50to70 by 50to70.com

There's a lot to get through this week, starting with the latest instalment of Cormac getting his Mini back on the road (legally). Dave has been busy driving a whole variety of new machinery, including a 965hp Denza Z9GT and Lucid Gravity. But what you'll really want to hear is how Cormac did and then didn't buy a Citroen BX at auction. 

From the sublime Morgan Midsummer Coupe to the delightful Honda Super-N, Dave and Cormac get you up to speed on all the latest interesting car news, including some of the more obscure vehicles that have appeared on our radar this week. The guys are also hosting another Cars & Coffee event this weekend; all the details are in the episode.

On this week’s podcast we cover the story of Preston Tucker and his dreams of bringing to market the most innovative car the world had ever seen, but a problematic launch mixed with an investigation from the Securities and Exchange Commission to put a stop to Tucker's plans of competing against the ‘Big Three’ in 1940s Chicago.

This week marks the 100th episode of the podcast, and to celebrate it, Dave and Cormac hosted a live recording in front of a packed audience at 3FE in Sussex Terrace. They were joined by industry veteran and expert vintage mechanic, Ollie Deane, who revealed just how different things used to be. There’s barely a car that Ollie hasn’t worked on, from the Rover P5B to the Lamborghini Diablo and everything in between.

Need a coffee fix? Head over to 3FE Coffee and get everything you could possibly need delivered straight to your door. Visit 3fe.com

How did a small Co. Wexford car builder go on to be linked with one of the coolest and fastest Le Mans cars in living memory? Gather round as Cormac tells us the story of how the TMC Costin went on to become the hybrid 750hp Panoz Esperante GTR-1 Q9. It's a good 'un. 

Well, Ferrari has unveiled the Luce, and it's fair to say that the world heasn't reacted in the way that maybe Ferrari thought it would. Everyone has a hot take on it, so we give ours in this week's Doppio. 

With the news that Citroen is to revive the 2CV name in the form of a new, affordable car, our resident 2CV owner has some opinions! We also get behind the wheel of the Cadillac Lyriq, as the American brand enters the Irish market with factory backing. We discuss Alpina, Ford’s attempt to make cars for Europe again and dissect the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe.

This week's episode includes a run-down on the current 50to70 fleet and what's happening with them. Jaguar has announced the name of its all-new car, but has it messed up the re-launch? 

As with people, facelifts can be good for a car, but they can also go wrong. On this week’s 50to70 podcast, Dave and Cormac run through models that turned out worse after some light cosmetic surgery. The next 50to70 Cars and Coffee event is also previewed, and we celebrate Lamborghini’s 63rd birthday.

Fresh from a whirlwind trip around China, Dave fills us in on the highlights from his visit to the Beijing motor show, what it's like to renew your Chinese driving license and experiencing autonomous driving there. We also dive into some of the more obscure innovations that never quite caught on, such as Lincoln’s disappearing door concept, Saab’s hinged engine that could alter its compression ratio and the $100m Bose suspension experiment. 

You’ve probably seen some very glamorous looking and impressive car launches on social media over the years. You know the kind: exotic locations and great driving roads. But have you wondered if things ever go wrong? Then you’re going to like this week’s episode.

With the sun returning we have some important dates to add to your calendar. When is a Volkswagen Golf not a Volkswagen Golf? Let us explain.

Some tech issues this week means that the show sounds slightly different, but don't worry, we're still talking the same nonsense. That includes why Dublin City Council clearly hates Dublin city, strange special editions and how Bugatti's owner is rolling out robotaxis in Croatia. 

Is it really as good as it looks? Does it live up to the hype? After months of anticipation, Dave can finally give his full verdict on the new Renault Twingo. Cormac has some epic Mini updates, and there’s more news on the rest of the 50to70 fleet. We also have info on a new Freelander, but there’s a catch.

This week’s 50to70 podcast follows on from our first Cars & Coffee event of the year, but if you missed it, fear not, as we have plenty more events in the pipeline. Dave talks us through what it was like driving the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N on track and whether high-performance EVs can be real fun to drive. Cormac explains how Ford got around the rules in the 2003 WRC championship with some very clever workarounds. 

Good news! Our first Cars & Coffee event is about to take place, so tune in for all the details. Also in this week's episode we delve into some of the coolest and most controversial race cars that ended up being so good they were forced to stop. 

The Lamborghini Estoque was a concept that sadly never made it to production. However, it warrants further examination because upon reflection it was a car that design-wise was far ahead of its time. Looking at it today, the Estoque could still turn heads, yet this four-door, front-engined Lambo predates the Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide. 

On this week’s 50to70 podcast, we go for a spin into the world of the strangest wheel designs. We’re talking Ronal URS Teddy Bears and more. Dave has been driving some new Land Rovers, there's news about the next Alpine sports car and we have details about our next Cars & Coffee event!

In this week’s 50to70 podcast you get a glimpse behind the scenes as the hamsters in Dave’s and Cormac’s brains get up to speed on their wheels dreaming up a new event in real time. Dave has been busy driving the latest INEOS Grenadier and the Mazda CX-5. They also mourn the end of the misunderstood Mazda MX-30, dissect the 355 by Evoluto and delve into the stranger Volkswagen Golf variants including the Fire & Ice.

Joining Dave and Cormac in the 50to70 studio this week is David Olsthoorn, the driving force behind one of the country’s best car communities: Drive Ireland. We discuss the effort that goes into curating Drive Ireland’s events, what’s coming down the line and the importance of having such a great collective of real car enthusiasts.

Dave and Cormac are also joined in the studio by Colin Harmon, founder of 3FE, to plot what his next car might be. Sadly, it’s not likely to be the Cadillac Cien, but that won’t stop Cormac from telling us all about the mid-engined supercar concept that was powered by a 7.5-litre V12 engine. Yum.

Need a coffee fix? Head over to 3FE Coffee and get everything you could possibly need delivered straight to your door. Visit 3fe.com

Welcome to Doppio, our quick, short take on a topic that simply can't wait for the weekly podcast. This week: the Ferrari Luce. Well, more specifically, its interior, which has just been revealed. Designed in partnership with former Apple designer, Jony Ive, it has retro themes but also features an enormous Apple Watch on the dashboard. 

On this week’s podcast, Dave and Cormac give you the round-up on all the best bits of the 50th Retromobile show and leave you with no excuse not to put it in your diary for next year. From literally tripping over McLaren F1s to the sublime Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport.

On this week’s podcast, Dave and Cormac answer some of our listeners’ questions across a variety of topics. Is there a gap in the market for a workshop facility for people to work on their own cars? What are the disaster stories that have helped shape your love of cars? Was the Tata Nano a game-changer or something that should be consigned to history and never spoken of again?

On this week's podcast, Cormac lifts the lid on the Vixen 21, a BMW-powered motorhome from the late 1980s penned by DeLorean co-creator Bill Collins. The innovative design seemed quite futuristic at the time, but, like many such things, it was ultimately a sales failure.

This week’s 50to70 podcast focuses on the obscure - no surprises there. Dave has been behind the wheel of a rather unusual Volvo for a start, the C30 Electric, which was part of a trial fleet of around 250 cars used by employees and select customers. Featuring an innovative heating system, the C30 Electric remains a very interesting car 15 years later.

The Volkswagen Golf Rallye is a homologation which was based on the Mk2 generation. While the GTI is the better-known performance Golf, the Rallye was a four-wheel-drive special that, in many ways, was the forerunner of the modern-day Golf R. Cormac takes us on a deep dive of a very special one-owner example he's been driving. 

We start off a new year with a big thank you to you, the listener. Cormac has been running a Skoda Elroq RS. It's his first time spending an extended time with an electric car, so how did he get on? 

Need a coffee fix? Head over to 3FE Coffee and get everything you could possibly need delivered straight to your door. Visit 3fe.com

Need a coffee fix? Head over to 3FE Coffee and get everything you could possibly need delivered straight to your door. Visit 3fe.com

We recreate the Italian Job on this week’s podcast as Dave drives the new Fiat 500 Hybrid around the famous rooftop test track at Lingotto in Turin. We also pay a visit to the extraordinary Heritage Hub. There are significant updates on the Renault Twingo restoration and news about the next special Cars & Coffee event. 

Did you know who Wet Nellie is? You might not unless you're a James Bond aficionado. But don't worry, as all will become clear on this week's podcast, as Cormac tells us how someone unwittingly ended up snagging the bargain of a lifetime after one of Bond's most famous cars was totally forgotten about.

We take a few moments at the start of this week’s podcast to mourn the passing of Quentin Wilson. For many, he was the original Top Gear presenter of the modern age, but he starred in numerous other shows and brought a whole vocabulary of motor trade words to the mainstream. We also have a full round-up of the Classic Motor Show at the NEC, and Dave reviews the latest Toyota Land Cruiser.

Have you ever wondered what the fascination is with Porsche and Lamborghini tractors? Pauric Connolly joins us on the podcast this week to explain everything and discuss a great initiative he has created called Projekt Porsche Junior, which is helping Transition Year students restore a vintage Porsche tractor. 

We mark our 70th episode by delving into the weird and wonderful cars that somehow have the number 70 in their name, from Ford's lacklustre GT70 to a mighty Tatra and even a Japanese diesel Chaser. In other news, the Renault Twingo has been reborn and we (mostly) LOVE it! 

It's time to start planning your 2026, so we kick off the podcast this week with where you could be going in the early part of next year. We bring your the best bits from the Japan Mobility Show and go off on more than a few tangents. 

Have you ever wondered what it's like to attend an Alfa Romeo car launch? Well, wonder no more, as Dave talks us through the spectacular unveiling of the updated Alfa Romeo Tonale. 

On this week's episode we sit down to answer some of the many questions submitted by our listeners. Should you just bite the bullet and buy the LHD car of your dreams from Europe? Will diesel last for much longer? What we think about Japanese imports and more!

Neil Briscoe returns to the podcast with news of Dacia's cool Hipster concept, sleeping in a Volkswagen California and how he's now the perfect age for a Honda Jazz. Naturally we have info on the new Twingo, discuss the electric Ferrari and serve up a reminder about our next Cars & Coffee event. 

Settle in for another jam-packed episode. This week, we highlight some of the most famous and ingenious cheats in motorsport, including that famous Toyota Celica GT-Four Group A Rallye car.

There's a new Nissan Micra and it's quite good because it's actually a Renault 5. Besides driving the new model, we do our usual trick of taking you down some rabbit holes you possibly never even knew existed. Nissan's Pike cars, Mitsuoka and why the Clio isn't called the Clio in Japan. BYD's premium division, Yangwang, has set a new speed record, but does anyone really care? 

Ferrari's last car to be designed by Bertone is one you've likely never even heard of, so let us tell you all about it. We also revisit the what-could-have-been Volkswagen Nardo supercar that set phenomenal speed records but never made it to production. Honda has a new electric motorcycle, the Packard brand has been resurrected (sort of) and we recap the excellent Drive Ireland West event. 

On this week's episode, Dave lives his very best life by spending time driving the Alpine A110. We discuss the new 849 Testarossa and wonder what exactly Ferrari is putting in the coffee in Maranello these days. There's a recap of all the new metal unveiled at the IAA Munich motor show, Dave tries but fails to understand the latest Honda Civic and Cormac educates us on the triangular masterpiece that is the Ford GT90. 

There's a lot crammed into this week's podcast including the guys discussing what was the best era for car design and why it was the late 80s and early 90s. There's the latest Audi Concept C that previews the next-generation TT, Dave reviews the new Volvo EX90 and talks us through the BMW iX3 and how its Neue Klasse platform is going to be used for a whole bunch of new BMW models. 

This week, we mourn the end of Nissan R35 GT-R production. It seemed like it would never stop, but Godzilla has finally gone back to its undersea bed, for now. Will it return? Will it be a hybrid? We discuss and celebrate the legend. 

Last week's Monterey Car Week included some heavy hitters rolling up their sleeves at the auctions, and we went through some of the most significant sales, including the $26 million Daytona SP3.

Refreshed and revitalised from his holiday break, Cormac regales us on what he saw in Monaco and how the car spotters don't always spot the best things. We tee up our next Cars & Coffee event and take a deep dive into the Dodge Copperhead concept car, which lost its name due to ZZ Top!

We get through some of your questions that have been sent in via Instagram, including some theoretical taxation issues, the fastest ever breakdown of a vehicle post-purchase, and we also reveal details of our upcoming Cars & Coffee event. 

Are you a hugely successful business person with exceptional taste or the embodiment of old money petrolhead? Then we have the car for you! We've also been driving the latest MINI Cooper S Convertible to see if it still retains the same charm, and we take a trip down memory lane to see what you could find in the classifieds in 2000. 

We are joined on the show this week by Dan O'Brien, arguably one of Ireland's most dedicated MX-5 owners. His unique build is a long-running and ongoing project that has piqued the interest of some of the Mazda world's most influential people. Dan also shares some of his other ongoing projects including a Mercedes SEC and Range Rover Suffix that has a detailed history. 

We (and by that we mean Ciaran) have been very busy doing some big jobs on the 50to70 fleet, so this week we're running through all of the major updates. The good news is that more of our weird and wonderful cars will be back on the road sooner than later now. 

This week we're joined by long-time friend-of-the-show and Ireland's most prominent female motoring journalist, Sinead McCann. We discuss how she got her start in the industry, the awkward moments along the way and how YouTube can be a wild place at times. 

Our resident motorsport historian and general expert Neil Kavanagh returns this week to tell us about the fantastic and often forgotten history of the Irish Grand Prix. Yes, there was once an Irish Grand Prix in Dublin's Phoenix Park and it was quite a big deal. 

Ever wonder what the best way to care for your car's paint is? Well, this week we're joined by Padraic Gilchrist from Flawless Detailing who explains what paint protection can do for your car and explains some of the challenges involved and dispels some of the myths too. 

To celebrate our 50th episode we hosted a recording in 3FE Sussex Terrace with a live audience and were joined by Neil Briscoe. As usual there was plenty of P38 banter, stories from behind the curtain at car launches and lots more. 

Can electric power make a new generation of hot hatches fun to drive? We preview the Peugeot e-208 GTI and drive the Alpine A290. Cormac explains the recent loophole that saw people travelling to Georgia to take their driving test and we preview our upcoming live show. 

It seems trying to buy basic car parts from the United States isn't as easy as it should be as Cormac explains with the update on the Suburban. We also dissect the new BMW M2 and discuss the pros and cons of modern infotainment systems. 

It's not been long since we last made a poor financial decision so it's time that we do it once again. In this week's episode we tell you about the latest 50to70 purchase which is likely to ruin us, but we also tell you about Ireland's latest car brand and spill the beans on our upcoming live show and answer your questions. 

What's it like to cross Europe in an Austin Healey 3000 and a BMW 2002 Tii, why ear defenders needed to be purchased and a trip to Miniature Wonderland in Germany. Just another week in the world of 50to70.

Just over one year has passed since the first that destroyed The Engine Block. This week Simon Deane and Simon Walsh join us to talk about rebuilding their business, what it's been like and what lies ahead. In true Deane Motors style, the guys arrived in a 99-year-old Buick and didn't hold back in talking to us. 

What's more frustrating that not being able to buy the thing you want? Having to buy other unnecessary things to get access to buy the thing you want. That's the world of the modern-day supercar, and it's BS. 

Few people are as passionate or enthusiastic about cars as Denis Costello. Throughout his life he's had all sorts of vehicles, most of which have a French flavour. Better known by his Instagram handle @Denis_denisdenis, he shares his passion with us and tells us where it all began. 

This week we are joined by John P Mohan, one of Ireland's leading classic car dealers and specialists. John's bread and butter are classic cars from the 1950s to the 1990s, and he is a font of knowledge when it comes to sourcing and restoration.

We kick off season 5 with Ciarán Mulqueen from Crazy House Prices, the Instagram account that has become a massive hit and unmatched source for content, advice and commentary on the housing market in Ireland. Ciarán talks cars, the tech he loves in them and tells us about his car history. 

We've had a busy week at 50to70, starting with the launch of the Ford Puma Gen-E. Yes, Ford's little crossover is going electric and no, it's still not as cool as the original Puma. Dave tells us everything you need to know about it. 

Think Skoda and you think of clever and practical cars from the Czech Republic. You might not think of Skoda and come up with India or even Vietnam, but these two places play an important role in the company's future. Dave has been to Vietnam to see what's happening and what it all means. 

Having recently acquired a Volvo 440 GL that has been parked in a garage for a quarter of a century, Cormac has set about recommissioning it to go back on the road? What exactly had to be done and what did it need? He tells all in this week's episode. 

This week we celebrate the life of Eddie Jordan. He contributed so much to not only Formula One, but to motorsport in general, and all while proudly flying the Irish flag. This week Neil Kavanagh, our resident motorsport historian, also tells us about Joe Kelly. Not only was Joe the first Irish driver to take part in an F1 race, he took part in the very first F1 race at Silverstone in 1950! On top of all that, he has a surprising link to Ferrari. 

In this week's show we discuss where it all went wrong for Ford in Europe and how using older model names isn't always the wisest strategy. Looking at you, Ford Capri. Did you also know about Fordlândia, when Ford tried to make a city in the Amazon? We mourn the end of the R35 Nissan GT-R and discuss which direction Mazda could take with the next MX-5. 

BMW has done something incredible that will have a massive effect on people's productivity. Its archive of models is now available digitally, and let us tell you, it's wonderful.

Ever wondered what it's like to go on an international car launch? Dave explains (in great detail) what it's really like. With the recent talk of so-called car influencers being paid by brands, we discuss the industry, different practices and what you should know. 

We cover a lot of ground this week but the big news is how we've saved not one, not two but three cars from being cut up forever. Dave also spends some time driving the new Volkswagen Transporter but really had his heart taken by a 23-window T1 Samba Bus. Switching back to more modern cars, we discuss the Alfa Romeo Junior that Dave has been testing this week. 

We asked and you answered, by asking us questions. And you came up with some pretty good ones too, so in this week's episode we answered some of them and discussed a few burning topics. 

We've just returned from the fantastic Retromobile classic car show in Paris and will tell you everything you need to know about it. TL;DR: it's awesome! We also discuss the new DS Automobiles No.8 and reveal details of our upcoming Cars & Coffee event on 9th February. 

We're joined on the show this week by Karl Jordan. Besides owning more than 70 cars, including some rare special edition Volkswagens, he's also been in the show car scene on both the VAG and Japanese side for many years. Dave also reviews the new Fiat Grande Panda and lets us in on a secret Abarth model. Plus news on our next Cars & Coffee event. 

This week Dave returns from China where he's been driving some of the GAC's new models that will launch in Europe later this year. Speaking of Europe, we investigate which country is the most car-friendly if you were to relocate. We dodge the recent storm and Cormac delves into the art of writing classified car ads. 

Long-time friend of the show Neil Kavanagh of Coachhouse Media joins us to talk about the sheer love of simply getting out and driving. Neil is a true dyed-in-the-wool petrolhead who also knows an incredible amount about Ireland's often-forgotten heritage and history. 

We recap on another great visit to the Bicester Scramble, with highlights that included a Peugeot 205 T16 (we're looking at you Mr Clifford), a rake of Le Mans winners and a Porsche Carrera GT with more than 100,000 kilometres on the clock! 

New Year, same old us. But seriously, we kick off 2025 with some thanks for you the listener and discuss how we want to get involved with you all in every aspect of the car community. We also plot what might just be either one of the silliest or most genius road trip ideas involving a Bentley Flying Spur. 

Christmas has come early thanks to Renault, which is making something rather special. We answer some listeners' questions and Cormac twin tests two luxobarges. 

Many of you may remember the story of the abandoned Mercedes-AMG CLK 55, and now we can tell you the full story with its new owner! What did it cost to recommission? Killian O'Neill gives us all the details. This, road trips, his other cars and lots more. 

The rebirth or rest of Jaguar is the main topic of discussion on this week's episode as we run through how it got into the position it's in now, how it's going to change and, most importantly, who it might appeal to in the future. Dave also gives us insights into the Type 00 concept that he had exclusive access to in person, plus what the people at the top have been saying. 

On this week's episode we're joined by broadcasting luminary, Dave Moore from Today FM. We discuss everything from how he got his start in radio, living underneath the M50 as one of the Toll Trolls, and what the change was like going solo after more than two decades as Dermot and Dave. More importantly, we also talk about his car history and how a Mercedes A-Class saved his life. 

Once the virtue-signalling A-lister's car of choice before becoming synonymous with Uber taxis, the Toyota Prius has somehow become very cool again, but as Dave explains, it still has some flaws. We also follow up on the wonderful story of a once-abandoned Mercedes-AMG that's about to get a new lease on life. 

We cover a lot of ground in this week's episode, including what was new at the recent Paris motor show. That includes the Renault Twingo concept, new Renault 4, updated Citroen Ami, BMW Skytop plus lots of new electric cars from China. Elon Musk's performance at the Tesla We, Robot event that previewed its robotaxi also comes under the spotlight. 

Jaguar is one of the most storied brands in automotive history. Under its belt are seven victories at Le Mans and some of the world's most beautiful cars. Even Enzo Ferrari described the E-Type as "the most beautiful car ever made". Now the company is undergoing a complete redux, which is the main subject of this week's episode. 

We've taken a little bit of time off but that doesn't mean we haven't been doing some great car stuff. In this week's show Cormac tells us about one of the best classic car events you've never heard of, which just happens to be in France. Meanwhile, Dave has been busy driving the Volvo EX90 in LA to see how it stacks up and what it means for the legendary XC90. 

Paddy Comyn has spent his life around cars, initially as the son of a motoring journalist before then following in his father's footsteps. He then switched to the other side with a role in public relations where he had the unenviable task of managing Volkswagen's Dieselgate crisis. We discuss influencers, the changing media landscape and some of his favourite cars. 

On this week's episode Cormac enlightens us on his recent experience with the fire brigade, the restoration of his Mini and what life is like with a kei truck. Meanwhile Dave is considering whether it's worth keeping his Audi A2 or replacing it with something else. 

There's already been plenty said about the Ford Capri being resurrected, but hear our two cents as we were at a special preview of the car. We also report on another recent car show and lots more, all from the comfortable interior of a Volkswagen California camper van! 

We're back after a short break with a big catch up on what's been happening and what will be happening. This week we discuss the latest BMW M5 and why it's a retrograde move, how the electric MINI misses the mark and preview an upcoming classic car show. 

This week Cormac has yet more exciting Renault Twingo news and we do some crystal ball gazing. Is electric the future? Do combustion engines still have a use? Dave sits down to discuss this and much more with Christian Schultze, Deputy GM at Mazda Motor Europe R&D. There's even some discussion about what the next generation of MX-5 could be.   

This week Cormac has yet more exciting Renault Twingo news and we do some crystal ball gazing. Is electric the future? Do combustion engines still have a use? Dave sits down to discuss this and much more with Christian Schultze, Deputy GM at Mazda Motor Europe R&D. There's even some discussion about what the next generation of MX-5 could be.   

These days car names aren't what they used to be. Cars often sound more like appliances today than a form of continental seduction they once did. Will we ever see a return to days when cars were sounded as sexy as Mangusta, Miura or Lusso? We also discuss the ongoing plague of the modern-day car spotter, who seems to prefer rummaging through your bins than appreciating a car from a respectful distance. 

We start of this week's show with a plea to end to sheer stupidity that we see on our roads every single day. But we don't want to be moany Michaels here, so we also discuss the recent Herbert Park car show and delve into what made the humble first generation Renault Twingo so damn adorable. 

We're back with another stonker of a show that includes everything you need to know about the Bicester Scramble and why you need to get to the next one. Dave has also been discovering some of the most epic roads Morocco has to offer and there's news about an upcoming Dublin show. 

This week on the show Simon Deane sits down with Dave Humphreys and Cormac Singleton to give his first interview about the fire that destroyed The Engine Block. He discusses how he began in the business, built Ireland's first automotive hub, the fire that destroyed it and what happens next. 

Proving that we're all human, we start this week's show with an apology and correction about a Honda we discussed in last week's show. Dave drives the ballistically fast Porsche Taycan Turbo GT and describes what it feels like to go from 0-100km/h in 2.2 seconds. That and lots more!