Upper Middle Petrol Head:

Uppermiddlepetrolhead does feature some pretty special cars, even if I do have to say so myself!  There are some true classics featured, including all the "big" names like E-Type Jags, Porsches, Ferraris, a "Gull-wing" Merc, plus plenty of Aussie muscle - even a trio of Galant hardtops! I strongly suspect that this superb classic Italian racer - reportedly an Alfa, but in my mind probably a Lancia - is as special, if not more so, than any other car featured on the whole 'blog.  I'd love to tell you more about it but I can't, other than it was recently snapped in Rye, Victoria, by UMPH's special correspondent for Green Acres.  The Green Acres special correspondent also photographed this lovely Alfa 1300 GT Junior at the same time and place as the Lancia.  Again, I'm less than full-bottle when it comes to this car, as I thought all the single headlight per side 105s were "step-noses," but this one doesn't appear to...

The new seal being fitted as a continuous length. Work has continued tidying up my "new" Series 1, with one of the easier and more satisfying tasks being the replacement of the cracked and crumbly rubbers that once upon a time sealed the side windows, doors and and top.  They've certainly improved the look, the doors don't bang shut like they did and the car's a bit less breezy, too!   Having searched the 'net for some suitable seals, I chose Midwest-Bayless' three piece set that were on special for a fairly reasonable U$69 (AU$100 +/-).  Well, they were reasonably priced until U$92 (AU$134!) was added for freight!! A pleasing finish. Members of the Australian X1/9s Facebook site soon had me sorted, putting me onto Aussie company Clark Rubber, a crowd that I ignorantly associated with pool noodles, lilo patches and not much else.  Silly me!   Not only did my local Clark Rubber store stock way more that swimming pool acces...

Ne vinci un po ', ne perdi un po'! Questo è solo come è a volte. Prima il lato del debito del registro: il precedente stato "totalmente privo di ruggine" ha messo un grosso asterisco contro di esso, in attesa di ulteriori indagini sul sistema di raffreddamento. In sua difesa, la macchina non si surriscalda, né c'è alcuna prova di pianto dal radiatore o dai tubi di raffreddamento, il che è motivo di ottimismo. Il fluido - o "arancia metallica liquida" - è arrivato sul cemento attraverso il serbatoio di troppopieno, suggerendo che il sistema è abbastanza robusto per far fronte a un po 'di pressione interna senza scoppiare nulla. Un buon flush-out è saltato in cima alla lista delle priorità e si unisce a una messa a punto e servizio urgenti come un must. Qualche cosa allo yang (o è yang a ying?): Sotto le fodere dei sedili c'erano questi sedili un po 'ruvidi ma relativamente nuovi e mai indossati. Si...

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 ...