From the archives of Bob Montgomery, motoring historian
THE IRISH ADLERS: When the well-known bicycle manufacturer Adler turned its attention to cars in 1899, it was one of the first to incorporate a shaft drive. Edmund Rumpler, who later became famous as an aircraft designer, worked for the company in this early period. After the first World War their line-up included a model with bodywork designed by the famous German architect Walter Gropius.
At the Geneva Show of 1932 Adler introduced its 1.5 litre Trumpf with front-wheel-drive and independent suspension, quickly followed by 1.7 and two-litre versions. The Trumpf fairly bristled with technical innovation and shortly afterwards this, and other models, began to be assembled in Ireland achieving a select, but loyal following. The new model quickly made its mark in competition across Europe and a win in the 1934 Leinster Trophy Race at Skerries. This win, incidentally, was achieved by Fay Taylor driving an Adler entered in the race by Dublin politician Robert Briscoe.
Ex-motorcycle racer Charlie Manders also achieved considerable success with the Adler make in Irish competition and set up a team, "Irischer Adler Rennstall" - Irish Adler Racing Stable. Throughout the 1930s Adlers were a familiar sight at Irish motor competitions, if perhaps a somewhat less familiar sight on Irish roads.
In July 1937, Manders took over the assembly of the make in Ireland, but Adler production ceased with the start of the second World War, and assembly kits were no longer available to the Irish assembler.
The make did make a brief return in 1948, when new models were shown at the Hanover Fair but these failed to achieve production, although motorcycle production did re-start, finally ending in 1957.
The DU: Sad to learn of the imminent winding-up of the Dublin University Motor Cycle and Light Car Club. Otherwise known as the DU, the club can trace its history back some 80 years. Over its long and illustrious career, the DU has promoted all sorts of motor sport events both on two wheels and on four.
These have ranged from motorcycle Sand Racing at Portmarnock in the early years, to car racing at Mondello plus virtually every form of motor sport yet devised in between! The realisation that "organising motor sport competitions was no longer enjoyable for those involved" led to the club's demise.
With some style, DU celebrated its 80th year, its winding-up and the publication of the final volume of its history ( by Maurice Bryan) at a final dinner recently.
TROLLEY BUSES IN BELFAST: Sixty-five years ago, in 1938, an experimental service of trolley buses began in Belfast. The trolley buses, which were to become so much a feature of that city in years to come, were initially very well received by the public, and their comparative silence when compared to the trams which they would eventually replace was very favorably commented upon. Motorists too, seemed to welcome the new arrival on the streets of Belfast and their increased flexibility when traversing the streets was seen as an added safety factor compared to the track-bound trams.
AND OFF THEIR TROLLEY IN DUBLIN!: At around the same time, the Dublin City Manager announced that the Corporation intended to build a new wide traffic route linking Parnell Street with Rathmines via George's Street.
The Corporation also intended replacing the Ha'penny Bridge with a new wide structure. It was intended that the new road would relieve traffic congestion at Dublin's College Green.
Thank goodness not all plans come to fruition.