Upper Middle Petrol Head:

Rumour has it there are more fake 1960s' Abarth 500 replicas than there are genuine examples.  Frankly, I wouldn't know the real thing from a can of Coke and I really don't care if this one's a proper Abarth, a 'tribute' or an out and out fraud.   In today's market, a genuine Abarth would be a great investment (assuming you could find and afford one in the first place!).  However, a tribute wouldn't be a bad option, either ; as long as the the seller was up-front and honest about the reality of the situation and the car was faithful to the original, I think most people would be very happy to own one.  Faking classic cars, on the other hand, is wrong at so many levels it's not funny ... . The Italian Corrispondente wouldn't have been able to tell this car's provenance, either, but he does have a great eye and did well to spot it during his travels.  And it's just so damned cool!   Yes, Todd.  UMPH does have a Fiat bent!

The Citroen DS - aka The Goddess - might be one of the most beautiful or the weirdest cars on the planet.  There's no doubting that in terms of innovation and technology, the DS was so far ahead of its time when it was launched in 1955 that, in some ways, no car has ever really caught up!  The swivelly eye headlights that track with steering inputs and amazing adjustable hydro-pneumatic suspension system are cases in point!   However, the styling might be tactfully described as an acquired taste!   What's your take:  beautiful or bizarre? U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) All iPhone images.

When I think of Moto Guzzi motorcycles, my mind conjures up images of big, powerful machines, so the Italian Correspondent's latest offering - a Guzzi scooter - was a bit of a surprise.  Of course, that's silly when you consider the ubiquity of scooters in Italy ; a company with Guzzi's history was always going to have a step-through in its lineup.  (A quick google-check discovered that Ducati have them, too.)  The one featured here was magnificent with its gleaming red duco and circa 1950s' styling.  It is reminiscent of examples from Italy's more famous scooter manufacturer, Vespa, but has a look that's all its own.   Thanks, Todd!   U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.)