Classics by the Beach: April, 2021

The April '21 installment of Classics by the Beach kicked off bright and early, possibly due to the disparity between the indicative post-daylight savings time and the reality of attendees' sleep patterns! It may be that lots of people are commonly there at 9:00 am but, personally speaking, I doubt that I've ever fronted up that early in the six or more years that I've racked-up as a semi-regular attendee.

As usual, there were a number of cars that knocked me sockless, not the least of which was the beautiful HR Premier shown above and below. Chris' Bentley also shone, as did the amazing S series Valiant (the model after the push button transmission version) depicted further down the page, plus an EH, a World War 2 Jeep and a number of other rippers.

The uppermiddlepetrolhead editorial team don't generally theme their offerings, preferring instead to present what they find, where they find it and not to focus too much on anything specific. However, if there were a theme for April, it would most probably be the interior-related, as the balmy early autumn weather appears to have encouraged owners to leave their windows open, permitting unrestricted photographic access to a number of cars' dashboards and upholstery.

Rhys was keen to showcase the interior of his BMW i3 to dispel some misconceptions about its interior dimensions and lack of load-carrying capacity. Job done, Rhys! The Honda Jazz would be a good contemporary comparison but, for my money, the fold-flat-ability of the eBeamer is more akin to that of the Citroen DS or, as it's also known, "The Goddess." Doctor Who would approve!

Here's a classic 1960s' interior. Acres and acres of glorious red vinyl covering a very drive-in friendly front bench seat.

Vinyl probably hadn't been invented when this Bentley was built. But, if it was, I can't imagine that anything so vulgar would grace the upholstery of something so grand! Connolly leather, anyone?

The interior of this GTR Torana is as '70s as it gets! Look at that instrument binnacle. How about that slim-spoked sports steering wheel?! Just lovely!

Below is the first of the interiors to have really piqued my interest. Mick Dundee would love it! The eagle-eyed amongst you might identify the significantly later edition Falcon external and internal door handles (EA / EB?) shown above and below. Thanks, Nick B, for being eagle-eyed!

The windows were up on this striking Type 3 Volksie, unfortunately. That's not to say that its interior wasn't noteworthy, though; it had been done out in lovely grey carpet and seats with blue piping to set it all off.

Does a car with no roof have an interior? (UMPH asks all the important existential questions!). It may be as basic as a basic thing but it's also superb!

To my limited knowledge, this wood veneer dash is not standard Mini Cooper S issue but may have been an option back when the car was new. Either way, it was lovely and also segues very nicely into our next example ...

How sumptuous is the dash and instrument cluster in this Lotus?! I believe that it might be walnut - burled walnut, possibly (?). It's very British and in keeping with the Cooper S shown earlier on.

The dash in this WW2 Jeep's probably as utilitarian as they get! Sumptuous it's not!! In fact, it's so unsumptuous that there weren't any doors, let alone windows, to impede my photography but who'd have it any other way?!

U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)

EJ or EH Holden? (Up-dated December, 2022)

EJ or the later EH? Several years ago, I posed the question: Can somebody please explain the difference between an EJ and an EH Holden ute or van? The response at the time wasn't overwhelming, so I did a bit of Googling and ferreting through my photos and came up with my own rough guide to EJ and EH identification. Sedans and wagons are easy to tell apart ; the EH's vertical rectangular tail lights are a dead give-away. However, the workhorse versions of both models share the rear-end treatment of the earlier EJ, making it harder to identify one from the other. No super obvious hints here. Or here ... . It turns out that the main clues are in the placement of the front H O L D E N lettering and GMH lion emblems, the style of the radiator grille and the width of the vents in front of the windscreen, with all EJs - sedans, wagons, utes and vans - having one combination and the EH line-up having their own . So what exactly are those diffe

Vick Auto Prima Fiat X1/9 Brakes: An Owner’s Assessment

At the end of 2022, I fitted a set of Vick Autosport Prima front brakes to my mildly worked 1.5 litre Series 1 Fiat X1/9 . I was fortunate, having picked them up at a very, very reasonable price, brand new but surplus to the needs of a fellow X1/9 Australia member who had imported them from the US. The kit included: New single pot callipers , new vented rotors (standard X1/9 front rotors are smaller, non-vented items), DOT approved stainless steel brake hoses, and all the necessary mounting hardware. They are a value proposition, being particularly well priced compared to other manufacturers’ packages - even at RRP - with everyone I’ve spoken to saying they’re made to a high standard, too. Here's a link to a piece that I wrote about them at that time, including some costings: https://uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com/2022/11/the-x19-gets-prima-brake-upgrade.html . Initial Assessment: I was a little underwhelmed by the brakes' performance, finding that although they had a tiny

Random # 301: Nanna-Spec KE36 Corolla

Once upon a time - six or seven years ago, actually - there was a lovely pale yellow GC Galant station wagon getting around Hobart. It was totally nanna-spec; its paint was umarked, the chrome work and hubcaps were immaculate, and its very original interior was pristine. Then someone stuck feathers in its dashboard. Next, the windows were adorned with Tibetan prayer flags. And a hubcap went missing. And the the rear bumper was pushed in, mangling the bodywork behind it. And a mudguard got dented. And rust set in. I fear for this sweet, innocent KE36 Corolla. Somebody please save it before it's too late. Nanna needs you to do it. U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) Photos by GlamRock.

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