The 2020 Fathers' Day edition of Classics by the Beach did not feature a competition of any kind. There were no categories, judges, prizes, people's choice awards, or trophies. By extension, there weren't any winners, either. Except this Series 1 Mazda RX7.
Why? Because it was the purest automotive expression of the 1980s that I've seen in a very, very long time. It arrived sounding like a WWII fighter that had just taken a strafing from Gerry and was about to put down behind enemy lines. Its body, finished in dazzling Arctic white, was perfect, as was its interior. It was fitted with Daytona style wheels that could not have looked better and even its forward-mounted JDM rear vision mirrors, which I normally think look stupid, actually suited this car rather nicely.
Interestingly, it was running rear disc brakes when Series 1s came standard with drums. I suspect - but have no way of confirming - that it was fitted with a 13B rather than the stock Series 1 12A. It was also wearing Savanna badges which could indicate that the car's been imported, as Aussie versions were only marketed under the RX7 moniker. (Of course, the owner could have also bought the badges on the internet!)
Marco's Rx-4 coupe was another winner. He's owned it for many, many years - if not decades - and it is magnificent. I do know that it's equipped with a turbo-charged - possibly twin-turboed (?) - 13B and that it's been featured in at least one national car magazine.
Until recently, I thought Rangers were Ford's answer to Toyota's Hilux, Nissan's Navara and Mitsubishi's Triton. However, this is now the second F100-based, circa 1970 Ranger I've seen in Hobart and it is, like the other example, a left-hooker. I've never seen or heard of a Ford 390 V8 - as this Ranger packs - though; it seems that it was not fitted to Aussie Fords but was widely available stateside.
If there were prizes given out on the day, surely this amazing Austin ute would be in line for a gong. Just look at it! Some clever bugger has taken a quintessentially stodgy British workhorse and made it all gangsta, complete with a chopped roof, louvred bonnet and fat wheels. This is not a vehicle that would look at home on the set of Heartbeat, Endeavour of Father Brown!
This must be Tasmania's best Galant! Just look at that paint, those Cibies and the excellent wheels. The interior's just as nice, too.
You can thank me later, Michael C. I think that the clever way I've blended an E-Type roof onto your Riley TT Sprite looks rather fetching.
Look closely at the duco of this lovely Fiat 500 and you'll see that its paint is opalescent, just like mother of pearl. It’s hugely unlikely to be an original hue but it does look fabulous.
Do these vans remind anyone of Sandy Bay Beach, circa 1980? “If it’s rockin’, don’t bother knockin’,” as they used to say.
I'll just out and say it. Camaros and their GM twins, Pontiac Firebirds - look better than Mustangs. Other than the GT 350 fastback, that is. Just magnificent!
Did anyone miss the Hobart Holden Muster held between the 3rd and 6th of September, 2020? Regretting having not attended? If so, there's extensive UMPH coverage of the event available via uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au (just search for The Hobart Wake).
U M P H
(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)
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