Classic by the Beach: April, 2023

I thought that it might require a little research to determine what year this Edsel Ranger hailed from. Wrong! Turns out that the Edsel - a marque within the broader Ford Motor Company, named in honour of founder Big H's son - is either a 1958, '59 or '60, as they're the only three years that Edsels were produced.

Today's example - photographed at the April, 2023, instalment of Hobart's Classic by the Beach car enthusiasts' gathering - was quite extraordinary, not only being in first rate nick but also having a very, very cool custom paint job. The bonnet and boot each featured some presumably hand-painted (?) pinstriping, while the roof was adorned with a nifty floral motif.

Photo courtesy of A J Lackington

This is LA's old-school Cressida. It's in what looks to be in very original condition with shiny duco, great chrome and a pristine black vinyl roof. It's ostensibly stock, although it does sit on a very nice set of JDM-style alloys.

Check out this Lotus Esprit's interior! Are they some of the coolest, most 1970s' bucket seats ever? It's also damned near impossible not to love that steering wheel!

Not one but two Leyland Mini Clubmans! Both were immaculate but, for me, the red one gets the points for all its subtle performance upgrades.

I'm credibly informed that this is a genuine SL/R. According to my always reliable* source, the owner intends to give the car a slight refresh, including tucking the under-bonnet wiring and removing its five air horns. (Yes, that’s five air horns!) I particularly like the alloy wheels - a recreation of the original SL/R pressed steel rims - and one of only a few departures from stock apparent on the car.

This later Triumph Spitfire looked extra fresh with its striking yellow duco, crisp chrome, tidy interior and Superlite wheels. I've always liked the styling of Triumphs, quite probably because even though they're British, many of them were designed by Italian maestro Giovanni Michelotti (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Michelotti).

Did you enjoy this article? If so, why not browse the rest of the uppermiddlepetrolhead site? There are loads and loads of classic, sports and performance vehicles featured, as well as stacks of car shows and motorsports events. Even better, you can follow either the 'blog itself or do so via Upper Middle Petrol Head's Facebook page. And please do feel free to like and share!

U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)

* Well, I trust him.

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