The November 2014 edition of Irish Vintage Scene (Issue 102) is on sale now, and as ever is packed with a wide variety of interesting vehicle features. On the cover this month is surely a unique find; the Fiat Argenta wasn’t the most popular car on Irish roads in the early eighties, so the discovery of this mint, 50,000-mile, original Irish survivor is a real one-off. Having lain in storage for almost twenty years, it’s now in the ownership of an ardent Fiat enthusiast and its amazing condition is destined to be maintained. Our second car feature delves into one owner’s restoration of a Riley RMF, which was a real basket-case when it arrived on his doorstep three years ago; he’s done some amazing work though, and now it’s one of the most elegant saloon cars you’re every likely to see.
Our tractor features this month look at two very rare machines. The first is a stunningly-restored David Brown Thresherman, a limited-edition model that famously was created by the David Brown factory as a conversion for surplus aircraft tugs at the end of World War 2; this one was restored by a specialist in Scotland before coming to Ireland last year, and is a real eyeful with lots of glossy red paint, chrome and brass. The subject of our second tractor feature might not be as fancy but is just as rare; it’s an Opperman Motocart, a three-wheeled half-tractor/half-truck powered through its single front wheel. This one has been restored from deplorable condition by a man that worked one alongside his father in Westmeath many moons ago.
Motorcycle-wise this month we compare one owner’s NSU Quickly and Yamaha U5 to chart the kind of development that was going on in the scooter market during the fifties and sixties, while our commercial feature tells the story of a fine Bedford S-Type truck that again was literally “saved from the grave” back in the nineties. We’ve lots of event reports this month as usual, including the Irish Classic & Vintage Motor Show in Terenure and the Gordon Bennett International Rally, and also bring important news on the Road Safety Authority’s current consultation on the future of vintage vehicle roadworthiness testing in this country. All of our usual attractions are in there too, so you won’t want to miss the November 2014 issue of Irish Vintage Scene; get yours today!
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Silver Medal
The Fiat Argenta might not have broken any sales records when it replaced the 132 in 1981, but that makes them all the rarer today, and the recent discovery of this amazingly original low-mileage example made the ultimate prize for one ardent Fiat fan.
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The Thresherman
Late in 2013 a rare and pristine David Brown Thresherman came up for sale at a Cheffins auction. The lucky buyer was Phillip Greene of Vicarstown, Co. Laois, and this month we take a look at this beauty for ourselves.
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Traditional Values
The Riley RMF looks almost like a pre-war throwback, but it’s actually a surprisingly sophisticated car underneath. Michael Byrne has restored his to a level of perfection that would pass any inspection.
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Back to Basics
The years following the end of World War II saw a hugely-increased demand for simple motorised transport in Europe, but the sixties were to see huge development in the sector, as this NSU Quickly and Yamaha U5 attest.
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In The Green
The Bedford S-Type’s distinctive cab is most readily recognisable to most as the face of the Green Goddess fire engine and other military variants, but the S-Type also excelled in civilian haulage before its replacement with the legendary TK in 1959.
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Show reports… countrywide
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Shrule & District Vintage Club Rally 2014
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Trim Veteran & Vintage Car Show
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Irish Classic & Vintage Motor Show, Terenure
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Gordon Bennett International Rally
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Tullow Vintage Club Annual Show
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Portumna Vintage Club Run
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Blackstairs Vintage Club Rally
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RIAC/IVVCC Picnic in the Park
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Waringstown Vintage Cavalcade
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Tipperary Veteran & Vintage Run
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SEVMC Ardattin Rally
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North Galway Vintage & Heritage Rally
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Piltown Festival of Motorsport
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Mullingar Classic & Vintage Show
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Longford Vintage Show
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Regulars
News & Events The latest developments from all over Ireland and abroad.
Diary Dates The most comprehensive list of upcoming events in Ireland.
Club Scene A dedicated section open to every club in Ireland to promote itself and its events.
Your Letters Have your say and get it off your chest; this is your place to say
what you really think.
Laid to Rust A monthly pictorial of vehicles that are rusting away in the peace
of our countryside.
Past Times Ireland’s best-known motoring historian, Bob Montgomery looks back at motoring and motoring events in the early days.
Model Scene News from the ever-growning world of model collecting.
Tales From Over the Water The often offbeat stories of our roving overseas reporter, Roger Hamlin.
Retrospect A page of old and nostalgic motoring photos sent in by our readers.
Classifieds Looking for a classic? Well this is Ireland’s only dedicated marketplace.
Behind the Wheel Dick Byrne looks back at his memories of motoring in the last century.
