Upper Middle Petrol Head:

What can you say about the Langdon Bodyworks' Ford truck that's not corny and predictable?  Let's just leave it at "what a great advert for a long-standing Hobart business."  That might seem to be short-changing it a bit but I think you'll agree it's pretty much bang-on! U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) All iPhone images.

At first glance, this EA  Falcon  - photographed recently in Melbourne's CBD - isn't that special.  However, I'd argue that the EA / EB line represented a quantum leap forward for the Falcon range with its sleek styling that's not a million miles from that of some later model Jaguars.  What's more, it took Aussie Fords into new territory with its fuel injection - throttle body to start with, followed by the more efficient multi-point system - all round coil suspension and four wheel discs.  Its design was so far ahead of the car that preceded it, the boxy 1979 XD-based XF of 1984-88, that it might as well have borne a different name plate altogether. This particular example is also quite special just because it's in such great nick.  Being an S , it features a slightly more pronounced front apron, a tasteful boot spoiler and a few sports-orientated tweaks here and there.  It appears to depart from stock only by virtue of tinted windows...

This lovely old HG ute might've seen better times but when you consider it in the light of being a workhorse for nearly 50 years, I reckon it's held up remarkably well!  It's a bit dinged here and there and there is some rust.  However, it's still a great looking vehicle, featuring a genuine Monaro bonnet and front guards, as well as a set of classic Aunger Hustlers .  The rego mightn't be original but C -reg would still have to be nearly 40 years old, too.   U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) All iPhone images.

Sadly, New York City's classic yellow "checker" taxi cabs have had to make way for more supposedly environmentally friendly options, which has seen the fleet now largely comprise of Toyota Priuses and other hybrid appliances.  There is, however, an upside:  one enterprising Victorian has created a wedding car hire company, Checker Cab Weddings ( https://checkercabweddings.com.au/the-cars/ ),  using a modest fleet of the iconic 1950s' versions of NYC's most famous vehicle.       Having been lucky enough to have recently seen two of them in action in Melbourne, I can say that they make stunning wedding cars with their distinctive original - but fully restored - interiors, yellow duco and checkered livery.  They're all as-was when they did duty in the city that never sleeps, complete with top lights and red "flags", from whence the term flag-fall originates. Like the classic London cab, they are instantly recognisable and ...

Close but no cigar ... The Alfa Male recently snapped off a few quick pics of this very cool Chevie truck at Green Hills Beach, Cronulla, New South Wales.  He was so impressed with it, he's photo-bombed his own photo!   Sort of like W here's Wally? but not.    Maybe ... If you look really, really closely ... * U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) iPhone images. * he's not in this shot.

I'm pretty confident that the owner of this magnificent XM hardtop, which goes by the moniker of Red Bird , won't mind it featuring on my 'blog, as it also appears on the excellent Custom, Street and Muscle Tasmania Facebook page where he's seeking a set of four original  Fiesta hubcaps to finish of its restoration.  I sort of know my Falcons a bit, certainly enough to know that when he's seeking Fiesta  hubcaps, he doesn't mean parts off a cheesy Mazda- or Kia-derived 1990s' four cylinder "badge-engineered" Ford! So, if you're really into your Falcons and happen to have a set of Fiesta hubcaps that you might be willing to part with, please make a comment at the bottom of this page.  But, if you don't, I think you should just enjoy Red Bird in all its 1960s' splendour! U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) All iPhone images.

  I've covered Club Motori Italia's excellent Lufra hill climb for three years now and am yet to tire of the magnificent spectacle that it is, thanks to its wonderful historic and performance cars, truly beautiful backdrop and very enjoyable festive feel.  However, I worry that I might be repeating myself a bit with the competition photos, so this year I concentrated on the colours and sights of the main staging area and start line.        As usual, the entry list included a wonderful mix of classic, sports and performance cars including Italian, Aussie, British, German and Japanese marques.  As commentator David Rose put it, there was everything from the highly-desirable through to what were, quite literally, sh*t-boxes.   The competition cars weren't the only ones worth a look, either ; the car park and surrounding areas had more than a few nice vehicles sprinkled around them, as you'll see later on.  Th...