Who in motor industry PR would not be proud to have a portfolio of work that included a link to Ireland’s first motor car? Salute IK 52.
A 3.5hp 1898 Benz Velo Comfortable, it was imported into Ireland by Dr. John Colohan, a member of the medical staff at St. Vincent’s Hospital and a graduate of RCSI and Edinburgh Medical School.
Born in Dublin in 1862, and resident in Blackrock, his interest in mechanical matters led to him being a founder member of the Irish Automobile Club, an influential figure in bringing the famed 1903 Gordon Bennett Race to Ireland, and a director of Dublin coachbuilders, John Hutton & Son.
Upon retirement, he acquired the Grand Hotel, Malahide which he operated successfully until 1922.
Over time, IK 52 had fallen into disrepair until discovered in a Co. Kilkenny farm shed by the late Denis Dowdall, renowned service manager for Mercedes-Benz in Ireland.
Rusting, broken-up and in dilapidated condition, Denis painstakingly set to restoring it back to its original, good-as-new, fully working condition (as pictured) – a study in excellence, detail, and personal determination that we in Hall PR had the pleasure to bring to public notice.
‘Why number ‘52’ when it was Ireland’s first motor car?’ It’s a question one might reasonably ask!
As other vehicles arrived on Irish roads, authorities established a vehicle registration system.
In true Irish fashion, 51 other motorists had made application before IK 52 was registered – proof perhaps that, even then, doctors had other more urgent matters that called for their attention.
