Classics by the Beach: Sunday, 5th of June, 2016

Only a few hardy car lovers ventured out for June's Classics by the Beach. However, that only reduced the quantity, not the quality, of the assembled vehicles. There were even a couple that UMPH hadn't seen before.

There is quite a healthy population of MGAs, MG TFs and other examples of the marque in and around Hobart, many of which are often seen at Classics. It looks like the wet weather put the other owners off on this occasion, though.

Lucas Le Mans headlights.

This 2 litre TC Rover was in lovely condition. There are a few of the 3.5 litre V8s in and around Hobart but the four cylinder versions are rarer.

Citroens like the model shown above - a CX Pallas - aren't common, either. If anything, there are fewer examples than there are of the iconic DS series, several of which are still doing duty as daily drivers.

The Mk III MG Midget featured here is a regular at Classics. There are still quite a few Midgets and Sprites - and MGBs, too - in southern Tasmania, as well as a very strong MG car club (www.mgtas.org.au).

Even if you can't warm to the bold styling of this Cadillac, it's hard to argue that it doesn't have a certain something (an essence of ten-gallon hat and fat cigars, perhaps?). It's unambiguously American, and unashamedly big and luxurious, like something that JR Ewing might have driven around Dallas.

Older Mercedes - like the 250 S shown here - also have a certain style, albeit more restrained than the Cadi. This example - one of two of a similar era on the day - was particularly straight and clean.

The other older Merc (also very tidy) + a really nice Mustang convertible.

A new-ish Lotus and an MG Midget.

Other than the bigger alloy wheels, this Mercedes 280 CE also looked very original. It's a true hard-top, as it features frame-less side windows and doesn't have a 'B' pillar, either.

U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au .)

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