The December 2014 edition of Irish Vintage Scene (Issue 103) is on sale now, and as ever is packed with a huge range of fascinating vehicle features. On the cover this month is a rare Irish-registered 1973 Humber Sceptre MkIII, a model known in its time as “the bank manager’s Hillman” thanks to its bodystyle shared with the more common Hillman Hunter. Ironically enough, the first owner of this one was indeed a bank manager in Cavan, and after some restoration work it’s now safe in the hands of an ardent Rootes car enthusiast. Our second car feature looks at something of an automotive legend – the VW Golf – which amazingly is celebrating its fortieth anniversary this year, and we also look at something completely different: a 1982 Spartan, a very eye-catching neo-classic car built in California.
Our main tractor feature this month is an amazing story of reunion – at 93 years old, Tom Larney from Co. Louth has recently tracked down the very Allis Chalmers Model U bought new by his father in 1948! We also take a look at a unusual Hela D15 tractor, a German make with a link to the Heinrich Lanz story. Motorcycle-wise this month we look at a stunning, recently restored 1953 AJS 350 trials bike which packs a rare period competition engine and a works-style frame, while our commercial feature looks at a beautiful Leyland Beaver livestock truck, complete with trailer, which was created out of a scrapyard-find airport fuel tanker, of all things. And, on the subject of aviation, we’re a very special feature this month on the Iolar, Aer Lingus’ famous 1936 De Havilland Dragon biplane that flies in honour of their first ever airliner.
Events-wise we’ve a huge array of reports this month, including the National Ploughing Championships, Charleville Vintage Show and the Connacht Veteran & Vintage Car Rally, and we even pop across the water to check out the new Footman James Manchester Classic Car Show. All of our usual attractions are in there too, so you won’t want to miss the December 2014 issue of Irish Vintage Scene; get yours today!
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Arrow Straight
While the Hillman Hunter was a very popular car in Ireland in its day, its stablemate at the top of the Rootes Arrow series, the Humber Sceptre, was a niche product aimed at the well-heeled. Nicknamed “the bank manager’s Hillman”, this month we take a look at a rare Cavan-registered survivor.
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Family Ties
When Francis Larney from Knockbridge in Co. Louth bought his Allis Chalmers Model U new in 1948, little could he have imagined the effect that this machine would have on his son, Tom, almost seventy years later.
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Hole in One
2014 marks the 40th anniversary of the VW Golf, the car that did more than its fair share to shape the cars most of us are driving today. Neil Briscoe takes a look at the Mk1’s score card to see how it became such a hit.
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Scramble to the Top
The classic trials scene has really increased in popularity in the last decade or so, as enthusiasts evoke the character and spirit of the sport as it was enjoyed in the forties, fifties and sixties. This works-type AJS shows just how attractive these machines can be.
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Career Change
It’s hard to believe when you look at it now, but this beautifully turned-out Leyland Beaver cattle lorry was once an airfield fuel truck! After plenty of restoration work by its owner it’s now been given a complete makeover.
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Show reports… countrywide
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Clare Charity Event
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Charleville Vintage Rally
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Classic Silage Working Day
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NCBI Classic Vehicle Show 2014
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West Cork Vintage Club Annual Rally
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Carlow Vintage & Classic Motor Show
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Charleville & District Veteran, Vintage & Classic Club Run
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CVVMC Annual Rally
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Tubbercurry Old Fair Day Festival
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Ballincollig & District Vintage & Classic Show
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Nenagh Classic Car Club at the North Tipperary Agricultural Show
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National Ploughing Championships
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Limerick’s Diecast Model & Diorama Show 2014
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Moira Farm & Construction Model Display 2014
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Footman James Manchester Classic Car Show
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Regulars
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 News from the ever-growning world of model collecting.
Tales From Over the Water The often offbeat stories of our roving overseas reporter, Roger Hamlin.
Retrospect A page of old and nostalgic motoring photos sent in by our readers.
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.
