Home-made Hayrake on show in Ballymoney

A Portglenone built ‘Ford Special’ car will be the centre piece of the Riada Pre-50 Car cub show in the Joey Dunlop Centre, Ballymoney on Saturday, April 5.

The car called ‘The Hayrake’ is now owned by Magherafelt building constructor and vintage car enthusiast, John Keatly and his father Dr John Keatley.

It was build by William Chesney, an agricultural products supplier for the late Dr Thompson Glass

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Dr Glass continued his studies and became a consultant radiologist with responsibilities for the Waveney Hospital in Ballymena and the Mid-Ulster Hospital in Magherafelt.

Assisted by his business mechanic Tommy Lynn, Mr Chesney, developed the car from a 1952 Austin Chassis with a Ford Corsair 1500 engine. It also had a very special breaking system, allowing each of the rear wheels to be locked independently. This was achieved by pushing or pulling an extra hand brake lever.

This made driving round the pylons during the driving tests, which were very popular before the full blown rallies become the norm. The Test Championship series was won by Dr Glass in 1960.

Alongside the Hayrake will be a variety of interesting and rare cares and motorcycles. Including former British Stock Car Champion, Roy McKane’s 1959 Goggomobile Dart, a Delorean and a Rovert Ten.

There will also be various Minis, Minors, Minxes, Ford Capris, Cortinas and Escorts.

In total over 50 cars will be on Display from 10.00am to 5.00pm admission will be £3.