The January 2015 edition of Irish Vintage Scene (Issue 104) is on sale now, and as ever is packed with a wide variety of interesting vehicle features. On the cover this month is a lovely story for several reasons; this 1977 VW 1200 was bought new in Kells, Co. Meath, and even though it passed through many owners since then, it never strayed far from the greater environs of the town. Having fallen into serious disrepair, it got its lucky break when it was picked upon by a young female car fan, who has now completed its restoration with the help of her dad. Our second feature car is also air-cooled, rear-engined and an automotive legend; this Fiat 500L is a pretty rare right-hand-drive model, and was rescued in poor condition from an underground car park in Dublin a couple of years ago and restored by its enthusiastic owner, just in time for his daughter’s wedding.
Our main tractor feature this month is a really fantastic tale of reunion, and one that got plenty of attention in the national media during the year. It tells the story of Charlie Keegan, the first Irishman to win the World Ploughing Championships in Austrian in 1964, and the efforts that his grandson, Michael, took recently to honour the 50th anniversary of that victory by restoring the Deutz D40L tractor his late granddad used in that competition so that it could be put on display at the 2014 National Ploughing Championships. Our second tractor feature looks at the restoration of a Massey Ferguson 165, which really stands out from the crowd due to the fact that it wears a restored canvas Flexi-Cab, an unusual sight on the rally fields.
Motorcycle-wise this month we bring you another reunion story – Vinnie Monahan’s restoration of the Yamaha V50 that his father bought brand new in 1980 – while our commercial feature looks at a beautiful Ford Thames 400E pickup that’s recently been restored to stunning condition in North Co. Dublin. We’ve lots of event reports this month as usual, including the 50th National Steam Rally at Stradbally, the Mountbellew Vintage Show and the ‘Spirit of Dunboyne’ Festival of Motorsport, and as this is our Christmas issue, we’ve plenty of special giveaways with some excellent prizes to be won! You won’t want to miss the January 2015 issue of Irish Vintage Scene; get yours today!
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The Village Volkswagen
Eighteen-year-old Laura Morgan’s 1977 Beetle has a fantastic history, having never left its home town of Kells, Co. Meath since new. As a result, the car has a very strong local connection. Shane Cranney tells us the charming story behind this remarkable Volkswagen.
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My Grandfather’s Plough
The name Charlie Keegan might not be familiar to all of our readers, but to many he was a legendary champion who put Ireland on the world competitive ploughing map. Now, his famous victory of fifty years ago has been marked by a unique Deutz tractor restoration.
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Tiny Treasure
The Fiat 500 of 1957 was so good that it remained in production until 1975, and has recently spawned a modern remake. Lar Cummins’ lovely 1970 500L shows us just how charming these little cars can be.
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V50 Ressurected
The Yamaha V50 comes with a strong and reliable mechanical pedigree, although never matching the popularity of its arch rival, the Honda 50. This 1980 example has recently been restored by the son of its first owner, and looks just like new.
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In The Trade
Ford’s Thames 400E van might not receive as much limelight as its legendary replacement, the Transit, but for almost ten years it was the mainstay of Ford’s light commercial operations. They are a rare sight nowadays, making this Dublin beauty all the more of a treat.
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Show reports… countrywide
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Hollymount Vintage Rally
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‘Spirit of Dunboyne’ Festival of Motorsport
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Dublin Port Rally
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Kilkenny Motor Club Annual Show
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Breffni Vintage Club Memorial Run
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Cortina Owners Club of Ireland at Kilkenny Motor Show
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Baltinglass Classic Run
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Crookstown Vintage Show
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Fiat 131 40th Anniversary Run
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Ford Cortina Enthusiasts at New Ross Ford Show
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Charleville & District Veteran, Vintage & Classic Club Tractor Run
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Dunmore & District Vintage Club Day
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Longford Vintage Club Open Day
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Mountbellew Vintage Show 2014
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Stradbally Steam Rally
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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.
