Classics by The Beach: July, 2026

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How's this for a Merc with attitude?  It looks like it's sitting on airbag suspension and has heaps of negative camber, especially at the rear.  The car's big, fat AMG wheels look a treat, as does the German Auto Club (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club) grille badge and California-style headlights.  I'm not sure what it's powered by, though; there's 280 script on the rear but that seems a little under-cooked for such a tough looking machine.    




Classics by The Beach - Hobart's regular first-Sunday-of-the-month cars 'n' coffee, held at Sandy Bay, fifteen minutes' drive south of the CBD - is no stranger to custom vehicles or "specials."  This 1929 Hudson would seem to fall into that category, featuring what appear to be a hand-formed aluminium cockpit and mudguards, plus a number of beautifully made wooden components - its dashboard, dash-surround, steering wheel, door combings and rear luggage rack - plus what looks very much like a slab of Huon pine for a passenger's side running board.  A bit of googling suggests that the quirky radiator cap emblem is original to the car.











This better-condition-than-new 1977 Toyota Cressida pays homage to Shakotan - translated as "low car" - culture, although it appears to be fairly close to standard height, particularly compared to some of the more extreme examples gracing the streets of the scene's home base in Japan.  It also lacks some of the other more outlandish associated mods - externally-mounted front oil coolers; massive, tarmac-hugging front spoilers; big box flared wheel arches; and monstrous rear aero - all of which make for a spectacular sight.          


It does, however, feature a very tasteful, slightly dished Nardi steering wheel, a set of Dunlop T-E LeMans alloys, nifty amber inboard front lights, a front spoiler of sensible dimensions, and a set of extractors with dual pipes exiting from the car's rear.  And it's in truly pristine condition with unblemished duco and chrome, and a super-clean interior.  I really, really love it.














And talking of better-condition-than-new cars, I'd have loved to have fully featured the "Thar She Blue" Valiant Pacer shown above and below but, unfortunately, such was the crowd that it attracted, I was unable to get a clear shot of it, even though I went back to try several times.  But, fortunately, here's something I prepared earlier:  https://uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com/2024/12/better-than-new-random-xxx-1970-vg.html, including detailed photos and the car's history, courtesy of its owner, Emanuel.  It genuinely is one of the nicest cars ever featured on this 'blog and is, IMHO, well worth taking a closer look at.  









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.)







































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