Issue 209 IVS & Issue 51 RC

Description

IRISH VINTAGE SCENE ISSUE 209

The cover of the November 2023 issue of Irish Vintage Scene is devoted to two Minis that have been recently restored by a true enthusiast in his mid-seventies, with help from good friends and two younger generations of his family. Thanks to his memories of watching Minis tear around the old Dunboyne racing circuit near his home, both cars have also been endowed with some subtle upgrades to put a touch more pep in their step. Our second featured car is another once-common family motor that’s now highly collectable, a 1979 Toyota Corolla KE30 that’s been with its current owner since 1985 and is just as cherished now as it was back then.

This month’s featured tractor is a truly unique machine, a Massey Ferguson 135 that’s been modified to incorporate two seats and two steering wheels for a very touching reason. Our commercial vehicle feature looks at a rare 1939 Morris 10cwt pickup that’s far from concours but bursting with character nonetheless, while rounding off our features for this month is a Francis-Barnett Cruiser 80 motorbike from the early sixties that was found in bits as an unfinished project during a house clearance, and has recently been put back together. Lots of the usual favourites are in there too, so don’t miss out!

RETRO CLASSICS ISSUE 51

The October to December 2023 issue of Retro Classics is now on sale at good newsagents nationwide, or direct from us by ordering online quickly and conveniently. As always, we’ve combed the island for some of the most interesting classic and retro machines, starting with our very eye-catching cover car. It’s hard to believe now, but about a year ago this Toyota MR2 was sitting in a scrap pile as a parts car, with no engine or gearbox, missing components, faded paint and a rotted sill! Only after a change of heart by its owner did its fortunes turn around, resulting in one more of these mid-engined legends being returned to the road.

Further into the mag, we also feature a Mini 1275 GT that’s decades in the making, a beloved VW Polo that’s gone from learner car to show stopper, an unrestored Toyota Celica GT4 and a lairy pair of hot Fords – a 1700 crossflow Anglia and ST170-powered Cortina – both built at home. Reports in this issue come from Classic Fest 2023, the Donegal International Rally, Cultra Hillclimb, Here Comes the Sun, Carlow Vintage & Classic Motor Club’s Oak Park Show, the Clonmel VCC Car Show and the Celica Ireland Birthday Meet at Slane Castle, along with our regular detailing guide and a look back at the often-quirky car ads of decades past, so don’t miss out!