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Showing posts from April 21, 2024

The Architect’s Eye: a Datsun 1600 (510) Two Door

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Two things really stand out about this immaculate Datsun 1600 photographed by local architect and semi-regular UMPH contributor Mark Drury:  Number one, it’s a two door sedan which, as far as the UMPH team are aware, was not a body style officially released here in Australia.  And number two, it’s wearing a grille not available Down Under, either.   Interestingly, there's a second variant of the1600 in two door form - also unavailable to Aussie buyers - known as the Bluebird SSS .  It was a JDM release, although several examples are known to have been imported into the US, as featured in this Petrolicious video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaJkJ1pNzSo . Today's example featured perfect paint, panels and chrome, a set of what might be Simmons wheels, some LED halo headlights and a neat chin spoiler.  The fore and aft side marker lights suggest that it's possibly an ex-US car (AusDM cars didn't feature said accessories, although JDM editions may have), a...

2024 Kingston Neighbourhood House Car Show

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The organisers of 2024's Kingston Neighbourhood House Car Show must be really chuffed with the way the event turned out!  Not only was it very, very well attended with a wide variety of beautiful vehicles on display, the weather was unseasonably lovely for late April, too.    This stylish Fiat 124 CC proudly waved the flag for the Italian car industry alongside the Upper Middle Petrol Head X1/9.  They weren't the only Fiats present, though; there was another example, albeit heavily disguised ... . Admittedly, it was hard to pick it.  There was only one - four, in fairness - external clues to the mystery fourth Fiat’s identity.  Cromodora CD3s on a Morrie? Ok.  To actually call it a Fiat might be a stretch.  However, this gorgeous old Morris 1000 ute is arguably as much a Fiat as it is a product of the Nuffield Organisation - later Leyland - as it's running a 1600 cc twin cam engine, five-speed gearbox and the four wheel disc set-up from a Fia...