R S Escorts
For this feature the famous RS moniker doesn’t stand for ‘Rallye Sport’, but ‘Ronnie and Seamas’ – friends of over fifty years, Co. Wicklow’s Ronnie Jackson and Seamas O’Brien share a long-standing passion for fast Fords. Their red Mk1 and Mk2 Escorts are very rare original Irish examples of the 1300 GT/1300 Sport breed, both of which were bought new in the Abbey Services Ford dealership in their home county.
Perfect Partnership
Even though they never actually clashed in the showrooms, missing each other by only a year, the Ferguson 20 and Fordson Dexta were certainly seen as rivalling machines as they aged on the second-hand market, being of comparable size and performance. However, Jim Gault’s nicely-restored pairing are perfectly happy to share a shed together in their retirement.
Montreal Convention
The ‘unicorn’ Alfa Romeo for many enthusiasts, the Montreal of the 1970s made quite an impact with its merger of exotic Bertone styling with a fuel-injected, quad-cam V8 engine. Mechanically complex and expensive to run, less than 4,000 were built, making it a rare sight even in period. Owen Cooke’s needed a full restoration, but the finished result was worth the effort.
Black Rider
The great Bob Dylan has been an inspiration to countless thousands of musicians, artists and activists since the 1960s, but his infamous 1964 Triumph T-100 inspired Dr Austin O’Sullivan to restore this 1961 3TA as a tribute.
My Collection
This month we drop in on Finbarr Dullea, who shows us around his four classics that have been in his possession for many years, and have many happy miles under their wheels.
Regulars
News & Events The latest developments from all over Ireland and abroad.
Diary Dates The most comprehensive list of upcoming events in Ireland.
Your Letters Have your say and get it off your chest; this is your place to say what you really think.
Q&A Each month we pitch a motoring question at Irish Vintage Scene’s regular contributors.
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.
Tales from Over the Water Clare-man PJ Francis shares with us his old vehicle adventures in the United States.
On The Spanners A look at the restoration projects going on in sheds all over the island.
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.
Mode Scene News from the ever-growing world of model collecting.
