Classics by the Beach: Sunday the 1st of April, 2018

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What's better than a GC Galant hardtop?  Two GC Galant hardtops, obviously!  Here are two of the south of Tasmania's more regularly seen examples - Daniel's excellent fully original white 1974 edition and the not so standard, but still era-appropriate, red '75 Upper Middle Petrol Head version - photographed at the April Fools' Day Classics by the Beach in Sandy Bay.  

There's another GC hardtop - an immaculate and highly modified green one - in the Hobart area and there's a further red example that's rumoured to be making a comeback to our our roads soon.  However, they seem to be the only ones still about; UMPH hasn't seen the yellow one that used to live on the Eastern shore for several years, nor does he know what's happened to the light green one from West Hobart, either.  

There was a black 2.6 litre hardtop with Hotwire wheels many, many years ago but it now seems only to exist in Galant fans' distant memories.  If you know what's happened to it - or either of the other 'missing' hardtops - please leave a comment below.

Both Daniel's and the UMPH hardtop are featured in more detail elsewhere on this 'blog, as is the green one mentioned above.  If you'd like to read more about each car and view further photos of them, please enter the word Galant into the search facility (the magnifying glass icon on the top right of screen) to find them.  You can also locate other featured cars in the same way.  For example, you may like to search Fiat X1/9, EH Holden or Bugatti (to mention just a few marques shown on uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au).     





This is Cliff's very tidy XE Falcon Sportpac.  He admits that the duco could be better but, considering the car's age and its originality, it's pretty impressive example of the model.



UMPH initially though this was Paul Smith's GT Cortina.  However, despite its visual similarities and it also being in quite exceptional condition, it turned out to belong to somebody that wasn't even slightly Paul.







This lovely low-light Morris Minor was recently bought from the Launceston area.  According to its proud owner, he had looked about for some time before finding it and was very pleased to have eventually located the type of car he'd been after.  He also said that he drove it straight home and hasn't had any problems with it at all.  But if he does have any issues starting it, he'll be okay, as it still has a functional crank-handle that he likes to use occasionally. 







This 'rubber-nose' MGB must be an awesome beast to drive, given its V8 engine and quad two-barrel carbies!  Not sure if it's a Rover V8 or, if it is, whether it's a 3.5 litre - as fitted to factory MGB V8s - or the bigger 4.4 version.  Either way, it's likely to be quick.  Very quick indeed!











" ... the wonderful, wonderful cat!"






Onya, Liz!


Just part of the very large British contingent on the day


UMPH is very careful not to appear to be partisan when it comes to attendees' vehicles.  If, however, he were to relent, this particular MGA would easily be his favourite car of the day (and one of his all-time picks for best in show).  

 It was, quite simply, perfect.  The paint, chrome and interior were all immaculate.  Even the engine bay was pristine without so much as a smudged fingerprint or a single wire out of place.  The fact that it was a twin cam, fitted with factory four-wheel discs, just added to its excellence!  It genuinely would be difficult to imagine a finer example of the marque!   















U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)

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