Car Museum Ireland

Blydenstsein Viva – Phoenix Park

Gabriel DeFreitas of Beaulieu House – has a very established career in motor racing under the name of Gabriel Konig

Achievements in the late sixties and early seventies rank her in the top two Irish lady drivers

Now returned to live at her native Beaulieu – Gabriel has assembled a collection of Historic Classic racing and rally saloons to form the main stay of the new car museum - open to the public as part of the house tour options.

‘Gabriel’s a Top Driver’ – London Evening News

‘Gabriel joins driving elite’ – Daily Express

‘18 victories and six lap records’ – Evening Standard

‘Top woman racing driver Gabriel Konig’ – Daily Express

Since 2000 the creation of events such as the Goodwood Revival, Chimay Historic and Spa Motor Classic in Belgium have fuelled a massive growth in Historic Saloon Car Racing producing full grids, exciting racing, and capacity crowds.

Beaulieu House Car Museum therefore offers the infrequent opportunity in Ireland to view a collection of these historic cars at your leisure.

Gabriel is still competing on the race circuits of Europe in cars prepared by partner Malcolm Clark whose own collection of Autotest and road cars will form part of the this small but unique compilation of classic cars.

1970 Blydenstein Vauxhall HC Viva - unique Lotus twin cam race car and sister car to Gerry Marshall’s ‘Old Nail’ – Irish championship winning car

1965 Austin A40 Farina - Race car

1970 MG Midget Retro Rally Car

1971 Austin Mini Cooper S – Road car

1967 MG Midget – Toyo Tyres Autotest car

1995 Silva Stryker – Former race car now Autotest car.

Visitors will also be able to relive events of the past through the collection of photographs, programmes, press cuttings and documents filling the walls of the Museum.

The spare Lotus 904 engine for the Blydenstein Viva – only 25 of these late sixties engine ever made – two in one collection.

Guest Classic Cars, Racing Cars and Racing Motor Bikes are also to be included.