Random # 177: Ex-British Columbia MG TD

At first glance, there wasn't anything particularly different about this immaculate MG TD. However, closer inspection revealed that it was a left-hand-drive version and, judging by the car club badges adorning the car, it was from Canada's British Columbia.

If it is an ex-BC car, it's sure to be at home in Hobart, given the similarities between Tasmania's capital and the Canadian west coast province's largest city, Vancouver. Both feature stunning mountains as backdrops - Hobart's being kunyani / Mt Wellington, while Grouse Mountain is Vancouver's equivalent. Each was sited to take advantage of their proximity to the open sea, with Hobart having been built on the shores of the River Derwent and Vancouver situated alongside the Straight of Georgia and English Bay.

Parks, markets and an abundance of outdoor spaces are common to both cities, too, as is a thriving cafe, pub and dining culture. Hobart's Salamanca is arguably a credible, albeit smaller, version of Vancouver's Granville District with its thriving combination of entertainments and the arts.

With Hobart and Vancouver both being situated within easy striking distance of some beautiful natural attractions, it's no surprise that each has its own vibrant outdoor recreation scene. Bush-walking, mountain-biking, kayaking and sailing are popular pursuits for residents of both cities.

Tourists also benefit from both locations' nearness to the natural environment; coastal cruises and whale-watching businesses flourish in Hobart and Vancouver, and both have their own island escapes within an hour or two's travel. Tasmania's Bruny Island is just a short car drive and ferry crossing away from Hobart and BC's Vancouver Island - on which the province's capital, Victoria, is located and where UMPH has witnessed cricket being played - is also accessible by car and ferry within a few hours' travel.

UMPH trusts that whatever has brought this lovely car to Hobart sees it out and about, being enjoyed by its owner/s and locals alike, and possibly participating in the local classic car scene (details of events such a Classics by the Beach, the Picnic at Ross and the Monthly Classic Car Drives / Lunches are available by searching this site). Hopefully, what's very probably the biggest difference between Tasmania and British Columbia - the former's significantly milder winters - might just help that to be a reality!

U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)

All iPhone images.

Comments

EJ or EH Holden? (Up-dated December, 2022)

EJ or the later EH? Several years ago, I posed the question: Can somebody please explain the difference between an EJ and an EH Holden ute or van? The response at the time wasn't overwhelming, so I did a bit of Googling and ferreting through my photos and came up with my own rough guide to EJ and EH identification. Sedans and wagons are easy to tell apart ; the EH's vertical rectangular tail lights are a dead give-away. However, the workhorse versions of both models share the rear-end treatment of the earlier EJ, making it harder to identify one from the other. No super obvious hints here. Or here ... . It turns out that the main clues are in the placement of the front H O L D E N lettering and GMH lion emblems, the style of the radiator grille and the width of the vents in front of the windscreen, with all EJs - sedans, wagons, utes and vans - having one combination and the EH line-up having their own . So what exactly are those diffe

Vick Auto Prima Fiat X1/9 Brakes: An Owner’s Assessment

At the end of 2022, I fitted a set of Vick Autosport Prima front brakes to my mildly worked 1.5 litre Series 1 Fiat X1/9 . I was fortunate, having picked them up at a very, very reasonable price, brand new but surplus to the needs of a fellow X1/9 Australia member who had imported them from the US. The kit included: New single pot callipers , new vented rotors (standard X1/9 front rotors are smaller, non-vented items), DOT approved stainless steel brake hoses, and all the necessary mounting hardware. They are a value proposition, being particularly well priced compared to other manufacturers’ packages - even at RRP - with everyone I’ve spoken to saying they’re made to a high standard, too. Here's a link to a piece that I wrote about them at that time, including some costings: https://uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com/2022/11/the-x19-gets-prima-brake-upgrade.html . Initial Assessment: I was a little underwhelmed by the brakes' performance, finding that although they had a tiny

Random # 301: Nanna-Spec KE36 Corolla

Once upon a time - six or seven years ago, actually - there was a lovely pale yellow GC Galant station wagon getting around Hobart. It was totally nanna-spec; its paint was umarked, the chrome work and hubcaps were immaculate, and its very original interior was pristine. Then someone stuck feathers in its dashboard. Next, the windows were adorned with Tibetan prayer flags. And a hubcap went missing. And the the rear bumper was pushed in, mangling the bodywork behind it. And a mudguard got dented. And rust set in. I fear for this sweet, innocent KE36 Corolla. Somebody please save it before it's too late. Nanna needs you to do it. U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) Photos by GlamRock.

Upper Middle Petrol Head:

Search This Blog