Issue 51 (August 2010)

Description

August 2010, Issue 51

–       BLOWN BUGEYE: Known to the Americans as the Bugeye and the English as the Frogeye, for obvious reasons, the Austin Healey Sprite was a masterclass in simplicity. Indeed, it’s quite likely that it was the most DIY-friendly sportscar ever, although when Billy Roche bought this one as a pile of rusty parts he would have disagreed… A number of years later, after much fabrication and welding, he has turned out a fabulous-looking car, which is well-able to move thanks to the fitment of a period accessory Judson supercharger under the bonnet. Andrew Pollock brings us the full story.

–       CHICAGO SPECIAL: The Farmall C, like most of its brethren, was synonymous with the bright red corporate colour scheme. However, this month Andrew Pollock brings us the story behind this white example, which was one of only a limited run of dealer-demonstrator models. Highly sought-after by collectors today, this one has been nicely restored by its enthusiastic owner.

–       IN THE RED: It can take a lot of patience and legwork to find something out of the ordinary. When Martin Fleming decided to find himself a Ford Model T, he was determined to source a very early model. Despite their relative rarity and expense compared with their later counterparts, he was glad he did, as Andrew Pollock finds out.

–       TRADING PLACES: Classic commercials are some of the most nostalgic vehicles on the scene today, as they could be found on every main road and street corner in fifties and sixties Ireland. None more so than the Ford Thames Trader, this month Andrew Pollock meets with members of the Halfway Vintage Club in Co. Cork to check out their recently-completed Trader 70 Diesel, which enjoys a local history.

–       DOUBLE TRIUMPH: The two motorcycles in this feature share a bloodline, yet are very different in character. The first, a beautiful, standard Triumph T-100, is the last word in sixties style, while the second, a 1955-based Triton, is a highly-modified, and highly-focused, road/race machine. Andrew Pollock meets with their owner, who although modest of his efforts, is a highly-skilled restorer and no mistake.

–       THE FARMING FINN: This month Stephen McEvoy brings us something different in the form of a Valmet 20. These Finnish tractors were never very common in Ireland against the competition from Ferguson and Ford, among others, and so this 1957 example causes a stir whenever it is shown.

–       MOYNALTY STEAM THRESHING MUSEUM: Andrew Pollock travels to Co. Meath to visit the very impressive Moynalty Steam Threshing Museum, in the run up to the venue’s steam threshing the following August.

–       TERENCE BALLANCE: A CELEBRATION OF MOTORING: Norbert Sheerin meets with Terence Ballance, a highly-skilled motoring artist who excels in depicting scenes from memorable moments in Ireland’s motorsport history on canvas.

–       EVENT REPORTS: Event reports from the Ballyvaughan Old Boys’ Run, Lissarda Tractor & Vintage Club Run, Glenalvy & District Vintage Club Annual Show, Charleville & District Vintage, Veteran & Classic Club Events, Rathcormac Vintage Club Annual Road Run, Threshing at Jimmy Reddy’s Farm, The Fighting Cocks, Co. Carlow, Durrow Vintage Show 2010, the Mercedes-Benz Club Spring Run to the West, Harry Ferguson Centenary Flight Plaque Unveiling Ceremony, COVOC Norman Pratt Run, Tractor World Cork 2010, Dublin Toy & Train Fair, the Northern Ireland Farm Toy & Model Show and the Vauxhall Bedford Opel Association International Tour 2010.

–       PLUS: All your monthly favourites like Retrospect, Garage Scene, Dealers’ Wheels, Model Scene, Tales from Over the Water, Laid to Rust, Event Round-Up, News & Events, Diary Dates, Your Letters, Pastimes, classifieds and lots, lots more!