Upper Middle Petrol Head:

This very tidy Beetle, photographed in West Hobart, appears to be a daily driver.  However, that's not to say that it isn't a cherished car, given the condition it was in. Once upon a time, people drove older cars like this because they were cheap.  That's less of a consideration now, though ; if cost were the only issue, Hyundais and other bargain marques would fit the bill as knock-about family hacks, as they do for many uni students and first-car owners.  The very fact that someone has looked after this particular car and chooses to drive it when there are so many cheaper, yet better equipped, (possibly) more reliable and arguably safer options available speaks volumes for the allure of classic cars. UMPH knows what he'd rather drive if given the option of a Beetle or some horrid, soulless Korean appliance of a vehicle.  Long live classic cars and all who drive in them! U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blospot.com.au .) All iP

Waves of 1970s nostalgia washed over UMPH at the sight of this absolutely lovely Mazda 1300 sedan, photographed in Elizabeth Street, North Hobart, on a late summer's day. UMPH has fond memories of his grandmother's 1300, in exactly the same colour and featuring identical interior trim, and the time the poor old dear did a burn-out entering an intersection in some particularly heavy traffic. UMPH would like to point out that Grandma was not a hoon ; the road was wet and slippery, the car was running cheese cutter cross-plies and she was mortified (what if one of the other bowling ladies had seen her?!). However, UMPH, his brother and cousins were delighted - street-cred to Grandma!! The particular car seen here couldn't have been in much better nick ; the paint, chrome and interior were very nearly flawless, and even the hubcaps were original and unmarked. So here's to the 1970s, burn-outs and bowling ladies, and to whoever it is that's ke

Uppermiddlepetrolhead is not a classic motorcycle 'blog.  However, the sheer beauty of this 1961 Puch (pronounced  Puck , UMPH is reliably informed), spotted in North Hobart's cafe precinct, was impossible to resist. According to the bike's owner, Puch is the small vehicle division of the Austrian company Steyr-Daimler-Puch, who manufacture everything from firearms to trucks.  Steyr have made weapons for the Australian military and everyone knows about the Daimler group.  Puch are, however, less well known in Australia, although off-road enthusiasts may well remember the amazingly capable Steyr-Puch Haflinger four wheel drive.  They also made the Fiat-based Puch 500 but that vehicle was never imported into this country. A Haflinger 4WD (internet image - Wikipedia) A Puch 500 (internet image - Wikipedia) Even less well known, - in Australia, at least - is that in addition to small cars, off-roaders, motorcycles, motor-s