Classics by the Beach: Sunday the 4th of December, 2016

- December 06, 2016

The first summer Classics by the Beach for 2016 / 2017 was particularly well patronised, with a vast array of wonderful cars present. All the regulars were there, of course, plus more than a few that were new to the event.

Take, for example, this very stylish early 70s Datsun 240K, as it was called in Australia. It was known as a Skyline in other markets - a name that wouldn't be introduced here until the squarer version of the late 70s was released.

It's clear that the owner has an eye to the car's history, as he's fitted it with classic forward mounted mirrors (they were always placed towards the front of the driver's door on Aussie versions) and he's added Skyline GT badges to the rear side panels, too. The whole effect is very Japanese and very 1970s.

The wheels appear to be from a later Skyline and they've been shod with natty white-wall tyres. It's also been fitted with a boot-mounted chrome rack, and the roof has been painted black - possibly a homage that classic 1970s accessory - the vinyl roof.

Even die-hard Holden fans would be hard pressed not to love this excellent XW GT Falcon. According to the dealership sticker on the rear window, it's an ex-Adelaide car, having been sold by Davitt Ford.

It's a big call to rate any vehicle the finest example in the state, given the extremely high standard of Tasmania's classic cars. However, this 1966 Kombi would have to go close to best in show! It's only been on the road for a fortnight, having been recently fully restored. The owners bought it before the restoration was complete and had a hand choosing the last few details. Very nice indeed!

There are several other Kombis featured in UMPH's posts. Of all of them, the one depicted in https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7165367970551834236#editor/target=post;postID=3082919277501018384;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=53;src=postname probably goes closest to rivaling the excellence of today's example. What do you reckon?

The owner of this left-hand drive Chevvy Stingray was a bit worried that UMPH's photos wouldn't do the car justice, as he hadn't quite finished buffing its passenger's side. Talk about perfectionism! The car really did gleam, no matter which angle you viewed it from.

This fabulous Fiat 130 has only recently emerged from a fabled cache of classic vehicles somewhere in Tasmania's south and put back on the road. The mechanical work was done by Italian car wizard Steve Caplice, of Hobart's Fogarty Automotive, who also performs his magic on UMPH's X1/9.

Only about 4,500 Fiat 130 coupes were ever made, about 900 of them being right-hand drive. Approximately half of those right-hand drive versions were imported to Australia. Lucky us!

As well as being in excellent condition, this car also stands out for being fitted with a rare factory sunroof and leather seats, as opposed the the usual velour coverings. The entire car - from its spacious, light and airy interior to the Pininfarina-styled and built body - looks totally original.

130 coupes were fitted with a 3.2 litre V6, with the majority being coupled to a three speed automatic gearbox. The rest featured five-speed manuals. They also had an independent rear suspension set-up that was common to the lovely Fiat Dino.

When it comes to Celicas, there still seem to be more of the first series on our roads than any subsequent model. Is that any wonder? Examples like the one shown above and below illustrate just how beautiful the styling of Toyota's most successful foray into sports coupes was.

According to its owner, this car has been in his family since new, having first belonged to his wife's aunt. It's almost totally original, other than some minor touch-ups on the passengers' side front but it's never been pranged.

The current owner has been coveting the car for the last twenty years, with the aunt only recently relinquishing it. She can rest assured that it's gone to a good home! Such is the new owner's dedication to originality that he's resisted the temptation to put the car on special interest registration, preferring instead to keep its original two letter, four digit reflectorised Tasmanian rego plates.

UMPH can't even tell you what this brilliant looking circa 1930s car is. He can, however, say that he loves it!

There were two of these early Ford Cortinas on the day - this two-door and a four-door. They're a bit like the early Celicas, in that there seem to be more of them on our roads than the versions that followed. Who's seen a 70s Coke bottle-styled Cortina or the last of the square early 80s editions lately?

To call this Victorian registered Triumph TR-4A dazzling might be slightly understating it! It was, in every respect, beautiful and would put many brand new cars to shame, such was the quality of its paint, chrome and interior.