Brian Mullan

hi daddy
its been a while since i have wrote on here but that doesnt mean i have forgotten u,
i love u daddy and will always miss u,

donna xx

hello granda
can u cum bk down again with sasha and take me a wee sail in ure rangerover.
and please cum down and take me to big brown farm,
then we go bk to grannies house,
then we can go and find ure shoe, and then cum bk to grannies house again,
ok granda
ok bye bye
love u loads xxx

hello wee darlyn,
brian i miss u wee pet, more and more every day,
i just cant live without you,
everything has changed since u left,
i am trying to keep our wee house and garden looking the way u wud have liked it,
i am trying brian to keep all our family together too,
brian, look after joe, paul, margret, donna and jennifer and all their wee waynes,
try and get joe sorted out once and for all,
keep us safe and guide us on the right path which u wud like us to take,
keep paul safe on them oul motorbikes,
every min of every day brian i wonder what happened that day up in movanagher,
but i know brian i am not getting any younger and that we will meet soon and u will be able to tell me,
who cuts ure hair now brian and trims ure wee beard?
and who makes u ure wee cups of tea every half an hour that u loved soo much?
each time i pass the living room door, i wish to see u lying on the sofa with rusty on ure chest and sasha by ure side,
but i know my wish will never again come true,
tell mummy, daddy, danny and wee melvyn i love them to,
i will go now brian,
but ure face will never leave my head,
i love u then, now and forever,
till wee meet again my wee darlyn
ure wife, sadie
i love u with all my heart
xxxxxx

hello daddy
suppose u know wee rusty has gone now too,
hugh, nxt door, sorry daddy, found her and buried her,
she is likely lying on ure stomach, paws round ure neck, purring away as u sleep, as usual,
so i hope daddy that wee snowy, sasha and rusty r all close by ure side, and that they, as well as the dear lord, are taking gud care of u,
watch over us daddy, u know the prayers we say to u every nite, well ask god to help answer those prayers,
and to please give us the strength to get over losing u,
love and miss u dad more and more every day,
u will forever be with me and in my thoughts,
take care of mum daddy will u,
i love u dad,
till we meet again and i feel ure big strong arms around me,
bye bye,
xxxxxxx

well daddy, imagine me training to be a driving instructor?! i know it will take a while b4 im as good as u were! u were my hero daddy. i had great respect and love and admiration for you. you amazed me by your creative thoughts and unbelievable work. i was and still am so proud of you. i wish i could show you what im doing now, but i hope you can see anyway. remember to keep me right. i love you and miss you daddy. i bet wee sasha is stuck there by your side as always?! looking forward so much to hugging you again. my daddy. xx

My late father, BRIAN MULLAN, BALLYMONEY’S 1972 Lotus Elan +2 S130

Yet another of my fathers much prized restorations….

He acquired the car in 1982, at which time, it was a non runner… sporting a rather sad looking dark brown paintwork, with a gold roof.

It was purchased in Ballymena by dad, after I noticed her sitting looking rather neglected, and informed him about her whereabouts. Dad being dad, said nothing, and the next thing I knew, I spotted him going through Ballymena, with the Lotus on the back of his trusty Range rover.

After work, I rushed out to see her…, she was remarkably original inside, and although the paintwork wasn’t in bad condition, the tell tale signs of fibreglass stressing was evident.

She was a non runner, as I’ve said, but was complete non the less. So dad starting to strip her down, in preparation for her full restoration to her present glorious condition. He took great care in ensuring that as many original parts were retained as possible.

Before stripping commenced though, dad decided to get her running, and assess the condition of the engine, gearbox, axles etc….

He managed to get the engine running, but it was running roughly, and on closer inspection, it emerged that it was showing markedly lower compression readings on two of the cylinders. My big brother Joe, had built an engine to fit into a brand new Mk2 Mexico shell he had bought, and intended building into a road going rally car, however due to plans to build a new house, it had been shelved, so he gave the engine to dad, for his Elan.

The engine Joe had built was a 1760cc Twin Cam, but hadn’t the big valve head, and even though it had been built by a so called ‘racing engine specialist’.. dad stripped it down again to check its condition. Was a good job he did, as the big end bearings were badly scored, as grit had been left on the bearings, and had ruined them, and the engine had only been turned over by hand.

Dad fitted Joe’s 1760cc bottom end, and fitted it with the Lotus’s own Big Valve head, complete with twin Dellorto’s etc.. image how surprised he was to find that it was still showing light of compression on the same two cylinders..!

The reason for this was that the linkage between the two Dellortos had slipped, and she was able to draw in more air into two of the cylinders, than the others with the closed carb butterflies… he wasn’t impressed!

After satisfying himself with the mechanical requirements of the car, dad set about the restoration process, removing the body from the chassis, and systematically dissembling the components for refurbishment and reassembly.

The chassis, which was in remarkably original condition, was shot blasted and resprayed, all bushings, mountings, and bearings were replaced, every seal replaced, and all the components were afforded the same meticulous attention, to restore them to better than new condition. My dad spent an unbelievable amount of hours every day, restoring this wee car… working sometimes from 5.30 am until 2am the next day, such was his interest and dedication.

The engine, gearbox, back end, suspension arms etc were all refurbished, and refitted to the repainted chassis… it looked perfect (haven’t found the pix yet)…

Wolfrace spin on rims were polished up and fitted with 205/60 x 13’s on the rear, and 185/60 x13’s on the front, to clear the arches..

Having completed the rolling chassis, dad then started into the shell…

He stripped the old paint off it with a Stanley blade and paint strippers, doing a very small section at a time. Such was his patience and skill, that he was able to remove the existing paint to reveal the original ‘metal flake’ paintwork on the cars roof.

After stripping the paint off down to the original bodywork, (a painstaking labour of love), dad set about reinforcing the areas on the cars shell, which were prone to stress fractures, i.e. around the headlamps, rear boot hinges etc…

This was done by using fibreglass matting and resin, a skill dad had taught himself from completing an 18ft Norman offshore cruiser, which he bought as a bare shell, and fitted out to completion on his own.. ( the only time he was beat he wasn’t there..).

Having contented himself that all the required strengthening was completed, he set about repainting the car, leaving the original roof, and painting the rest of the car in ’Opel Ochre’… the colour of the new Mk1 Manta, which he bought new in 1973, from Culcrow Service Station, Aghadowey. I personally think it’s the best looking Elan I’ve ever seen.

He rebuilt the car, and fabricated his own exhaust system, which entailed two separate pipes emerging from the manifold, and continuing down the length of the car, to two separate silencers (made by himself), emerging from the centre of the car at the rear.

The chrome strip, which usually was fitted at the top of the sill area, he decided would be better utilised, in covering the scewheads along the lower sill area, so he placed it there… (good decision)

On completion, the +2 looked and was immaculate.. A real testimony to dads skill, dedication and abilities.

Himself and my sister Jenifer, attended loads of Lotus shows and charity events around the UK, lifting many awards for the car, although dad did it for his own pleasure, not notoriety…

I however wish to have him applauded for his interest, and contribution to the classic car fans of the future generations… if it weren’t for his like, the past would be simply a memory…

I intend to ensure that the Lotus remains in immaculate condition, is shown as often and as widely as possible, and in our families hands until I’m no longer here…

God bless you Brian Mullan (daddy), you were one in a million….

Love you dad… Paul xxxxx

Daddy's 1937 FORD MODEL Y SPECIAL ‘FALCON’

There won’t be many of us vacating this life, and leaving behind, something which we created with our own hands, that will give pleasure to those generations who follow us, but, that is exactly what my late father, BRIAN MULLAN, of Vow Road in the small County Antrim town of BALLYMONEY, N. IRELAND, has achieved…

My father Brian, sadly passed away suddenly on 4th September 2007,aged 67, but not without leaving his legacy for classic car enthusiasts, and those who appreciate the dying specialist car building trades, to have as a reminder of what a talented, skilful and dedicated man he was…

A mechanic and engineer all his life, my father loved nothing more, than to be in his garage, working at, or designing something to do with motor vehicles. In his lifetime, he restored quite a few classics to their former glory… the most extensive of which were a Mk II Jaguar 3.2, which was completely stripped and refurbished, and a Mk I Cooper S, which he had rebuilt completely from a new mini shell, which he had converted back to Mk I spec (a real task…)

The car which I am showcasing today however, is his beautifully created 1937 FORD Model Y Special, ‘FALCON’…


Those of you who know your onions, will of course see, that the car is not what is commonly known as the Ford Falcon, as it was a fibreglass hardtop… however, that was what my father originally started with.. (although very dilapidated..).


The chassis of the Model Y, was in excellent condition, however, since my dad intended to build the coachwork himself, he decided to lengthen, and widen the chassis, using sections from a similar one he had acquired. He also used these to strengthen the chassis, as the vehicle was going to be an open top.

Engine was complete with Aquaplane head, and 1 ¼” SU carbs, which was completely stripped, rebuilt, painted, and carbs etc polished up.


Gearbox was stripped, checked over and rebuilt, driveshaft and housing had to be lengthened due to the chassis alteration, and all axles , suspension etc, were stripped, rebuilt, and of course, all the components were shot blasted and painted.

When the rolling chassis was completed, my dad the set about designing the body for the car….

Years ago, himself and his brother Charlie, owned a Riley MPH, which he always talked about, and the design was loosely based on it….

The frame work for the body was made from steel, but all the panels, including floor panels, are aluminium, which he hand shaped, and made himself..

Even the air vents on the side engine panels, were cut and shaped by hand, not pressed out like most are today. The doors were ‘suicide doors’, opening from the front, and both sides of the bonnet hood are hinged from the centre of the car. (brass hinges used).


The bulkhead too is heavy aluminium sheeting, bent to form the necessary shape, and the floor is designed to flow any rain water which enters the car, out the centre where the driveshaft housing exit’s the interior.. The car was intended to be usable in all weathers.

Mudguards were formed, by purchasing steel trailer guards, splitting and narrowing them, making them the correct length, and then migging a steel formed rod, down the centre of each, to form the rib (for cosmetic and strengthening reasons). The front guards are mounted to the wheel hubs, and thus turn with the wheels.


The compartment behind the seating area, houses the fuel tank, and allows for dry storage of any tools etc.


Originally my father had a side exiting exhaust fitted, but it was too fumy on slow journeys, so he made on to exit at the rear.

He had a few modifications done, to suit himself, as he had a very bad back, and hip… the suicide doors made for awkward entering and exiting the car, so he came up with the idea of a removable steering wheel, so he acquired a suitable boss, and that was that problem solved. Another was due to the car being so narrow, when he was carrying a passenger, the gear stick was difficult to manoeuvre, so he designed his own column change, which takes a bit of getting used to…
Also, since the car was taken on substantial journeys, he fitted a ‘hand throttle’, so as he could rest his hip….

So in his ‘37 open top, he had cruise control (hand throttle), column change, and one of the best immobilisers… (removable steering wheel).

I think from memory, he acquired the car around the year 2000, and finished it in 2002, two days before a planned ‘around Ireland Run’, planned by the Ford Y&C Register UK.

The car completed over 1100 miles in ten days, and never missed a beat, such was the intensity of my dads preparation…

He has attended quite a lot of runs, with the Y&C Register in GB and the Isle of Man, helping raise funds for Cancer, Leukaemia Research and countless other charities.

His last run out in the ‘Falcon’, was August 2007, 3 weeks before his passing, when I drove him, in the car, to Powerscourt Picnic & Run 2007, in Dublin. It took us four hours to drive down in the pouring rain, but I’m so thankful that I had the opportunity to have that special time with him.. (miss him so much xx).

We had a great time that weekend, and he was so pleased to meet up with his friends from the Register, John Fitzgerald and Sam Roberts. I was invited back to Powerscourt this year (2008), where I was delighted to be presented with John Fitzgerald’s fathers perpetual trophy, in memory of my dad… it was an emotional time for me.


I have acquired a few trophies so far this season, but I cannot take the credit for them, as all I’m doing is taking the car there…. All credit should be going to my dad, Brian, god bless him.

The car will never leave my family in my day, and hopefully for a long time after that..

I intend to show it as much as possible, and get my dad the recognition he rightfully deserves, for having the skill and ability, to build this unique wee treasure, and put a smile on peoples faces, even when he’s gone.


I really appreciate the opportunity to tell you all about ‘The Falcon’, and hope you found it interesting. You can read more about my dad Brian Mullan, at a website I set up in his memory… www.bmcvcni.com The Brian Mullan Classic Vehicle Club (N.I)

Love you daddy xxx