Alas visitors to Des Cullen cars in Rathmines will not get a chance to see Porsche's supercar Carrera GT. With a price tag of €1 million, the car was sold over the weekend to a Dublin buyer.
However, even though it may be destined for 04 D plates, its unlikely to be seen down at the Liffey Valley Shopping Centre or in the ILAC car park, if for no other reason than its bound to attract a lot of attention, and it's too wide for the average parking spot.
Ireland's most prominent supercar dealer, Des Cullen is also due to take delivery of six Aston Martin DB9s this year, all going to eager customers. Other cars on the way include a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti (reviewed on page four) and a Maserati Quattroporte, both due in January. Cullen has good connections within Ferrari, being one of the lucky owners of a Ferrari Enzo last year. In fact he secured delivery of two Enzos at the time, one red and one yellow. Both have been sold since on the continent. The fact that he picked up two out of the limited production of 150 must undoubtedly irk several Ferrari dealers who were left Enzo-less.
A new online parts service has opened for Irish motorists.
The website www.micksgarage.ie is offering replacement and original parts ranging from general accessories like wipers and air freshners through to wing mirrors and batteries, with a promise of delivery within 48 hours.
The site, originally set up in 2003, is currently expanding services and will soon add alloys, roof racks and tow-bars to the list of products on offer, now running to 12,000, according to co-founder Ciaran Crean.
"We're aiming at the ordinary motorist for now, people who will source the part from us and then get their local mechanic to fit it, or indeed do it themselves. Even if a mechanic fits it, they only need to pay for labour and can make savings from the website."