Upper Middle Petrol Head:

This excellent Mk II Cortina GT belongs to former advanced driving instructor (Hendon system) and Targa competitor, Paul, and his wife.  They're involved in the classic Cortina scene, having taken the car to two mainland-Australia events celebrating the marque.    Paul explained that, as a GT, his Cortina was factory fitted with a 1600 Kent cross-flow motor with a Weber carbie, as opposed to the standard 1500 ; a sports steering wheel, full instrumentation, a centre console, and low-back bucket seats ; as well as wider steel rims and classic bullet-style exterior rear view mirrors.  He believes that his Cortina's extractors may have been part of the GT package, too.   According to Paul, the previous owner had the car resprayed but the finish could be better.  However, UMPH reckons the entire package is quite lovely ; the panels are straight and rust free, the chrome and bright-work is first rate, and the interior is immaculate.  The...

The photos of this lovely, original looking Morris 1000 were taken in a bit of a rush and probably don't do the car justice.  However, it's nice to see that there are vehicles just like this one, bearing everyday rego plates and apparently still in regular use, on Tasmania's roads.  The fact that people still find older cars - like Morries, Hillmans, older Jags and Minis, plus Aussie Holdens, Fords and Valiants, Japanese classics and German, French and Italian cars, too - practical and comfortable for everyday use says something about their quality, design and desirability. Morrie lovers are well served by this 'blog.  If you wish to see any of the dozen or so featured here, please use the search icon (a magnifying glass) on the top right hand of the page. U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.co.au.) All iPhone images.

This short wheel-base  Series II  Land Rover embodies everything UMPH loves about the marque!  It's basic, rugged and timeless!   The restoration is first rate, with re-galvanised trim, a period-green paint job and subtle upgrades, like the LED light bar and thermo -fan cleverly hidden behind the grille.  It's also been fitted with period-correct Selectro free-wheeling hubs and what looks to be a PTO-powered winch.   UMPH wants one!  No he doesn't ; he needs one!!  A SWB Series II or III ute would be nice... .  U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) All iPhone images.

According to the owner of this magnificent Chev wagon, about one million of them were produced in the USA.  Sadly, they're now a bit of a rarity, making this example even more special. A lot has been written about American car styling in the 1950s and 60s, with many people theorising links between the designers' penchant for tail-fins and the so-called Space-Race .  UMPH isn't so sure ; he reckons there was something Gothic afoot, at least in the earlier manifestations of the style, as evidenced by the almost hearse-like profile of the car shown here and its horizontal, wing-like, rear fins.  If that's not enough to for you to think this theory is at least plausible, consider the Batmobile. And not the ridiculous re-make Batmobiles, either!  The real one, driven by the one true Batman, Adam West !!   Now, is this Gothic or a land-bound space ship?  It's Gothic.  It just is.  The name of Batman's home town, Gotham City, might jus...

UMPH aims for honesty in his car-related writing, preferring to rely largely on his own knowledge and what he can glean from the proud owners of featured vehicles, so he's not even going to pretend to know much about Morgan three-wheelers.  Instead, he invites you to enjoy the attached photos of a lovely example of the model spotted in Hobart in early 2018 and, if you want to know more about it, suggests you visit Wikipedia via the attached link:   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgan_3-Wheeler .   U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) All iPhone images.

This lovely 4.9 litre (302 cubic inch) V8-powered Fairmont has got it all:  classic Coke-bottle styling, great condition, period features (a vinyl roof, mesh sun-visor and rear-window Venetians), as well as having been optioned-up with bonnet scoops and very classy factory-fitted alloy wheels.  The interior was luscious, too ; the velour upholstery was unmarked, the dash wasn't cracked and the centre console set of the T-bar shift very nicely indeed.   It was easily as good as the best example UMPH could find on the 'net when he was researching the model, matching it in specification and condition.  Have a look at this and see if he's wrong:   https://www.shannons.com.au/auctions/2007-shannons-sydney-summer-classic-auction/F5520FX7SD7YME18/ ! U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) All iPhone images.