Dubshed is widely known as Northern Ireland’s largest indoor car show, this year being no exception. Known for it’s high standards of cars and stands, Dubshed 2018 did not disappoint.
In part this is due to the fact that Dubshed’s tight admission rules around Volkswagen Audi Group Cars being slightly slackened with more general German marque cars and others at the event. This meant more variety for the general car enthusiast, but be in no doubt this is a dub nut’s paradise at heart!
Examples like this stunning VW Scirocco have really defined what Dubshed is all about. A high standard of restoration, with a nod to performance and yet so individual lights up the hearts of any car fan.
There is always a sense of fun in the cars like this Caddy pick up that wouldn’t look out of place with a few surf boards at the beach.
Jaws will still drop when you come across the likes of this 1974 Porsche 911 964.
The halls were well spaced as always with thousands of spectators easily accommodated by the sprawling Eikon Centre on the old Maze prison site. Above is a wonderfully understated and rather rare Mk6 Golf R in black, to its left a stunning red Corrado and a Mk4 Golf R32 behind it.
Volkswagen also had their new Arteon and T-Roc models on show, back to back with the NI-BMW stand. This gives an idea of the breadth of cars at Dubshed and why it appeals so much.
Outside and along with many private entry show cars was autotesting, RC cars and model aeroplanes along with trade stands and food to keep all the family entertained.
Running the event over two days and with much of the event being outside, Dubshed is at the mercy of the Northern Irish weather. Thankfully the skies kept mostly clear much to the relief of the public and car owners alike.
A few years back I claimed Dubshed was the Best Car Show in Northern Ireland, and sometimes this means the high standards can’t be sustained. Thankfully in the careful hands of the organisers, GTI NI and the unrelenting support of the car enthusiast community here, it has continued to go from strength to strength. I spoke briefly to Nigel, one of the Dubshed organisers who was immediately talking about 2019 plans – bigger and better. You have to admire them!
Photos by Graham Curry
