Upper Middle Petrol Head:

I can't believe that I've never been to the National Automobile Museum of Tasmania in  Cimitiere Street, Launceston, two hours' drive of Tasmania's capital city, Hobart!  Fortunately, Matt O has and captured the photos shown here.  I think I'd better head up and take a look myself!   U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au. ) Photos by Matt O.

This ostensibly stock 1980 Corona is a good pairing with last post's LT Celica, as both cars would've almost certainly have been on Hobart Toyota franchise Co-Op Motors' floor at almost exactly the same time, with each of them baring BK rego plates within 195 digits of each other. They're also both exceptionally good examples of their respective models, with the car shown here featuring very straight, rust-free panels, unblemished chrome and a lovely interior. Its only apparent modification - one that suits it very well, it must be said - are its slightly dished Bathurst Globe style wheels and low-profile tyres. As a sedan, this Corona was Australian-made - or at least assembled - and would be fitted with the Starfire 4 engine, as shared with Holden's deservedly much-maligned Sunbird and four-cylinder Commodore ranges, plus a four-speed gearbox. The rarer, fully imported Corona lift-back of the same era, on the other hand, was equipped wit...

I can't remember the last time I saw a Celica like this, even though the earlier coupes and lift-backs seem to remain quite popular.  What I can recall, however, is the derision these so-called "librarians' cars"* used to cop. Ok, so the 2.0 litre SOHC Celica wasn't the most exhilarating car of its day but it was nicely appointed, with velour seats and an AM / FM radio / cassette (?) and four speakers, plus a five-speed box and better than passable handling.  Aircon may have been an option but it didn't feature on my mate's car that we drove from Hobart to Queensland in 1982, and we actually had to wind our own windows and manually adjust the driver's side-only exterior rear-view mirror.  What can I say?  We were made of tougher stuff back then!    The one shown here - identical to the other AW's in every respect except the seat fabric - was in apparently completely original, and remarkably fine, condition.  The paint was unblemished,...

The absence of a driver has rather allowed my imagination to take over for today's post ... Please indulge me, but what say you to the notion of a moustachioed chap, possibly a pipe smoker, by the name of Roger?  I'm thinking frightfully British with a penchant for tweed, a pint or two or maybe a passable claret, and Miss Bunty Windermere for a girlfriend. Here's a pic, just in case I've lost you: Bunty (internet image) Am I starting to make sense now? Of course, I shall be dreadfully disappointed should I ever discover that I have anything but nailed my profile of the crew of this splendid Morgan Plus 4 !  I mean you couldn't really tour Tasmania in such a spiffing vehicle - vintage suitcases strapped to the boot-rack - and be anything other than described, could you?! Tally ho, old beans!  The weather's turning beastly!   U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) All iPhone images

The photography team from Upper Middle Petrol Head had planned on joint coverage of the 2018 Club Motori Italia hill climb at Lufra, an hour or so south-east of Tasmania's capital city, Hobart, and actually set about capturing the action from a number of different vantage points.  However, being the well-oiled machine that we are, it's only now that Matt's contribution is being released.  Please enjoy his efforts!  Like what you've seen in today's post?  Why not take a cruise around the rest of the UMPH site?  Even better, how about becoming a follower?  There's everything from motor-sports events, car shows and random shots of classic vehicles from all around Tasmania and mainland Australia, plus the occasional travel and dining article thrown in...