Dublin car showroom hosts unique exhibition of vintage Mercedes-Benz cars

A selection of the most iconic and rare vintage passenger cars from the acclaimed O’Flaherty Mercedes-Benz Classic Collection is on exhibition from today in the recently redeveloped showrooms of MSL Ballsbridge Motors on Dublin’s Shelbourne Road.

Intended as a tribute to company founder, the late Stephen O’Flaherty and his eldest sons, Michael and Nigel O’Flaherty, this is the first occasion on which the Collection will be placed on display for public viewing.

Cars from the collection will be displayed on a rotational basis for a limited four-week period in each case throughout the year, each model being replaced by another until visitors have had the opportunity to view all of the cars involved.

Centrepieces at a reception to launch the exhibition were the two most prized models in the O’Flaherty Mercedes-Benz Classic Collection. These are a limited-edition working replica of Karl Benz’s famed 1886 Benz Patent Motor Car, the world’s first passenger car, and a 1898 Benz Velo Comfortable — the first motor car ever imported into Ireland.

Amongst the models that will feature for periods throughout the course of the year will be an extremely rare 1911 vintage Benz model 8/18, the imposing 1935 Mercedes-Benz 200 two-door sports-roadster, a 1936 500 K Cabriolet and a two-door 1955 300 SL Gullwing with its distinctive upwards-lifting doors.

Showrooms at MSL Ballsbridge Motors can accommodate over 30 vehicles. In addition, the location has its own very special place in Irish motoring history, being the premises where, in 1950, the first Volkswagen Beetle built outside Germany was assembled.

Pictured are the 1911 Benz 8/18 (top), 1935 Mercedes-Benz 200 (above),  and (below) 1936 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet.

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Classic & Vintage car auction on Sunday

A 1977 Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 is one of a number of exotic cars which will be on sale at the Classic & Vintage event organised by Merlin Car Auctions on Sunday 5 February, writes Brian Byrne.

The sale will be held at the Merlin premises at Junction 10 Naas Road, with viewing from 11am and the proceedings beginning at 1pm.

Other cars among the 100 vehicles in the sale include an updated 1949 Oldsmobile Chop Top, a 1967 Mercedes-Benz 250SL LHD Convertible, and a 1972 Kyote II Wagon of which similar were driven by silver screen stars such as Steve McQueen, James Bond in Diamonds Are Forever, Jimi Hendrix and The Monkees.

There are also  a 1954 Austin A30 Seven 803, a 1964 Hillman Minx and a 1953 MG Midget TD Convertible as well as Porsches, Jaguars and more.

Capri Club plan 45th Anniversary

The 45th Anniversary of the Ford Capri will be celebrated at the Ireland Heads West for Emma outdoor Classic, Vintage Car and Farm Machinery show in Galway from Saturday 28 to Sunday 29 June, writes Trish Whelan.

The Capri Club of Ireland are planning a major display of this iconic vehicle, on the Sunday to coincide with the 45th anniversary of the car's launch in 1969.

The club have set themselves a high target of having 45 Capris on display on the Sunday of the event. This will be the largest display of the Ford Capri seen in this country for a number of years.

They will have a joint stand with the Gerard Murphy Memorial Club at the show and are inviting all Capris to join them on the stand.

Rare Frazer Nash Sebring coming to Galway

Organisers of the Ireland Heads West for Emma outdoor Classic, Vintage Car and Farm Machinery show, in aid of cancer sufferer Emma Naughton-Heavey, will have one of the rarest cars in the world, the Frazer Nash Sebring (pictured), on exclusive view to the public at the Galway event on Sunday 29 June, writes Trish Whelan.

Only three were ever produced.

Frazer Nash was a British spots car manufacturer and engineering company founded in 1922. Producing cars and motorbikes up to the start of World War Two, the company temporarily switched to manufacturing turrets for aircraft bombers including the famous Lancaster.

Following the end of the war, Frazer Nash returned to car manufacturing. Utilising a Britol built engine which was derived from a BMW 328 brought back from Germany in 1948, they began to build a series of notable sports and racing cars, the most famous of which is arguably the Frazer Nash Sebring.

Event organiser Thomas Heavey says "To have one of these cars at the show is a privilege. Along with all the other classic cars, tractors, steam engines that will be on show, there will be something of interest for everyone."

Regarded as one of the most important of all post war Frazer Nash cars produced, this two-door roadster has a special front suspension system using a double wishbone confirmation and a different rear suspension. This combination wasn't used on the other Sebrings or any other Frazer Nash car produced. It also had an upgraded engine, fin brake drums and an aluminium petrol tank. The 2.0 engine is a naturally aspirated, overhead valve, 6-cylinder that produces 140bhp and has a maximum speed of 209km/h (130mph) which was highly regarded at the time. It could go from 0-60mph in 8 seconds (0-100km/h) in 8.3 seconds.

Ireland Heads West for Emma takes place in Ballybrit Racecourse on Saturday 28 (from 3-9pm) and on Sunday 29 June (10am-6pm).

The main sponsor of the event is Sweeny Oil.