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Telegraph
17-03-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Weird and wonderful Irish cars, from the Shamrock convertible to Back to the Future's DeLorean
Have you heard the one about the Irish motor industry? Today is St Patrick's Day, but it's no joke. The history of car production in the Emerald Isle isn't a mythical fairy story and stretches back well over a century. Most famously, Cork was the home of the first purpose-built Ford factory outside of America. Originally built in 1919 to make Fordson tractors, in later life the plant assembled and also manufactured every type of Ford, from Transits to Cortinas, until it finally closed in 1984. While people often wrongly assume that Henry Ford was from Ireland – his parents hailed from West Cork and he was born in Michigan, USA – the factory employed thousands of people on the production lines in its heyday. Such was the paucity of output in the Republic of Ireland that we shall also consider the part of the north-east of the island that's part of the United Kingdom. In Northern Ireland, Chambers Motors was the first car manufacturer on the island of Ireland. Established in 1904 by brothers Charlie, Robert and Jack Chambers, their high-calibre cars were hand-built by skilled craftsmen using quality materials. As well as popular cars such as the 12/16 Model, the company built a range of commercial vehicles that saw service in the First World War – ambulances were a speciality. Post-war financing problems led to the firm's demise in 1929 and only four Chambers cars are thought to have survived. Assembly plants sidestep imports tax Many major European brands shipped cars to Ireland for assembly to sidestep taxes on imported cars. Among them was the first VW Beetle built outside of Germany, at the Shelbourne Road factory in Dublin in 1950. Mercedes and Mazda vehicles were also assembled in the Irish capital. And while Toyota, Fiat and Renault all had a footprint in the Republic, Ireland never developed a car industry of note. Author and Irish car historian Bob Montgomery explained why. 'While Belfast was swept along with the industrial revolution, the rest of the island was primarily agricultural. 'It had limited industrial infrastructure and, quite frankly, the Irish government didn't help. Its attitude was 'why encourage a manufacturing industry that would build products mostly for export?'. Had the politicians embraced the idea it could have been very different.' Great museums At least Ireland boasts at least three car museums worth a visit. Mondello Park at Naas, near Dublin, is the country's only international circuit, hosting events since 1968. Drivers who have thrilled the crowds on the track include Ayrton Senna, Mika Häkkinen and Eddie Jordan. The late property developer Martin Birrane owned the circuit. A GT class winner at the Le Mans 24 Hours race and Irish land speed record holder, his collection of cars is available to view during driving experience days. Among the highlights are IndyCar and Nascar racers and a Benetton B186 that earned the team its first grand prix victory in Mexico in 1986. North of the border, the purpose-built Ulster Transport Museum houses everything from steam trains to the original design drawings for the Titanic, built at the nearby Harland & Wolff shipyard. An eclectic range of cars includes a Hillman Imp and a Sunbeam Grand Prix that won the 1924 Spanish Grand Prix. The National Transport Museum of Ireland, in Dublin, is more focussed on commercial vehicles but a personal favourite is way off to the west, in the stunning scenery of County Kerry. Just finding Kilgarvan Motor Museum can be an adventure. The Mitchell family began the collection as a hobby in the 1970s. Don't expect digital displays or a virtual reality experience – most of the exhibits are well within touching distance and all the better for it. The country's motoring history is represented by a 1926 Model T but beyond Ford, what other marques made a name for themselves in Ireland? The Shamrock (1957) A glass-fibre-bodied convertible built on a ladder frame, the Shamrock was optimistically advertised as 'the latest in functional modern design blended with the skills of old-world craftsmanship'. Castleblayney was hardly known for car manufacturing. However, Californian businessman William Curtis picked the County Monaghan town in 1957 to build a luxury soft-top which could then be exported to the US. The design was best described as 'unusual', an awkward-looking Ford Thunderbird with front and rear overhangs that stretched the car to 17ft. Unfortunately, a 1.5-litre, 53bhp engine was barely up to the job. Too big for Irish roads and not powerful enough for American drivers, less than a dozen examples of the Shamrock were built. The remaining bodies were reputedly dumped in a nearby lough. TMC Costin (1983-1987) Who put the 'Cos' into revered engineering firm Cosworth? Mike Costin co-founded the company with Keith Duckworth and created engines that powered drivers such as James Hunt, Sir Jackie Stewart and Graham Hill to success. His brother, Frank, championed monocoque chassis construction and famously designed the Vanwall racing car that won the first F1 Constructors' Championship in 1958. In later life, he also designed the Irish-built TMC Costin. A coupé-esque Lotus 7, the Costin was built by the Thompson Motor Company in Wexford. Made from glass-fibre over a spaceframe with aluminium side panels, the two-seater was manufactured from 1983-1987 and achieved notable success in motorsport. Silver Stream (1907-1909) A prototype of the stately Silver Stream was constructed from 1907-1909 as a luxury car to rival the Rolls-Royce. The brainchild of wealthy Irishman Philip T Somerville-Large, the 22hp tourer was built in County Kildare but never went into production. The sole example sold in 2007 for £130,000 at auction. DAWB 6 (1962) Rejected by renowned Italian design houses Bertone and Pininfarina in the 1950s, this elegant coupé was the brainchild of former Harland & Wolff shipyard fitter David Woods and Isle of Man TT racer Artie Bell. The rather unfortunate name is an amalgamation of their initials, one unlikely to impress the stylists of Turin. Cut from 20-gauge steel and fitted with parts from an assortment of cars – including a Ford Zephyr windscreen, door frames from a Humber Hawk and a Volvo back window – the car had an unusual 1.4-litre DOHC (dual overhead camshaft) engine, which developed a decent 135bhp. The DAWB took eight years to complete, by which time Woods is said to have lost interest and turned his attention to building a boat. The only existing example is housed at the Ulster Transport Museum. DeLorean DMC-12 (1981-1982) Perhaps the most famous, or infamous, car ever built in Ireland, the DMC-12 was a Giugiaro-designed coupé that rocketed to fame in the film Back To The Future. Unfortunately, John DeLorean's financial affairs and brush with the law forced the Dunmurry firm into bankruptcy in 1982.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Weird and wonderful Irish cars, from the Shamrock convertible to Back to the Future's DeLorean
Have you heard the one about the Irish motor industry? Today is St Patrick's Day, but it's no joke. The history of car production in the Emerald Isle isn't a mythical fairy story and stretches back well over a century. Most famously, Cork was the home of the first purpose-built Ford factory outside of America. Originally built in 1919 to make Fordson tractors, in later life the plant assembled and also manufactured every type of Ford, from Transits to Cortinas, until it finally closed in 1984. While people often wrongly assume that Henry Ford was from Ireland – his parents hailed from West Cork and he was born in Michigan, USA – the factory employed thousands of people on the production lines in its heyday. Such was the paucity of output in the Republic of Ireland that we shall also consider the part of the north-east of the island that's part of the United Kingdom. In Northern Ireland, Chambers Motors was the first car manufacturer on the island of Ireland. Established in 1904 by brothers Charlie, Robert and Jack Chambers, their high-calibre cars were hand-built by skilled craftsmen using quality materials. As well as popular cars such as the 12/16 Model, the company built a range of commercial vehicles that saw service in the First World War – ambulances were a speciality. Post-war financing problems led to the firm's demise in 1929 and only four Chambers cars are thought to have survived. Many major European brands shipped cars to Ireland for assembly to sidestep taxes on imported cars. Among them was the first VW Beetle built outside of Germany, at the Shelbourne Road factory in Dublin in 1950. Mercedes and Mazda vehicles were also assembled in the Irish capital. And while Toyota, Fiat and Renault all had a footprint in the Republic, Ireland never developed a car industry of note. Author and Irish car historian Bob Montgomery explained why. 'While Belfast was swept along with the industrial revolution, the rest of the island was primarily agricultural. 'It had limited industrial infrastructure and, quite frankly, the Irish government didn't help. Its attitude was 'why encourage a manufacturing industry that would build products mostly for export?'. Had the politicians embraced the idea it could have been very different.' At least Ireland boasts at least three car museums worth a visit. Mondello Park at Naas, near Dublin, is the country's only international circuit, hosting events since 1968. Drivers who have thrilled the crowds on the track include Ayrton Senna, Mika Häkkinen and Eddie Jordan. The late property developer Martin Birrane owned the circuit. A GT class winner at the Le Mans 24 Hours race and Irish land speed record holder, his collection of cars is available to view during driving experience days. Among the highlights are IndyCar and Nascar racers and a Benetton B186 that earned the team its first grand prix victory in Mexico in 1986. North of the border, the purpose-built Ulster Transport Museum houses everything from steam trains to the original design drawings for the Titanic, built at the nearby Harland & Wolff shipyard. An eclectic range of cars includes a Hillman Imp and a Sunbeam Grand Prix that won the 1924 Spanish Grand Prix. The National Transport Museum of Ireland, in Dublin, is more focussed on commercial vehicles but a personal favourite is way off to the west, in the stunning scenery of County Kerry. Just finding Kilgarvan Motor Museum can be an adventure. The Mitchell family began the collection as a hobby in the 1970s. Don't expect digital displays or a virtual reality experience – most of the exhibits are well within touching distance and all the better for it. The country's motoring history is represented by a 1926 Model T but beyond Ford, what other marques made a name for themselves in Ireland? A glass-fibre-bodied convertible built on a ladder frame, the Shamrock was optimistically advertised as 'the latest in functional modern design blended with the skills of old-world craftsmanship'. Castleblayney was hardly known for car manufacturing. However, Californian businessman William Curtis picked the County Monaghan town in 1957 to build a luxury soft-top which could then be exported to the US. The design was best described as 'unusual', an awkward-looking Ford Thunderbird with front and rear overhangs that stretched the car to 17ft. Unfortunately, a 1.5-litre, 53bhp engine was barely up to the job. Too big for Irish roads and not powerful enough for American drivers, less than a dozen examples of the Shamrock were built. The remaining bodies were reputedly dumped in a nearby lough. Who put the 'Cos' into revered engineering firm Cosworth? Mike Costin co-founded the company with Keith Duckworth and created engines that powered drivers such as James Hunt, Sir Jackie Stewart and Graham Hill to success. His brother, Frank, championed monocoque chassis construction and famously designed the Vanwall racing car that won the first F1 Constructors' Championship in 1958. In later life, he also designed the Irish-built TMC Costin. A coupé-esque Lotus 7, the Costin was built by the Thompson Motor Company in Wexford. Made from glass-fibre over a spaceframe with aluminium side panels, the two-seater was manufactured from 1983-1987 and achieved notable success in motorsport. A prototype of the stately Silver Stream was constructed from 1907-1909 as a luxury car to rival the Rolls-Royce. The brainchild of wealthy Irishman Philip T Somerville-Large, the 22hp tourer was built in County Kildare but never went into production. The sole example sold in 2007 for £130,000 at auction. Rejected by renowned Italian design houses Bertone and Pininfarina in the 1950s, this elegant coupé was the brainchild of former Harland & Wolff shipyard fitter David Woods and Isle of Man TT racer Artie Bell. The rather unfortunate name is an amalgamation of their initials, one unlikely to impress the stylists of Turin. Cut from 20-gauge steel and fitted with parts from an assortment of cars – including a Ford Zephyr windscreen, door frames from a Humber Hawk and a Volvo back window – the car had an unusual 1.4-litre DOHC (dual overhead camshaft) engine, which developed a decent 135bhp. The DAWB took eight years to complete, by which time Woods is said to have lost interest and turned his attention to building a boat. The only existing example is housed at the Ulster Transport Museum. Perhaps the most famous, or infamous, car ever built in Ireland, the DMC-12 was a Giugiaro-designed coupé that rocketed to fame in the film Back To The Future. Unfortunately, John DeLorean's financial affairs and brush with the law forced the Dunmurry firm into bankruptcy in 1982. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Yahoo
Teen killed in Dearborn Heights street racing crash, police urge parental caution
The Brief A Dearborn Heights teen is dead after a car crash during a street race. Police say this is one of many of upticking car crashes in the area Officials have tips for parents who have teen drivers that can keep them safe. DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich. (FOX 2) - It was a horrific lesson for young drivers on Thursday when a 16-year-old boy lost his life in a high-speed car crash in Dearborn Heights. What they're saying FOX 2 was told he was street racing on Ford Road just east of Telegraph when he lost control of his car and crashed into a business. The driver, Ahmed Al-Badery, was killed. Hussein Jaber, a friend of the victim, spoke to FOX 2 the day after the crash, still in shock. "Took one of us to die for us to now understand that it can really end that fast," he said. "What do you get, a 10/20 second thrill? I mean, it's fun, you're speeding, but 2 seconds later he lost his life." Big picture view Meanwhile, police in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights have seen an uptick in dangerous driving, especially among younger drivers. "It's just an unimaginable tragedy, and my heart goes out to that family. We had a young girl who was hit going to school several weeks ago. My heart continues to ache for that family," said Police Chief Issa Shahin. He later said in December, another Dearborn teen, a 15-year-old Fordson student, was hit by a teen driver with heavy tints while walking to school. Officials say she is still in critical condition. What you can do The chief says it all starts at home in attempting to prevent more horrific crashes from happening. "My 19-year-old son Yousef, there's nothing more that he would want than a Hemi or a fast-powered car, but I love Yousef enough that I'm not buying him that car, and parents need to do the same thing," he said. "Use technology to your advantage. I have Life 360 on all my kids' phones. I know how fast they're going. If they're going too fast, I get an alert, and I don't think that's too much." What's next The man Ahmed Al-Badery was street racing against was ticketed, and his car was impounded. The Source FOX 2 spoke with Dearborn Heights Police Chief Issa Shahin on the crash.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Museum's farm equipment fetches about £100,000
Hundreds of old farm machinery items from a Cornish agricultural attraction have been sold at auction, fetching more than £100,000, auctioneers have said. Dairyland near Newquay closed in November because it was facing financial challenges, and a museum formed part of the attraction. About 500 lots from the museum were auctioned, including tools from granite cider presses to pitchforks and scythes. Buyers came to the auction on the site from as far away as Warwickshire and the Republic of Ireland. Among the top items sold was a 1919 Austin tractor which fetched £17,000 and a Fordson tractor which went for £11,000. A cider mill and stone fetched £2,300 and a corn mill sold for £1,950, while an enamel sign went for £950. Some of the buildings have been rented to local farmers including the café and farm shop. The farm animals on the site have already been found new homes. Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Dairyland vintage museum goes under the hammer Popular Cornwall attraction Dairyland to close 'Saying goodbye to the animals is very difficult'
BBC News
30-01-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Dairyland museum's farm equipment fetches about £100,000
Hundreds of old farm machinery items from a Cornish agricultural attraction have been sold at auction, fetching more than £100,000, auctioneers have near Newquay closed in November because it was facing financial challenges, and a museum formed part of the 500 lots from the museum were auctioned, including tools from granite cider presses to pitchforks and came to the auction on the site from as far away as Warwickshire and the Republic of Ireland. Among the top items sold was a 1919 Austin tractor which fetched £17,000 and a Fordson tractor which went for £11,000.A cider mill and stone fetched £2,300 and a corn mill sold for £1,950, while an enamel sign went for £ of the buildings have been rented to local farmers including the café and farm farm animals on the site have already been found new homes.
