Upper Middle Petrol Head:

There are lots and lots of Ford F100s on this site but very, very few of their Chev equivalents, probably because the former were available in Australia in big numbers (possibly made here?), whereas the latter weren't commonly marketed in this country.  This one's originally from a left hand drive country - the US, most likely - which I always think makes for an interesting history.  Who bought it new, how many owners has it had and how did it end up Down Under?  And could anyone in its country of origin ever imagine that it'd end up on a small island on the other side of the world?     Who gets the joke?  100 wee-in-a-wet-suit points for anyone that does. U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) iPhone images.

As original and perfect as you might ever hope to see!  CACT photographed this pristine pony car in Canberra and was taken by its originality and authenticity, right down to the faux spinners on its flawless hubcaps.  Sometimes - just occasionally - a car manufacturer gets it right the first time and no amount of 'enhancements' can ever top that initial design. U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) iPhone images.

For me, this Sunday's CMI Supersprint series was, well, super-sprinty, as I crammed in a very brief attendance between the Shannons  Take Your Tops Off car show on the lawns of Hobart's Parliament House and Dear Mother-in-Law's 80-something-quite-a-lot-th birthday celebrations later in the arvo.  Those of you that follow the southern Tasmanian car scene might notice that The Shannons event was actually on Saturday and conclude, as I did not, that I was a full 24 hours late for the former.  Oh well.  And my faecal timing didn't end there, as my very brief interlude at Baskerville coincided with three fast and furious laps by the Triumph Dolomite Sprint, MkIIA Austin Healey Sprite and Phil's Fiat Abarth OT-1600 replica photographed above and below, perhaps another one or two three-lappers featuring some different cars, and the event's official pizza lunch!  I'd like to think I might try to be better organised next time but fear that even attempt...

I'm very, very taken with today's car - an LB Lancer, if I'm not mistaken - photographed by Beat Nick in Longford, Tasmania, on an early Autumn day.  Anyone that knows me understands that I'm a sucker for a set of Cibies, and the bigger the better!  The ex-Sigma wheels (14"?) suggest that there might be some serious brakes lurking beneath and the sump guard says proper rally car loudly and clearly.  For some strange reason, the once ubiquitous Lancer has all but disappeared from the classic rally scene while there seem to be an endless number of Datsun 1600s and Escorts still competing, so seeing this one's a real treat! U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)    

I have no idea exactly what sort of donk this GT-themed XW ute might be running.  However, it could only realistically be a V8 - almost certainly a 351 - given the car's overall quality, dual pipes and disc brake rear end.  The photos tell the story, highlighting the striking orange on silver livery, immaculate chrome and fat wheels, but what isn't on show (I don't touch or clamber over other people's property to take photos) are its low-back black buckets, floor shift and era-perfect wood-rimmed steering wheel.  Absolutely stunning!       U M P H (uppewrmiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) iPhone images.