Upper Middle Petrol Head:

Lyn Archer's name has long been synonymous with Tasmanian motorsport, as well as having a strong association with the business and civic activities of Hobart over many decades, through his proprietorship of Lyn Archer Motors and service as an alderman on the Hobart City Council.  Lyn raced a variety of cars during the 1950s, 60s and 70s, but is probably best known for taking out 6th place in the 1959 Australian Grand Prix in Longford, northern Tasmania, and for also campaigning  an Elfin WR275 with great success. Today's article isn't actually about Lyn, although it is inextricably linked to him.  The car featured - a lovely MGC with an amazing 31,944 miles on the odometer (no - the clock hasn't ticked over for a second spin!) - was regularly used to tow Lyn's Elfin to race meetings, although it was actually his wife Pamela's.    I was lucky enough to meet Lyn and Pamela's son - Lyndon, who now owns the MG - in a local specialist garage ...

I'll admit that this humble early- to mid-70s Corona isn't the most exotic car to ever grace the pages of UMPH.  However, it is an absolute testament to the quality, and longevity, of the Toyota range.  It wasn't perfect but, considering its age, it was pretty damned good.  I wonder how many of today's plastic-bumpered cars will still be around in forty-plus years? U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) All iPhone images.

The excellent HD Holden shown here was spotted by our  UMPH  Tasmanian West Coast Bureau chief correspondent in Queenstown, about three and a half hours' drive from Hobart  - probably more for this car's owners -  a similar distance from Burnie or Devonport and too far from Launceston to even contemplate.  It appears to be in excellent condition with glossy duco, straight, rust-free panels and perfect chrome.  It's safe to assume that she's a reliable old bus, too ; a trip down to Tasmania's west coast, all the way from Victoria, would tax many a newer car. DHR for U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) All iPhone images

The cheeky little left hand drive number pictured above - a 2.0 litre-powered hardtop photographed in Europe - is clearly an homage to the great  Upper Middle Petrol Head Galant!  It was inevitable, I suppose; like Mad Max's Interceptor , James Bond's Aston Martin DB5 and the Bat Mobile, a car of such immense cultural significance was always going to spawn its imitators! U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) Photo of UMPH Galant replica supplied by Robert Borlez, Europe.

All in all, this HR van was in pretty good nick for a commercial vehicle that's only a year of two shy of its fifty-fifth birthday!  The body was straight, there wasn't any major rust visible and the bright-work looked really good.  It featured a set of classic jelly bean wheels and a slightly newer than stock interior.  Nice!  U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) All iPhone images

Another first Sunday get-together at Sandy Bay Beach, Hobart, Tasmania, and another amazing fleet of classic cars, many of which I'd never seen before.  The depth and breadth of people's vehicle collections is a source of constant wonder to me.  Take, for example, this fabulous Buick with its innovative side-hinged bonnet and imposing American styling.  It appears to be largely original, except that it seems to have been fitted with some wider than standard chrome rims and a possibly newer Chevrolet engine (although Buick and Chev are both GM products, so that may not mean anything much).   The lovely V8 HZ Premier featured below was a real treat, having either been kept in pristine condition or recently been subjected to a very thorough restoration.  The panels, duco and chrome were all first rate; the interior - including cargo-area Venetians - was in excellent nick, too. I'm reasonably confide...