Irish Vintage Scene Issue 226
The April 2025 issue of Irish Vintage Scene goes on sale very shortly, and on the cover is a very rarely-seen Japanese car in this country. The Mazda 818 was not only the first Mazda model to be sold in Ireland in the mid-seventies, but they were also assembled here by the O’Flaherty Group on the Naas Road in Dublin. This month we catch up with a retired Mazda dealership employee to check out his 1975 818, which is a highly-original, low-mileage survivor. Our second feature car is a stunning 1930s Hillman Minx that has been restored recently by a friend of its late long-time owner, and is ready to hit the road this summer.
This month’s tractor feature introduces us to a life-long fan of the Steyr brand from Austria, after one was bought by his family back in 1969. While he has an impressive collection of these tractors, this month we look at two particularly rare examples, namely a Steyr 180 and a larger 185, which are his pride and joy. Our motorcycle feature tells the story of a 1984 Kawasaki Z650 that’s been known to its owner since it was brand new, and our commercial feature looks back at some of our favourite classic car-derived vans that we’ve featured in the magazine over the last fifteen years or so. Lots of the usual favourites are in there too, so don’t miss out!
RETRO CLASSICS ISSUE 57 APRIL-JUNE 2025
On the cover is a Peugeot 205 GTI that’s literally the best we’ve ever seen – a low-mileage Dublin example that was in one family from new until this year, it was treated to a concours-level restoration that inadvertently made it too good for its owner to drive! Further into the mag, we showcase a Fiat 131 Sport from Northern Ireland that’s been beautifully restored by twin brothers that were brought up around Fiats, as well as a Mazda MX-5 Eunos Roadster that’s managed to woo its owner away from his previous passion of Italian classics. We round off the car features with a look at a sensational Historic-class BMW M3 rally car built as a homage to one of Billy Coleman’s competition cars in the eighties, and which recently made its debut at the West Cork Rally in March. And, one of our contributors takes a look back at The Engine Block automotive centre in Dublin, which was sadly destroyed by fire a year ago this month.
Event reports in this issue come from Retromobile Paris, Autosport International, the Gerard Murphy Memorial Run, the Killarney Historic Rally and the quirky Breakfast Roll VW meet in Co. Tipperary, our regular detailing guide informs us on the differences between caring for a classic and a modern car, and we take a look back at the often-quirky car ads of decades past, so don’t miss out!
LATEST POSTS
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR JUNE BANK HOLIDAY 2024
By Andrew Pollock, Editor With the weather forecast looking cautiously optimistic for the June Bank Holiday this weekend, here’s a rundown on just some of the events taking place around the country. Undoubtedly the largest event taking place in the south of the country this weekend is the Innishannon Steam & Vintage Rally taking place beside the Co. Cork village on Sunday the 2nd and … Read more
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR MAY BANK HOLIDAY 2024
With the rain clouds finally drying out and the sun making itself felt, hopes are high for decent weather over the May Bank Holiday weekend. And what an amazing choice of events there is, with every part of the country catered for. Here, we take a closer look at just some of them. By Andrew Pollock, Editor One of the biggest and best-known events taking … Read more
H J Pugh & Co Launch in Ireland
Founded in 1990 by Howard Pugh, Herefordshire, England-based H.J. Pugh & Co have been successfully providing auctioneering, valuation and estate agency services throughout the UK for almost 35 years. As well as regular sales of antique furniture, agricultural machinery and vintage tractors, they also provide a comprehensive service for those interested in the sale or valuation of all types of collectables. Now, the company is … Read more
Miniature World Galway 2024
Last year’s Miniature World Show was a resounding success, so much so that we here at Irish Vintage Scene have decided to move it to a new venue. As the organisers, we hated having to turn away exhibitors last year due to lack of space, and hearing that visitors to the show had parking problems, so a move to Galway Racecourse is just what the … Read more
Autojumble Season
This time of the year could be called autojumble season, as there aren’t too many shows on but are always a few autojumbles to enjoy. One that’s always worth the trip (and holds the title of being the very first event I personally reported on for Irish Vintage Scene, running the report in our first ever issue) is the Shrule Autojumble & Auction. This year … Read more
Retro Classics Issue 52
With all the hustle and bustle of Christmas, you might not have noticed that the January to March issue of Retro Classics hit the shelf just on time for Christmas. It’s still on the shop shelves, and better still, it’s available direct from ourselves, with free postage if you want the print version. However, if you’d prefer to receive it straight into your inbox, then … Read more
NEC Restoration Show Just Around the Corner
The Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show at the NEC in Birmingham has become my favourite event of the year, and it’s time to start getting excited again – it’s just around the corner on the 22nd to 24th of March, so it is time to get the flights booked up and the tickets in the bag. This show is proof that bigger is … Read more
December Issue On Sale Now
The cover of the December 2023 issue of Irish Vintage Scene marks a very special centenary from the year – Fiat’s 100 years in Ireland. To celebrate, we look at a selection of the Italian’s most famous models, showcased at the Classic Fiat Ireland anniversary bash earlier this year, as well as checking out a 100-year-old Fiat 501C that was shipped to Australia when new, … Read more
Fords Still Setting Records at Auction
Last weekend saw many Irish flock to the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show at the NEC, Birmingham. This show just gets better each year, and we will bring our readers a report on it in the magazine shortly. One of the highlights each year is the auction, which is always packed with amazing vehicles looking for new owners. This year Iconic Auctions (formally Silverstone Auctions) … Read more
WIN THIS FERGUSON TED20!
With Christmas around the corner, what better present could you win yourself than a beautifully-restored 1952 Ferguson TED20 tractor? Coming complete with an impressive potato planter and fertiliser attachment, this immaculate machine has been very kindly donated to the Seaforde Working Vintage Club based in Co. Down, and will be raffled off in December to raise funds for the Diabetic Centre at the Ulster Hospital. … Read more