Upper Middle Petrol Head:

July's Classics was particularly well attended, especially given that it wasn't the nicest of days, with a sharpish breeze off the River Derwent and not a lot of sun.  It struck UMPH that there was a bit of an Anglo-bent to the assembled cars, although it was far from an all-British affair. The first two cars to take UMPH's eye were these great looking Sprites.  The quality of the restoration of the one on the left - a II or a II/A - was superb, with deep, glossy red paint and excellent attention to detail.  The green III/A on the right was fabulously straight and rust-free.  Its owner, John, told UMPH that he drove it regularly and that it was a reliable, fun car to own. This MGA was also in beautiful condition, with gleaming paint and a very tidy interior. UMPH doesn't know anything about the car, having never seen it before, but he does hope to see more of it around Hobart.  The 3.5 litre Jag featured above was a thing of rare presence an

It didn't take long for Mona's Dark Mofo Winter Festival to cement its spot on the Australian cultural calendar.  In the space of just three years, Tasmanians - and indeed mainland Australians and international visitors alike - have come to embrace awe-inspiring light installations probing Hobart's clear night skies, fire and music spectaculars, Balinese ogoh ogohs, theatre, art, food, wine and nude swimming ... .   Yes, that's swimming - wearing not so much as a stitch, let alone a wet-suit - in the River Derwent's icy waters for the Winter Solstice Nude Swim!  This year's water temperature was a manhood- (and ego-) shriveling 11 degrees Celsius, rivaled in bone-chilling potential only by the air temperature that was hovering around one degree C!     The UMPHs aren't quite brave or, more accurately, mad enough to nude-up for the swim.  Neither are She of the Scarlet Scarf and her Platonic friend who's a boy but isn't her boyfriend.  UMPH did man

Welcome to this, Upper Middle Petrol Head's first Classics by the Beach post!  He's hoping to step into the shoes - but not on the toes - of Swade, who has been providing excellent commentary on Hobart's classic cars scene for several years now.   UMPH wishes Swade all the best in his new role in Sweden.  If UMPH can be half as well informed, enthusiastic and passionate as Swade has been, he reckons he'll be doing alright.    Those of you that follow Swade ( swadeology.com )   will have almost certainly seen that he's already doing his thing in his adopted home and has posted several car-related articles, the most recent of which relates to the Saab Festival.  Having never really been a fan of the marque, UMPH now has to admit that he can see the appeal - especially with the Sonnets and the 96s in rally guise.                     ____________________________________________________ The first thing that struck UMPH about this month's Classics is just ho