Issue 115 (Dec. 2015)

Description

The December 2015 edition of Irish Vintage Scene (Issue 115) is on sale now, and as always is full to the brim with top feature vehicles and show reports from all around Ireland.

Our cover story this month looks at what was probably the most radical and sensational saloon ever to enter production; it’s hard to believe that the Citroen DS is sixty this year, and its impact has scarcely lessened to this day. To celebrate the milestone, we delve into its history and meet some lucky owners of this legendary model. Conversely, our second feature car is from the opposite end of the automotive spectrum; the tiny Heinkel Kabine microcar might only have had three wheels, one-cylinder and one big access door (at the front), but it was still technically a car, and was capable of everyday transport with high levels of economy, which was the whole point. The absolute beauty we feature this month was built during the model’s production run in Dundalk, making it a rare Irish survivor. We also feature a Triumph GT6 Mk2 that’s been restored to truly stunning condition by a Northern Irish enthusiast, and in another of our new restoration series we bring you the final instalment of the resurrection of a rusty and incomplete Morris Minor van.

Our main tractor feature this month tells the story of the restoration of one of the most sought-after Ferguson models out there – the FE35 “Gold-Belly”. Even though the starting point for this project was a poor one, with battered bodywork, a badly-damaged engine and a gearbox full of water, the result is nothing short of magnificent. Our second tractor comes from the very different era of the early seventies, at the point where Nuffield tractors became Leyland tractors – this Leyland 384 is a rarity nowadays, and was picked up and restored by its current owner thanks to his memories of the same model on his family farm many years ago.

Moving to two wheels, our featured motorcycle this month is nicknamed the ‘Hybrid’ thanks to both its composition of Norton and Matchless components and its dual roles on and off the road; the 1966 Norton N15 CS was a result of Associated Motor Cycles’ combining of the engine from the Norton Atlas and a frame from Matchless (both companies in its portfolio), and was predominantly intended for the American market. Rounding off another highly-varied issue is a look at the history of the Austin Champ military vehicle, and what is thought to be the only example in the Republic of Ireland.

Event reports in this issue include the Irish Classic & Vintage Motor Show in Terenure, the Ulster Festival of Steam & Transport in Ballymena and more besides, and with all of the usual attractions in there too, plus a new monthly classic car article called ‘Gerry’s Gems’, you won’t want to miss the December 2015 issue of Irish Vintage Scene; get yours today!