Tipperary vintage club announces special theme for annual vintage rally

Clonoulty Rossmore Vintage Club will hold their annual rally on Sunday, September 1, in Clonoulty Village.

The theme of the Rally this year is all makes and models of Volkswagen, with special emphasis on the Volkswagen Golf, celebrating its 50th Anniversary.

The first series-production Golf rolled off the production line in Wolfsburg in March 1974 and was available at dealerships from May in the same year.

A new era definitively began where the Beetle had dominated the scene with its rear-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive for many decades: The era of the front-mounted engine installed across the body and front-wheel drive.

The Scirocco and the Passat, introduced in 1973, had kicked off this trend shortly before.

With the Golf, the class produced in the highest volumes had also been converted to the new technology.

As the successor to the legendary Beetle, of which more than 21.5 million were produced, the Golf Mk1 had immensely high expectations to live up to if it was to continue the story that the Beetle started – the most successful car in the world ever, at that point.

As it turned out, the modern and safe drive system concept, great flexibility offered by a tailgate and folding rear seat backrest, and of course its design, were so convincing that by October 1976, it was already time to celebrate the millionth Golf produced.

6.99 million examples of the first generation of the Golf – including all derivatives and the, at the time, structurally identical Jetta – were sold on all continents.

Onsite catering, parking and camping are available.

A highlight of the day will be the National Sheaf throwing competition with Perpetual Trophies in memory of Rory O’Dwyer, Borrisoleigh being presented.

A fun day is planned for every age with all the usual side attractions, such as kids’ tractor pulling, threshing display, stationary engines, vintage cars, vintage tractors, motor bikes, live music, numerous stalls and side shows.

If you are interested in having a stall, you can contact TJ on 087 9855745 or Mary on 087 8200208 to book on.

Land Rover enthusiasts are also invited to take part in a run/drive on Saturday, August 31, and camp overnight.

All funds raised go to the South Tipperary Hospice Movement.

Admission will be €10, and children go free.

The club members want to thank the public for the support shown at their recent bucket collection and over the years.