Upper Middle Petrol Head:

Who doesn't appreciate a shapely pair of Bristols?*  These two magnificently curvaceous examples, part of May 2018's monthly car enthusiasts' drive and lunch, were photographed at the beginning of the event in the C3 cafe car park in Anglesea Street, South Hobart. Of course, the Bristols weren't the only cars taking part ; several MGs, a Jaguar, a TR4,  a BMW Z3,  a couple of MX5s and the UMPH X1/9 also participated in defiance what threatened to be a rainy and increasingly chilly day.  The fleet certainly made for an attractive sight as it headed off, bound for lunch at The Moorings, Franklin, even if some of the initial navigation did have elements of  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9RUoExrTsg about it!    Organiser Bob is to be congratulated for his choice of route, incorporating as it did some lovely scenery along the Channel Highway at Taroona, Sandfly Road and through the Huon Valley.  His choice of venue was commen

This particularly straight and tidy late '70s Mazda 121 isn't the only one featured on this 'blog.  However, as nice as the other one is (http://uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au/2017/09/random-157-mazda-121-coupe.html), the example shown here is next-level in terms of condition, with amazing paint, panels and chrome, as well as a first rate velour interior.   U M P H (uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.) All iPhone images

A few months ago, a reader made comment that the Fiat X1/9 was "a terrible sports car ;    the worst [he had] ever driven."  UMPH isn't sure what motivated this unsolicited invective but he's pretty confident the bloke had a cashew in lieu of wedding tackle. Who knows what his idea of a good sports car may have been?  Given his apparent inadequacy, it seems hugely unlikely it would be the diminutive Austin Healey Sprite.   The Sprite - and its twin, the MG Midget - share a few things in common with the X1/9.  All three are small and, in terms of power, might be considered to be a little underwhelming in standard form.  However, Sprites, Midgets and X1/9s all provide fun factor in absolute buckets, being, in terms of sheer driving joy, at least the equal of many larger, supposedly 'better' or more exotic sports cars.  The Sprite shown here - a Mk III - would be fitted with a 1098 cc motor - up from the 948 cc of the Mks I and II (unless retro