Upper Middle Petrol Head:

Body image is a serious problem.  It's not just an issue for teen-aged girls, either ; it has also been known to afflict those of middle-age.        Some, like this lean and mean XB GT Falcon, have got chiseled bodies that belie their advancing years.  It takes a lot of work to keep a body looking this good!  Others are ... more, umm, rounded , shall we say?  Take for example this immaculate looking Beetle.  A whole lotta work has gone into this body, too.  (Damned pole!) So why should we feel insecure about our bodies?  The owner of an identically rounded vehicle - one could say curvaceous , depending on your perspective - couldn't bring himself to park his amongst the main pack.   Vehicles don't have to be exquisitely restored or highly regarded exotica to hold a place in the pantheon of classics.  So, whether your car is of a rare and highly esteemed marque, a study in restoration excellence, or a work in progress, an older d

UMPH has no intention of becoming involved in car sales  advertising .  However, he couldn't resist posting this photo of a rather delicious looking Volvo P1800 he saw in a car-yard  in Argyle Street, North Hobart.  He has decided to share it as a random act of car-porn. iPhone image He doesn't know what the asking price is or anything else about the car.  It looks very tidy, although there's some paint dimpling on its rear panels and some of the bright-work's a bit pitted.  The wheels appear to be from a newer model but suit the vehicle, none the less. U M P H. (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au).

Fortunately for all, the Peppermint Bay Bistro  ( http://www.peppermintbay.com.au )  is not a theme-park dining experience based on all things tooth-pastey in taste.  The bay itself was almost certainly named for the stands of what are presumably peppermint gums lining its shores and that frame the gorgeous views of nearby Bruny Island.  But enough of nomenclature and botany ;  this is a 'blog for lovers of cars and food, after all! Peppermint Bay is located about forty-five  minutes' drive south of Hobart in the seaside village of Woodbridge.  Those of you looking to maximise your driving experience can elect to take the more scenic route along Sandy Bay Road, through Taroona on the Channel Highway and past the shot-tower, then on to Kingston.  Doing so offers wonderful views of the River Derwent, South Arm to the east and glimpses of Bruny Island further south.  If you're in a hurry or are navigationally challenged, it's easier to take the Southern Outlet straig

At the risk of seeming argumentative, UMPH is going to go right out there and contradict several December Classics attendees and scoff at their assertions that they own too many cars.  His logic is that nobody at Classics has too many cars ; what they've got - or, put more accurately, what they've not got - is enough storage space to keep their cars in!  This wild looking Fiat 500 would barely take up any space at all.  Therefore, it would be hard to see why you wouldn't have at least one in your collection.  It could even be argued that two or three wouldn't be excessive, given Bambinos' economy of dimensions.   A stylish Momo Indy finishes the cockpit off nicely. This is Neville's 16 valve, 1.6 litre fuel injected Fiat X1/9.  The engine and gearbox are ex-Corolla and were fitted by the previous owner, chocolatier Igor Van Gerwen of Latrobe's House of Anvers, who was planning to run the car in Targa.  However, the regs change