Upper Middle Petrol Head:

This nifty Fiat 850 was spotted in one of Hobart's southern suburbs.  It's one of at least three Tasmanian early 850s known to UMPH, the others being a stock looking blue one and Phil Blake's very potent Abarth replica ( https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7165367970551834236#editor/target=post;postID=1411228409624317255;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=34;src=postname ;   https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7165367970551834236#editor/target=post;postID=4162286812682154743;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=6;src=postname ;   and http://www.shannons.com.au/club/enthusiasts/fiatmeister/garage/1964-fiat-abarth-ot-1600 / ) .  Not sure where this particular version sits on the hot or not performance scale but it sure does look good! U M P H  ( uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au ). iPhone image.   

Nice Datto!  This cool 1200 wagon was seen in Elizabeth Street, North Hobart, on a particularly fine autumn morning.  It's straight, rust-free and has a pretty tidy paint job, too.   The forward-mounted external rear-view mirrors lent it a bit of an old-school Japanese look but, given the very early Tasmanian rego-plates, it's clearly been a local car for the vast majority of its life.  It featured non-standard headlights with faceted lenses, natty 13" alloys, a sports-steering wheel and race-style bucket seats. U M P H (u ppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au .)

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....

It's interesting to see what floats people's boats when it comes to UMPH Random  posts.  Volkswagens rate really well, as do early Fiats and Alfas.  However, lots of other really nice cars often create barely any interest at all.  The following index is therefore an attempt to steer readers to where their particular interests might lie.   The Germans (VWs, mainly): 1956 Beetle ('The Slut') https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7165367970551834236#editor/target=post;postID=6748142476422085586;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=3;src=postname .  (Coming soon.) 1960s 1300 Beetle De Luxe https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7165367970551834236#editor/target=post;postID=1682370562301318900;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=6;src=postname . Split Window Kombi https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7165367970551834236#editor/target=post;postID=7606535652823221330;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postN...

Roma comes to North Hobart. Some cars are so deeply associated with their countries of origin that it's almost impossible to see one without thinking of the other.  Britain has its Mini Minors ; in France, it's Citroen 2CV s ; the Hindustani Star says India as loudly as the loudest Bollywood starlet ever sang ; and the Beetle will always be synonymous with Germany. Quite fittingly, this ripper 500 was spotted in the heart of North Hobart's restaurant precinct near where many a good Italian meal is to be had. And in Italy?  They've got the Bambino!   U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au .) iPhone images.

UMPH isn't going to bang on about this Tasmanian registered, British made Ultima sports car, mainly because it's so exotic that he doesn't actually know anything about it.  He was, however, pretty chuffed to have seen it in Hobart and even more so when he visited the Ultima website ( http://www.ultimasports.co.uk/   ).  A  true supercar!    U M P H. ( uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au .)

This very tidy VW Beetle was spotted outside the excellent Small Fry cafe and bar in Bathurst Street, Hobart, on a pleasant Autumn morning.  According to its friendly owner, it's all original but has been recently reupholstered.   It's not the owner's only VW ;  he told UMPH that he's also got a number of engine-less Kombis that he hopes to get back on the road some day.      U M P H ( uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com .)