Random # 296: HX Sandman Ute

I'm pretty sure this pristine Sandman ute is an HX, based on its grille and side stripes. HQ Sandmans are easy to spot, being the most distinctive of the HQ to HZ lineup, as they don't share the same basic 'nose' of the subsequent three models (they had entirely different dashboards, too). HQ and HJ Sandmans do, however, both feature matching arch-style side stripes, whereas HXs and HZs only differ stylistically in terms of their grilles, as their side stripes are identical to those shown here.

I was surprised to learn whilst researching this post that only the HJ Sandman featured the HJ - HZ Monaro / GTS vents on the front mudguards, the absence of same adding weight to this being an HX. The HQ did feature the longer vents also seen on their concurrent Monaro and SS models, but GMH deleted any form of vents from both the HX and HZ Sandman's features lists.

I'm not sure why GMH did this; their Sandman line-up otherwise came equipped with most of the Monaro's kit, including its wheels - as shown above - steering wheel, dashboard and instruments, centre console and seats. Of course, the Sandman got the V8 / four-speed gearbox option, too.

Either way, it doesn't detract from the extreme excellence of our featured car. It was striking in every way; from its paint to its panels, and its chrome, wheels, red-lined tyres and tonneau, and the perfect interior, it was simply magnificent!

Please keep an eye out for UMPH's first Classics by the Beach post for 2020. I need to go through my photos and do a write up, which I hope to have done by the middle of this week. In the meantime, feel free to have a look through the rest of the 'blog and enjoy the many hundreds of photos of local cars, car shows and motorsports events on offer. Have a crack at the search facility in the top right of screen; you might be surprised what you'll find!

U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)

All iPhone images.

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Random # 301: Nanna-Spec KE36 Corolla

Once upon a time - six or seven years ago, actually - there was a lovely pale yellow GC Galant station wagon getting around Hobart. It was totally nanna-spec; its paint was umarked, the chrome work and hubcaps were immaculate, and its very original interior was pristine. Then someone stuck feathers in its dashboard. Next, the windows were adorned with Tibetan prayer flags. And a hubcap went missing. And the the rear bumper was pushed in, mangling the bodywork behind it. And a mudguard got dented. And rust set in. I fear for this sweet, innocent KE36 Corolla. Somebody please save it before it's too late. Nanna needs you to do it. U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) Photos by GlamRock.

EJ or EH Holden? (Up-dated December, 2022)

EJ or the later EH? Several years ago, I posed the question: Can somebody please explain the difference between an EJ and an EH Holden ute or van? The response at the time wasn't overwhelming, so I did a bit of Googling and ferreting through my photos and came up with my own rough guide to EJ and EH identification. Sedans and wagons are easy to tell apart ; the EH's vertical rectangular tail lights are a dead give-away. However, the workhorse versions of both models share the rear-end treatment of the earlier EJ, making it harder to identify one from the other. No super obvious hints here. Or here ... . It turns out that the main clues are in the placement of the front H O L D E N lettering and GMH lion emblems, the style of the radiator grille and the width of the vents in front of the windscreen, with all EJs - sedans, wagons, utes and vans - having one combination and the EH line-up having their own . So what exactly are those diffe

Vick Auto Prima Fiat X1/9 Brakes: An Owner’s Assessment

At the end of 2022, I fitted a set of Vick Autosport Prima front brakes to my mildly worked 1.5 litre Series 1 Fiat X1/9 . I was fortunate, having picked them up at a very, very reasonable price, brand new but surplus to the needs of a fellow X1/9 Australia member who had imported them from the US. The kit included: New single pot callipers , new vented rotors (standard X1/9 front rotors are smaller, non-vented items), DOT approved stainless steel brake hoses, and all the necessary mounting hardware. They are a value proposition, being particularly well priced compared to other manufacturers’ packages - even at RRP - with everyone I’ve spoken to saying they’re made to a high standard, too. Here's a link to a piece that I wrote about them at that time, including some costings: https://uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com/2022/11/the-x19-gets-prima-brake-upgrade.html . Initial Assessment: I was a little underwhelmed by the brakes' performance, finding that although they had a tiny

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