Random # 104: Ford F100 'Sport Custom'

Ford's global reach is undeniable. However, other than the Mustang, there arguably isn't a single vehicle in their line-up that represents the the American giant in the same way as, say, a Beetle does Volkswagen.

Or is there ... ? Ford's ubiquitous F-truck has been around since the 1950s and has certainly made its mark in Australia at least, with easily more F100s, F150s and F250s in this country than there are Mustangs. And that trend doesn't look like ending any time soon, either; big F-trucks are still at the top of the large ute / truck food chain.

Moreover, the F-truck's evolution has been slower, with each subsequent model building on, but still being linked to, earlier versions. An F-truck has a recognisable look whether it's a 1950s edition or a current version. That's less so with the Mustang, the style of which got a little lost during the 1980s, even if it's been reestablished with a vengeance with their latest reincarnation.

This particular example, photographed in West Hobart, appears to be from 1970s. It's also an import, as shown by the left-hand drive configuration. UMPH isn't sure if Sport Custom editions were ever available in Australia but he suspects not.

It's good to see that it isn't any sort of show-pony, with clear evidence of real-life use in the form of mountain bikes in the tray. It's certainly a stylish departure from the usual line-up of bike- and kayak-racked Subarus, RAVs and X-Trails that Tasmanian outdoors types tend to favour.

U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au .)

All iPhone images.

Comments

EJ or EH Holden? (Up-dated December, 2022)

EJ or the later EH? Several years ago, I posed the question: Can somebody please explain the difference between an EJ and an EH Holden ute or van? The response at the time wasn't overwhelming, so I did a bit of Googling and ferreting through my photos and came up with my own rough guide to EJ and EH identification. Sedans and wagons are easy to tell apart ; the EH's vertical rectangular tail lights are a dead give-away. However, the workhorse versions of both models share the rear-end treatment of the earlier EJ, making it harder to identify one from the other. No super obvious hints here. Or here ... . It turns out that the main clues are in the placement of the front H O L D E N lettering and GMH lion emblems, the style of the radiator grille and the width of the vents in front of the windscreen, with all EJs - sedans, wagons, utes and vans - having one combination and the EH line-up having their own . So what exactly are those diffe

Random # 301: Nanna-Spec KE36 Corolla

Once upon a time - six or seven years ago, actually - there was a lovely pale yellow GC Galant station wagon getting around Hobart. It was totally nanna-spec; its paint was umarked, the chrome work and hubcaps were immaculate, and its very original interior was pristine. Then someone stuck feathers in its dashboard. Next, the windows were adorned with Tibetan prayer flags. And a hubcap went missing. And the the rear bumper was pushed in, mangling the bodywork behind it. And a mudguard got dented. And rust set in. I fear for this sweet, innocent KE36 Corolla. Somebody please save it before it's too late. Nanna needs you to do it. U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) Photos by GlamRock.

Vick Auto Prima Fiat X1/9 Brakes: An Owner’s Assessment

At the end of 2022, I fitted a set of Vick Autosport Prima front brakes to my mildly worked 1.5 litre Series 1 Fiat X1/9 . I was fortunate, having picked them up at a very, very reasonable price, brand new but surplus to the needs of a fellow X1/9 Australia member who had imported them from the US. The kit included: New single pot callipers , new vented rotors (standard X1/9 front rotors are smaller, non-vented items), DOT approved stainless steel brake hoses, and all the necessary mounting hardware. They are a value proposition, being particularly well priced compared to other manufacturers’ packages - even at RRP - with everyone I’ve spoken to saying they’re made to a high standard, too. Here's a link to a piece that I wrote about them at that time, including some costings: https://uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com/2022/11/the-x19-gets-prima-brake-upgrade.html . Initial Assessment: I was a little underwhelmed by the brakes' performance, finding that although they had a tiny

Upper Middle Petrol Head:

Search This Blog