Upper Middle Petrol Head:

Please, p l e a s e ,  P L E A S E   let this amazing 1970s Ford Capri GT be the vehicle that breaks the current classic car drought in Hobart!  Not only was it one of the very best examples that I've seen since pre-C-word days (that other C-word!), it was absolutely perfect, especially for a boy from the 1970s who adored performance-orientated Fords. I have grown up fractionally since then and now also appreciate GMHs and Chyslers of the era.  However, I'd argue that the Capri has one up on Holden's six-cylinder equivalent of the time, the mighty Torana, because the former was purely designed as a sports car whereas the latter was also available in four-door guise.  The Valiant Charger, whilst also strictly a coupe, was really a derivative of the sedan, wagon, ute and van versions of the Ranger / Regal line-up, so they don’t quite have the same cachet, either.   It's a bit vulgar to think of a car in terms of what's been spent on it but, in my defence, I'...

  I know a bloke that's not into cars.  😲.  Hard to believe, eh?  He likes football, as in the AFL.  Each to their own. But such is the svelte beauty of the Italian-styled Karmann Ghia that, despite having never heard of them, he was moved to admit that today's feature car "... is indeed a thing of great beauty."  Too true!   So, we've found some automotive  common ground.  Just don't anyone hold their breath waiting for any sort of  quid pro quo  concession about "the footy" from me, though!  According to the Special Corresponden t for Queensland, it's a third-owner 1960 model, aptly finished in "mango green."  It seems very unlikely that the paint's original; it's simply too perfect to have survived sixty years' of use and to have remained so pristine, as can also be said of the chrome.  The whole thing is just so lovely!  Interestingly, the registration plates are - and are not - original.  The own...

Today's car - a sweetheart of an early '80s Ford Escort - comes courtesy of the Correspondent for the Australian Capital Territory, whose recent contributions to this 'blog have almost single-handedly provided the vast majority of its content.   The front tyres look quite aggressive and may indicate that the car's owner enjoys a bit of motorsport.   However, the rims are mid-spec for Escorts and Cortinas of the era and the rest of the vehicle looks entirely unmolested, so I suspect that it's just a very clean, tidy example of the marque. It really is in commendable condition, with straight, rust-free panels; even, un-marked paint; unblemished chrome; and a pristine interior.  Who wouldn't be happy to add this to their car collection? I would be! U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) iPhone images courtesy of the Correspondent for the Australian Capital Territory.

Just look at the stance on this lovely Alfa 105, captured by Mrs UMPH!  I'm not sure of all the 105 Series model designations but suspect that the single headlight  per side  and stepped bonnet mean it's an early Junior .  However, I do know that "step-nosed” 105s were also produced in awesome GTA guise - the A standing for Alleggerita , which is Italian for light-weight - and that they packed a 1600 cc donk rather than the Junior's 1300.   This one clearly isn't a GTA, as it doesn't feature a riveted-on alloy roof and rear wheel arch flares.  It quite likely isn't running a 1300 twin-cam, either; I've seen it with the bonnet up once before and have an idea that it's powered by a 1750 from a later Alfa. Either way, it's a fabulous looking car sitting on those Superlite , Panasport , Rota or Watanabe- style wheels.  Did I mention its stance?  Just perfect! U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)  iPhone images by Mrs UMPH. 

It occurs to me, as I sit at my computer, shuffling images and attempting to turn a really fun day's outing into narrative, that part of Graham Mitchell's genius is to be found in his venue selections.  Salamanca Place - on Hobart's waterfront, where Club Motori Italia's 2020 cryptic country drive kicked off -  was established in 1804. Bothwell's pub - The Castle, where the event culminated - has been continuously licensed since 1829, pre-dating the town's post office by three years.   You very likely didn't know any of this and were probably also unaware that, once you did, you'd find it quite interesting.  The way Graham book-ended the event between historic Tasmanian sandstone was, to my mind at least, the very spirit of a cryptically-themed event and, therein, lies his twisted genius!  That or I'm just reading way too much into it!* As already mentioned, the day began in Salamanca Place - at The Retro, to be more accurate - with a dozen o...

  I like Canberra.  A lot, actually.  And I find it strange when others say that they don't. It might be that I'm a bit biased, though.  I was born there and I studied there.  Work sees me visit reasonably often and the Correspondent for the ACT - who sent in today's excellent images - is my naval officer younger brother. It also happens to be that Canberra has an vibrant classic car scene, quite separate to the SummerNats.  (Really not my thing, all that burn-out doing and general hoonery!).  My father was even a founding member of the Light Car Club of  Canberra ( https://www.lightcarclub.org.au/ ) , which is why my own X1/9 proudly wears LCCC stickers, in honour of his life-member status.  Of course, all this is just a really convoluted way to introduce today's cars -  a Jaguar XK8 and an MG TF -  both photographed by the CACT in Canberra.  The two are, however, more closely linked than just being British rag-tops located ...