Moll’s Gap pancake seller’s vintage roadside attraction burnt out
The decorated car was parked at Moll’s Gap, where it normally remained during the day to help advertise Peter Kerssens’ Strawberry Field pancake shop on the Killarney to Sneem road.
The 1967 Volvo Amazon, and its identical predecessor, had become a roadside attraction at the tourist hotspot since Mr Kerssens first began parking there 10 years ago.
He said he did not usually leave it overnight but last Monday he kept it parked up as he needed it early on Tuesday.
However, when before he set out he got a phone call to say his car had been destroyed.
“It is a disaster. I was really surprised. It is not near a town and this is a very remote area in the evening and night.
“They say it happened between half four and half five in the morning which is a very strange time... so we don’t have a clue why it happened,” he said.
The most recent Amazon originated in Sweden but Mr Kerssens bought it in his native Holland seven years ago for €3,000. Since Tuesday he has been looking at replacements but the cost of this model of antique car has risen significantly.
“The same car now is €7,000. We are a small business so we cannot afford a big amount. I like old cars and I think I will replace it but just not quickly,” he said.
He said he had got a large response since it happened from people who said they “missed the nice car on the roadside”.
