Austin 
With the UK and Northern Ireland raising restrictions on the 24th of May to allow up to 500 people to be present at an outdoor sports event, dates are starting to be confirmed for motoring events north of the border that are sure to be of interest to petrol-heads from all over the island. The first of these we’ve heard about is the Croft Hillclimb, … Read more
The 6th Annual UN Global Road Safety Week begins Monday 17 May and runs until Sunday 23 May. Supporting UN Global Road Safety Week the Road Safety Authority (RSA), An Garda Síochána, and the Department of Transport are calling on drivers to slow down especially in our cities, towns, and villages to protect vulnerable road users. The theme for UN Global Road Safety Week 2021 … Read more
With uncertainty currently surrounding the rate at which Covid-19 restrictions will be eased over the coming months, event organisers are having to think on their feet in order to predict the show season as best they can. While there are green shoots of hope, these are coming too late for many events that were scheduled for the next month or two, with two organising clubs … Read more
Regular readers of Irish Vintage Scene were in for a treat on the 5th of May, when RTE’s Nationwide programme dropped in on Ballyhoura’s Pat Conroy. Not only has Pat restored a Co. Limerick castle in his time, but also two very rare Irish-built 1959 Plymouth cars – one a limousine, the other a hearse that was so far gone that Pat chopped off its … Read more
There is a buzz of excitement within the UK’s Vintage Sports Car Club (VSCC), as the light car race will be re-established at their 10th of July Oulton Park race meeting. Sponsored by vintage and classic tyre specialists Longstone Tyres, this forty-minute endurance race will be contested by an amazing array of weird and wonderful light cars and cycle cars – the likes of which … Read more
With the hobby being literally closed down for the last sixteen months or so, this weekend’s Euro Auctions event in Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh is an exciting prospect. The collection of classic, vintage and antique tractors, plant, machinery, motorcars, commercial vehicles and parts will take place on the grounds of the stunning Caste Irvine venue just outside Irvinestown, and will be hosted by world-renowned auctioneers Euro … Read more
Motorcyclists reminded to ‘ease off the throttle’ Motorcyclists urged to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment and high visibility clothing Drivers reminded to look, and look again for motorcyclists Friday 16 April 2021: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána are appealing to motorcycle riders to slow down, ‘ease off the throttle’ and keep within speed limits. The appeal is being made in response … Read more
Oh boy, do I miss the Durrow Vintage Show. For thirteen years the third or so weekend in April saw the Durrow show take place, attracting huge turnouts to this season opener. Originally started by Seamus Ryan back in 1979, the event ran for a few years and slipped away until Seamus’ son,Austin Ryan brought it back to life in the grounds of Durrow Castle … Read more
Happy Birthday Paddy Hopkirk Happy birthday wishes to Paddy Hopkirk, who is today celebrating his 88th birthday. Paddy, who hails from Northern Ireland and attended Trinity College, had his first job with VW in Ballsbridge Motors but shot to world fame when he won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964 in a Mini against all odds.The win is still much talked about today. Back in 2009, … Read more
Well that’s the question many would normally be asking this week as the Classic & Vintage Sale, Show & Autojumble run by Dermott Flynn would normally take place on the first weekend in April. Well, that was pre-Covid… While the show has a full title, it affectionately became known as ‘the Swords show’ due to its now long-time venue in the National Show Centre, very … Read more
Fifty years ago this month, in April 1971, Mercedes-Benz initiated a new chapter in the fascinating history of the SL sports car: the 350 SL was the brand’s first SL with a V8 engine, and the first model in the R 107 model series to bear the “R” abbreviation for “roadster” for the first time. The completely new two-seater with fully-retractable fabric top and removable hardtop was … Read more
Gracing the cover of the July 2021 issue of Irish Vintage Scene is a shining example of one of the most luxurious and desirable saloons of its era – this V8-powered Rover P5B was a dream classic for its owner, after he was driven to work in a new one back in his apprentice days. Our second car feature this month sees us drop in … Read more
Each year the Easter Bank Holiday weekend would see the hobby spring into life with a number of events taking place around the country, with shows and runs aplenty. Well, for the second year the hobby will lay dormant, but please God we will all be together for Easter 2022. To remind us of times past, here are a few photos from the annual Tipperary … Read more
IF A MOTOR ENTHUSIAST ASKS YOU IF YOU’VE EVER BEEN TO ESSEN, WHAT THEY REALLY MEAN IS IF YOU’VE BEEN TO TECHNO CLASSICA, ESSEN, AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING EVENT THAT TAKES PLACE EVERY YEAR IN GERMANY. Words and Photos Tom Heavey After a number of years considering the trip, 2011 found me winging my way to the show for the first time, and it really lived … Read more
24 hour road safety speed initiative 148 road deaths in 2020 up 8 from 2019 Adjust your speed to all the prevailing road, weather and traffic conditions An Garda Síochána will conduct a national speed enforcement operation “Slow Down”, supported by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and other stakeholders, for a 24 hour period from 07.00hrs on Friday 26th March to 07.00hrs on Saturday 27th … Read more
Keen to keep a copy of Irish Vintage Scene with you at all times, but don’t fancy carrying around a paper magazine with you? Why not try the digital edition of Irish Vintage Scene, meaning you can read your favourite Irish old vehicle magazine on the go on your mobile phone or tablet, or at home on your PC or laptop. As well as all … Read more
Sixty years to the month after the launch of the E-Type at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1961, Irish classic car dealer David Golding has unearthed the very first Irish-registered E-Type FHC, which last saw the road in 1967. One of 138 RHD cars built in 1961, this car was initially owned by the well-known champion trainer of that era, Paddy Prendergast, reputedly gifted … Read more
Euro Auctions will host a collectors’ sale of classic, vintage, and antique tractors, plant, machinery, motor cars and commercial vehicles on Saturday the 1st of May at Castle Irvine in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. This single-day auction will be held as a ‘physical sale’ at the stunning Castle Irvine venue, just outside of Irvinestown, while buyers can participate in real time via the internet. With … Read more
Thanks to the venue’s location adjacent to Birmingham International Airport, any car events held at the UK’s NEC exhibition centre have always been popular with Irish enthusiasts, who can fly in relatively cheaply from a number of airports here. While traditionally the season-ending Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show each November is the biggest draw for the Irish, the season-opening Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration … Read more
The Chairman of the Dungarvan, Co. Waterford-based Yesteryear Motor Club has announced that the club will not be holding its annual Show by the Sea at Walton Park in Dungarvan this year. “We were really looking forward to seeing you all again this year in what would have been our eight time running this great event in such a wonderful location,” Noel Coffey explains. “We … Read more
