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Showing posts from April 22, 2018

Random # 218: MG Midget

What's not to love about the mighty MG Midget and its twin, the Austin Healey Sprite?  Both cars are virtually identical, as is the case with so many British cars that share bodies and mechanical packages - with slight variations within the ranges - such as the Morris and Austin Minis, their Riley and Wolseley variants ( Elfs and Hornets , respectively); Morris, Austin, Wolseley, and MG sedans; and some of the Jaguar Daimler models - to name a few. In the case of "Spridgets," as some people like to call them, variations are very minor, with only a bit of chrome here and there and sometimes the provision of wire wheels over steel rims separating the two variants   (usually on the slightly fancier MG models) .  However, it should be noted that there was never a "Frog Eye" (or "Bug Eye" if you're an American) Midget, meaning that model - officially known as the Mk I - was a stand-alone Austin Healey-only product.  This also explains why the ye

Targa Tasmania, 2018: Longley Stage

Readers overwhelmingly chose this gorgeous Alfa 105 - photographed during Longley, the final competitive stage of Targa Tasmania - as the car they thought should be the lead image for this year's Targa edition of UMPH.   The Alfa really did capture the true essence of the event, exhibiting all the essentials that make Targa Australia's, if not the world's, best tarmac rally: classic styling, a spine tingle-inducing induction / exhaust note and magnificent performance, all in a car that was brilliantly driven on roads that demand skill and reward drivers who possess it with exhilaration and spectacular scenery in equal measure. Please enjoy the following photographs.           Above and below:  Steve of Fogarty Automotive doing co-driving duties The Austin shown in the photos above is deservedly wearing the Targa # 1 plate as one of the most regular