Classics by The Beach: December, 2025

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Unfortunately, this immaculate 1978 Serie Speciale Fiat X1/9 - photographed at southern Tasmania's regular first-Sunday-of-the-month cars 'n' coffee, held at Sandy Bay, 10 minutes' drive from the Hobart CBD - is not the mine *.          

It's a beautiful example of the marque, featuring flawless duco and panels, plus a very neat interior.

Owner Rino has had it since March, this year, and has slowly been putting it back to original spec, swapping out a non-standard steering wheel for the factory version shown above, as well as sourcing several other items to help restore the car's originality.

A set of Cromodora CD-91 wheels will soon be replacing the "Hot Wires" shown in these images.

A CD-91, courtesy of the X-Web Forums.

Power is courtesy of an almost standard 1.3 litre Lampredi four-pot - it's running a mild cam and electronic ignition, but retains its stock carbie and exhaust - coupled to a four-speed 'box, as did all Series 1 examples other than the extremely limited run of Abarth twin-cam competition cars.

 




A rare quad-light Spridget?

Nah. 

Nice bums, though.





This study in American opulence is John's 1978 Ford Lincoln Continental Mk V.


It's packing a monster 6.555 litre V8, coupled to a three-speed auto 'box and weighs in at an insignificant 2.068 tonnes!

Fortunately, it's equipped with disc brakes all 'round!


The car was imported into Australia in 2008, having been bought from its first owner, a cattle rancher from Commanche County, Texas.


As you might imagine, the luxo-Lincoln is equipped with an array of high-end features, including air-conditioning, power steering, electric windows, a six-way adjustable electric driver's seat, and pneumatic headlight covers. 



* My slightly less immaculate X1/9.





It was good to see this lovely owner-restored Daimler featuring on the dress circle.




This extremely cool, patina-spec EH ** van book-ends today's coverage because it was a very, very close tie with the X1/9 that opened proceedings as my favourite vehicle of the day.


The paint job looked to be original - don't get me started on faux patina! - and the body was die-straight with no obvious penetrating rust.


The van was ostensibly stock, save for a floor-mounted gearshift (3 or 4 speed?), a period-appropriate wood-rimmed sports steering wheel, some pod-mounted gauges and a set of Dragway alloys that suited it perfectly.

It didn't feature the very common HR front end upgrade, either, so was still relying on drum brakes up front.


A couple of things have me intrigued, though: first, it appears that it may have once had an emergency services-style rotating beacon light fitted to the roof and, second, there's evidence that it may have previously featured barn-style rear doors. 


Was it an ambulance, divi van or a fire vehicle in a former life?

These hinges look like those used on Ford Thames (5 CWT) vans.


I've seen an EH van-based ex-ambulance before but that one was white and had a near-side EH sedan / wagon rear door grafted on to allow access the the rear without clambering over the tailgate.


Can anyone shed any light on this?



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, comment and share!




U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)

** Ever wondered what the difference between and EJ and an EH van or ute is?

Wonder no more:  

https://uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com/2016/03/random-13-ej-or-eh-holden-ute.html !











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