Features
Tech Wars
Unlike its more popular Historic-spec brethren this Mk1 Escort has been built to compete in Modified-Class rallying.
Underneath that classic bodyshell lies all manner of high-tech wizardry including a dry-sumped 16v Vauxhall XE, a six-speed sequential gearbox, six-linked rear axle and front and rear anti-roll-bars amongst lots, lots more. We meet up with the owners ahead of the car’s first serious competition to see how its development is progressing.
Crazy Golf
The first-generation VW Golf GTi has gone down in history as the car that kick-started the fuel-injected hot-hatch movement.
Nonetheless that was thirty-odd years ago, and technology has moved on a lot since then, so to bring its performance up to 21st-century levels the owner of this Mk1 GTi has fitted it with a turbocharged Audi TT engine, six-speed gearbox, power steering, ABS; the list goes on, and impressively it was all done at home in his garage…
Starlight
The early, rear-wheel-drive incarnations of Toyota’s legendary Starlet model range have become hugely sought-after on the retro car scene in the last decade or so, a situation exacerbated by the fact that most examples in this country succumbed to either terminal rust or the dreaded scrappage scheme.
Those left remaining are frequently uprated with 4AGE engines from other Toyota models, including this Le Mans Blue beauty which is fresh from a four-year rebuild.
Made to Measure
The Opel Rekord Olympia is a pretty rare car in these parts, but as this one is an Irish-assembled two-door station wagon we’d venture so far as to say this is the last one left on Irish roads!
Of course, this one is even more unique as it has been tastefully ‘kustomised’ in a very sixties style featuring shaved bodywork, low suspension over whitewall tyres, solenoid doors and a multitude of other super-subtle body mods to tailor its appearance; it’s all about ‘show’, not ‘go’!
PLUS…
News & Products
What’s new in the retro classic scene in Ireland and beyond.
Event Reports
Action from events all over the country including DubShed and the Causeway Ford Fair in NI, Macroom Ford Show, Mosney Car Show and many, many more…
In The Works
What’s being built in the garages and workshops of the island of Ireland.
Retro Club Scene
Our regular look at clubs catering for retro and classic cars.
Show Report
• Classic Car Live 2011
• Causeway Coast Ford Fair, Co. Antrim
• Galway Historic Rally 2011
• Macroom Classic Ford Show
• Dubshed VW Show, Belfast
• Fermoy Motorfest 2011, Cork
• Kilrea RS Ford Show, Co. Derry
• ALMC Performance Car Show Dublin
• Limerick Classic & Vintage Car Show 2011