Classics by the Beach: Sunday the 2nd of September, 2018

We start September 2018's installment of Classics by the Beach with this rip-snorter Torana GT-R replica, resplendent in vibrant 1970s' orange.  Its owner and restorer, Lenny, is up-front that it's not a genuine GT-R, the car having started out life as an automatic LC, but that does nothing to diminish its appeal.  Lenny reckons its appearance is as close to the real deal as possible, right down to some faithful reproduction door cards that almost exactly replicate the originals (there are some minor variations on their tops, he says, but they certainly escaped my inexpert eye).    

Having raced Toranas right through the 1970s and 80s, Lenny's got a wealth of knowledge about the iconic Aussie model.  In building his kick-arse replica, he chose to use a 202 cubic inch (3.3 litre) 'red motor', as opposed to the original 160 cubic inch (2.6 litre) donk, and fitted it with triple side-draught Webers instead of the usual two-barrel Stromberg, putting the car right up there in performance terms with the later GT-R XU-1 variants with their bigger engines and multi-carburetorred set-ups.     

Nick's XB GS - standing for Grand Sport - Fairmont hardtop is another fantastic example of a 1970s' Aussie performance car.  And, like Lenny, Nick has a strong connection with his chariot of choice, having owned and campaigned an awesome XA GT Falcon back in the early 1980s.  

The GS was intended as a less brutal version of the GT and was often based on the up-spec, and thus comfier, Fairmont range, rather than the more basic Falcon variant.  However, it was possible to order your GS with most of the GT options, including the 351 cubic inch (5.8 litre) power-plant, and the four-wheel disc brake set up, although I can't find anything to suggest the GT's 9 inch limited slip diff was available.

Nick's version isn't far off the money, being factory-fitted with a 351 motor and a three-speed T-bar, as opposed to his original XA GT's four speed manual 'box.  I don't know what rear brake set up it runs, either.  (Nick?)  What I do know, however, is that the mighty beast is a relatively new purchase and that it's about to come off the road for a full rebuild, scheduled to take the better part of a year.  We'll be looking forward to its return!  

This very straight, clean and tidy Alfa GTV was another great looking machine, having been gradually refurbished by its skillful owner.  The interior has been tidied up considerably, some exterior trim has been restored and the wiring's been sorted, too.  The sound insulation under the bonnet and inside doors and rear panels has also been carefully replaced.  Unfortunately, the engine needs to come out to fix a few issues (an oil leak is on the list) but it's in all other respects a fabulous example of the marque.    

The HR X2 Premier shown here was about as good an example of a 1960s' Holden as you could expect to see.  The duco and chrome literally glittered and the striking red interior, complete with bucket seats and a centre console framing the floor-mounted gear shift, was magnificent.  The wide, deeply-dished alloy wheels finished of the car's look very nicely indeed!

This Studebaker may have featured on this 'blog before.  However, it seems to have undergone quite a transformation since then; whatever colour it was before (off-white?) has been replaced by a New York taxi meets Mexico themed livery that's both striking and attractive.

Michael C provided me with a few details about this amazing circa 100 year-old Ansaldo roadster, pointing out many of its similarities with other cars of the same era, as well as extolling the virtues of its simple, functional design.  It may be well beyond my own area of special interest - 60s and 70s sports cars and coupes - but it was extremely difficult not to admire its sheer beauty and the quality that has gone into its construction - and, presumably, its restoration!  

The Ansaldo marque hails from Italy but, sadly, no longer exists.  That's a real pity; the sheer attention to detail - the way the rocker cover has been finished, the deeply padded upholstery and the simple elegance of its well-equipped instrument panel - suggest that it was a brand that, had it survived, would have been up there with Italy's finest.  

The example featured here sits atop a simple ladder chassis, has front and rear semi-elliptical leaf springs and its only braking is courtesy of a pair of drums acting on the rear wheels.  The adjustable dampers are very similar to, if not the same as, those fitted to Bugattis and possibly Micahel's own beautiful 1930 Riley Elf.  (Michael?)  It's powered by a four cylinder motor, has a floor-mounted gear shift and, as you'd expect for a car from the inter-war period, has magneto-powered (AC) electrics. 

It's no exaggeration to say that these two super-stylish Pininfarina-designed, V6 powered Fiat 130 coupes would have to be as good as any example there might be, anywhere in the world.  A big statement?  Absolutely!  However, both have been restored to such a high standard that it would be hard to imagine them having looked any better when they were brand new.

Thanks to everyone for putting on another spectacular display of classic and sports cars.  It truly would be difficult to imagine a better car show unless, of course, you consider Club Motori Italia's (CMI's) annual display of Italian vehicles.  This year's event is being held on the lawns of Parliament House in Salamanca Place, Hobart, on the morning of Saturday the 24th of November.  

For further information, please refer to CMI's Facebook page.  I hope to see you there!  

U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)