Feature Article | Diesel is for tractors

Nov 14 2023

The greatest danger on our roads

It’s something we each witness countless times a day on the roads. It isn’t anything to do with the background of the driver, their skill/experience level, age or sex.
I have witnessed Gardai (Police here in Ireland) fall foul to this also, with scary regularity. When you know someone who has been prosecuted for this, only to observe the authorities commit the exact same crime, it’s very difficult to not be highly annoyed.
This danger is not just an issue here in Ireland. Most countries in the world are facing this issue regarding road safety too. So what is it?
Phones, plain and simple.

What started out as the addenda of the yuppy brigade, with briefcase sized batteries, has evolved into something that so many people simply can not go without. I get it, I find it equally difficult to not interact with my phone/cell/mobile, whatever you want to call it. These devices have become so ingrained in our lives, packed with features and availability of apps for almost anything you can think of. A lot of those apps are aimed at motorists, from software that allows you to monitor data from sensors or read faults, to more commonly used things like maps or traffic updates. All this on top of social media that is created to be addictive, plus the basic text and call services of most/all phones.
These devices take so much of our attention. We are almost trained to reach for it when we hear a ping.
I remember a time when a call to someone while on the road required finding a public payphone (often called a phonebox here). You’d have to have coins to make the call or speak with the operator and ask to reverse the charges, provided the person on the other end agreed to pay. Then came phone credit in the form of a card, very similar to a bank card. You would buy these to the value of credit needed and use them in the phones that were compatible. At the time, we felt like this was highly convienient. How things have progressed in a relatively short time.

Back to the danger on the roads.
I’ve seen stickers on the back of cars asking people to “Please drive carefully, baby on board”, with said vehicle being driven by a parent holding a coffee in one hand and a phone in the other, while steering using their wrist, I kid you not. I’ve lost count how many times I’ve had to take evasive action to avoid a head on crash with someone who was looking down at their phone. We have all seen accidents where the driver wasn’t paying attention, most often using a phone.
It can be tough if you are trying to make it somewhere, while under time pressure and then receive a call/text that is urgent. Some will pull over to the side of the road, but most will simply pick up the phone and continue driving, while trying to multitask.
Personally, I’m not great at multitasking. Driving has enough risks attached to warrant not adding more, so I leave the phone in my pocket or put it into a storage compartment, with it set to silent. If I can’t hear a call/text/alert, then I don’t think about it. When I get to my destination or stop along the way, then I’ll check it. Nothing is worth loosing my life over, or worse, being responsible for the death of someone else, especially not the latest shared video of someone’s cat falling over.
Put the phone away, on silent. Be a better driver, focus, enjoy the drive.

Tagged car, cell, danger, distraction, drive, law, mobile, phone, safety

Sep 05 2014

1948 – A good vintage?

A friend, who happens to be my neighbour, my landlord and a work colleague has inherited something.

It was made in 1948, in England. Coventry to be precise. If it was the following year, it would have been Abingdon.

It has an engine, a petrol one. Its 1.5 (1496cc) makes an interesting noise and has character in abundance. I love the thing.

This is where things get interesting. Aforementioned friend wants to sell it. So, I thought, maybe someone here may be interested? At the very least, perhaps some of you reading this have never seen one before, so even that makes all this typing worthwhile I think.

The car was purchased from an enthuasiast in the UK. It had been restored there, which was undoubtedly a large factor in its purchase. The car was brought back to Ireland and brought a lot of smiles to the faces of all who saw her. The car was garaged and well cared for up until the passing of the owner. Since, its been kept locked away, but thankfully, my love of all things automotive meant I was asked to help sell her.

First order of business was cleaning. Anyone who knows me, will attest to the fact that I spend longer cleaning a car than I would the entire house….. well its more fun!? Then came the polishing. Following that, she was serviced by a local classic & vintage fanatic. Shortly afterward, I drove her to a local charity motoring event. Nobody bothered to tell me that the brakes worked in a glacial manner… After learning this, while simultaneously scaring the bejaysus out of another driver at the first roundabout, I realised that I would need to start braking about half a kilometer before some junctions. Thats not a joke. Nothing clinches the butt cheeks tighter than the possibility of becoming the hood ornament for a truck at a junction. After what was the slowest drive to Galway city, I arrived at the event and you know what… I loved the drive. Too often in modern cars a journey is a blur. No, I don’t mean that I’m travelling beyond the speed limit, but that things happen quick enough that you need to focus more. This journey allowed me time, time to enjoy the car. The smell, the noise, the smiles and waves from those who encountered us. Little design features, such as the winder on the dash that opens the drivers half of the windscreen, allowing some air in. The tidy side vents on the front wings that can be opened from within the car, letting air at ones feet. Yes I know these are tasks made much easier on modern cars, but here those tasks are special. Its more of an interaction, and thus more pleasing, more fun. When was the last time you adjusted the aircon in your car and it brought a smile to your face? Exactly.

But we got there, and it was a fantastic event. Vehicles travelled from not just the various counties of Ireland, but from across the UK. Things like MASSIVE steam engines, tiny steam engines, vans, sports cars, trucks, motorbikes and of all vintages. There were stands selling everything from fizzy drinks to replacement panels for a mk1 Escort.

Thanks to the car, I met so many interesting people and heard some wonderful stories. I couldn’t see that happening with the majority of new cars. At the end of the day, I took some time to walk around the venue, Ballybrit racecourse, to browse the stalls in peace. One such stall had what seemed like the entire contents of an old garage, spread across a huge number of tables. Something caught my eye, something shiny, red, plastic. Could it be? Having spent so long cleaning and polishing the car, I reckoned I was right. “How much for these” I asked the friendly looking old guy behind the stall. “They’ve been there for a long time, used to be 20 each. Give me a tenner for a pair”. I couldn’t get the cash out of my pocket fast enough. “What are they for?” he asked, “a 48 Riley RMA” I replied. “They are the right ones, a nice car the RMA” he said with an even greater smile.

Back to the car I went, avoiding the other stalls, even though there were things at them I’d have liked to see. Why, well like a kid racing down the stairs on the morning of December 25th, I couldn’t get there quick enough. True to the old mans word, and with pride that I had correctly identified them, I was now holding 2 genuine replacement rear brake lights for my new friend.

The journey back was even more fun, I felt like I had proven to the car that I really cared. It seemed like it drove more smoothly, and the brakes had more bite. Maybe I should buy it myself?

So, that was a few weeks ago. Since then, I’ve advertised her on a few forums and specialist sites. Interest has come from various parts of Europe, a vintage dealer and some very clued in Riley fans.

The other day my Dad visited. He saw the car, and like so many others, it brought a smile to his face. He remembered seeing one as a kid, a rare sight apparently, even back then. I showed him some of the features I liked about it and asked if he’d like to go for a spin. On returning back to the house, he noticed the license plate – 48 G. “The car is the same age as me” he proclaimed. It was the first time he had sat in any car from 1948 and it was a special treat he thought.

Its a lovely thing this car. It may not be mint, but that just adds to the appeal I think. I know many people would never consider buying her, but all it takes is the right person, at the right time, and she’ll start a whole new chapter, making the lives of more people happier along the way.

I know I’ll miss her, so I hope she finds a home in Ireland, or at least in a place I can go visit. Enjoy the pics.

Tagged 1.5, for sale, restoration, Riley, RMA, Saloon, vintage

Sep 03 2014

What the hell is it?

Well, simple… its a Mitsubishi RVR X3 Sports Gear.

Oh, ok. So, what is it? Well, those smart people over at Mitsubishi hatched a plan quite a while back. Take an unassuming, family transport looking….. thing. Give it a little more ground clearance. Improve the brakes, change the wheels, fit bigger tyres(yes, I know thats a y) add various bits and pieces to the bodywork, such as front fogs, chunkier bumpers and arches. Your probably thinking, “that bonnet scoop must mean its a turbo diesel? Nope. Its turbo alright, but check the name of the blog again…..

What you find upon raising the bonnet(hood) on this car, is at first, a bit strange. Intercooler – check. Petrol engine – check. Turbo – check. “That engine looks like the one in my Evo” – thats because it is a 4g63 also. Its no coincidence its white, it looks like a big metallic sheep, but under the skin its a rabid wolf!

The car is fitted with a 4 speed auto box. But, if you want a little more interaction on the gearchange front, then slide the lever to the left and now you have a tiptronic type box. Handy.

The eagle eyed among you may have noticed there is only 1 rear passenger door. That door slides and closes with a similar soft-close action to that found on high-end German luxury saloons. I had the feature pointed out to me recently by someone on his S-Class. He was so impressed by this “new technology” that I just couldn’t bring myself to burst the bubble by telling him my 1999 Mitsubishi has the same tech…… and they accuse the Japanese of copying the Germans!

The rear seat is a bench type. It can be folded and moved into a number of positions, giving options like extra large boot space, or ridiculous amounts of leg room instead. The seatback can be folded down, the seat can be folded up, then slid forward, or back. Yes, it is fun. All the seats can be folded flat and the car doubles as a tent. A tent that won’t blow away when the winds picks up. Once that you don’t have to pitch in the middle of the night, after returning from the pub, with no flashlight.

This particular car was imported into Ireland from Japan. It is one of only 4 in the country apparently. Why? I have no idea, its a truly great car.

The seats are comfortable, yet supportive. Visibility is, unsurprisingly, quite good. The large sunroof allows lots of light in. The aftermarket stereo, and subwoofer, provide plenty oomph, enough to overcome the wind noise from the huge mirrors at motorway speeds. Those mirrors are electric, heated and folding. Using the remote key, one can lock and unlock. Yes, really. Also, you can open and close the windows, fold the mirrors and operate the passenger ejector seat. Ok, the last bit I made up.

Remember, this car is over 15 years old now. How many engines has it been through……still on the original engine. It must have had lots of parts replaced. No, nothing more than the usual servicing and tyres. Then the mileage must be low. No again, its got over 145k on the clock. So, to those of you who think that buying your new, diesel econobox, is going to help the polar bears and save you a fortune, and that I’m the root of all evil in the petrol 4×4, think again.

Oh yes, for those that are wondering what its like to drive? Well, its fun. A lot of fun. Yes it leans in the corners, what would you expect with such high profile tyres combined with off road capable suspension. It also accelerates quite nicely. Think hot hatch. Well, it does have 240bhp!

It allows one to cruise effortlessly, in comfort, with reasonable economy, but packs a punch should you need it – wicked stuff.

I love the fact that people look at it and think its someone bringing the kids to school. I really like the hummingbird patterns on the seats. The multiple 12v sockets. 3 huge storage bins in the rear. Cupholders – 2 in front, 2 in the back, as well as massive, comfortable arm rests. What a car.

Well done Mitsubishi.

Aug 31 2014

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Feature Article

Moving

Imagine owning a mint Mk1 Ford Escort…. now imagine saying goodbye to it, seeing it drive away and knowing the cash was going toward helping to restore another car. At this stage, some of you are probably thinking “was he mad!?” while others are wondering “what car was he restoring!”, “must have been pretty special?” – read on.

Allow me to introduce my friend Mark and his Delta, in the first article of many(I hope).

Mark is a regular at the local Cars & Coffee, and has been since day one. This stunning example of pure Italian automotive scorcery, first found a home in Germany, back in April of 1994. Just three years later, she was purchased by a UK based specialist car importer(oakfields.com) and introduced to its new owner, a Doctor in Hamshire. It was to remain in his care until 2005, when he traded it back to Oakfields.

This is where Mark enters the scene. The car was purchased and brought back to Ireland. The journey back home with the Delta must have been an exciting drive. Mark used the car for the rest of the year, only to stop to give her a chance to avoid the grip of winter.

Once March arrived, the Lancia once again saw sunlight, but it was to be short lived. The head gasket obviously liked the idea of hibernation and didn’t want to work properly just yet.

The previous owner had left her parked under a tree for quite some time before moving her on. As we all know, mother nature can be a jealous lady, and she took it out on the Giugiaro penned beauty. The birds in the trees probably used it for target practice too.

Oakfields treated it to a good respray prior to selling it to Mark, but for this car, good simply isn’t good enough. It had to be perfect, it was to be given the VIP treatment, only befitting of such an Itailian Super Model. This meant only one thing – total restoration. Unfortunately for Mark, the fabulous bubble arched Mk1 Escort had to be sold to fund the work. But it would be worth it.

Many days spent in prep work, before she received numerous layers of lucious red paint. This was followed by hours spent machine polishing, with the end result being a finish that would have been the thing of dreams at the Lancia factory. Paint so deep you could swim in it.

The front seats were in a sorry state, but thankfully the rears looked like they were never used. So, the investigative work began and the source of the material was located, surprise surprise, in Italy. Thankfully they still had the exact fabric in stock. One slight problem though, it wouldn’t be perforated. Material located, next stop, Germany. A firm there had the ability to replicate the perforation pattern exactly. Excellent!

So, next task was getting the fabric applied to the seats. The firm in Germany wouldn’t do this, but a company in the UK were entrusted with the task. The pair of reclining buckets were dispatched to the UK, and the material was shipped from Germany. The seats were professionally reskinned and shipped back to Ireland to be reunited with the Delta.

The mechanicals were given the same level of care and attention to detail, with any issues being addressed and the block and all ancillaries brought back to full health. “The engine bay is not a good place to drop a socket” – sounds like the couple of skint knuckles were the result of some under the hood fishing!

So, after all the attention now being given to the Lancia, surely it would be locked away in storage, watching the value rise, as so many are?

Not a chance! This one is being enjoyed, driven as it should be – hard! Mark has a truly fantastic machine now, one which provides a much needed burst of colour and sunshine when the grey skies and government are doing their best to drown the country in gloom. I hadn’t seen a Delta up close until Mark came along to the Cars & Coffee meeting, but the look on everyones face was priceless and the memory will stay with us forever. The sound, the paintwork, the shape. Stunning doesn’t come close. Thank you Mark!