Upper Middle Petrol Head:

Rumour has it there are more fake 1960s' Abarth 500 replicas than there are genuine examples.  Frankly, I wouldn't know the real thing from a can of Coke and I really don't care if this one's a proper Abarth, a 'tribute' or an out and out fraud.   In today's market, a genuine Abarth would be a great investment (assuming you could find and afford one in the first place!).  However, a tribute wouldn't be a bad option, either ; as long as the the seller was up-front and honest about the reality of the situation and the car was faithful to the original, I think most people would be very happy to own one.  Faking classic cars, on the other hand, is wrong at so many levels it's not funny ... . The Italian Corrispondente wouldn't have been able to tell this car's provenance, either, but he does have a great eye and did well to spot it during his travels.  And it's just so damned cool!   Yes, Todd.  UMPH does have a Fiat bent!

The Citroen DS - aka The Goddess - might be one of the most beautiful or the weirdest cars on the planet.  There's no doubting that in terms of innovation and technology, the DS was so far ahead of its time when it was launched in 1955 that, in some ways, no car has ever really caught up!  The swivelly eye headlights that track with steering inputs and amazing adjustable hydro-pneumatic suspension system are cases in point!   However, the styling might be tactfully described as an acquired taste!   What's your take:  beautiful or bizarre? U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) All iPhone images.

When I think of Moto Guzzi motorcycles, my mind conjures up images of big, powerful machines, so the Italian Correspondent's latest offering - a Guzzi scooter - was a bit of a surprise.  Of course, that's silly when you consider the ubiquity of scooters in Italy ; a company with Guzzi's history was always going to have a step-through in its lineup.  (A quick google-check discovered that Ducati have them, too.)  The one featured here was magnificent with its gleaming red duco and circa 1950s' styling.  It is reminiscent of examples from Italy's more famous scooter manufacturer, Vespa, but has a look that's all its own.   Thanks, Todd!   U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.)

Non tutte le nuvole hanno un rivestimento d'argento. In realtà, la maggior parte delle nuvole non sono altro che presagi di infinita fecondità e fastidio. Tuttavia, in questa unica, così rara occasione, il cloud si rivelò essere dandy. Meglio di dandy, in realtà! Le foto sopra e sotto mostrano la mia X1 / 9 così com'era: non perfetta ma in discreto nick, con qualche graffio e qualche piccolo difetto qua e là. Di seguito alcune foto "dopo", una triste illustrazione dei poteri distruttivi di un certo piccolo puntatore tedesco a pelo corto x cane viszla ungherese che può avere o meno una sorprendente somiglianza con un personaggio interpretato da Hugh Jackman in Australia. Anche alcuni danni sono stati il ​​mio hardtop Galant del 1975, visto qui sotto il telo protettivo che ha mitigato la carneficina in modo che i graffi potessero essere tagliati e levigati. Si prega di notare anche il car-fort d'acciaio alto 1,2 metri che è stato da a

Not every cloud has a silver lining.  In fact, most clouds are nothing more than portends of endless faecality and annoyance.  However, on this one oh-so rare occasion, the cloud turned out to be dandy.  Better than dandy, actually!      The photos above and below show my X1/9 as it was:  not perfect but in quite good nick, with a few scratches and minor blemishes here and there.  Below are some 'after' photos, a sad illustration of the destructive powers of a certain small German short-haired pointer x Hungarian viszla dog who may or not bear a striking resemblance to a character played by Australia's own Hugh Jackman.  Bonnet Windscreen frame / roof Roof Roof Boot Doglette . Also copping some damage was my 1975 Galant hardtop, seen here under the protective tarp that mitigated the carnage so that the scratches could be cut and polished out.  Please also note the 1.2 metre high steel car-fort that ha