Irish Car+Travel was invited to a special press preview of the fastest car ever built, Bloodhound SSC, in the RDS Simmonscourt ahead of tomorrow's opening of the RIAC National Classic Car Show, writes Trish Whelan.
While the Bloodhound SSC with its Rolls-Royce EJ200 jet engine from a Eurofighter Typhoon - looks just like a long jet engine with a seat - was the absolute star of the show (pictured), we got to meet with many members of the Vintage Car clubs around Ireland, getting their cars in place ready for tomorrow's opening.
But first a few words from Show Director Bob Montgomery (pictured above) who says he has now 'stopped worrying' about having everything ready on time. "I even had my best night's sleep in around three months last night," he quipped.
"I have been planning this show for the last 12 months - the biggest thing is sourcing the cars. There's a fantastic selection of cars in this country," he added. He said some 18 clubs from all over the country had taken part in last year's show in February, but this year this number has stretched to 40 clubs. Bob says this is an indication of how the whole think has grown. "We're using every bit of space available here in the Simmonscourt halls and I'm told it's the first time this has happened since the start of the recession in 2007."
From the fastest car ever built, we came across what is perhaps the smallest car a person could squeeze into, the tiny Peel P50. Here Ron Corry and Eugene Markey from the Breffni Vintage Club based in Belturbet were minding the stand (pictured). The Peel is owned by Patrick Monaghan from Enniskillen, a member of the Breffni Club, who has owned it for about five years.
Cecil Troughton and his wife Betty from Poyntz Pass, Newry were there with their 1949 Series 1 Land Rover which Cecil says has been in the family for quite some time. "It was a lucky yard find," he said. He had undertaken the restoration work himself, and he and Betty have taken it on holidays around the County Down coast. (Pictured below)
Another 'barn' find lovingly restored was a 1959 MG Alfa 150cc, assembled by Booth Poole in Dublin and owned by Bobby Kinsella from Clondalkin.
Keeping the car spic and span were Paul Noctor and Tommy Sheridan, both from Swords and members of the Irish Veteran & Vintage Car Club (pictured below). The car still starts and runs. There's a photo-account of how the car was restored from a 'wreck' to its pristine condition.
The Keenan family of Niall, Paul, Sean and Dad Pat from Abbeyshrule, Co Longford, have been busy restoring a few Citroen 2CV cars. One was a barn find, found 'just down the road from us in Ballymahon', Pat explains. In the centre of the photo is an Offaly registered car currently being restored. The finished product is on the left of the picture. All were originally sold in Ireland. Pat is one of the Dealer Principals (with David Bauer) of Keenan Bauer Motors, Mullingar, who were awarded the title Citroen Motors Ireland Dealer of the Year 2013.
Andrew Bailey from Stepaside, in South County Dublin was busy polishing up his Riley 124 Special. "I bought it in Germany last November and drove it back to Ireland," he told us.
His son Sam was taking good care of a 1932 Woleseley Hornet Special, the only Wolesleys regarded as being sporting enough to be accepted by the Vintage Sports Car Club. In the early 1950s, the car belonged to Basil Bryan, a farmer from Mullinahone.
Sam Bailey
It was then bought by the owner of Corcoran's Pub in Frenchpark. Found by Kieran White and the late John Porter, it was bought in 1999 by John Wilkinson in a derelict state. He restored it to its present condition and sold it to its current owner, Christopher Lee, of Bagnalstown, in 2001. (Pictured below).
Andrew Bailey and his wife
The MG Enthusiasts Club Ireland were well represented with many cars being moved into place in the hall. A red MG TF, from the 11950s, is owned by Pat O'Brien of Templeogue, in Dublin. An MGB GT 19973 owned by Geoff Seymour from Kilmacanogue, Co Wicklow, has been completely restored from the shell up. "I've had it from '71 when it was a dark green colour," he said. It was one of the last such cars assembled by Booth Poole in Dublin, and Geoff is the car's third owner. It's black now!
On our rounds, we also met with Rally legend Paddy Hopkirk, who was considered to be the Stirling Moss of his time in rallying. He won the Monte Carlo Rally back in 1964. Paddy is pictured with motoring journalist and former racing driver Martin McCarthy. The show takes place tomorrow Saturday, and Sunday.
Alton Towers Resort reopens for the new season on March 22nd and Irish Ferries Holidays is celebrating with a two for one offer on tickets to Britain’s top theme park — representing a saving of €80 for a family of two adults and two children.
Looking further ahead, Irish Ferries’ Easter offer for thrill seeking families is €439 for a 3-night stay with breakfast in the nearby Holiday Inn Express Hotel for two adults and two children under 11 years, inclusive of return car ferry crossing and one full day at Alton Towers, valid for travel between April 4-27.
With over 30 white-knuckle rides, highlights at Alton Towers include Thir3teen, Oblivion, Nemesis and the Guinness World Record-breaking ‘Smiler’ featuring a 30-metre drop, a speed of 85km/hr and a ride time of 165 seconds.
Bookings can be made on 0818 300 400. For further information visit www.irishferries.com/alton.
A Volvo Concept Estate to debut at Geneva Motor Show next week, previews the sleek look of the brand's future wagons, with simpler interiors where a large touchscreen replaces most buttons and controls, writes Trish Whelan.
Volvo says the Concept Estate's low hood, sleek silhouette and glass roof make it look dynamic yet capable.
The 3-door sports wagon concept is the latest Volvo concept to show the brand's future look and feel ahead of launching the crucial second-generation XC90 premium large crossover later this year. It has been 13 years since the original XC90 debuted.
Volvo says the Concept Estate shows how they plan to capitalise on the success of current-generation wagons such as the V70 and XC70 while also taking cues from vintage models. The concept's rear borrows from the design of the 1800 ES from the early 1970s. The 1800 models also provided inspiration for the concept's two-spoke steering wheel, instrument panel and dials.
The concept car showcases how this user interface will be integrated in their new car generation. The model poised to benefit first from the features displayed in Volvo's three concepts is the new XC90. It has been 13 years since the original XC90 debuted.
Deliveries of the new XC90 are set to begin in early 2015.
Holcroft Motors, Main Peugeot Dealers, Matthews Lane, Drogheda, were crowned Franchised Aftersales Operation of the Year at the annual Society of the Irish Motor Industry annual awards in Dublin on 20 February, writes Trish Whelan.
The accolade was presented to Derek Holcroft, Dealer Principal, in front of over 500 members of the Irish Motor Industry.
These annual awards honour motor businesses that have demonstrated excellence and best practice, even in the face of extremely challenging economic times.
Judges recognised Holcroft Motors' 'consistent commitment to exceeding customer expectations, all the while achieving a balance of workshop productivity and affordable maintenance'. The award was presented to Derek Holcroft by Alan Nolan, Director General of the SIMI and Paul Smith, Head of Castrol in Ireland.
The award was open to over 1,000 garages in Ireland.
Pictured left are Des Cannon, Managing Director at Gowan Distributors Limited, Peugeot Importers in Ireland;and Derek Holcroft, Dealer Principal at Holcroft Motors.
Cork Truck Services of Old Mallow Road, Cork, have had their appointment as main sales dealers for Mercedes-Benz light commercial vehicles confirmed at an official contract signing which took place at the headquarters of Mercedes-Benz in Ireland recently.
Cork Truck Services has been an approved After-Sales dealer for Mercedes-Benz commercials for a number of years.
Cork Truck Services director Stephen Ferriter says that adding Mercedes-Benz sales greatly strengthens their business opportunities and was a natural step in providing their customers with a full offering of Mercedes-Benz services and products.
Director Stephen Ferriter is pictured (centre) with his brother David, with Stepehn Byrne (left), Chief Executive Mercedes-Benz, and Fergus Conheady (standing), Sales Manager for Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles in Ireland.
The 2014 Nissan Qashqai which went on sale here last month has been awarded a maximum five stars for safety from Euro NCAP, writes Trish Whelan.
It scored 88 percent for adult occupant protection, 83 percent for child occupant protection, 69 percent for pedestrian protection and 79 percent for safety assist features.
The model tested was a 1.5d.
Three engines are available here in Ireland; a 1.2 petrol, and 1.5 and 1.6 diesels. Qashqai is offered in both 2WD and 4WD variants, and manual and CVT transmissions. C02 emissions are from 99g/km and the rated fuel consumption starts at 3.8 L/100km (74.34mpg).
More than 20,000 Qashqais have been sold in Ireland since it was first launched in 2007. Prices are from €24,495.
A Mini Clubman concept to feature at next week's Geneva Motor Show will offer the prospect of a 'proper' 4-door Mini in the traditional design mode, writes Brian Byrne.
The concept dumps the third half-door idea in the current Clubman, allowing decent access to the longer and wider vehicle. Not least, this means that in RHD markets like Ireland, Australia and Japan, rear occupants don't have to egress into traffic.
Just as important, the car's dashboard finally puts the important driving information directly in front of the driver, and the icon mid-dash circle becomes a touch-screen for managing ancillary functions, using 'haptic' technology that feeds back a sense of which virtual button is being pressed.
This could be the most important Mini concept for a generation, as it signals a major shift from iconic cute to practical usability.
As usual, we'll be at Geneva, giving you the live coverage which adds the Irish context to the most important European motor show of the year.
A teaser picture from Rolls Royce suggests that a mid-life update to its 2009 Ghost will have more modern headlights and a streamlined treatment to the front, writes Brian Byrne.
The car is also likely to get some new technology in communications and GPS-related transmission management.
The Ghost Series II will lead interest at next week's Geneva Motor Show. No changes are expected to the 563hp V12 twin-turbo petrol engine.
An increasing number of Hyundai's customers in Europe are coming back to buy a second car from the brand, writes Brian Byrne
So says Alan Rushworth, sales boss for the Europe region for Hyundai, noting that around half of owners are coming back to the brand compared to something over a third four years ago.
It's estimated that there are some 6m Hyundai cars currently in ownership in Europe, and seven out of ten of them are less than seven years old.
Meanwhile, Hyundai will introduce its luxury Genesis sedan to Europe this year in a carefully-selected small campaign to win around 1,000 customers from BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class owners.
The Genesis, which has already gone on sale in South Korea and the US, will feature at next week's Geneva Motor Show. We'll be there, and will give you further details live from the show.
Subaru Ireland has rolled out the new Outback diesel automatic at a price of €44,995, writes Brian Byrne.
The nameplate was first launched in Europe in 1996, and this latest derivative of the current generation has improved handling among a number of other changes for 2014.
The automatic is a CVT with seven shift points and the car offers fuel consumption of 44.5mpg equivalent.
The Outback is based on the estate version of the Legacy and has 200mm of ground clearance, allowing it to be driven in rugged terrain.
Let's face it, hybrid cars are not everybody's cup of tea, writes Trish Whelan. They have different characteristics from conventional cars.
For readers who still aren't too hybrid-savvy, the hybrid system combines a combustion engine and an electric motor, improving fuel efficiency and reducing dirty exhaust emissions.
The full hybrid drive system in the third-generation Lexus IS 300h combines a 143bhp electric motor with a newly developed 2.5, 181bhp, four-cylinder petrol engine.
This hybrid saloon ticks so many positive boxes, and just a few negative ones. The car is strongly styled, has a really upmarket and beautiful interior, seats five, is reasonably priced from €37,780, boasts low C02 emissions, and comes with a fine big boot.
On the other hand, seating five is really only at a squeeze and it has no spare wheel.
Volkswagen Ireland is recalling 523 Caddy Vans to deal with a potential problem with the tailgate, writes Brian Byrne.
The recall comes about as part of continuous vehicle field observation by Volkswagen AG Quality Assurance.
The ball pins which attach the tailgate gas-pressure dampers to the vehicle may be pre-damaged on the third generation of Caddy models fitted with tailgates and built since 2003. To prevent the tailgate from dropping down unexpectedly if the ball pin becomes detached, a new mount for the gas-pressure damper will be fitted as a precaution and as part of a world-wide recall.
This recall affects a total number of 589,000 Caddy models (523 vehicles in Ireland) that were built between November 2003 and January 2013 and are fitted with tailgates (not with folding doors fixed to the sides).
Volkswagen's Polo supermini will debut a range of more efficient and more powerful engines at Geneva next week.
The parade of premiers include the Polo BlueMotion, Polo TDI BlueMotion, Polo Blue GT and the CrossPolo.
Engines include a new 1.0, 3-cylinder turbo charged petrol engine which has earned the BlueMotion label and a diesel 1.4, 3-cylinder with three power outputs.
Overall, Volkswagen claim they have reduced fuel consumption by 21 percent. The revised car also features new trim.
WingsAbroad, the Turkish holiday specialists are offering a Spring break to Turkey, writes Trish Whelan.
Easter departures are 19 and 26 April and prices are from €369. Stay at the 4* Golden Day Wings Hotel in Kusadasi, enjoy breakfast each morning, watch the sunsets from your balcony each evening. Then finish off your day and sit back and be entertained at one of the live shows.
The hotel is located approximately 200m to the Marina, 300m to the town beach, and around 500m to the town centre. Standard rooms accommodate up to 2 adults and 1 child; large rooms accommodate 2 adults and 2 children, or 3 adults and 1 child.
Departing 19th April, for 7 nights, €489 or stay 14 nights from €499. Depart 26 April, for 7 nights, €369, or stay 14 nights from €409.
Package includes return flights, return transfers to hotel, hotel as specified and 20 kg luggage allowance. www.wingsabroad.ie, or visit your local travel agent.
A new 1.6 diesel engine which Toyota has sourced from BMW is to become the key power unit for the model, writes Brian Byrne. It's available on the Irish market as from this month.
The company expects that more than half of the units sold in Europe will have the engine, which is dreived from the one used in the BMW 1 Series and the Mini.
A number of modifications have been made by Toyota to the engine to allow it match the needs of the Verso, which up to now was only available with large capacity 2.0 and 2.2 diesels in addition to its petrol engines.
Suggestion that Toyota may also offer the engine in the Auris hatchback have failed to draw a response from the Japanese company.
A Jaguar XFR-S Sportbrake to be shown at Geneva next week will be the brand's most powerful ever estate car, writes Brian Byrne.
The supercharged 5.0 V8 under the hood outputs 550hp and pulls 680Nm of torque, and can sprint to 100km/h in around 4.8 seconds. An 8-speed automatic transmission gets the power to the road efficiently.
The car will be the flagship in a revised MY 2015 range of XFs, the Sportbrake versions of which offer a cargo capacity of up to 1,675 litres.
Skoda Ireland recorded record sales of 1,635 models for January 2014, a 31 percent like-for-like increase on 2013.
Driving that January growth was the Skoda Rapid that saw a 47 percent sales increase compared to January last year, combined with access to car finance through their financial partner Volkswagen Financial Services.
In 2013, Skoda Finance provided finance totalling €31,2 million to fund its car sales in Ireland. This is a 52 percent increase on the 2012 finance figure of €20.5 million. Some 31 percent of Skoda's customers who purchased a new car last year did so through Skoda Finance, the highest of any brand in the Volkswagen Group.
Sales were helped by Skoda's recently appointed new dealers which include Spirit Skoda, Sandyford, in South Dublin; Mullingar Autos; Brady's Cavan, and Michael Moore Car Sales, Athlone, bringing their retail network to 25 outlets. Up to 30 new jobs were created within the new dealerships.
Ciara Walsh, Skoda Marketing Communications Manager; and Raymond Leddy, Head & Marketing & Product Skoda Ireland pictured at Spirit Skoda in Sandyford, Co Dublin.
The world's largest collection of cars used in the James Bond movies is for sale, writes Brian Byrne.
They're owned by property millionaire Michael Dezer, and he's offering the 59 vehicles for a one-lot sale at £20m.
In addition to the 'standard' Aston Martins and more recent Jaguars, plus the 'odd' submersible Lotus Esprit, there's even a Russian T55 tank driven by Pierce Brosnan in 'Goldeneye'.
