Upper Middle Petrol Head:

According to Wikipedia, the Octavia got its name as the eighth model that Czech automaker Skoda ever produced.  However, it appears to have been a popular nameplate and one that's been resurrected fairly recently, as this early Octavia - built at some time during a production run spanning 1959 to 1971 - clearly demonstrates, as it bears no aesthetic, mechanical or other tangible link to the contemporary VW-based version. I initially thought that the car may have been Simca-based but no amount of Googling or Wiki-research was able to confirm this, so it would appear to be an unadulterated product of Czechoslovakia.  Its charming but somewhat anachronistic appearance may be explained by that country's membership of the Eastern Bloc from 1948 to 1989, neatly book-ending the original Octavia's production run, and mirroring the styling and development of many Soviet era vehicles like the East Germany's Trabant and Wartburg - neither of which could reasonably be described as ...

This isn't the YouTube debut that I was hoping for, but - as the popular and axiomatic A-F saying goes - it is what it is!  And what  https://youtu.be/TgoYyGUR_rM   is, to be precise, is a video demonstrating P3P's blown head gasket and not the custom extractors that I was hoping to write about. The extractors - built by Kevin at Kingborough Exhaust - look like this, by the way: And now that I can't drive my car, let alone appreciate Kevin's first-rate handiwork, I look like this: U M P H (upperemiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) iPhone images and video.

A two door station wagon probably wasn't the cleverest idea ever.  However, the Gemini wagon was a really, really good looking car with nice proportions, uncluttered lines and a light-filled interior, courtesy of plenty of glass. Today's example - courtesy of GlamRock - was in pretty good nick.  Not only that, it came up a treat in these broody night time photos. It's a pity that Geminis are such a rarity these days, having once been unbelievably popular.  They were a fun car to drive, easy to modify and maintain, as well as being economical and - rear seat access for the wagons aside - very practical.  They were also available as four door sedans, vans (essentially a wagon without the rear seats and side windows) and gorgeous two door coupes, the latter having been raced with some success at the Bathurst 1000. U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)

Plain.  Simple.  Exactly how a ute should be!   U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blospot.com.au.) Photos by the Canberra Correspondent.

  The similarities are plain to see.  However, this BMW 2000 "New Class" sedan - captured in the ACT by the Canberra Correspondent - isn't nearly as pretty as its smaller 2002 sibling. According to Wikipedia, the New Class had a fifteen year production run, beginning in 1962, and was the lineup that saved BMW from going broke after the company experienced financial problems during the preceding decade.  That same source identifies that the "O2" Series - including the 2002 coupe and cabriolet - was based on a shortened New Class sedan platform.    The example shown here today is in great nick, right down to its four original hubcaps.  It is kind of boxy but the expansive glass of the cabin is likely to make it a pleasant place to be in with good visibility and a light, airy feel. U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) Photo by the CC.

  Will the Alfisti put a horse's head in my bed if I dare to describe this Alfa Giulietta - photographed at 2022's Auto Italia -   as cute?  It's a wonderful car, for sure.  Just not as svelte as some of its more celebrated siblings.     This 105, on the other hand, is as beautiful as anything that's ever come from Alfa!  And those Momo Vegas !  Bellisimo!! U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) Photos by the canberra Correspondent.

Looking to replace your 128 radiator hoses but can't find any listed?  If you live in Australia - very likely New Zealand, too -  the answer's as close as your local Supercheap Auto (SCA) dealers.   Alternatives: top left - water pump; centre -  bottom tank; right - top tank. Two of the three hoses that I found to be suitable - for the top and bottom radiator tanks - were VT Holden Commodore parts.  The 90 degree hose from the water pump was a Holden Torana item. Top tank:  Calibre brand to suit 3.8 litre VT Commodore Bottom tank:  Also Calibre brand to suit 3.8 litre VT Commodore Water tank:  Mackay Silentruba brand to suit 1967 - 75 six cylinder Torana (the original copped some damage during removal!) There is a bit of cutting to be done, as the photos show.  However, each of the hoses sourced from SCA were of the correct internal diameter and matched the radii of the originals' bends closely enough that they could be fitted without ki...