Issue 227 IVS & Issue 57 RC

Description

IRISH VINTAGE SCENE ISSUE 227

The May 2025 issue of Irish Vintage Scene goes on sale very shortly, and on the cover is one of the boldest car designs of the 1970s, particularly from the UK. The styling of the Triumph TR7 was nothing short of controversial when it was launched in 1974 but, love or hate it, it’s mellowed into a fine classic choice, and this month we meet one owner who has had a passion for the radical wedge ever since his childhood. Our second car feature visits the impressive new home for one of the most famous cars in the country – nicknamed ‘Dev’s Dodge’, this former presidential 1947 Dodge D24 limousine was the transport for both Sean T O’Ceallaigh and Eamon De Valera, the second and third presidents of Ireland. After being flooded in its previous home it’s now housed in the fantastic Clare County Museum in Ennis.

This month’s tractor feature is a slight change from the norm, telling the tale of a cherished 1960s JCB 3C that’s resided in Northern Ireland all its life. In this eightieth anniversary year of the JCB brand, we look at the history and restoration of one of the company’s pivotal models. Our motorcycle feature outlines one enthusiast’s restoration of a now-rare 1969 Yamaha YF-1 to literally concours standard, and our commercial feature delves into the history of one of the most iconic off-road/utility vehicle designs of all time – the Mercedes G-Wagen. Lots of the usual favourites are in there too, so don’t miss out!

RETRO CLASSICS ISSUE 57

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!