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Ireland’s first National Motor Show for over 20 years will take place in RDS Simmonscourt from the 25th – 27th February 2011. Giving you a chance to see all that is new and exciting in the world of motoring.
Come and see the BIG Brands under one roof with all their exciting new models and special offers for 2011
Top class advise from the experts of Ireland’s leading Motoring supplement, “Motors” every Wednesday in The Irish Times. Superb display of the winners of the European and Irish car of the year for 2011
Fantastic Children’s Feature for 4 – 8 Year Olds! – take your first driving lesson on our safe, specially constructed fun roadway and have your children learn the basics of driving, complete the course and then receive their very own first driving license.
Wow! See the most exciting rally, prototypes and supercars in our special feature car area.
From concept to reality the Way Forward with Electric Cars. Your chance to have a really good look inside the vehicles we might all be driving in the future.
Can’t wait to get behind the wheel? Come Along and Try Driving For the Very First Time. Free of charge as a guest of the show! Your Future on Wheels is Just around the Corner.
The Irish Times motor show comes to the RDS in Dublin from February 25th to 27th with a host of new models on show from all the major car firms. A total of 17 leading car brands will exhibit at the event, showing off their latest models and some sneak peaks of what’s to come in the near future.
Promising a wide array of models with everything from city cars to supercars and the latest in electric and hybrid motoring, the show will also play host to several unveilings and concept models from the major car firms.
Concept cars will offer a sneak preview of what’s hot in car design for the future.
Visitors can see how the imagination can be stretched with concepts, using every new technology available from lightweight materials such as carbon fibre, futuristic power sources, and other fantastic new design features. While many of the designs may seem avant-garde or over-the-top, they invariably point to the future direction for conventional car design and features that will be fitted to regular models in the near future.
Alongside the array of new cars and concepts on show, there will be a “feature floor” with several interactive elements to the show. For example, there will be an Electric Avenue zone, previewing the latest electric cars coming to market in the near future and the various charging points and options available for public and household recharging.
There will also be a “get started” feature for first-time drivers, and even the chance for children between the ages of four and eight to learn the basics of driving in our specially constructed fun roadway, after which they’ll receive their own special “driving licence”.
Tickets for the show are on sale through the website irishmotorshow.ie or on the day. Prices are €12 for Friday, €15 for Saturday and Sunday, with children up to 16 years old free on all days and special concession rates for students and senior citizens (€8 on Friday and €10 on Saturday/Sunday).
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Many defunct car manufacturer’s have left behind a history of innovation expertise and engineering excellence, we in our small way try to keep some of the names alive, most were household names, Riley, Morris, Austin, Sunbeam to name just a few, however sometimes an almost unknown or forgotten name comes to light.
The Borgward Isabella was part of a company that produced four different makes, unfortunately when the plug was pulled there was nothing left, it is ironic that financial experts now say that there was no reason why the company could not have been saved. Originally the car was a Hansa, then a Hansa Borgward, then the Isabella became Borgward, though the Hansa models were still being produced along with Goliaths and Lloyds, companies that Carl Borgward had taken over.
As far as I know the Borgward never made it to Ireland, one cannot say it was popular in the UK except that many of the armed forces returning from duty with NATO in the then divided Germany came home with Borgwards, which due to tax concessions to BAOR (British Army on the Rhine) made the car a bargain. The weird thing is that Borgward at one time was second to Volkswagen in sales figures, not only did the company produce cars it also was responsible for making lorries, buses, vans etc
So what is so special about the Borgward, in number one spot it has been described as indestructible, a very bold claim, the design was way ahead of it’s European counterparts due to Carl Borgward being a war prisoner in the USA, apparently he had access to magazines and designed the Isabella on American lines but somewhat Europeanized.
The body was a unitary construction with separate front and rear sub frames, the front frame was rubber mounted, the suspension comprised of unequal wishbones, coil springs with telescopic shock absorbers and an anti roll bar, the rear was fully independent swing axle, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers with radius arms which pivoted in rubber bearings.
Some set up.
To stop the Isabella hydraulic drum brakes were fitted back and front, you also got a 4 speed fully syncro gearbox with a column change, the hand brake was the umbrella type under the dashboard which gave room for three people to sit up front on the bench seat.
The dashboard was functional polished bakelite, with 3 gauges, a clock, petrol and speedo, plus there was also a cigarette lighter and a map reading facility.
The engine a 1493cc 4 cylinder OHV unit 0f 75×84.5 mm, a single downdraft carb and a very unusual short intake manifold inside the rocker box.
In fact the engine looked more like an OHC engine rather than what it was a 60bhp pushrod job. The car weighed 1000kg, extensive use of light aluminium alloys were used especially in the gearbox, cylinder head and engine parts.
Another of Borgward’s idea’s was separate heaters for the driver and passengers, with both having there own independent controls, can imagine that could have caused a few arguments.
Petrol consumption was around 34 to the gallon and a top speed of about 87 mph so it was no slouch on the road, in fact the engine was used by some of the racing fraternity to good effect.
In 1955 the Isabella was updated, compression ratio went from 7.2.1 to 8.2.1, the exhaust and inlet valves were enlarged, pistons and bearings strengthened, the single carb was dropped in favour of a twin choke Solex and BHP increased to 75 and the top speed was now almost 100mph, the obligatory 0-60 was achieved in 15 secs.
Inside the bench seat was out and individual reclining seats took there place, more chrome was added to the body. It was said that the Isabella was at the time the fastest 1500cc saloon in production.
In 1957 a new 2 seater coupe was released.
The City of Bremen was home to this industrial giant, the original factory was somewhat destroyed during the war by allied bombing, however the Borgward was the first, so they say, new car designed in Germany. There is like a lot of things a mystery element, the current factory is owned by Mercedes Benz. Added to which that BMW had lost a great deal of its workers with its Eisenbach factory being in the Eastern Zone, the reason the Russians managed to turn out some decent Wartburg cars.
So you can imagine that when production ceased there were a considerable number made redundant, which was a bonus for BMW, now at the time BMW were having financial problems and needed a new model, which normally take considerable time from drawing board to production, however no one will admit to the reasons that the City of Bremen had for bankrupting Carl Borgward given that all his creditors were paid in full.
Now though Borgward designed all of his own cars he obtained the services of one Frau to design a new Borgward and it is believed also a new Hansa, these were highly secret projects and were kept in locked rooms before being released, alas the bankruptcy interveined, but no one knew what happened to the two cars, now there is a story which may or may not be true, in that Master Frau went to work for BMW and surprise surprise he produced a new model in a very short time
By the way there was a Coupe version plus the usual saloon and an estate, in total 202862 models rolled off the production line.
It is not quite the end of the story Carl Borgward died two years later, however in 1967 all of the Isabella machinery, presses, dies castings etc turned up in Mexico, it seems a few cars were made but it was soon an aborted effort.
There is even more this car will not lay down, a company has been registered in Switzerland with the intention of building Borgward cars obviously times have changed so rapidly one waits to see what if anything will materialise from the exercise.
If you can find an Isabella it is given 4 out of 5 stars for collect ability, apart from Germany and the UK cars were exported to the US, happy hunting.
Regards Ted
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OUR LEADER AND CHAIRMAN WILL BE INTERVIEWED TOMORROW NIGHT ON KCLR TO TALK ABOUT THE “K.M.C.” ON THEIR NEW MOTORING PROGRAMME “CARJAM” . BETWEEN 9 AND 10 pm MONDAY 24th
THIS PROGRAMME IS PRESENTED BY ORLA KELLY AND STEWART KELLY
Orla Kelly is a complete car enthusiast. She has worked as a design consultant in Ireland and Italy, refurbishing many historic buildings. Previously she presented Our House with Duncan Stewart, and has made numerous appearances on TV and Radio. However her real passion is cars and as well as presenting Carjam she is currently applying her design expertise to the interiors of Cars with her design company Couture My Car (yes, it’s like Pimp my ride for people with taste).
Her favourite cars are numerous, fast and not very environmental. Some classics like the Citroen DS, Mustang fastback, Jensen FF and Aston Martin Lagonda are followed up by the more contemporary Jaguar XK8, Lamborghini Reventon and Range Rover for off roading.
The age and condition of her first car, a very old Ford Fiesta, called Orlando, led her to an auto mechanics class which started her on the path to bespoke car interiors.
As a designer she found car interiors stunningly dull, boring and grey – and that isn’t just because they’re mostly designed by men. To transform the way people think about their cars she set up Couture my Car offering bespoke and personalised car interiors. There’s nothing to stop people having a car interior that’s as beautiful as their favourite shoes or as exotic as their best restaurant, it’s all about to change.
Her idea of fun is test-driving new cars and old cars – well actually any cars. When she’s not indulging that passion she likes designing car interiors and then of course there’s always the car talk – which you can hear every Monday night on Carjam on KCLR96fm and in case you were wondering, she hardly ever contradicts her co-presenter, Stewart, why would she need to, he’s always right, isn’t he?
Stewart Kelly, like Orla, is a total petrol head. From cars to boats, to planes to helicopters if it moves and looks cool he likes it especially if its rare. Starting off from more humble beginings his first car was a Truimph Spitfire convertible which he bought in the dark and the rain – two things you should never do! Eventually after many miles of great driving he swapped the Spitfire for a painting and while his art collection may not be the best in the world his cars have always been varied and unusual from an Opel Monza GSE (retuned by Irmscher) to Jensen Interceptor and Subarus.
He has a long list of future cars he wants to own and drive that includes the Audi Quattro, McLaren F1 and a Bentley Continetal T. As with Orla he believes all cars should be driven no matter what they are and their merits debated afterwards!
He has worked as a presenter and producer in television and film but his first love is radio and he has worked for many stations including Kiss 100, Galaxy and Heart in London. Hence his other passions of music and fashion from his time of also working in Milan. He is currenlty combining these two ideas of music and fashion into a cool new record label with a Parisien outlook which has it’s first album coming out in early 2011. Needless to say the music on his record label is also chosen as great to drive to when you aren’t listening to Carjam every Monday at 9 on KCLR 96 FM.
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THANKS TO BRIAN LACEY FOR THE PHOTOS………..
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YES I KNOW THE CHAIRMAN SAID LAST YEAR WAS OUR LAST TRIP, BUT THE ATTRACTION OF THIS SHOW,THE TOWN THE AREA KEEPS BRINGING US BACK, ALONG WITH A LOT OF OTHER CLUBS FROM IRELAND.
YOU FIND IT HARD TO GET TO A SHOW IN ENGLAND THAT THE TRIP IS AS HANDY. AT THE MOMENT WE HAVE IO CARS GOING,WITH SOME GOING ON THE WEDNESDAY FOR A TOUR OF SOME OF THE SITES OF WALES.FOR MORE DETAIL ON THE LONGER TRIP PLEASE CONTACT Sean Doheny ON 086 2642214
THE NEXT CREW LEAVING ON THE FRIDAY SAILING AT 1 pm approx WITH MOST RETURNING ON THE MONDAY. IF YOU WANT MORE DETAILS OR HELP IN MAKING YOUR MIND UP GIVE PAUL A BUZZ ON 085 1490860
CHECK OUT THE FESTIVAL WEB SITE ON OUR LINKS LIST
BELOW IS A TIME TABLE FOR THE “STENA LINE” BOATS JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF TIME AND THE COST www.stenaline.ie
ALSO IRISH FERRIES DO THIS ROUTE TO HOLLYHEAD www.irishferries.com
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Cars registered before January 1st 1980 are exempt from nct testing.
Effective from January 4th 2010:
Cars registered on or after 1 January 1980 will be subject to the NCT. In this way older vehicles will be brought into the testing system year on year.
Dangerous Vehicle
New arrangements will apply when it is considered that a tested vehicle would be a danger to the public if driven. In such a case a “Fail Dangerous” notice will be affixed, and An Garda Siochana will be notified if the owner/presenter drives the vehicle from the centre. The use of a dangerously defective vehicle on a public road is an offence for which the driver and owner could be prosecuted with a fine of up to €2,000 and 5 penalty points on conviction and/or 3 months imprisonment.
Effective from June 2010;
Annual testing of vehicles over 10 years old
At present two thirds of cars aged 10 years and older presented for a test do not pass first time. These older vehicles are more likely to be involved in a collision. Almost half (47%) of collisions that occurred in 2007 involved vehicles that were 9 years old or more. From 1 June 2011 annual testing of cars over 10 years old will commence. Cars over 10 years old will be issued an annual certificate after this date.
NCT Results for 2009
Category of cars tested in 2009 are 05 reg. 03 reg. 01 reg. 99 and all 92-96 reg vehicles.
05 Reg Vehicles: First time Pass Rate is 72% and Re-test Pass Rate is 96%
03 Reg Vehicles: First time Pass Rate is 61% and Re-test Pass Rate is 95%
01 Reg Vehicles: First time Pass Rate is 51% and Re-test Pass Rate is 93%
01 Reg Vehicles: First time Pass Rate is 51% and Re-test Pass Rate is 93%
99 Reg Vehicles: First time Pass Rate is 41% and Re-test Pass Rate is 89%
92-96 Reg Vehicles: First time Pass Rate is 33% and Re-test Pass Rate is 87%
Below please see the total numbers of vehicles tested and the overall pass rate.
| Year 2009 | Pass | Fail Refusal | Fail Dangerous | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Tests | 444,935 (51.5%) | 412,887 (47.7%) | 6,554 (0.8%) | 864,376 |
| Re-tests | 367,404 (90.8%) | 36,985 (9.1%) | 556 (0.1%) | 404,945 |
The main failure items were Front Suspension, Brake lines/ Hoses and Tyre Condition.
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For the last ten years or so I have watched a red 3 Series BMW standing in the driveway of a bungalow not too far from where I live, it hasn’t as far as I know moved a wheel, from a distance the body looks in very good order, so one must presume the problem is mechanical.
As a much sort after saloon one fails to understand why it is left, however on the way to Carrick on Suir there is an identical red 3 series BMW doing exactly the same as our local one, though I think the owner has now invested in a garage,I can confirm the car is safely tucked away, whether or not he can fit both the BMW and the Volvo sports in is a matter of some conjecture, we are perhaps strange animals, especially when one sees cars left to rust articles in some of the magazines.
My sister in law purchased one of the latest creations from the Munich factory, however she and the immediate family insist on calling it “a beamer”, it is rather like calling the Rolls Royce a “roller”, you can see what court I am in.
In late 1982 BMW released another incarnation of the original 3 series which made its debut in 1975, this was of course an upgrade of the very successful 2002 saloon, whilst German engineering has always been considered conservative so one does not expect radical changes in any of the cars.
The 320i is the middle model of three, there is a four cylinder 316 and another 6 cylinder 323 with a longer stroke giving it 2316cc, the 320i has only 1990cc, however both cars have 5 speed gearboxes as standard and it is an option on the smaller four cylinder model. .
One can also get an automatic, at a cost of course, however BMW’s are driver’s cars and part of the joy is the superb gearbox.
Outwardly one would be hard pushed to tell the difference between the three cars, naturally the badges on the rear do give all away, I remember we had a five series at work and for some obscure reason we asked that it came without any indication as to which model it was, perhaps it was not good advertising for an insurance company to be driving the top of the range model.
In the UK the 320i cost almost 9K, though there was various goodies one
could get like a manual sunroof for £400, and a limited slip differential
nearly £300, electric windows would add £275, green tinted glass a steal at almost £100 and central locking £150, which doesn’t seem out of this
world, spare parts again seemed reasonable for a car of this class, a set of brake pads just over £80, and exhaust system complete at £142, but think hard that was nearly 30 years ago.
At this point one has to accept that power steering was not available on the 320i and is therefore heavy at parking speeds, but a sports pack was becoming available which put that matter right, who cares any way the car is described as a jewel, it is meticulously put together, the engine will cruise at the top end of the range all day long, considering you have rear wheel drive the road manners are impeccable, the vacuum front disc and rear drums stop the car without any undue pressure required.
The boot is described as huge, which is very useful for anyone who tours and plays golf, or just likes to carry lots of bits and pieces, there is nothing worse than a pokey boot, being a Volvo fan I guess we take that for granted.
Seating, well typical German, on the hard side but one does appreciate it after a while, there is nothing worse than soft soggy seats, the instrumentation is described as perfectly functional and easy to read, the slightly smaller steering wheel is beneficial, and the four halogen headlights are a boon and when dipped do not dazzle oncoming drivers.
The 320i is fitted with air blending unit, a departure from the water valve unit BMW had always used which had a slow warm up time.
Do you know that writing this article has almost convinced me that the BMW is best thing since sliced bread, even the petrol consumption given that you are driving performance vehicle is round about 26 to 30 odd miles to the gallon which is about the norm for the late 70’s and early eighties.
Apparently the body is not rust prone but like all classic’s they need a little tlc to be kept in tip top condition, we do have some club members who have very immaculate examples and I am sure they would be delighted to give advice to anyone contemplating a 320i.
Before you decide to rush out and snap up the first available example, I was in a web site in Australia relating to BMW’s and there was a few
Complaints about things like warning lights and windows but in the main there was little to worry about.
Technical specs, a 7 main bearing engine with toothed belt camshaft drive, you get of course Bosch Jetronic fuel injection, the compression ratio is 9.8 to 1.
Suspension is Independent Macpherson struts, coil springs and telescopic dampers, plus an anti roll bar, at the back end there is independent semi trailing arms, coil springs and telescopic dampers and yet another anti roll bar, some suspension set up.
Steering rack and pinion using 14 inch wheels and 4.5 turns from lock to lock. The test car was fitted with Pirelli Cinturato P6.
3 speed wipers plus flick/wipe, electric screen wash, air conditioning sorry that’s extra, cloth seats and head lining, laminated windscreen and the underbody protection is described as electro phoretic bath plus was underbody sill and wax injected box sections, no wonder the body is so good.
Happy motoring regards Ted
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Can you imagine having the same car for 82 years?!!!
Mr. Allen Swift ( Springfield , MA.) received this 1928 Rolls-Royce Picadilly P1 Roadster
from his father, brand new – as a graduation gift in 1928.
He drove it up until his death last year…..at the age of 102 !!!
He was the oldest living owner of a car from new. Just thought you’d like to see it.
He donated it to a Springfield museum after his death. It has 170,000 miles on it, still runs like a Swiss watch, dead silent at any speed and is in perfect cosmetic condition. (82 years)
That’s approximately 2000 miles per year…
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