Upper Middle Petrol Head:

  The inaugural 2025 winter instalment of Classics by the Beach - Hobart's regular first-Sunday-of-the-month cars 'n' coffee - kicked off rather nicely for three reasons.  Firstly, it wasn't nearly as cold as it might've been, Sandy Bay Beach being infamous for its bitterly cold conditions when the wind howls off the River Derwent; secondly, the turn-out was larger than expected; and, thirdly, there was a bigger than normal contingent of cars making their debuts at the long-running event.  This lovely Alfa GTV6 was, as far as the UMPH team is aware, new to Classics.  The white duco was stunning, the body looked super-straight and the wheels - Ronal A1s, possibly - suited the car perfectly.   VK Holden Commodores don't come much nicer than this very, very original looking 308 cu V8 SS.  It's in immaculate condition, appears to be totally stock and features a set of original HDT wheels.      Team UMPH are big fans of the MX5, especially th...

Is there a more fitting venue in all of Tasmania to showcase a classic Aston Martin than the historic village of Ross, approximately 90 minutes' drive north of the state’s capital city, Hobart?  I’d argue there’s something about the English elms and 19th century sandstone buildings lining Ross’ Church and Bridge Streets that strongly suggests not.      This truly awesome machine is - to my inexpert eye, at least - an exacting replica of a DB4 GT Zagato, the only clue to the car's unoriginality being its build date.   But let’s be clear: it is a genuine Aston Martin, based on a 1969 DB6.  Originals were only manufactured between 1960 and 1963 and only 19 were ever built!  The Aston wasn't the only beautiful vehicle present on the day, with the first Sunday of May each year - known in car circles as the Picnic at Ross - bringing together automotive aficionados from every part of the state.  All manner of vehicles, from right around the world, were p...