Upper Middle Petrol Head:

I'm very, very taken with today's car - an LB Lancer, if I'm not mistaken - photographed by Beat Nick in Longford, Tasmania, on an early Autumn day.  Anyone that knows me understands that I'm a sucker for a set of Cibies, and the bigger the better!  The ex-Sigma wheels (14"?) suggest that there might be some serious brakes lurking beneath and the sump guard says proper rally car loudly and clearly.  For some strange reason, the once ubiquitous Lancer has all but disappeared from the classic rally scene while there seem to be an endless number of Datsun 1600s and Escorts still competing, so seeing this one's a real treat! U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)    

I have no idea exactly what sort of donk this GT-themed XW ute might be running.  However, it could only realistically be a V8 - almost certainly a 351 - given the car's overall quality, dual pipes and disc brake rear end.  The photos tell the story, highlighting the striking orange on silver livery, immaculate chrome and fat wheels, but what isn't on show (I don't touch or clamber over other people's property to take photos) are its low-back black buckets, floor shift and era-perfect wood-rimmed steering wheel.  Absolutely stunning!       U M P H (uppewrmiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) iPhone images.

I've been on Wayne's mailing list for the car enthusiasts' monthly drive and lunch for a good many years now but, as a full-time employee, don't often get the opportunity to attend.  So when I had a rare Wednesday morning off, I thought I'd pop along, take a few pics and grab a quick coffee, even if I wasn't able to participate in the actual drive and lunch. Much to my surprise, reference to my previous articles revealed that I hadn't been to the event since July, 2018.  What didn't come as any shock, though, was the quality of the cars present ; an amazing assortment of classic and sports cars was on display, all of them beautifully turned out and looking fabulous, as I hope the following photos will show! Can't find photos of your car from today's get together?  It's quite likely it will have been included in coverage of previous such events or, if you're even ...

CATC's latest offering came with the following sentiment: This is an honest example of ...  [an HZ] with original paintwork and an immaculate interior.  It is clearly loved by someone, and posting its images seems a worthy way to recognise the demise of the marque. I couldn't agree more, although I would add that its Aunger Hustlers are a fabulous period-appropriate addition that really sets the car off. U M P H Why not visit uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au? iPhone images by CACT.

There are some parallels between the demise of the "Big" Austin Healeys - the 3000 being the last of that line - their replacement by the Jensen Healey, and the transition that saw Fiat's production of the X1/9 end in 1982, only to be continued by Bertone. When the Donald Healey Motoring Corporation's relationship with the British Motor Corporation ended, the former enlisted the assistance of Jensen - who manufactured the magnificent Big Healey bodies - to create a new sports car, the Jensen Healey. In the case of the X1/9, Bertone designed the car and built the bodies in their own factory before sending them to Fiat for assembly and finishing, and then took over full production of the model, dropping the Fiat designation and marketing them under their own name until 1989. The storyline does differ, however, in that even though the Jensen Healey filled the void left by the cessation of Austin Healey production, and Jensen continued to build their bodies, ...

As a photographer and avowed sports and classic car obsessive, it's always gratifying to be able to present a few cars that haven't previously featured at the Classics by the Beach gathering held on the first Sunday of every month at Hobart's Sandy Bay.  Fortunately, there is always something new, a car never seen there before or some progress on a project under restoration. I'm sure that Ford's new line of Mustangs has earned itself some well-deserved fans but, for me, the original is always the best.  And of those originals, the Shelby GT350 is the absolute best of the best! Whilst the US muscle car scene has been reinvigorated by the likes of the new Mustang, GM's Chevrolet Camaro and (Fiat) / Chrysler's Charger models, there's being biblically known's chance that one of Australia's greatest-ever cars - our own take on the Charger - will ever see such a revival.  Oh how I wish that our local manufac...