Upper Middle Petrol Head:

Many people regard the car photographed here - a TR4/A  IRS  (standing for independent rear suspension) - as the pinnacle of the Triumph sports car line-up.  They would argue that those models that preceded it lacked grunt and the three TRs that followed, the TR5, TR6 and TR7, lacked the style and charm that made Triumphs special.  This is especially true of the often maligned TR7 and its V8 twin, the TR8, which are only now really gaining acceptance. UMPH won't comment, for fear of offending legions of Triumph fans!  However, he will hazard to admit to being a bit of a TR4 fan and will stick his neck well out and confess to having always loved the wedge-shaped TR7 and TR8! U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) All iPhone images.

This semi-luxo, mid-sized sedan from Toyota has had a bit of an evolution since it last appeared on the pages of this 'blog*, with it now sporting some classic JDM-style mudguard-mounted rear-view mirrors, a new set of machine-faced mags and a Rising Sun glare-strip.  It's unlikely its previous owner would have ever envisaged its transformation.  However, whoever may have been its last custodian could hardly argue that some love and attention hasn't gone into its makeover. U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) All iPhone images. * Just use the search function (magnifying glass icon) on the UMPH banner page to find the earlier post featuring this car or, for that matter, nearly any vehicle that may take your fancy. 

This outstanding XP Fairmont sedan was spotted in West Hobart on a late Tasmanian autumn day.  It was fitted with low-back bucket seats, trimmed in rich red vinyl, and featured extra bling on the leading edges of the front mudguards and in the centre of the bonnet, as befits the more up-market Fairmont line-up, which was a trim level above the Falcon range on which it was based. The white louvre in the rear window was a nice period touch.  However, the classic 'twelve-slot' wheels seem to be from a later Falcon or Fairmont . The entire car was beautifully presented, with lovely paint, shiny chrome and a very tidy interior.  The red coloured exterior was particularly elegant and, in combination with the matching dashboard, seats, door linings and carpets, created quite a classy look. U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) All iPhone images.