Baptism of Fire
The Mk1 Cortina holds huge appeal for car enthusiasts whether they’re motorsport fans or they simply hold nostalgic memories of the model from times past.
Our cover car this month, owned by Barnaby Levy from Co. Kerry, isn’t your run of the mill Crossflow-powered example though; lurking under the bonnet is a two-litre turbocharged Mitsubishi unit pushing out well over 200bhp, and is wrapped up in a highly-detailed package. This car has serious show and serious go, and it’s all the more impressive when you discover that it was all built from scratch in the small garage at the bottom of Barn’s garden.
Lo-Fi
You’re not exactly falling over B1 Audi 80s at shows nowadays, particularly original Irish examples, and to find one in show condition is unheard-of.
It’s no surprise then how much of an impact Trevor Brady’s black stunner made on its debut this summer. Quality and subtlety are the name of the game with this car, as even though the number of modifications made are few, what has been done has been carried out to the very highest of standards.
Gentleman Brawler
Any car-loving kid of the late seventies or early eighties is bound to have fond memories for the 6-Series BMW.
The example that Carl Czanik brings us in this issue is no ordinary 6, however; it’s a genuine Alpina B9, built in-house by the famous tuner complete with its numbered dash plaque, and features all the goodies that make any retro German car fan go weak at the knees…
Double Trouble
Are you bored with the power output of your Toyota Celica? There’s a simple solution; double the number of cylinders!
That’s certainly what the builder of this amazing TA22 thought, and as current owner Jerry Nolan demonstrated to us on the day of our shoot, the philosophy is a sound one; this thing is quick! The Rover unit has been rebuilt, tuned and detailed to perfection, as has every other aspect of the car.
Ultimate Evolution
At Retro Classics we don’t make a habit of dipping into nineties cars very often, but when we came across this RWD Escort Mk6 owned by racing legend Mattie McNamara from Galway, we just had to bring it to our readers.
Developed by DOME Motorsport Engineering, this competition missile packs an incredible specification including a dry-sumped 3.4-litre Mountune Jaguar V6 and Hewland sequential gearbox, putting over 400bhp through those rear tyres.
Thin End of the Wedge
Triumph’s TR7 has come in for more than its fair share of flak over the years, but here at Retro Classics we’re not afraid to admit that we love them to bits.
The 1980 convertible we feature in this issue was registered in January 1981, making it what it believed to be the very last TR model ever registered in Ireland. What’s more, during a recent rebuild its two-litre engine has been banished in favour of one of Rover’s finest V8s, bringing it up to TR8 spec.
Unbreakable
Old Volvos have a legendary reputation for durability, but the rotund PV544 was surely one of the very toughest of all.
Such a model might sound like an unusual platform on which to build a driver’s car, but when you learn that the car has a surprisingly light kerb weight, highly tuneable engine and some racing pedigree (Volvo themselves campaigned works rally versions with some success) then Paddy Brennan’s example starts to make a lot of sense.
Show Reports from
GASCC VIADUCT SHOW
CASTLEWELLAN VW SHOW
ANNE CASEY-JOY ESCORT RUN
CLASSIC & RETRO FORD TRACKDAY
E30 OWNERS MEET 2011
BANBRIDGE MOTORSPORT SHOW
TED’S OPEL RUN
OLD-SCHOOL TOYOTA RUN
VAGE SHOW & SHINE