Upper Middle Petrol Head:

Many people regard the car photographed here - a TR4/A  IRS  (standing for independent rear suspension) - as the pinnacle of the Triumph sports car line-up.  They would argue that those models that preceded it lacked grunt and the three TRs that followed, the TR5, TR6 and TR7, lacked the style and charm that made Triumphs special.  This is especially true of the often maligned TR7 and its V8 twin, the TR8, which are only now really gaining acceptance. UMPH won't comment, for fear of offending legions of Triumph fans!  However, he will hazard to admit to being a bit of a TR4 fan and will stick his neck well out and confess to having always loved the wedge-shaped TR7 and TR8! U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) All iPhone images.

This semi-luxo, mid-sized sedan from Toyota has had a bit of an evolution since it last appeared on the pages of this 'blog*, with it now sporting some classic JDM-style mudguard-mounted rear-view mirrors, a new set of machine-faced mags and a Rising Sun glare-strip.  It's unlikely its previous owner would have ever envisaged its transformation.  However, whoever may have been its last custodian could hardly argue that some love and attention hasn't gone into its makeover. U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) All iPhone images. * Just use the search function (magnifying glass icon) on the UMPH banner page to find the earlier post featuring this car or, for that matter, nearly any vehicle that may take your fancy. 

This outstanding XP Fairmont sedan was spotted in West Hobart on a late Tasmanian autumn day.  It was fitted with low-back bucket seats, trimmed in rich red vinyl, and featured extra bling on the leading edges of the front mudguards and in the centre of the bonnet, as befits the more up-market Fairmont line-up, which was a trim level above the Falcon range on which it was based. The white louvre in the rear window was a nice period touch.  However, the classic 'twelve-slot' wheels seem to be from a later Falcon or Fairmont . The entire car was beautifully presented, with lovely paint, shiny chrome and a very tidy interior.  The red coloured exterior was particularly elegant and, in combination with the matching dashboard, seats, door linings and carpets, created quite a classy look. U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) All iPhone images.

UMPH has a no comment policy in respect to E-Type Jaguars, because there's nothing left to say.  Enough said? U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) All iPhone images.

Every so often, a Ford F Series truck finds its way into this 'blog.  UMPH isn't sure if this early pick-up from Ford is actually an F or not ; it's certainly of right the general size and configuration but its styling suggests that it's an earlier offering, possibly before the moniker was coined by their marketing people.  It's a lot rounder than the classic F s tended to be, too.  Can anyone out there shed some light on what it might actually be?    U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) All iPhone images.

Be under no illusion, people!  This now relatively benign-looking circa 1985 Nissan Pulsar ET Turbo was one of the absolute kick-arse cars of its day.   During the mid-80s, there were really only two hot-hatches within the price range of UMPH and his mates:  the ET and the Mitsubishi Cordia Turbo.  That's not to dismiss the V8 and rotary  performance   options of the day, of course ; it's just that the Subaru WRX and Mitsubishi Lancer Evos hadn't even been thought of back then, and the Golf GTi was a bit pricey, meaning that the range of small but properly quick cars was pretty limited.  UMPH has fond memories of driving his friend Fur's ET a couple of times.  Rather than dob himself in, he'll just allude to the time he parked it in Salamanca Place, smoke pouring off its four-wheel discs, and having a passing taxi stop to offer him his fire extinguisher.  Let's just say it was outrageously quick! Another mate, Norm, bou...