Classics by the Beach: Sunday the 3rd of November, 2019

I was going to open November, 2019's, Classics by the Beach post with the extremely tidy Fiat 124 AC coupe that follows on from the image above.  However, I was so taken by this very, very Aussie, very, very, VERY 1970s' Ford Super Roo decal on the side of a V6 Capri (also featured further down the page) that I had to go with it instead!

It is, afterall, Ford Australia's own equivalent of Lancia's Hi Fi the charging elephant but, as an Aussie boy who grew up in the '70s, I reckon it's way cooler!  Ford South Africa's Super Rhino (yes, he really does exist!) is also pretty damned cool but our cheeky marsupial mascot tops the lot of 'em, in my not always so humble opinion!

So, despite being second best to a cartoon kangaroo, this Fiat is just lovely.  It's been beautifully rebuilt, featuring all period-appropriate parts and is powered by an 1800 cc motor, five-speed gearbox and diff, all sourced from a later model 124 CC coupe.  The panels and paint, plus the interior, are all first rate.

To my mind, this immaculate XB Fairmont is actually more interesting than its equivalent era GT, especially as it's been fitted with a 351 motor and four-speed floor-shift 'box, giving it GT-grunt but packaged with a point of difference.  Even though I'm not a huge fan of the vinyl roof, this one's is in such great nick that it really suits the car and is a fabulous nod to the 70s, too. 

It may sound as if I'm throwing the superlatives about a bit today, but this late-model Alfasud truly was about as superb an example as you might imagine.  The paint, panels and interior really did put me in mind of a brand new car.

Sadly, Cortinas from this era - the late 1970s - are few and far between these days.  There are, however, plenty of the earlier 1960s' versions but for some reason later editions don't seem to have maintained much of a following.

It wouldn't be unreasonable to describe this one as outstanding, given the condition of its panels, paint and interior.  And again, the vinyl roof actually looks really good, as do the Superlite wheels.

British readers might be interested to know that here in Australia, we did our Cortinas our own way, which meant fitting some of them with 4.1 litre cross-flow motors (like this one's been kitted-out with).  We also made them with 3.3 litre sixes and 2.0 litre fours.  I believe that in Britain, they came equipped with a 1.6 and, at most, the 2.0.  Readers from Britain can assume a derisive snort of contempt from the author at this point.     

250, as in cubic inches, AKA 4.1 litres.

As a concession to the Brits, I will admit that their V6 Capri was a thing of true beauty.  This one - the car bearing the lead-photo Super Roo decal - was a gorgeous, apparently unrestored example of the marque.

I'm credibly informed that this rather pretty Alfa 105 1600 Junior once belonged to local lawyer and parliamentarian Sir Max Bingham.  However, its owner's brother and the car's driver on the day - and there's a whole story in that alone - wasn't aware of this.  

Rather than argue the toss, I'm told that Gordon or Norm might be able to shed some light on the car's history.  So what's the story, blokes?

This 1957 Triumph Standard 10 is the only one in Tasmania, according to its owner.  He's had it for thirty-odd years and says that there aren't that many anywhere else in Australia, either.  

As far as Jaguars go, it would be hard to imagine a more curvaceous, low-slung example than this exquisite XK-140.  Amazingly, it's one of at least two that can be found at Classics on a reasonably regular basis.   

And this, Dear Readers, is a weimaraner, king of dogs!  Nothing to do with cars, admittedly, other than being at Classics on the day.  Tell me he's not magnificent!  

U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)

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