Classics by the Beach: May, 2024

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Expectations weren’t high for May, 2024’s, Classics by the Beach, given that it coincided with one of Tasmania’s biggest automotive events - the very, very popular Picnic at Ross.  Turns out there was no need for such pessimism; Sandy Bay’s first-Sunday of the month cars and coffee was extremely well attended, with numerous fabulous vehicles on display.   

The weather might’ve had something to do with the strong attendance at the southern show, with sunshine aplenty and only a light prevailing breeze.  It could’ve also been that Ross was just too far away - or potentially too cold - for many attendees, or that some simply couldn’t be bothered negotiating the underwhelming goat track that remains the Midlands Highway after nearly ten years’ worth of “upgrades.”

This 1932 Alvis was a study in elegance, looking absolutely superb with its deep green paint, glittering bright work - including the radiator emblem featured at the beginning of this piece - huge headlights, long, sweeping mudguards and wire wheels.  The interior was similarly grand; the wooden dashboard complemented the car’s sumptuous cream leather upholstery to perfection.




Not one of the more conveniently situated gear levers I’ve ever seen.  



The mid-engine brigade. 







This Mach 1 Mustang might be new to Sandy Bay (?).  Either way, this particular era of Ford’s famous pony car is a lot rarer in Tasmania than the earlier versions, with quite a lot of ‘60s examples gracing our streets.  

It’s not hard to see where the GT and GS editions of  the XA, XB & XC Falcons’ front end treatment was derived from.


Two icons of 1990s Japanese motoring:  a Z32 Nissan 300 ZX and a third generation Mazda FD RX7.






Did you enjoy this article?  If so, why not browse the rest of the uppermiddlepetrolhead site?  There are loads and loads of classic, sports and performance vehicles featured, as well as stacks of car shows and motorsports events.  Even better, you can follow either the 'blog itself or do so via Upper Middle Petrol Head's Facebook page.  And please do like and share!





U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)





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