The April 2014 edition of Irish Vintage Scene (Issue 95) is on sale now, and as usual is packed with a wide variety of interesting features. On the cover this month is a true rarity: an original Irish Hillman Minx Californian Coupe. Rescued from decades spent lying in a disused mill in Sligo, it’s been restored to perfection and is now owned by a childhood fan of the model whose father drove an identical car in the late fifties. Moving further into the magazine we take a look at a stunning Citroen Traction Avant, of one of the most revolutionary saloon cars of its time, and we mark the fiftieth anniversary of the rare and beautiful Gordon-Keeble GT sports car. Our tractor features this month focus on two very different machines.
Our main feature looks at the impeccable restoration in Galway of a concours-standard Massey Ferguson 135, complete with a cab fabricated just for the job; this amazing machine has been rebuilt to the highest standards in order to take on the best at the big tractor show in Malvern in the UK. Our second feature tractor is even smaller than the compact 135; this OTA garden tractor has been in its current ownership for about thirty years, but as these things often go, its restoration has only been completed in the last two years. Powered by a sidevalve engine from a Baby Ford car and featuring its original accessory OTA plough, it’s garnered much attention whenever it’s been shown.
Motorcycle enthusiasts will be fascinated to read about a very rare Irish-assembled DKW RT250, which demonstrates just how well-developed two-stroke motorcycle technology was in the sixties, while our commercial feature this month looks at a beautifully-restored example of one of the most familiar sights on Irish roads of the seventies and eighties; a Renault 4 van. This one’s been done in period-style Renault dealer livery, and is a show-stealer wherever it goes.
With event reports from the RIAC National Classic Car Show at the RDS and the Paddy Hopkirk Gala event in Belfast, plus all of our usual attractions like Laid to Rust, Your Letters, News & Events and lots, lots more, you won’t want to miss the April 2014 issue of Irish Vintage Scene; get yours today!
The Features
California Dreaming
While the Hillman Minx saloon was a popular choice in Ireland during its production run, the stylish but more expensive two-door pillarless Californian coupe version was something of a rarity even when new. Today you’ll struggle to find one anywhere, so when Rootes enthusiast James Allen uncovered this original Dublin car he didn’t let it pass.
Simply Red
For those of you who are familiar with the restoration projects of John McGann from south Galway, it will come as no surprise to you that his latest project featured here has his quality hallmark stamped all over it. This 1978 MF135 is in better-than-new condition, as Norbert Sheerin outlines this month.
Avant Garde
Citroën have always had a reputation for going their own way, both in terms of styling and engineering. Their back catalogue is littered with unusual and revolutionary vehicles, but the timelessly elegant Traction Avant must go down as one of the most important of all.
Masterstroke
Ask an Irish enthusiast to mention a German car manufacturer that also produced motorbikes and most will answer “BMW”, with some others coming up with NSU too. However there was also DKW, who produced some very fine machines including this Irish-assembled RT250 of the fifties.
Service Industry
If you were involved in the motor trade, specifically running a bodyshop business, you would think that the last thing you would want to do in your spare time would be to restore the bodywork on an old rusting van, but this is exactly what Des O’Neill did with his Renault 4 van.
Show Reports … Countrywide
- 2014 RIAC National Classic Car Show
- The Paddy Hopkirk Gala
- Kilkenny Diecast Model Toy Show
- The 1st Galway Christmas Model Show
Regualrs
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
One of the fastest-growing sectors of our hobby is the collecting and displaying of models, and each month this section brings you some of the best events and features from this vibrant scene.
Retrospect
A page of old and nostalgic motoring photos sent in by our readers.
Tales from over the water
Roger Hamlin, our roving overseas reporter, checks in each month with interesting, and often offbeat, stories from England, New Zealand, Australia and who-knows where.
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.