Upper Middle Petrol Head:

There's some confusion surrounding replacement brake master cylinders for GC Galant hardtops and the GD Galant line-up produced in Australia, by Chrysler, between 1974 and 78.  This affects at least two major suppliers' databases: those of the Australian Brake Service, better known nationally as ABS, and online parts retailer Automotive Superstore. Both companies list only one master cylinder for 1970s rear wheel drive Galants on their websites.  This is incorrect; the 11/16th (17.48 mm) units that they state will fit Galants of that era  are only suitable for GA and GB Galants, GC Galant sedans and wagons, and ‘76 GD Galants without boosted brakes. GA and GB Galants were not sold in Australia with boosted brakes.  GC Galant sedans and wagons didn't have boosted brakes, either.  GC Galant hardtops did, however, come standard with boosted brakes, as did GD Galant hardtops, and the majority of GD sedans and wagons from early ‘77.  (Just check your car's ...

This rather handsome 1981 Lancia Beta kicks off today's coverage of Classics by the Beach - southern Tasmania's best monthly cars 'n' coffee event - because: a , it's in very, very near to show room condition; and b , the Pininfarina designed, Zagato-built Spider was, as far as I know, never officially sold Down Under.  I've certainly not seen one here, anyway.   Sadly, but, from what I can gather, not unjustifiably, the Beta played a very significant part in trashing Lancia's once proud reputation as Italy's premium car maker.  Many UK examples succumbed to rust - some so badly that it's said their engine / gearbox subframes were prone to becoming loose - although stories of entire engines falling out are most likely apocryphal.      And Russian steel was not the cause!  Most experts now agree that, like many Fiats and Alfas of the era, Lancia's corrosion issues were caused by poor rust-proofing ( no rust-proofing?), made worse by the rampant i...