Irish Vintage Scene Issue 224
The February 2025 issue of Irish Vintage Scene goes on sale very shortly, and on the cover is a very special car indeed – this Opel Kadett C is not only a rare GT/E, but it was converted from LHD to RHD when it arrived in Ireland brand new in 1979, and went on to forge a prominent racing career. Having fallen into very serious disrepair several decades later, 631 MZE was taken on by a skilled enthusiast in Donegal that’s returned it to stunning condition. Our second featured car is another sporting model with an Irish competition history, a Renault 8 Gordini that used to wear the registration number FZL 345 before it moved recently to a new owner in Northern Ireland.
This month’s featured tractor is a Ford 4000 that means the world to its owner, after it served him well as a hedge-cutting rig for thirty years and became a treasured member of his family in the process. Our motorcycle feature showcases a 1963 NSU Quickly N23 that’s been recently restored by an expert in the model, while this month’s featured commercial is an ex-Burmah-Castrol 1969 Leyland Beaver that represented a twenty-year labour of love for its owner, after he bought it in the early 2000s in very poor condition. Lots of the usual favourites are in there too, so don’t miss out!
RETRO CLASSICS ISSUE 56 JANUARY-MARCH 2025
The January to March 2025 issue of Retro Classics goes on sale at good newsagents shortly, or is available direct from us by pre-ordering online quickly and conveniently, and as usual we’ve another highly varied selection of feature cars to bring you. Sitting pretty on the cover is one of the most impressive BMW E30s we’ve seen in years – a 318is M-Tech 2 that’s been thoroughly reworked by its owner, and now packs a four-litre V8, air suspension and nine-inch-wide Borbet wheels all round.
Further into the mag, we showcase a stunning VW Karmann Ghia that was built by John Maher Racing in the 2000s, complete with a very hot 1776cc engine with Porsche cooling conversion. We look back to nineties peak hedonism with a rare and fearsome, 420hp wide-body Bentley Continental T, as well as a Volkswagen Scirocco that was recently found as a rolling shell and returned to the road. We round this issue out with a very special Vauxhall Magnum 2300 that’s been part of the same Co. Armagh family since it was new in 1975.
Event reports in this issue come from the Causeway Coast Mini Show, the Lancaster Insurance NEC Classic Motor Show and the VAGE Show & Shine, and we also round up the year’s Future Classics racing series and the historic and modified classes in the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. Our regular detailing guide is packed with tips to survive the winter months in your pride and joy, 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