A new show on Ireland's classic car and bike circuit will take place at Leopardstown Racecourse on Sunday 2 July, writes Brian Byrne. The Chrome show will bring together classic car and motorcycle clubs, showcasing iconic vintage machines, from beautifully restored classics to rare and unique models.
Among those present will be the Triumph Classic Owners Club Ireland, celebrating their 100th anniversary. Other participants include the Alfa Romeo Owners Club, Blessington Car Club, Capri Car Club, Citroen Car Club, Fiat 500 Club of Ireland, Irish Mini Owners, Irish Veteran and Vintage Car Club (IVVCC), Jaguar Enthusiast Club, Lancia, Mercedes, MG enthusiasts, MK1 Golf Club, North East Vintage, Opel Scene, Rusty Vehicles Owners Club, Shamrock Car & Machinery, and the TVR Car Club.
There will be live entertainment, a children's funfair, various food vendors, crafts, an auto jumble sale, and more.
The community-based Lakers Social and Recreation Club that supports children and adults with intellectual disabilities is the charity partner for the show.
Tickets for Chrome can be booked exclusively on the show's official website at chrometheclassiccarshow.com.
A convoy of 22 classic cars from Belgium driven exclusively by women will tour in Ireland for a week from this weekend, writes Trish Whelan. They will be led by a beautiful Alvis 12/70 saloon, and will include classic BMWs, Porsches, Mercedes-Benz convertibles, Triumphs, and an ever-gorgeous Ford Mustang.
Organised from Bruges by classic cars enthusiast Wim Decraemer and his Classic Tours enterprise, the Tour des Reines will arrive in Ireland in Cork, spend three days based in the Park Hotel in Kenmare to enjoy the beauty spots of Kerry, and then drive to sample the mountains of Wicklow from the Brooke Lodge Hotel Maccredin in Aughrim. The group will finish the week in Dublin at the Guinness Storehouse, one of the city’s prime tourist destinations.
My pictures here of the cars on the Tour were taken in the Market Square in Bruges, beside the city’s famous Clock Tower, where I met up with Wim. He is pictured with his team (he’s the one not wearing a green shirt).
Have a lovely drive, ladies. Tá fáilte romhaibh go léir.
The 'Help Emma Beat It Trust' is to organise Ireland's largest outdoor Classic Car and Vintage Farm Machinery Exhibition over two days at the Ballybrit Racecourse in Galway, from 28-29 June.
Registration for the event has already surpassed all expectations and it is on course to become the largest show of its type in Ireland.
The event - which promises to be an incredible gathering of vehicles
some of which haven't been seen by members of the public in decades - has been organised to help the fund set up to support 17-year-old Emma Naughton-Heavey from Galway who is battling a rare virulent cancer called Fibrolamellar and has to travel to the USA every 12 weeks to meet with doctors there.
Thomas Heavey, Chairman of the Trust, and Emma's father, has been around the Classic scene for many years due to his work and says he has been humbled by the support that his peers are showing the cause. Emma was diagnosed with this rare cancer in January 2013.
The show will comprise of a display of vintage cars, tractors, steam engines, stationary engines and old time machinery and tools. To date, enthusiasts and clubs from across the entire country have confirmed they will attend this once-off special event. One of the highlights will be the display of steam engines which will be one of the largest ever such displays here with over 40 already booked in for the show. Emma's campaign has reached across the water as well with steam engines making their way from Scotland and from England.
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.
The Star of the Classic Supercars that will be on display at the RIAC National Classic Car Show will be the very rare and stunning Lamborghini Miura produced between 1967 and 1973, writes Trish Whelan.
The Lamborghini Miura was the world's first true supercar. Fashioned from the imagination of Lamborghinis 25 year old designer, Marcello Gandini, the car broke the mould with its exotic looks, advanced design and incredible performance. However, the wallet-wilting price tag meant only the wealthiest could aspire to owning this supercar - it was £8,050 in Britain at a time when the Jaguar E-Type cost under £2,000. Rich owners were Miles Davis, Frank Sinatra, the Shah of Iran and more recently, movie star Nicholas Cage.
Show Director Bob Montgomery said "Prior to the Miura's arrival, many sportscars had offered high levels of performance and handling but nothing compares to the radical change and impact that this car made when the prototype was first shown at the 1965 Turin Motorshow. It caused such a sensation in the industry that the ripples can still be felt today."
The Miura was produced between 1967 and 1973, with a grand total of 764 cars being constructed. On display at the show will be one of the earliest versions. Powered by a 3.9 L Lamborghini V12 engine, it was capable of producing 350bhp with a top speed of 283 km/h (176mph).
Also at the show visitors will be able to see other classic supercars; a 1964 Ferrari 250 GTL (Lusso): Lotus Esprit 300S Ford GT, Ferrari 308 GTS 2002 a Ferrari 757M Maranello, and a Lamborghini Gallardo amongst others on the classic supercar feature stand and on other displays throughout the RDS in Dublin where the RIAC National Classic Car Show takes place on 1st and 2nd March 2014.
According to police reports in the UK, thieves are targeting classic cars, with Minis, classic Ford Escorts and VW Campervans proving to be hot targets.
If it's happening across the water, it will happen here!
Classic cars are an easy target for thieves as they don't have the security features we take for granted on modern vehicles so it's important that enthusiasts take steps to secure their precious vehicles that they've probably spent time and effort in restoring.
However, many classic car owners are cautious about installing alarm systems and immobilisers as some can be unsightly.
Classic cars can be worth more in parts than as a whole, so a quick recovery is essential. Many aren't suitable for everyday use so their owners keep them in storage leaving thieves the perfect opportunity to seal them as they can be easily broken in to and hot wired or towed away.
It was the first national car show run by the RIAC since 1908 and the National Classic Car Show in the RDS at the weekend attracted large crowds of enthusiasts and motoring memories, writes Brian Byrne. We went along for a dekko and here are just a few of the lovely machines which caught the attention of our lens.
Owned by Jim Boland for the last 43 years, this beautiful Bentley Speed Six is powered by a 6.5 litre straight six with twin carburettors, and was bought from the Mayor of Cheltenham for the equivalent price of six Opel Kadetts of the time.
This Hispano-Suiza Alphonso XIII sports car will be a highlight of the inaugural Royal Irish Automobile Club National Classic Car Show, which will take place at the RDS on the weekend of Saturday/Sunday 9/10 February.
The car has a history in Ireland going back to the 1916 Easter Rising, when the driver was shot by either a ricochet or sniper fire, and the bullet nicked the steering wheel and smashed the windscreen. The driver is believed to have recovered from the bullet which had gone through him.
"It was bought by the British National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in England, and this is the first time that it has been displayed elsewhere," says event coordinator and automotive historian Bob Montgomery. "Originally purchased in Dublin in 1913, the car was registered to an Alfred Gaynor who had a business at 75 Middle Abbey Street at the time of the Easter Rising."
Another feature car will be a 1913 Daimler, part of the world renowned and extensive collection of Jim Boland from Naas, County Kildare.
Cars from the screen took centre stage at this year's Footman James Classic Motor Show in the UK with the original Volvo P1800, star of the hit 60s series 'The Saint', being unveiled to the public.
Roger Moore's trusty partner in The Saint was unveiled after major restoration.
Purchased back in 1997, the car commenced its restoration in 2007 and now, thanks to sponsorship, it was unveiled at the show by Malcolm Christopher, who was assistant producer of the 1960's thriller series.
Owned and was lovingly restored by Volvo Enthusiasts' Club founder Kevin Price, the car will make a number of appearances at shows and events throughout 2013 in aid of charities and also revisiting the studios and different locations where The Saint was filmed.
The Footman James Classic Motor Show is one of the biggest and most popular classic car exhibitions in the UK.
Malcolm Christopher is pictured with owner Kevin Price and Footman James' managing director Andy Fairchild at the recent unveiling.
Over 1,000 E-types were at Silverstone to mark the 50th birthday celebrations of the UK's best-loved sports car.
At the weekend, more than 800 E-types took part in a special parade on the full 3.6-mile Grand Prix circuit forming a mammoth E-type traffic jam. The final number of cars in the parade has been notified to Guinness World Records and the outcome will be confirmed shortly.
A record grid of 52 racing E-types contested a round of the E-type Challenge, the special race series created for 2011 to mark the anniversary year.
Supporting the E-type activities, thousands of other classic cars from hundreds of marques packed into Silverstone, with many other Jags on show including C-types, D-types, XK120s, XK140s, SK150s and more recent performance models like the XKR.
The Silverstone Classic (22-24 July) is the world's biggest classic motor racing festival and celebrates its 21st anniversary this summer.
The 20th Classic & Vintage Motor Show takes place in the grounds of Terenure College in Dublin on Sunday 3rd July from 11am-6pm, writes Jim McGuirk of The Irish Jaguar & Daimler Club.
It will include a 'stunning gathering of classic and vintgage vehicles' ranging from pedal cycles, scooters, motor cycles, three wheelers, custom-cars, kit cars to vintage, veteran and classic automobiles, fire engines, American limousines, and military vehicles.
Among the many attractions will be a once-off Jaguar Concept XK180, the RSA Rollover Audi A4 which you can sit in and experience a full 360 degree turn, simulating a car crash, with their seat belts on!
Also on view will be a 101 key Fairground Organ from Holland with over 400 pipes. There'll also be lots of entertainment for both adults and children.
This year's show is in aid of St Francis Hospice and The Childrens' Sunshine Home. The event has raised around €2 million in the last 19 years, split between various charities.
Admission: Adults €10, Family ticket €20, OAP and children €5.
Pictured is Kilcullen enthusiast Pat Foley who won a Best In Class at last year's Classic & Vintage Car Show held in Terenure College.
If you think that having all these cupholders in modern cars is an Americanism taken too far, it could be worse.
This is a 1956 Cadillac Maharani Special, which had not only cupholders, but a kitchen sink to wash them in!
It was produced for that year's General Motors Motorama travelling car show, where the giant carmaker didn't just showcase new models and technologies, but provided more than the usual 'Gee Whiz!' ideas so that its brands would be remembered.
The Maharani Special showcar was up for sale at the first of the 2010 RM Auctions events, with a guide price of up to $200,000.
A kitchen on wheels, it also features an electric hot plate, a toaster, and a refrigerator. There is enough storage for the finest china as well as a cutlery tray that features individual positions for forks, knives and spoons.
There’s even enough room for a custom-crafted folding table as well as a coffee dispenser. A chef could sit in the back and deal with the whole business while his boss looked after the commute.
Classic Car Live at Mondello Park this weekend brings together the best of Ireland's classic cars, classic car clubs and organisations, and Classic and Vintage Race cars for a day of off track and on track entertainment.
The show is a mixture of the traditional classic car display and trade stand event. There will also be high speed track sessions, parade laps and classic and vintage race car demonstrations.
The centrepiece of Classic Car live for 2009 will be a celebration of 50 years of the Mini and more than 200 examples of this iconic car are expected to fill a single section of the Mondello Park paddock. Also celebrating an anniversary at the show will be the Ford Capri which reaches 40 this year.
Admission to the event is €10 for adults with under 16s admitted free. Family tickets are also available. For further information on Classic Car Live see www.mondellopark.ie
