Picnic at Ross, 2025

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Is there a more fitting venue in all of Tasmania to showcase a classic Aston Martin than the historic village of Ross, approximately 90 minutes' drive north of the state’s capital city, Hobart?  I’d argue there’s something about the English elms and 19th century sandstone buildings lining Ross’ Church and Bridge Streets that strongly suggests not.     


This truly awesome machine is - to my inexpert eye, at least - an exacting replica of a DB4 GT Zagato, the only clue to the car's unoriginality being its build date.   But let’s be clear: it is a genuine Aston Martin, based on a 1969 DB6.  Originals were only manufactured between 1960 and 1963 and only 19 were ever built! 


The Aston wasn't the only beautiful vehicle present on the day, with the first Sunday of May each year - known in car circles as the Picnic at Ross - bringing together automotive aficionados from every part of the state.  All manner of vehicles, from right around the world, were present; classic Aussie work-horses, family hacks and muscle machines shared the streets and surrounding leaf-carpeted parklands with humble to high-end examples of automobiles from Britain, Germany, Italy, Japan and the USA. 


























This unique creation is a 1959 Triumph, according to publicly available registration data.  My guess is that it's probably a trials car. 



















Apparently, this striking Porsche 911 Carrera has been rallied all around the globe with competition citations including the 1997 Panama to Alaska Rally, the 1998 Shield of Africa, and 2000 London to Sydney Marathon, as well as several Australian events.  It presents beautifully which, given the gruelling nature of marathon-style rallies, suggests that it might have recently been readied for another motorsports sortie.  

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When was the last time you saw a Datsun 200B, let alone one that looked this perfect?  Spoiler alert:  there's another equally immaculate example - a slightly later wagon - two photos further down this page.
















There are two mutually exclusive inconsistencies regarding the editorial policies of this website:  1/.  We at uppermiddlepetrolhead think everybody's vehicles are equally worthy and thus do not have favourites; and 2/.  This 1965 Ford Cortina GT was our favourite car at 2025's Picnic at Ross.


Why?  Probably because it was in absolutely pristine condition, it was not a Lotus-powered example but the less fancied GT version, its twin fuel fillers suggested that it may have had a racing pedigree and, as valuable as it doubtlessly is, it is still likely to be attainable for the average car enthusiast. 





It might also surprise readers just how popular this Datsun 120Y was with the UMPH crew.  It was in particularly good nick, inside and out, it was the rarer lift-back edition of the once ubiquitous rice-burner, and it had a few tasty and useful mods, including its Hotwire wheels, a five speed 'box, electronic ignition and a 32/36 Weber carbie.  For sale at a very reasonable $18,500, apparently.   



























Did you enjoy this post?  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 like, comment and share!




U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)



 

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