Shamrock car

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055610163
Three page thread here!

fpm wrote: »

I'm from near 'Blaney, and you're right about them being put into the lake, my dad remembers seeing half-finished cars and parts being pushed into the lake/marsh behind where the plant was.

They should have pushed the finished one's in too

was it true that you had to drop the rear axle in order to change the wheel???

Holy thread resurresction Batman but a letter in this month's Irish Vintage Scene about Shamrocks has me rooting round the 'net and...
Wiki says only 1 Shamrock in the USA...

Harbor City, California


Seattle


and the guy with the green one has another non runner

but wait it gets better

Shamrock sales brochure:D

Article found on web in MotorTrend September 1959

The Irish T-Bird

Prototype of new four-passenger sports car, to be produced in Tralee, County Kerry for the American market, bears a strong resemblance to the Ford Thunderbird, but is to sell for half the price.

Bearing the fitting name of Shamrock, the prototype of a new four-passenger sportscar was recently introduced to the American public by a 27 year old Californian of Irish descent. Starting into production in the early fall, the fiberglass-bodied car will be available at a proposed price of $2495.

About two years ago, William Curtis, present managing director of Shamrock Motors, Ltd., was visiting his wife’s family in Ireland. That’s where he got the idea “…to help the country and its people.” Looking for a favorable prospect to manufacture, he thought cars the most promising.

After 16 months of intensive work, the prototype seen here was completed. He than set up a 40,000 square foot plant to produce it. Within six months he hopes to be employing 2400 workers. Plans are to ship 3000 cars to the U.S. next year, with the bulk of them going to Southern California.

The fiberglass body sits on a ladder-type frame. Engine, transmission, suspension and other mechanical components are from an Austin A-55. Total weight is said to be only 1910 lbs. Performance from the 53-bhp engine should be adequate but not outstanding. Fuel economy should be good.

All above and below courtesey of Geoffrey Hacker's research.


Erin Go Beep: Shamrock Press Release
Los Angeles, California: May 24th, 1961

Ireland’s first production car, the Shamrock 5 passenger sports convertible makes its U.S. debut at Los Angeles, California. The car is in limited production at Castle Blaney, County Monaghan, Eire. Curtis, head of Shamrock Motors, Ltd., near Dublin, has announced that the entire production of Shamrocks is slated for the U.S. at a price to complete with the compacts. The car will make its first West Coast public appearance at the Los Angeles Home Show May 25 to June 4th, 1961

And some pictures/info of the cars that are left that I have found.
(10 were supposed to have been built)
Register of Shamrock Cars
America
One car was wrecked in a crash in New York according to Dick Midkiff

1)Dan Holms', Seattle
Dan Holms' Shamrock led the 2010 Seattle St.Patricks Day Parade and is/was for sale (PM for details)


The Shamrock automobile was built in Castleblaney, County Monaghan by Shamrock Motors Ltd. in 1960 . The one-piece molded fiberglass, four-seater convertible, which looks like a cross between a 1957 Thunderbird and a Studebaker Hawk, was built on a ladder frame with a 98-inch wheelbase. Owned by Dan Holms of Seattle, this is one of only 4 Shamrock Autos still around. Wearing its original paint, the odometer shows just more than 10,000 miles.










2)Dick Midkiff (Harbor City, California) HCB563 13,000miles (Owner of another one for restoration No.7)
Origionally white(as all were) but sprayed candy flake green

Ironic that the car 'made in Ireland'....is LHD and carries a ZV plate...

Did this one survive? It was in Carlow in 1972.



Another shot of the green one in California

68deville wrote: »

EMI 634 is sitting outside in a field last time i looked,could even be missing
its windscreen by now

How long ago was that?
There's one in Killarney afaik, anyone know the reg of that one?

68deville wrote: »

EMI 634 is sitting outside in a field last time i looked,could even be missing
its windscreen by now

Where and when was that if you don't mind me asking. A car like that, whatever its looks, performance etc deserves to be saved.

At the very least it should be taken out of the field into the dry before more damage is done to it.

This is terrific info lads, best I've seen !

The car is butt ugly though, even worse with the hardtop, first time I've seen that. The US ones look quite a bit better with the chrome/SS bumpers and trim fitted !

http://jalopnik.com/5893940/erin-go-vroom-the-delorean-and-irelands-two-other-cars

Was there not a car called a 'Silver Streak' made in Ireland?

kev1.3s wrote: »

I think it may be the silver stream you are talking about?

Thats the one! I saw it in the Museum in Killarney. Was that not Irish built?

carchaeologist wrote: »

The Silver Stream had Kildares first registration IO1 if i remember rightly, i think it stayed in Ireland after the auction, though i dont know where it went to. One serious motor!

Did it feature on a postage stamp at some time?? or am I dreaming?
Centenary maybe???

A couple of Shamrock photos found on the net

Blue850 wrote: »

I've the reg KZE 157 written down in some notes as belonging to a Shamrock, but I cannot for the life of me remember where I got it from:rolleyes:

I found "KZE 157" ,theres a photo of it in this book. Photo was taken in Castleblayney in the 60's

Wow! was you're father involved in the shamrock project?

Could you post some of that info? Would be great to get some insider info.

Welcome to boards and the long running Shamrock thread, Would love to see some more info on the Shamrock's history.

MegAnne wrote: »

Yes, I will be happy to dig through these boxes and share the information with everyone.

You've just made my WEEK:)