Issue 210 (December 2023)

Description

The cover of the December 2023 issue of Irish Vintage Scene marks a very special centenary from the year – Fiat’s 100 years in Ireland. To celebrate, we look at a selection of the Italian’s most famous models, showcased at the Classic Fiat Ireland anniversary bash earlier this year, as well as checking out a 100-year-old Fiat 501C that was shipped to Australia when new, but ended up being fully restored in Co. Cork in recent times. Our second featured car is, in our opinion, one of the most handsome British cars ever built – this Rover 3500 SD1 is a now-rare Series 1 from 1978, and its restoration came about thanks to its owner’s memories of the four SD1s owned by her father back in the day.

This month’s tractor feature is a tale of reunion, as this David Brown 880 was bought new by its owner’s father in 1971, but disappeared from the family’s radar up until it was spotted in a hedge in 2019! Our commercial vehicle feature looks at a Citroen AK400 van that was one of a small number of RHD versions built for the Belgian postal service, and rounding off our features for this month is a pair of classic small Yamahas, an RS125 and RXS100, which are real pieces of nostalgia for any biker that started their riding days on a two-stroke.

Lots of the usual favourites are in there too, including event reports from earlier in the year from the Ballyfin Vintage Rally, Malahide Lions Club Classic Car Show, the Chrome Classic Car & Bike Show and the Monaghan V&V Rally, so don’t miss out!