Author: Andy Cooper

Andy is the founding member of RMS, and when he's not following motoring events around the UK and Ireland he can be found on the track (sideways, having competed in top level drifting for a decade), or of course he'll be on the forum.

In this, episode 26 of the Sold as Seen Podcast, we discuss the untimely passing of Waterford Rally man Craig Breen and the superb Dubshed car show. Andy regales the collection of his new Lotus Emira, and Ross dissects his M3 defeat at the hands of a Yaris on the drag strip. Listen On: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Acast | RSS Feed or just ask Siri or Alexa to Play Sold as Seen Podcast Rubystone S14: https://rmsmotoring.com/forum/threads/my-silvia-s14.228542/#post-4021507 Emira Road Trip: https://rmsmotoring.com/film/lotus-emira-road-trip/ Graham Baalham-Curry’s Craig Breen Tribute: https://rmsmotoring.com/rally/an-appreciation-craig-breen/ Dubshed Coverage: https://rmsmotoring.com/car-show/over-seven-hundred-cars-on-show-at-dubshed/ RMS Anglesey Trip Thread: https://rmsmotoring.com/forum/threads/anglesey-track-days-2023.227801/ RMS…

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After a wait of coming two years, finally the Lotus Emira has arrived. The straight forward option of course was to have it delivered to a local dealer or simply to the house, such is the way cars are purchased post covid. I recently discussed the rite of passage of the car collection road trip, and of course had grand plans for the Emira over and above the M6 and A75. And so with only a few weeks notice of the collection date of my new Emira at the Lotus factory in Hethel (near Norwich), a road trip was planned…

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If you made your way to the Eikon Exhibition Centre near Lisburn last weekend for Dubshed, then there’s one thing for sure. You missed something. Northern Ireland’s largest and one of its longest running motoring events, this year’s Dubshed showcased over seven hundred cars, both inside and outside. With doors being open from 12-6 on Saturday and Sunday, it was pretty much impossible to see around everything. What we did see was an incredibly high standard of display cars, as usual carefully hand picked by the GTI NI team, still with VW Group cars at its core, but with a…

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You could pin the stratospheric rise of Top Gear in the mid 2000s on one brilliantly conceived segment of the show: the big trip. I remember the first vividly; it involved Clarkson claiming that it was quicker to Monaco from London in an car than public transport, an Aston DB9 was despatched through the chunnel and catapulted down the Autoroutes. The rest is TV history. The big trips continued to be the best of that era of Top Gear, and of course distilled into Amazon’s The Grand Tour. Of course, we have our very own flavour of big trip, and…

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In episode 25 of the Sold as Seen Podcast, we are joined by Anthony Hughes (Artoir on RMS) who has just returned from an epic trip to Ukraine to donate a Mitsubishi L200 to the front line. He talks us through his incredible journey, from idea through fundraising to actually making this audacious trip. In other news Andy drives a Lotus, buys an EV and Gary lands an M4. Whilst you listen I highly recommend Anthony’s thread to see great photos in his Drive for Ukraine NI thread here: https://rmsmotoring.com/forum/threads/drive-for-ukraine-ni-ukraine-aid-need-your-help.225596 Anthony’s Go Fund Me Link: http://gofund.me/3530f867 Listen On: Spotify…

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In this episode we discuss supporting the superb car show and automotive scene we are fortunate to have here in Northern Ireland. We also take up listener and RMS member questions you have posed on the forum recently. Listen On: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Acast | RSS Feed or just ask Siri or Alexa to Play Sold as Seen Podcast

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In this show, Andy discusses deliberations over the new FL5 Honda Civic Type-R. Nostalgia of teenage VTEC ownership versus forking out a whopping 47 grand, and the pressure of a 24hr ultimatum from Honda. Gary picks over the Silverstone auctions results from the recent NEC Classic Car Show with both eye watering and surprising results. Ross brings us up to speed on the new BMW CSL Batmobile, and pins hopes on a drag racing win against Andy next year, with a new final drive in his M3. Listener and RMS member questions answered. Poorly of course. Listen On: Spotify |…

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In this episode, we talk to Ben Lawrence (56 Oval), who with the backing of Straightliners will be timing a series of drag racing events here in NI. Despite living in the province for nearly two decades he hasn’t lost a hint of his Essex accent, and we talk about his obsession with aircooled VWs, drag racing and how he relishes the challenge of getting on the tools of carbureted classics. Listen On: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Acast | RSS Feed or just ask Siri or Alexa to Play Sold as Seen Podcast

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In episode 21 of the Sold as Seen Podcast, local cops storm a Spar to avoid a Dacia Duster. Andy drives a Morgan Plus Four, a Maserati MC20 and had a Ferrari SF90 out on track, but really wants to drive an MG4. We talk 50 years of M cars. Gary orders an EV. And Ross has his shorter final drive fitted to his E46 M3. For full show notes see the thread on the forum here. Listen On: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Acast | RSS Feed or just ask Siri or Alexa to Play Sold…

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We’ve spent several days in Kia’s all electric EV6, and its clear pretty quickly that the South Korean manufacturer (and sister company of Hyundai) has pulled an absolute blinder. Not only is the EV6 a superb family hatchback, using all the advantages of an electric platform being to its utmost, but it also comes at a time where traditional brands are struggling to bring great EVs to market. And then you’ve Tesla that has redefined what badge loyalty can be. Timing is everything, and I have no doubt owners of the big three, BMW, Merc and Audi will be parted…

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A Morgan is a rare sight on Northern Irish roads, but even over the roads of the Malvern hills near Worcester this Plus Four turned many heads. I’m over at their factory at Pickersleigh Road where the coach builders have been manufacturing motor cars for over a decade. The 1950s design of the Plus Four and it’s big brother, the Plus Six, along with the three wheeled Super Three is the epitome of iconic British motoring. A work of art at rest, and wouldn’t be out of place on a poster for the latest Notting Hill-Hugh Grant-Bridget Jones Rom-Com. But…

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I was looking forward to drawing parallels to our own local gatherings on a trip earlier this year to Gears and Grinds, a Cars and Coffee style event held just outside Las Vegas. Visiting on recommendation of friend, RMS member and on this particular day, chauffeur, Patrick McCullagh (Nazor on the forum), expectations were blown out of the water as. upon arrival. a Pagani Huayra Roadster was being unfurled in its carbon clad glory. For reference this Italian hand-built hypercar prices circa £3m, and I don’t even know if I’m rounding up or down. I of course had come…

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