Classics by the Beach: November, 2024

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Warm but blustery conditions greeted attendees at November, 2024's, Classics by the Beach, held at Sandy Bay, just fifteen minutes' drive from Hobart.  The turn-out was a little smaller than usual - possibly because it clashed with the final day's competition at the Baskerville Historics, also in southern Tasmania - but was impressive, nonetheless.


It was a bit of a treat seeing this immaculate Hillman Imp GT, having only received a tip-off to the car's existence yesterday.  I certainly didn't imagine that I'd be seeing it in the metal quite so soon!



Kasper, the owner of this delightful "survivor-spec" KE20 Corolla, only dropped into Sandy Bay to do a bit of shopping.  But then he ran into his mate, Kevin, who owns the awesome orange version seen in the background (please see: https://uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com/2022/06/kevins-ke27-corolla.html), and soon found himself part of the action, his very honest and ultra-original car attracting plenty of admirers.




I'm not sure if this Renault is a Floride or a Caravelle or, to be honest, what the difference is.  One school of thought is that the former's a sported-up version of the latter; another line is that they're the same car with different names, depending on which market they were sold into.  This particular example does look quite a bit more performance orientated than the Caravelles I'm used to seeing, so I quite like the idea that it's the up-specced, sporty version of the platform.  But I could be wrong!  



Apparently, the recessed headlights shown above pre-date the introduction of the MGB.  It's also said that this displeased Renault, who accused the British sports car manufacturer of design theft.  



















A reliable source told me that this Citroen Dyane, and the one parked next to it that I stupidly failed to photograph, recently completed a "raid" from Tasmania, through Victoria and South Australia, across the Nullarbor and all around southern West Australia.  By the time these two cars and their intrepid crews reached WA, there were approximately thirty 2CVs or 2CV-based vehicles - Acadianes, Amis, maybe even Bijous and Meharis (https://uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com/2023/08/citroen-mehari-camel-of-cote-dazur.html) and the like - taking part in the event, which, Covid-19 aside, has been held every fours years for some decades now.  Impressive!


Did you enjoy this post?  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.)

Imp interior, engine compartment and GT badge images by Gor.  

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