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

Guilty as charged!  UMPH admits that he's cynically used these three gorgeous sports cars - a contemporary Porsche 911 Carrera, a lovely late 1960s' Lotus Europa, and, lurking in the background, a classic Austin Healey 100 - as unashamed 'click-bait' to draw in readers.

Is this fair?  Absolutely!  It's cars like these - and many, many more, it must be said - that make the monthly Classics by the Beach gathering at Hobart's Sandy Bay beach so very special.  Read on and see if you disagree!    

There are plenty of people who would assert that the Peugeot 205 GTi, like the one shown above and below, is the original 'hot-hatch'.  Of course, those people aren't Golf GTi aficionados but you wouldn't expect much consensus between French and German car fans, would you?  Either way, it's an interesting debate. 

John's 1968 Jaguar XJ6 is a highly sought after, and quite rare, 4.2 litre manual with over-drive.  Its sleek and classically British design epitomises the marque and is still looking elegant in its fiftieth year!  Too bad that later Jag saloons departed from the early XJ's absolutely timeless style.

The much-loved MGB is, thankfully, still a common sight on roads world-wide, so it does take something a bit interesting to make one stand out from the crowd.  This one - like many other examples of the model - was undoubtedly splendid in every aspect, but was also fitted with a very unusual hard-top, featuring an in-built sun-roof and stylishly shaped side windows, that set it apart from all the other wonderful examples in regular use in Tasmania.  

Where do you stand on the great Falcon -v- Holden divide?  UMPH favours the former but, given the sheer beauty of this HK Monaro, he's found himself wavering!  It is very, very difficult not to admire its sleek coupe design, after all!

As a fan of the 60s and 70s' rallying scene, UMPH is a big admirer of the Datsun 1600 or, as they're also known, the P510.  This one was a ripper and looks to have been highly, but sympathetically, modified.  Apparently, Subaru independent rear-ends have found favour with P510 fans, as their more advanced geometry overcomes the original version's tendency to tuck-in under extreme cornering, improving handling no end.

There's a story attached to this stately S-Type Jag that UMPH is hoping the owner's son might outline for us in the comments section.  AB?

There weren't just two of these magnificent Jags present in the day.  There was a third - a striking red one - that also made a showing but wasn't photographed by UMPH.  It is, however, featured elsewhere on this 'blog.  (Just use the magnifying glass icon in the top right of screen to search for 'Jaguar' to find it or, in fact, any sort of classic car you might imagine.)

So this, the quintessential Aussie muscle car, or the HK Monaro featured earlier?  Even die-hard fans of either manufacturer would be churlish not to admit both are awesome examples of Australian motoring excellence.    

In a second act of uncharacteristic candour, UMPH is going to admit that this Dion Bouton Puteaux isn't (wasn't) really his thing.  However, the more he looked at it, the more he admired it.  At first glance, it was all a bit Chitty Chitty Bang Bang but, on closer inspection, he found it to be a beautifully styled, amazingly engineered masterpiece!  Its boat-stern inspired boot is a thing of true beauty, too!  

Also lovely was this very classy and apparently super-charged Alvis.  If you can confirm the super charger theory, or know anything about the car, please leave some comments at the end of this 'blog.

Mrs UMPH doesn't know it yet, but she'd really, truly love a MkII Fiat 850 Sport like the example featured above.  One in the classic Fiat yellow of the era, with Cromodora wheels and a fold-back vinyl sunroof would suit her perfectly.  Think how happy she'll be when she realises her dream!

Thanks, as usual, to all the owners of all the great cars present on the day.  It would be hard to imagine a better display anywhere, especially one that's for free and in such a perfect location! 

U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)