Random # 205: Frog Eye Sprite

-

Splendid is a fitting adjective for this truly magnificent Mark I - or, as they're also affectionately known, Frog- or Bug-eye - Austin Healey Sprite.  Actually, truly magnificent is also an adjective (and an apt one, at that!) but with a car this lovely (yet another one), it would be hard to over-use complimentary adjectives!! 















U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)

All iPhone images

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Rusty Italians and The Russian Steel Fallacy

-
Image
The author's X1/9 and recently acquired 128 3P, manufactured in 1977 and 1976, respectively. https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/06/junkyard-find-1980-fiat-x19/ Let's bust some myths, shall we?  How about what is - in my opinion, anyway - the greatest, most persistent load of bollock-rot to have ever emerged about Italian cars and their propensity to rust:  inferior  Russian steel ?  Who amongst the classic car community hasn't heard the "great cars but a pity about the Russian steel" line, invariably offered as unquestionable fact? https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/07/junkyard-find-1978-fiat-x19/#jp-carousel-497575 It is broadly accepted that Fiat - and please note that this was before what was once the world's third largest car maker subsumed Alfa, Lancia, Ferrari and Chrysler - traded a manufacturing licence for their 124 range to the Russian government in exchange for the supply of that country's steel.  The bit about the Russians manufacturing...
Read more

From Our Man in Tuscany: an Early '70s Fiat 124 Berlina

-
Image
  Bellissimo!  From what we at UMPH can gather, this to-die-for Fiat 124 Berlina - photographed by OMiT - hails from sometime between 1971 and 1974, based on its double-stacked rear taillight / indicator assemblies.  (Earlier versions' rears had single horizontal bar-style lights.) We've further gleaned that "our" example is not a 124  S or a Special T , as those variants have quad-headlight front ends.  Not that this one isn't special in its own right, mind you; it's a stunning example with perfect duco - Fiat's "Brilliant Green," possibly - gleaming, straight-as-a-die chrome, and a lovely interior.  Not even Wikipedia could provide production numbers for the 124 Berlina and the unasked-for AI summary gagged at providing one, too.  What can be said, however, is that there were lots   of them built by Fiat in Italy between 1966 and 1974, with production continuing in eight other countries  well into the new millennium, and  Russia produc...
Read more

Random # 298: Circa 1980 Toyota Corona Lift-Back

-
Image
This lovely old Toyota Corona liftback is a perfect example of survivor car meets modder.  Its panels, paint and chrome are in amazingly good nick with just a tiny hint of rust near the fuel filler and a trivial dent on the rear bumper.  The only hint that it's not still with its original owner are the fattish black and chrome D-slot steelies and a Slowasf*ck sticker on the driver's side.   Corona sedans and wagons of the same era were Aussie-assembled and shared Holden's poxorific  Starfire 4  engine from the four cylinder Torana / Sunbird and Commodore line-ups (yes, there were four cylinder Commodores which I know is a bitter pill for GMH fans to swallow!).  However, the liftback versions of the Corona were fully imported from Japan and featured the 21R 14 motor from the concurrent RA46 Celica coupe and liftback, making for a much more satisfying - if still not awe-inspiring - driving experience.  The liftback was also beautiful...
Read more