Classics by The Beach: Sunday the 2nd of August, 2020.

We have a winner!  Sort of.  If Sandy Bay's monthly get-together of petrol-heads and their treasured cars were a competition - which it's not, of course - this striking Mazda RX3 would take first prize.      

There's no doubt that it was popular with punters, especially the leather jacket-wearing profligate seen loitering in a couple of these pics.  At least the cops will have a lead should the car going missing.  

No wonder the car was attracting attention!  It looked great with its crimson duco, flawless panels and chrome, and very tidy - and original - black interior.  And, while we're on the topic of originality, this car's running an early single-dizzy 13B motor, so it's properly old-school!  

In fact, it's so old-school that the front discs appear to be original (certainly not slotted, cross-drilled or bigger than standard), as do the rear drums.  There's nothing too tricky-looking with the suspension, either.  In fact, the only ostensible departures from stock are a later model Mazda 4-spoke sports steering wheel, some era-appropriate podded rear view mirrors and a set of excellent Performance Superlites.  

Hello, AJ!

This Lotus 2 Eleven -  I thought it was called a Gleven 2, to the amusement of my vulgar companions - is about as track-focussed as any road-registered car I've ever seen.  There's zero doubt that it's packing some serious engine-tech but, at the same time, it features one of the most spartan interiors I've seen in a very long time.

It's my understanding that the HJ LE coupe isn't technically a Monaro*, the name LE - short for Limited Edition - being its own discrete model designation.  Of course, it is a Monaro in all other respects and I'm told that Monaro owners even accept owners of LSs into their clubs on an equal basis.  That's very decent of them! 

* This is likely controversial, I know.  I'm certainly not invested enough in the story, apocryphal as it may be, to bother arguing about it if someone says I'm wrong.  It's only my understanding, I might be mistaken and I don't claim to be an expert.  However, I would point out that, technically, the HZ GTS isn't a Monaro, either, the Monaro name having been killed off by GMH at the time of the HZ's release.    

For my money, the Chevvy Camaro and its twin, the Pontiac Firebird, would have to be amongst the very best looking American cars ever made!  Look at those haunched arches!  It seems like the car's about to leap upon and disembowel a wildebeest!  

The GTR XU-1 Torana is arguably Australia's answer to the Camaro, albeit a little later, this example being from the mid-1970s whereas the compact Chevvy performance car shown earlier was possibly from the late 1960s.  At any rate, the Torana was relatively small compared to their stablemates, GMH's Monaro range, and the Camaro was smaller - in American terms, at least - to nearly everything ever built Stateside.

This picture - apparently of everything and nothing - sums up the day perfectly with its motorcycle in the foreground, a casual cyclist strolling through, cars and car fans everywhere, and yachts racing on the River Derwent as a backdrop.  Try beating that anywhere else on a mid-winter's morning!

Until next time!

U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)