Beschreibung
I bought the car from my brother who had owned it for years. Will check paperwork but I would guess 15 years or so (Since checked and I was way off he actually bought in 1996. Time flies) I bought it from him about four years ago as he had the engine rebuilt approximately 4, 000 miles before.
The body however was fairly poor and had a number of fibreglass parts. As a result I sourced all steel body, bonnet, doors, bootlid, valance etc. When the Mk3 was introduced Triumph were obliged to raise the bumper height to meet American regulations and so the front of the Mk2 was altered to the "Dog with a bone" front whereby the front bumper was raised, While my car was a 1970 Mk3 I was aware that the Mk2 is perceived by most to be the better looking car. As a result I took the opportunity to have a Mk2 front end whilst retaining the benefits of the Mk3 hood. I also removed the rather awkward number plate light plinth and used a period chrome light and 60's style reverse light. I am a bit of a Triumph nerd (lived about half a mile from the Triumph Canley plant (Tile Hill in Cov) as a kid and understood that Triumph had designed the Spitfire to not have seams along the wings etc but that it was cheaper from a manufacturing point of view to leave on the seams and disguise them with chrome finishers. As a result I also asked for the body and bonnet to have these deleted and therefore it is deseamed as per the original design. Aesthetically the car now shows its "shape" far better . The car is often complimented on when I go out and looks good in its period paint colour. The dash is also representative of the earlier car with the surround being the appropriate body colour which necessitated having numerous bolt holes welded over and filled.
I wished to replace the original gearbox for an Overdrive gearbox. As this was of unknown condition I had it refurbished and fitted a new clutch. All hydraulics either replaced or refurbished and copper piping used for pipework. Su's were rebuilt and a new Powerspark electronic distributor fitted which has the angled cable drive incorporated. Modern fuses and an alternator fitted for practical purposes. New Tripod headlights have been fitted and Mk 2 indicators and sidelights fitted into the newly built up Mk2 front. Exhaust back box is stainless and sounds pretty awesome. I changed the rear spring for the later Spitfire type which prevents the infamous Spitfire Swing axle tuck in. The fuel tank and sender is also brand new. Carpets are the expensive moulded type which fit much better than the more commonly used ones. High quality overmats protect the footwells. The dash trim has been recovered in genuine leather as has the centre pads / arm rest on the gearbox. These are from a later Spitfire but make the car more comfortable to drive. They just push into place so can be easily removed. Radio centre panel also leather covered. The radio looks period but is a pricey modern Bluetooth one (not the cheap Chinese type from E bay) so is great for streaming from your phone or making hands free calls. The seats are from a later type Spitfire I believe but are what were originally fitted when my brother bought the car and are also leather instead of the far more common and much cheaper vinyl.
Instruments all refurbished and the wooden dash has been veneered in burl Walnut. New shelves and leather trim fitted to both sides of dash. Brand new wooden steering wheel finishes off the cockpit.
Instead of a vinyl roof it has a much better canvas hood with a clear rear window which also unzips.
There is a brand new radiator / thermostat and the bonnet opens with the aid of two hydraulic rams which greatly assist and prevent the bonnet twisting or landing on your head as you work on the car. Stainless steel heater take off pipe fitted, the originals are prone to rotting through. New tyres all around on black wires (which are original to the car)
While the body was off the whole chassis, suspension etc was rebuilt, and painted body colour. New trunnions, rubbers, bolts, bearings, brake shoes, discs etc. Also before fitting the bodyshell back on the chassis the underside was fully seam sealed, stone chipped etc and the box sections and sills filled to the top with paint until they were literally fully flooded with zinc paint, a right messy job as I angled the front and then the rear of the car to ensure it was filled up. Did the same process with the inside of the doors.
Bad points are: Seatbelts are fiddly to put on as they are original. May need just a clean but as they can be sourced for about £40 a pair probably not worth the effort. Just bought a pair for my Tr 3
Windscreen wiper switch needs pulling out and slightly pushed back to work which it always does fine. Probably need squirt of electrical cleaner but these are easily available and simple to fit.. The "mudguards" are solid steel but are not the neatest job. They were on the bonnet but as they were so solid and rust free I was happy with them.
I know that I have priced it much cheaper than similar cars and have done so as I am thinking of looking for another winter project and if that doesn't happen I will enjoy it and relist in the spring / summer for a fair bit more. I also know I am lousy at haggling which is another reason it is priced cheaply so the price is absolutely firm and I will not negotiate a lower price. Please compare with the other cars on the various sites and zoom in. For instance are the sill seams still there or filled over, does the exterior paint match the paint on the bulkheads or is it faded as a result of a quick paint blow over, do they show the underneath of the car and how well finished are the interiors, steering wheels etc? Do they show overspray or sealant on chassis members, hoses or door rubbers etc?
I also have very good but not mint front and rear bumpers for a Mk2 (also have the bumper irons I think) and a genuine Triumph Works steel hardtop with a glass (not plastic) rear window which I will include in the sale. The hardtop needs refurbishing. I chose not to use the bumpers as the car looks (in my opinion) better without. To a large degree this is due to the deletion of the chrome finishers. The original hinge brackets are large , clumsy box sections which you often see on these cars when people remove the bumpers. They look "wrong" like this and so I also had these made up to a much neater design with rose jointed pivot points and stainless steel fixings. Will also include a box of odds and sods if buyer wishes them. Can't remember for sure what is in this but think there is at least a pair of SU's. There is also the original Triumph Stanpart half tonneau for the hood from the original body which I have not ever used so it may well need a Tennax popper fitted.
The registration on the car is not included.
Forgot to add my brother had a new wiring loom fitted and the car also has all new hoses and door seals. Battery fitted new and kept on a maintenance charger when car is sitting out the salty days. There is also a small usb charger fitted just above steering column which is very discreet but handy for phone / SATNAV/ Music.
Since being back on the road it has done 840 faultless miles.
I have numerous photos of the work "in progress" should anyone wish for them showing such things as the bare chassis, engine / gearbos installation, tub being painted up etc
