via YouTube
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While some individuals worry about not retiring by the age of 65, that concern has never crossed John Larkin's mind. Known as “Papa John,” this mechanic at USA Motor & Machine in Nashville, Tennessee, chose to spend his 95th birthday at work because he wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
“I just enjoy it. It keeps your mind active and keeps you out of trouble,” Larkin shared with an interviewer from News Channel 5 Nashville. “I’ve never found anything I like more.”
Born in 1931, Larkin has been working as a mechanic since 1955, during the era when the first Tri-Five Chevy and Ford Thunderbird were being released. He has spent much of his career focused on high-performance cars. Larkin is a member of the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway Hall of Fame, which honors the legacy of the half-mile oval track just outside downtown Nashville (distinct from the 1.3-mile tri-oval Nashville Superspeedway). He was inducted in 2016 and, according to a Facebook post from Nashville Fairgrounds Racing History, he was a well-regarded engine builder and official at the track.
While many others are enjoying their retirement, Larkin sought a new opportunity. He began working at USA Motor & Machine around the age of 80. Showing reporters around his workplace, he highlighted a newly rebuilt V8 intended for a Camaro. Larkin still rebuilds five engines weekly and is enthusiastic about sharing his expertise with much younger colleagues. Michael Kelly, one of his coworkers, referred to him as “the master book.”
Nashville mechanic continues rebuilding engines and working full time, celebrates 95th birthday Tuesday
Larkin’s wife passed away in 2014, but he has two daughters, a granddaughter, and appreciative coworkers. They brought lunch and cake to honor “Papa John’s” 95th trip around the sun.
It’s rare to find cars from the 1930s outside of a concours event or museum, let alone a working mechanic of that same era. However, John Larkin serves as a reminder that if you have a passion for what you do—and excel at it—age is merely a number.
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Traditional Tennessee Mechanic Marks 95th Birthday While Working at the Garage
John Larkin has been involved in car mechanics for 71 years and has no plans to quit.