Upper Middle Petrol Head:

The bloke that owned this Karmann Ghia, seen in Noosaville on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, seemed a bit surprised that UMPH would want to photograph it and add it to his blog.  Sure, it's a bit rough but, hey, it's not too bad for a car manufactured sometime between 1955 and 1974, making it at least 42 years old!  And as for that sexy, curvaceous Ghia styling...   Who wouldn't admire it? U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au .) All iPhone images.

Everything old is new(ish) again!  Well, it appears to be so when it comes to big Jags, as evidenced by these two large British saloons.  At a guess, the black one seen on the left would be a late 50s / early 60s version, whereas the white car - one of the later 'classic' style XJs - could be as recent as the late 90s or even the early 2000s (that's relatively new in UMPH's book!).  Admittedly, the similarities here aren't as strong as between Series 1 XJs and the newer car featured here but there are still clear styling clues that have bridged a four decade divide. The similarities between this late 60s Series 1 XJ and the late 90's version shown above and below are even stronger (image from Wikipedia) The older car has a distinctly cigar-shaped profile compared to its newer brother but there are sufficient similarities between the two to claim there's a common theme - what might be called a 'big Jag look.'  There's no ...

Darwin, capital city of Australia's Northern Territory, is home to many classic cars.  Whilst big Aussie and American V8s seem to be the most popular, a few smaller vehicles, like this lovely Mini Clubman, can occasionally seen out and about. U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au .) iPhone image.

UMPH has a new mission:  to capture every Morris Minor / Morris 1000 body type, from the two- and four-door sedans through to the rag-top Tourers, wooden-sided Travellers, and the utility and van variants. So far, he's managed to snare some fine examples of the four-door sedans in both 'low-light' and later Minor guises, plus a 1000 version but, as yet, no two-doors. Alistair Wise's lovely Minor flat-tray ute also graces this 'blog but, so far, a tub-styled version has eluded UMPH.  He's also yet to hunt down a Traveller or a Tourer. He was, however, pretty chuffed to have happened upon this excellent 1000 van in Argyle Street, Hobart. It really was in delightful condition, with the F-reg plates suggesting that it's either a recent arrival to Tasmania and / or has just been restored and returned to our roads. So watch out, Morrie owners - you're in UMPH's sights! U M P H  (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot...

The fabulous Ford XT Fairmont sedan featured in the following photos is one model designation newer, and one specification level up from, the XR Falcon featured in  https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7165367970551834236#editor/target=post;postID=814036798442617427;onPublishedMenu=overview;onClosedMenu=overview;postNum=14;src=postname .  The differences were largely cosmetic, however, with minor changes to the newer version's tail lights and grille being the most obvious updates.  Although they might be considered spartan by today's standards, the Fairmont range had bucket seats, carpet, a faux wood-grain dash and a few other 'luxury' features above those of the humbler Falcon on which it was based.   Fairmonts were also fitted with front disc brakes.    This particular example, photographed outside a Hobart panel beater's workshop, was in excellent condition with a glossy, rich paint job, unblemished chrome and a very neat interior. ...

Another Volksie.  Another survivor.  This special interest registered Type 3 wagon was spotted just off the main North Hobart restaurant strip, a short way up from the uber fashionable - and very fine - Room for a Pony cafe / bar.  Like a lot of vehicles featured in UMPH posts, it's not exactly immaculate.  It is, however, straight and clean, with only minor rust and a broken indicator lens detracting from its overall condition.  Not bad at all for a car that looks like it does fairly regular duty as a general carry-all.  U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead./blogspot.com.au .) All iPhone images.

There are at least two cars to bear the Excel nameplate.  However, one of them - the cheap 'n' cheerful Hyundai Excel - is unlikely to ever be regarded as a classic car.  That leaves us the subject of today's post:  the Lotus Excel.  Found in one of UMPH's favourite hunting grounds, North Hobart's Elizabeth Street restaurant strip, this particular version looked great with its low slung body and 1980s wedge-profile. A bit of bug-spatter suggests the owner isn't scared to give his car a run in the countryside. The DN prefix rego suggests that the car has been in Tasmania for thirty-odd years or so but this is the first time that it's come to UMPH's attention.  That's not to say that it's not a Hobart-based car.  However, given our capital city's relatively small population, the likelihood is that it would be a more common sight in and around town if it were from the south. Unlike a lot of other Lotuses, which featur...