Hidden on the west coast of Ireland, a remarkable private collection of more than 50 classic cars is about to be offered for sale through Worcestershire-based Vantage Classic & Sports. Built up over three decades by one fastidious enthusiast, the collection brings together everything from everyday heroes to rare sporting machinery, all preserved and maintained to exacting standards.
The story began modestly in 1996 with a Ford Capri 1.3 automatic. Another Capri followed, and from there the collection grew steadily into a wide-ranging stable. Each acquisition was carefully selected, restored to factory specification where required, and maintained in turn-key condition. Cars were serviced, detailed and exercised regularly before being stored in temperature-controlled buildings – a philosophy that kept them alive rather than dormant.
Fords form the backbone, with highlights including a MkI Escort 1300E in Copper Brown that has never seen a welder, a yellow MkI Capri with just 32,000 miles, and a MkII RS2000 Custom. A powder blue MkI Fiesta 1.0L with 35,000 miles and two XR2s carry the story into the 1980s, while a rare MkIII Cortina Olympic Edition, one of just 500 built, adds further interest. A later Focus ST225 remains entirely standard – a rarity in itself.
Opels are equally well represented, reflecting the marque’s popularity in Ireland. Among them are two Manta B2 GTE Exclusives, one showing just 14,278 miles on its original tyres, alongside a Manta B Silver II, a Monza 3.0E and a Kadett SR coupé.
BMWs form another rich seam. From a 2002 Tii and rare E12 saloon to E21s, E30s, and a Z4 coupé and roadster, the collection spans decades. Stand-out is a 1986 E30 325i Hartge, ordered new with a full suite of upgrades, finished in Malachite Green and showing 50,987 miles. Owned for more than 20 years, it remains one of the collector’s most cherished cars.
Other marques add variety: a 12,000-mile Mini City, an Alfa Spider, Honda S2000 GT, Nissan 350Z GT, Toyota Celica ST with just 21,000 miles, and a Mercedes W123 230E. Each has been preserved to the same high standards, combining originality with usability.
What makes the collection unique is not only the cars themselves but the manner of their curation. They were not hoarded as static assets but kept road-ready and enjoyed. It is a reflection of the owner’s lifelong passion, shaped by the cars seen on Irish roads in the 1960s-80s and honed through years of restoration and research.
The first batch of cars (above) has landed in the UK – the Mk1 Fiesta, BMW 2002 Tii, Opel Olympia and Fiesta XR2 – and are now listed for sale at vantageclassicandsports.com
