Classics by the Beach: December, 2023

We have a winner!  This awesome RS2000-themed Mk1 Escort, photographed at Sandy Bay's first Sunday of the month cars and coffee, is at least as good as any other example of the marque that I've ever seen, thereby taking out the coveted UMPH Car of the Day Award*!   

Not only were the body work and paint perfect, so too was the interior.  The iconic RS2000-style bubble arches would seem to be metal, rather than fibreglass (I had a sneaky feel underneath), while the side- and bonnet-stripes, Superlite wheels, split front bumpers and chromed bullet mirrors were all model and era appropriate.  It was simply stunning!   

Alex's second-owner-since-new Fiat 131 Mirafiori was pretty slick, too!  It has around 95,000 genuine Ks on the clock and is straight and rust-free, having been garaged all its life.  It was purchased with a few minor scrapes that have since been sorted and now wears a set of very, very tasty 15" Davide Cironi Signature alloy wheels by Maxilite, bought new especially for the car.  There are plans to slip a fresh twin-cam donk under the bonnet, as well as fitting a five-speed 'box in lieu of the current three-speed auto, plus a few minor suspension tweaks, all of which will take an already lovely machine to the next level.      

This striking red and white Kombi was one of two of VW's split-screen ute variants present on the day.  Unfortunately, the other one - an equally impressive single cab - headed off before I could photograph it.  Next time, I hope ... .  

These vented boxes mounted either side of the car appear to be for additional engine cooling.

"Survivor spec" doesn't come any more authentic than this LC Torana.  The body itself is exceptionally straight with nothing but the very lightest surface rust evident on the tiniest ding here and there, all of which adds character and does nothing to detract from the car's overall excellenece.  The interior was similarly "used but not abused," showing surprisingly little wear for a car that'd be nearly old enough to retire on a pension if it weren't for former PM John Howard.  

Almost rounding out today's commentary is this trio of classic US-muscle that wouldn't have been out of place starring in an episode of Happy Days or a scene from American Graffiti!  The F100 impressed with its clever custom touches, the Chev wooed with its wrap around glass and tail fins, while the Customline (?) had the coolest patinated bumpers - rubbed back and sealed, leaving a sort of pock-marked effect - I think I've ever seen.

And finally - in stark contrast to the three big Yank tanks that it follows - was this nifty, super diminutive NSU Prinz with its 600 cc, two cylinder engine.  That's at least four, and extremely likely six, fewer cylinders than its US cousins and almost certainly four of five litres' cubic capacity, too!  It is kinda the same colour as the Customline, though.  

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U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)

* UMPH Car of the Day:  All glory.  No actual prize.