Classics by the Beach: October, 2024 *Up-dated*

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This MkI Cortina was absolutely delightful, being as close to perfect as you could hope to see.  Everything - its paint, brightwork, cabin and engine - has been recently replaced or painstakingly refurbished to an extremely high standard.  All the work was done by the owner, other than the interior trim.


The car's not just a looker, though; it's packing a mildly worked original GT 1500 cc power-plant mated to a genuine Lotus Cortina close-ratio four speed gearbox.  The suspension has also been sorted and the handling package nicely finished off with some decent tyres on a set of Superlite-style wheels.  


In keeping with those Superlights, there's also a very elegant three spoke, leather-wrapped sports steering wheel and an also era-correct bullet-style rear-view mirror.  The only thing that's strictly not 1960s’ fare is the colour, which the owner says is one aspect of his restorations that he takes a little licence with.


But it's not just Cortinas that float this bloke's boat.  The lead car for December last year's Classics by the Beach - an immaculate MkI RS2000 Escort (replica?) - also belongs to, and was restored by, the same talented man.



(Please see: https://uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com/2023/12/classics-by-beach-december-2023.html).




It was great to see that a P-plater has found himself an awesome Toyota Supra, and also pleasing that he was participating in southern Tasmania’s best cars 'n' coffee - Classics by the Beach, held on the first Sunday of each month at the Sandy Bay Beach carpark, just 15 minutes' drive from the Hobart CBD.  It isn’t just any ol' Supra, by the way; his is a manual version, which must set him apart from a good many of his clutch-phobic, millennial / gen Z mates.  








According to a handy plaque supplied by this car's owner, it's a 1986 Chrysler LeBaron Mark Cross Town and Country convertible, powered by a 2.2 litre, fuel-injected, turbo petrol engine.  It's front wheel drive, putting the power down via a three-speed TorqueFlite auto tranny, and is one of only 501 ever made in this particular configuration.  


The faux-woodgrain panelling looks amazing and really, really sets the car apart from other more prosaic vehicles of the era, even if it's probably not quite to Aussie tastes.  I personally think it's great; cars like this are a reminder of an era we'll never, ever see again.









This as-new, totally rebuilt Series II short wheel base Land Rover featured a lot of very nifty, but subtle, upgrades.  Not least amongst these was a full suite of LED illumination, including a pair of Stedi headlights and some cleverly made indicators, and tail- and reversing-lamps that mimic the 1970s' originals.  


There's also electronic ignition and electric power-steering - not really 1970s' Landy things, it must be said - and even a diesel heater for use when its owner uses it in camper-mode.  It's also scheduled for a fuel-injection upgrade, utilising a British after-market system that uses either the original Stromberg carbie as a throttle body, or a propriety throttle body from the kit's manufacturer.  All this in a package that looks ostensibly stock, right down to its classic capstan-style winch.









Last but not least is this lovely 253 cu V8 HQ GTS Monaro hardtop.  I originally wrote that I didn't know anything about the car but its owner, Craig, has since updated me.  He tells me that it's been restored to factory spec and that it's an all matching numbers example originally used as a promo vehicle for a Western Australian dealership, having come off the production line before the HQ's official release in July, 1971.  It's also the only one ever produced in the particular colour combo you see here.  

It's in spectacularly good nick, with perfect duco and chrome, an immaculate vinyl roof and a very, very tidy interior.  I don't think I've seen a better one, especially one that looks so "factory."

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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