Highlights
- Fresh from comprehensive restoration
- Bare metal respray
- Retrimmed interior
- Rebuilt engine and gearbox with overdrive
- Ready to be enjoyed
The Appeal
With the sun making increasingly frequent appearances, our thoughts are turning to drop top motoring and naturally to classic British sports cars. The Spitfire 1500 was the ultimate incarnation of the Michelotti-designed model and this late example from 1979 has been comprehensively restored with a bare metal respray, rebuilt engine and gearbox and a fully retrimmed interior.
Recently completed, it’s a quality job and includes many refinements such as a luggage rack, walnut dash and additional gauges. There’s also a hardtop, increasing the car’s all year round usability. Ready to be driven and shown, it’s a superb example of the breed and is sure to make its next owner very proud. Get your bid in now!
The History and Paperwork
- First registered 6 June 1979
- Acquired by the previous owner in February 2020
- Carried out major refurbishment work including:
- Bodywork stripped and all corrosion addressed, including new floors
- Bare metal respray
- Engine and gearbox rebuild
- New braking system
- Refurbished suspension
- Stainless steel exhaust system
- New interior
- Purchased by the current owner in October 2021 in 90% finished state
- Restoration completed ready for sale
- Large file of invoices for the restoration work
- Owner’s manual
- Extensive selection of workshop guides and Haynes manuals
- Collection of Triumph Owner's club magazines
- MOT with no advisories expires 22 Mar 2023
- V5 present
The Interior
- Fully retrimmed in black leather
- Walnut dash and door cappings
- Voltmeter, clock and oil pressure gauges
- Modern radio
- New custom fit carpets
Drop into the driver’s seat of this Spitfire and you’ll immediately see that it’s a cut above the majority with a fully retrimmed leather interior, walnut dash and door cappings and a chunky leather steering wheel. Little touches such as the red stitching to the leather, the red gear lever gaiter and the red-edged mats show that a good deal of thought and attention to detail has gone into the work.
There is also an additional set of gauges atop the dash including a voltmeter, clock and oil pressure gauge and a modern radio tucked behind the gear lever and although the electric aerial sadly isn’t functioning, Bluetooth renders it potentially unnecessary and enables hands-free calling.
Everything is fully functional, aside from the heater controls: while the fan and the temperature controls work, it’s not possible to direct the air to specific areas such as the windscreen or footwell. The boot is neatly trimmed and has a light, while under the floor is a full sized spare wire wheel. Overall, the interior i’s in great condition and is a special place to be.
The Exterior
- Freshly painted
- Chrome "bullet' door mirrors
- Other brightwork satin-blacked
- Wire wheels
- Hardtop
- Luggage rack
Fresh from a full bare metal respray, having covered just 230 miles and been dry stored since, the paintwork remains in ‘just finished’ condition and the car presents beautifully. The only mark to speak of is a minor paint line on the trailing edge of the boot lid and, with satin black brightwork and contrasting chrome bullet mirrors, luggage rack and wire wheels, it cuts quite a dash.
The soft top appears to be a new item with no damage and clear plastic windows and there is a cover for when the roof is retracted. Also supplied is a factory hardtop in black, also freshly painted, which makes the car more suitable for all year round use. As can be seen from the photos the underside presents fantastically and there is a new set of Michelin XAS tyres in correct OEM specification fitted all-round and to the spare.
The Mechanics
- Rebuilt engine with head skim and valve change for unleaded fuel
- Overdrive gearbox, also rebuilt
- Upgraded radiator and fan
- New stainless steel exhaust
- Box of assorted parts
Under the front-hinged bonnet is a pristine engine bay and with everything fully refreshed, the seller reports that everything is mechanically in order and the car starts, stops and drives exactly as it should. The gearbox has overdrive on 3rd and 4th gears and changes smoothly and there are no leaks or smoke to report. With a box of parts and an extensive set of workshop manuals, there’s also a helpful contribution to maintaining the car. In all, it’s ready to be enjoyed.
Summary
A beautifully restored example of the final version of the Spitfire that is ready to be driven away and will surely provide a great deal of pleasure to its next owner.
Notice to bidders
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