From the archives of Bob Montgomery, motoring historian
COMMERCIAL VEHICLES: Surprisingly, given the slower start to motoring in Ireland than in Britain, the commercial appendages of motoring - car showrooms, car repair works, motor ambulances and load-carrying vehicles - established themselves comparatively quickly here.
The first motor company was established in 1899, while W F "Bill" Peare established the first purpose-built garage in Ireland at Catherine St, Waterford, in 1901. Contrary to myth, the majority of garages established were just that, garage businesses to service the motor trade and not as is popularly believed, blacksmiths who turned their hand from horses to automobile. Most of those who began garages could claim at least some background of training and experience in the repair of motor vehicles, often in Britain or abroad. Commercial vehicles, delivery vans and lorries were slower to become established in the Irish streetscape. Most delivery vans were, in the early years, coach-built conversions from private cars that were past their best years. By 1905/1906, however, the value of small and medium-sized delivery vans was well-established and most car manufacturers offered at least one such model in their range.
Purpose-built larger load-carrying vehicles were a less common sight on Irish roads and this undoubtedly reflected the lack of a manufacturing infrastructure in what was then a predominantly rural economy. Without the widespread need for this sort of load-carrying capacity, a high proportion of the vehicles which did find their way onto Irish roads were employed either directly in agriculture or in trade associated with it.
Some of the more progressive landowners embraced the new technology. It's interesting to note the many motor machines designed to facilitate farm work which were the product of Irish inventors. These motorised tractors preceded the "modern" tractor layout, of which Henry Ford made us familiar in the second decade of the last century.
FOUR MILLION WHEEL DRIVE: In 1976, Land Rover celebrated the production of its first million vehicles. In outward appearance, even today, the Land Rover is little changed from its entry model in 1948. No other vehicle has opened up so many areas of the world to motor vehicles as the Land Rover, and it has played a major role in everything from testing golf balls to climbing mountains. Of legendary strength, there is a story that in pre-crash-dummy days, one was kept at the British Motor Industry Research Association centre (MIRA) where it was used for many years to crash into other manufacturers' new models during destruction tests!
GIUSEPPE CAMPARI: Over 70 years ago motor sport mourned the death of Italian driver, Giuseppe Campari, who died in an accident at Monza. Campari raced in Ireland twice and distinguished himself on both occasions. In the 1929 Irish International Grand Prix, he was hit by a stone in the eye and was taken to hospital. On his return to the track, although heavily bandaged, he called in his replacement Ramponi, and taking over again, proceeded to make up places on the track. He also appeared at the Ards Tourist Trophy Races where he finished second to the great Nuvolari.
Somewhat large of girth, Campari was also a talented opera singer who, it was said, could equally have pursued an operatic career as easily as the racing career he chose.