Upper Middle Petrol Head:

UMPH has no intention of becoming involved in car sales  advertising .  However, he couldn't resist posting this photo of a rather delicious looking Volvo P1800 he saw in a car-yard  in Argyle Street, North Hobart.  He has decided to share it as a random act of car-porn. iPhone image He doesn't know what the asking price is or anything else about the car.  It looks very tidy, although there's some paint dimpling on its rear panels and some of the bright-work's a bit pitted.  The wheels appear to be from a newer model but suit the vehicle, none the less. U M P H. (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au).

Fortunately for all, the Peppermint Bay Bistro  ( http://www.peppermintbay.com.au )  is not a theme-park dining experience based on all things tooth-pastey in taste.  The bay itself was almost certainly named for the stands of what are presumably peppermint gums lining its shores and that frame the gorgeous views of nearby Bruny Island.  But enough of nomenclature and botany ;  this is a 'blog for lovers of cars and food, after all! Peppermint Bay is located about forty-five  minutes' drive south of Hobart in the seaside village of Woodbridge.  Those of you looking to maximise your driving experience can elect to take the more scenic route along Sandy Bay Road, through Taroona on the Channel Highway and past the shot-tower, then on to Kingston.  Doing so offers wonderful views of the River Derwent, South Arm to the east and glimpses of Bruny Island further south.  If you're in a hurry or are navigationally challenged, it's eas...

At the risk of seeming argumentative, UMPH is going to go right out there and contradict several December Classics attendees and scoff at their assertions that they own too many cars.  His logic is that nobody at Classics has too many cars ; what they've got - or, put more accurately, what they've not got - is enough storage space to keep their cars in!  This wild looking Fiat 500 would barely take up any space at all.  Therefore, it would be hard to see why you wouldn't have at least one in your collection.  It could even be argued that two or three wouldn't be excessive, given Bambinos' economy of dimensions.   A stylish Momo Indy finishes the cockpit off nicely. This is Neville's 16 valve, 1.6 litre fuel injected Fiat X1/9.  The engine and gearbox are ex-Corolla and were fitted by the previous owner, chocolatier Igor Van Gerwen of Latrobe's House of Anvers, who was planning to run the car in Targa.  However, the regs ...

The Shed (internet images) UMPH has been looking forward to a day trip to Dunalley's newest eatery for months now, and not just because he's been itching to use the corny title The Day We Went to Bangor !   Everything that he's heard about the Bangor Wine and Oyster Shed ( http://www.bangorshed.com.au /)  has been positive, from the quality of the food and wines, through to the beautiful views over the vineyard and across to Blackman, Marion and Norfolk Bays. The roadworks that had until fairly recently blighted the trip from Hobart to Dunalley, forty-five minutes' south-east of Hobart, have been finished, which is a relief for anyone that doesn't want to chip their duco or risk a cracked headlight or windscreen.  The whole route is now well-sealed and offers an enjoyable drive all the way to Bangor, and beyond to the Tasman Peninsula, should you feel like an extended journey. With the X1/9 on full-song, the UMPHs chose to head past Bangor and on to Mur...

Regular readers will know that UMPH has a sometimes strained relationship with his Exxie.  He adores it when it's going, the only problem being that, more often than not over the past year, it's been gathering dust in the tenebrous back corner of the local Italian specialist's workshop.  (Please see https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7165367970551834236#editor/target=post;postID=377536526271448757;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=44;src=postname .)  Then there are the electrics.  Even UMPH's regular auto-electrician baulked at sorting the spaghetti-like fuse and relay box, the equally labyrinthine mess behind the centre console, the defunct central locking and the non-functioning headlight motors, before relenting and taking the project on.  However, handicapped by a lack of wiring diagrams that at least vaguely resembled the chaos before him, he still couldn't get the headlight motors operating reliably.  Fortunat...