Upper Middle Petrol Head:

Today's post comes via the West Coast Correspondent and is a bit of an enigma.  It's badged as a Datsun 1200 and, whilst a check of Google images does show some similar ute versions from circa 1960, they're all single-cab models, almost exclusively fitted with separate trays. As you can see, this one's a crew-cab with an integral tray, making it a bit of a rarity.  It could be that it was custom-made, possibly having been based on a station wagon.  However, it's so well finished that it seems more probable that it's ex-factory. Either way, it's a fabulous looking car with amazing duco and chrome, that's complimented very nicely by a set of six spoke alloys.  And if it is a Datsun original, it might just be one of the earliest examples of a crew-cab ever. U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) iPhone image.

Despite its Zapparian appearance, this item is not a First Church of Appliantology* fetish-satisfaction device.  It is, in fact, a highly-advanced Fiat X1/9 weight reduction machine! How so? , you ask.  Without giving away too much, there are cables and hoses, hot water and suds.  Plus a whole lotta suction.  Not at all fetishistic!      Forty one years is a long time, so the state of my Series 1 X1/9's upholstery is actually amazingly good.  Sure, there were four decades' worth of surface grime and stains but there weren't any tears, almost no scuffing and very little fading, either.   My X does, however, have its own unique smell**, quite possibly due to some sort of insecticide or other biological control agent sprayed into the car's erstwhile shipping container home when it was criss-crossing the world as a great big delivery box.  Sometimes I think I can feel my cells mutating just by breathing in its ...

Today's photos come courtesy of Winnie, who snapped them recently in the Honda Museum in Montegi, Japan.   Ironically - sadly, more so - they appeared in my in-box the same day that the car's famous driver, ex-Mitsubishi WRC boss Andrew Cowan, passed away. RIP, Andrew Cowan, motorsports legend. U M P H (uppermioddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) Photos by Winnie.

I'm no Kombi expert.  However, this lovely example would appear to be one of the earlier versions, being as it is fitted with only a single rear brake / tail light lens per side.  It's as basic as they come, featuring sliding front windows and a very spartan interior.  Just how I like 'em!  U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) All iPhone images.

This very, very funky Triumph Herald was an absolute treat, having been fitted with some cool Bathurst Globe  wheels, a lovely wooden sports steering wheel and a touch of faux ocelot (a big cat of some description, anyway) on its driver's racing harness.  It was straight, clean, rust free and looked great with deep, lustrous cream over maroon duco and red and white interior.     U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) All iPhone images.

Pre-restoration, at Ed's Anyone who has followed the Australian rally scene will know about Ed Ordynski and his exploits in Galant VR4s and Lancer Evos during the 1990s.  Like most rally drivers, Ed began in club-based competition, initially campaigning a Corolla in South Australian events i n the mid-1970s  before following the well-trodden path into Datsun 1600s and ultimately going on to become a four-time winner of the Australian  Group N Rally Championship, amongst other accolades*.   One of Ed's Datsun 1600s (internet image -  Rallysport Magazine ) Apparently, Ed has donated one of his three Datsun 1600 rally cars to a South Australian  motorsports museum.  I would love to see it the next time I'm in SA!  There is, however, another ex-Ordynski vehicle that I know for a fact is now residing a little closer to home and that I'm very confident of not only seeing, but taking a ride in some time soon.   The ...

The October 2019 edition of Classic by the Beach, southern Tasmania's best free car show, was well up to its usual high standard with cars from all eras, countries and manufacturers on display.  The weather was pleasant, there were plenty of attendees and the backdrop was, as it always is, lovely!  Please enjoy the following photos!     U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au).