Upper Middle Petrol Head:

UMPH fired off a few frames of this early 60s Cortina in Campbeltown, in central Tasmania, on the Friday before the the annual Baskerville Historics racing programme   was due to begin  ( http://www.mgtas.org.au/baskerville-historics.html ) .  The event is usually held on the first weekend of October, with practice taking place the day before.  However, on this occasion wet weather had put a kybosh on that, with the track being closed for the afternoon. According to the owner, the car has a worked 1500 SOHC engine coupled to a four-speed manual 'box.  The two-door shell looks straight and tidy and is fitted with period accessories, including widened steel wheels, a sports steering wheel, full instrumentation and a half-cage.  It really did embody the style and spirit of historic racing.   U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au .)

If there were ever a perfect place to own a classic sports car, Queensland's Sunshine Coast would almost certainly rate amongst the top choices.  This lovely Mk II Sprite and its two friendly occupants was spotted cruising Moloolaba's Esplanade.  No wonder they're smiling! U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com .)  iPhone image.

Tasmania has a very healthy population of Ford Mustangs, as evidenced by the numerous examples of that model gracing the pages of this 'blog.  What is much, much less prevalent, however, is Ford's other sporty offering of the period, the Thunderbird.   According to Wikipedia ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Thunderbird ), Thunderbirds or - as they're also colloquially known, T-Birds  - were less of a sports car but heralded a new class of vehicle "...  t hat eventually became known as the  personal luxury car."  That distinction is easy to understand when examples like the one featured here are compared to contemporary Mustangs or other models from manufacturers such as GM's Chevrolet Corvette. Stylistically, there are some strong links to other Fords of the era, including the Falcon.  Take the round tail-lights and winged T-Bird emblem, for example ; both features mirror, to some extent, those of the humbler, and significantly small...

This very tough looking Torana, photographed against the backdrop of Queensland's Alexander Headland, may or may not be a genuine SLR 5000 / A9X .  It appears to have been freshly repainted, which obviously isn't an indicator of authenticity.  However, the bonnet scoop has been moulded into the metalwork - as opposed to having been secured with allen-head bolts - and the SS badge on the grill doesn't seem quite right, either.  Had UMPH remembered, he would've checked to see if the car was fitted with rear discs, as genuine  A9X versions were so equipped but even that's not a fool-proof way telling a replica from the real deal, as it is possible to fit disc brake rear ends into later UC Sunbird shells. Torana fans might also enjoy: https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7165367970551834236#editor/target=post;postID=5206218543508516822;onPublishedMenu=overview;onClosedMenu=overview;postNum=20;src=postname , featuring a very nice re...

Isn't that the truth!  What's more, the driver of the Austin 1800 in the following photos is living his or her own bumper sticker.  This is definitely not a boring car. Spotted on Hobart's Queen's Domain, it looks to be in very original condition with what appears to be factory-applied duco and all its period accessories present and intact.  It even features a genuine the car of the century sticker on the rear window, just like they came out with in the late 60s.   Everything, right down to the badges shown above and below, were in place.  All the panels, chrome and interior were in great nick, too. The 'floats on fluid' is a reference to the car's unique Hydrolastic suspension. U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au .) All iPhone images.

UMPH struggled for an adjective with enough gravitas to describe this early 70s Ford LTD .  Stately didn't quite do it.   Imposing didn't work, either.   Elegant ?   Not quite but nearly ... .   Regal might have done the trick, had Chrysler not already taken it as the name for one of its Valiant variants.    Eventually he settled on  venerable , as in deserving of respect due to age and character.  And let's face it, that does sum up the car quite well, given that it's forty five-odd years old and has a rather individual - one might say  characterful - face.   It's often seen around Hobart being driven by an elegantly coiffured lady who, if UMPH's recollection is correct, has been at its helm since the early 80s.  It has always been beautifully kept throughout that time and presents as a much, much newer vehicle than it is. LTDs were the top of Ford's Australian line-up, sitting above the Fairlane but sharing the s...

This flash red Morris Minor ute belongs to pastry chef Alistair Wise, who some say is Tasmania's answer to Adriano Zumbo (but better!).  Alistair also owns Elizabeth Street,  North Hobart, institution  Sweet Envy ( http://www.sweetenvy.com )  and  operates the classic ice cream truck  Big Bessie , which is a regular at Hobart's better festivals and events.  Alistair and Big Bessie (internet image) U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com .) All iPhone images.