Classics by the Beach, 07 June 15
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.
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The first thing that struck UMPH about this month's Classics is just how lucky Hobartians are. Of course, he shouldn't have been surprised; every one of the first Sunday of the month gatherings that he's attended has been the same. There are always loads of interesting cars, enthusiastic owners happy to show them off and the locations not too shabby, either. The River Derwent sure makes a fine backdrop!
Still, he couldn't help but favourably compare the Sandy Bay event with others that he's been to, such as Darwin's recent Shannons Classic Car Extravaganza (www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7165367970551834236#editor/target=post;postID=7418489317289811992;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=1;src=postname). Hobart's home-grown display, which operates without any apparent formal organisation, certainly rivals what UMPH observed in Darwin and arguably features a broader range of vehicles. Think of Classics as a much smaller, informal version of the Picnic at Ross and you'll be pretty much on the money (www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7165367970551834236#editor/target=post;postID=1617012699862649091;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=2;src=postname).
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This Lamborghini Urraco belongs to a bloke named Dave, a regular at Classics. It's a magnificent car and seems to have been part of the Hobart classic cars scene for ever.
The 2007 Elfin Clubman below created lots of interest. One can only imagine how quick it would be, given its stonking big 5.7 litre V8 and tiny body. UMPH hazards that it might be Cobra-esque in terms of its power-to-weight ratio.
This HK Holden is a semi-regular at Classics. Very, very old school; very, very cool!
Two of Mr Healey's best! For UMPH, the big Healeys are even sexier than the E-Type Jag but there are many that would dispute that. The Midget on the left looks like it's still being campaigned competitively.
The Lotus Elise featured here is a contemporary classic, if that's not an oxymoron. It was one of two at Classics on the day, the other being a gun metal grey hardtop. Both were beautiful.
MGBs are a timeless design. This example - one of two at Classics at the time - is often seen driving around Hobart and the surrounding suburbs.
Contrast this KTW Amaroo Clubman to the Elfin featured earlier. UMPH would be happy with either. However, he does find something extra appealing about the more stripped down, classic Lotus-style of the KTW.
The owner of this immaculate Porsche Super 90 is a Classics stalwart and the convener of the event. He's got a lovely Porsche Spyder replica, too. Lucky bloke!
It's hard to not admire this Austin Healey 300. Not only to they look great, they have the most fabulous exhaust note.
As mentioned earlier, Classics arguably has a broader range of vehicles than some of the organised events. This Studebaker Lark helps illustrate the breadth of cars on display.
Other than knowing that this is a Dodge, UMPH has no idea about this vehicle or its history. He does, however, love its wooden-spoked wheels.
This isn't Hobart only Jensen Healey Interceptor. There's at least one more - a grey example, if UMPH's memory is correct - that's also occasionally seen at Classics.
UMPH hasn't ever seen another Lancia Delta HF Integrale in Tasmania or elsewhere in Australia. However, that doesn't mean there aren't any. This one's a left-hand drive example and it can often be found at the annual Club Motori Italia display, which is normally held in November on the lawns of Tasmania's Parliament House (http://cmitas.org/blog/).
Again, this amazing Ford T-Bird helps show the impressive range of cars on display at Classics. Australian, American, British, Italian, German and Japanese - they're all there. There's no snobbery, either; no one seems to think that their car's any more worthy than the others' are.
There's something really quite futuristic about this Lancia Fulvia, even if its Zagato-built body originated in the mid-60s. It really must have been a head-turner when it was first released. There was at least one person coveting it on the day.
The Honda featured below arrived just as UMPH was leaving. Apparently, they were sold in competition to Austin Healey Sprites and MG Midgets during the mid- to late 60s and featured chain-driven rear wheels.
The very helpful owner of this absolutely immaculate Leyland P76 popped the bonnet to allow UMPH to take a few photos. To say that the car is in showroom condition may even be understating it a bit. Hopefully, there will be a chance to find out a bit more about the car some time soon.
Thanks to all the owners of the cars shown here. UMPH hopes to cover more events, so, if you'd like to show off your car, feel free to have a chat. You'll know he's there if his Galant is (www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7165367970551834236#editor/target=post;postID=8785050677549329683;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=10;src=postname) or, if there's some miracle, his X1/9 ever emerges from the workshop - or long-term storage facility, as he now refers to it as (please see http://uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au/2015_03_01_archive.html).
Cheers,
UMPH.
PS: If you enjoyed this post, please visit http://uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au for more classic cars, route suggestions and Tasmanian dining experiences.
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 how lucky Hobartians are. Of course, he shouldn't have been surprised; every one of the first Sunday of the month gatherings that he's attended has been the same. There are always loads of interesting cars, enthusiastic owners happy to show them off and the locations not too shabby, either. The River Derwent sure makes a fine backdrop!
Still, he couldn't help but favourably compare the Sandy Bay event with others that he's been to, such as Darwin's recent Shannons Classic Car Extravaganza (www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7165367970551834236#editor/target=post;postID=7418489317289811992;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=1;src=postname). Hobart's home-grown display, which operates without any apparent formal organisation, certainly rivals what UMPH observed in Darwin and arguably features a broader range of vehicles. Think of Classics as a much smaller, informal version of the Picnic at Ross and you'll be pretty much on the money (www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7165367970551834236#editor/target=post;postID=1617012699862649091;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=2;src=postname).
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This Lamborghini Urraco belongs to a bloke named Dave, a regular at Classics. It's a magnificent car and seems to have been part of the Hobart classic cars scene for ever.
 |
| Familiar? Urracos shared some minor parts with X1/9s |
 |
| This is probably why - both cars were designed by Bertone. |
This HK Holden is a semi-regular at Classics. Very, very old school; very, very cool!
Two of Mr Healey's best! For UMPH, the big Healeys are even sexier than the E-Type Jag but there are many that would dispute that. The Midget on the left looks like it's still being campaigned competitively.
The Lotus Elise featured here is a contemporary classic, if that's not an oxymoron. It was one of two at Classics on the day, the other being a gun metal grey hardtop. Both were beautiful.
MGBs are a timeless design. This example - one of two at Classics at the time - is often seen driving around Hobart and the surrounding suburbs.
Contrast this KTW Amaroo Clubman to the Elfin featured earlier. UMPH would be happy with either. However, he does find something extra appealing about the more stripped down, classic Lotus-style of the KTW.
The owner of this immaculate Porsche Super 90 is a Classics stalwart and the convener of the event. He's got a lovely Porsche Spyder replica, too. Lucky bloke!
It's hard to not admire this Austin Healey 300. Not only to they look great, they have the most fabulous exhaust note.
As mentioned earlier, Classics arguably has a broader range of vehicles than some of the organised events. This Studebaker Lark helps illustrate the breadth of cars on display.
Other than knowing that this is a Dodge, UMPH has no idea about this vehicle or its history. He does, however, love its wooden-spoked wheels.
Providing ammunition against the proposition that big Healeys are sexier than E-Types is this rear view of a V12 XKE. There's something almost menacing about those quad-pipes!
This isn't Hobart only Jensen Healey Interceptor. There's at least one more - a grey example, if UMPH's memory is correct - that's also occasionally seen at Classics.
UMPH hasn't ever seen another Lancia Delta HF Integrale in Tasmania or elsewhere in Australia. However, that doesn't mean there aren't any. This one's a left-hand drive example and it can often be found at the annual Club Motori Italia display, which is normally held in November on the lawns of Tasmania's Parliament House (http://cmitas.org/blog/).
Again, this amazing Ford T-Bird helps show the impressive range of cars on display at Classics. Australian, American, British, Italian, German and Japanese - they're all there. There's no snobbery, either; no one seems to think that their car's any more worthy than the others' are.
 |
| A discerning bloke, obviously! |
There's something really quite futuristic about this Lancia Fulvia, even if its Zagato-built body originated in the mid-60s. It really must have been a head-turner when it was first released. There was at least one person coveting it on the day.
The Honda featured below arrived just as UMPH was leaving. Apparently, they were sold in competition to Austin Healey Sprites and MG Midgets during the mid- to late 60s and featured chain-driven rear wheels.
The very helpful owner of this absolutely immaculate Leyland P76 popped the bonnet to allow UMPH to take a few photos. To say that the car is in showroom condition may even be understating it a bit. Hopefully, there will be a chance to find out a bit more about the car some time soon.
Thanks to all the owners of the cars shown here. UMPH hopes to cover more events, so, if you'd like to show off your car, feel free to have a chat. You'll know he's there if his Galant is (www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7165367970551834236#editor/target=post;postID=8785050677549329683;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=10;src=postname) or, if there's some miracle, his X1/9 ever emerges from the workshop - or long-term storage facility, as he now refers to it as (please see http://uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au/2015_03_01_archive.html).
Cheers,
UMPH.
PS: If you enjoyed this post, please visit http://uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au for more classic cars, route suggestions and Tasmanian dining experiences.
Apparently Lancia Delta Integrales aren't quite so rare in Perth, WA. A search of a popular website a couple of months back showed 3 separate private sales there at the same time.
ReplyDeleteThere were also 2 Lancia Montecarlos (a Coupe & a Spyder). These cars, which were designed by Pininfarina as a replacement for the FIAT 124 Coupe but lost out to the cheaper Bertone designed X1/9 also share parts with the latter. In this case, it was the X1/9's tail lights which also featured on early Lotus Esprits.
Sounds like WA's a bit of an importers' nirvana because, as I understand it, that's where the 'grey import' of interesting Japanese cars started (Skylines & Sylvias, for eg). It's also interesting to see how the whole European parts bin thing works. I didn't realise that Lotuses used X1/9 tail lights but did know that a lot of parts - door handles, etc - are shared around the Fiat / Lancia stable. Sort of like the Labor Gov't's 'Button Plan' to rationalise parts production amongst Aussie car makers.
ReplyDeleteCheers again, and thanks for reading!
UMPH.