Upper Middle Petrol Head:

It's not often that UMPH gets a day off mid-week, so he was really pleased that a rare work-free Thursday coincided with the Classic Car Run that departs from the Rivulet Cafe`, Anglesea Street, South Hobart, once a month.  He was also quite surprised to see that the majority of participants were not regulars at Classics by the Beach, which just goes to show how diverse and vibrant the car scene is in Hobart.  Participants apparently usually gather at the cafe` from around 10:00 am for coffee, before heading off on a bit of a country jaunt and a spot of lunch.  This month's affair saw about twenty cars - lots of magnificent MGs, an immaculate Stag, a couple of Porches, a BMW Z3, two or three MX5s, a remarkable 2 litre Bristol, a stately Roller, and UMPH's trusty Galant - heading north on the Brooker, up to Molesworth, down to New Norfolk and back via the Boyer side of the River Derwent to their final destination - lunch at the Claremont Golf Club.  The drive to

Maybe some of Hobart's classic car community were feeling a bit mournful after the day before's aerial ping pong grand final (surely even die-hard footy fans would have to admit that the game was as boring as bat faeces).  Whatever it was, though, this month's Classics was a very quiet affair indeed.  Either way, it didn't diminish the quality of cars.  UMPH was very excited to spot this pristine Valiant and the Series II Land Rover behind it as soon as he arrived.     Looking every inch the 'one careful owner; only driven to church on Sundays' that it probably is. The Venetians looked great. Bucket seats and a centre-shift automatic. This Landy was brilliant!  No-nonsense, go anywhere practicality with some subtle modifications.   If you're thinking of selling it ... There are a surprising number of Jags - E-Types, in particular - in and around Hobart.  This one, finished in deep, lustrous metallic Burgundy col