Irish built cars and info

[kerryminigringo]

I was just wondering if we could start a thread where information could be gathered about Irish built cars,people that worked there,stories about the factories,any books that could shed light on this chapter of mini history,in fact anything to do with the CDU minis because with the 50th coming up it would make a good project and maybe even a stand over in Birmingham if we could gather information on this topic.Anyone with information on this topic can PM me.

[DaveC]

Billy has a reasonably good example of a 1960 Austin Seven in his collection that I used to own
The differences I know about on it were:

Shamrock logos and Lancegaye name on the glass
Different interior trim to UK cars
Combined front sidelights and (clear) indicators

I know Billy has a list of the differences between UK and Irish Coopers

[Goose]

Billy had glass with the Shamrock etched in it at the autojumble............HAD !!!!!

[The Marcos Graveyard]

I think Paul Kelly had a look at his electric window too.

[mad mini]

Hi i want to know what is the earliest mini in Ireland?????

[Mini Ha Ha]

I understand that Lincoln and Nolan assembled Austin Minis, Brittains assembled Morris, and Booth Poole assembled Wolseley. Anyone out there know who did the Riley Elfs ?

Its a good idea to get a body of information together about this, its part of Irish motoring history, and it should be possible to contact people who worked in the assembly industry to get their memories of those days.

Mini Ha Ha

[kerryminigringo]

I did not know that Booth Poole assembled the Wolseleys.I will be placing adds in various periodicals looking for information on this topic and hope to compile some of the history of this chapter of Irish motoring history.

[woody]

I'm nearly sure my old Riley was Brittans.Found some of that Lancegaye glass when I was looking for shamrocks the other day,had never heard of it.Does British Hertage carry details of Irish assembled cars?

[zakgt]

Woody, the Riley was definately Brittian's I remember the plate. Actually I think I have it.

[kerryminigringo]

My Morris van has Lancegaye glass and a friend of mine down in Kerry who owns a MKII Eelf also has Lancegaye glass.I must check the Austin van down the field to see is it Lancegaye.The 68 MKII has Triplex so maybe there was a changeover or perhaps Triplex bought out Lancegaye.

[The Marcos Graveyard]

Triplex acquired the entire share capital of Lancegaye SafetyGlass (Ireland) Ltd. in 1964.

[Billy]

Found this on an Austin Rover site with a picture of the factory:

http://www.aronline.co.uk/index.htm?irelandf.htm

and a reference here to the Mk2 Mini built by Lincoln & Nolan:

http://www.motoringlife.ie/featuresml70705.htm

[DaveC]

I think the Reg Armstrong building still exists, I must bring a camera the next time I am in that part of town (near Ringsend)

[Billy]

Visiting the old Dublin sites could be the basis of an ER tour seeing as lots of people are getting all excited at the thought of going to Longbridge next year.

[DaveC]

It could be an interesting one

[minimate]

Was all the glass on Irish cars Shamrock etched?

I have Lancegaye Shamrock etching on both the quaterlights and rear windscreen but none on the doorglasses or front windscreen.

It's unlikely that any of the glass has been replaced over the years.

[DaveC]

It should be on the front windscreen, top right hand corner when you are standing in front of the car, it might be faint at this stage.
Not sure about the doorglasses. Dave Collins might know from his 1960

[Fatman]

[quote="DaveC"]I think the Reg Armstrong building still exists, I must bring a camera the next time I am in that part of town (near Ringsend)[/quote]
Sorry to have come late to this thread.
I worked in Reg Armstrong Motors in Ringsend from 1972 to 1974.They assembled Opel cars in CKD form and before that NSU cars. They also assembled Honda motor cycles in Lad Lane off Clanbrassil Street. Reg Armstrong ceased trading in 1974 not long after Reg Armstrong died in a car crash returning to his home in Ashford, Co. Wicklow. AFAIK Reg Armstrong Motors never assembled MINI's in any form. I will check with a friend who worked there for about 20 years up to the close as he will surely know a bit more of the history.

Eamonn.

[DaveC]

No problem, WZD disputed this before. It is on Austin Rover on line but if it is wrong it should be corrected