Description
I'm throwing in a lot of detail here so someone can get the full context of the car and its restoration. I have avoided a description of the Spitfire in general as that can be found elsewhere so just to focus on this car which is marked as historic on the V5.
Background :
This vehicle was acquired as a project car in Oct 2020 with a view to putting back on the road a lovely British sports car. Originally white, it required a great deal of attention and was sold as non starter but with a reconditioned engine. There was no logbook with the car nor MOTs but can see via the V5 that is had 13 owners and VIN and engine numbers checkout on the V5.
After the course of 5 years the car has been through a COMPLETE restoration, where I think literally every component, nut and bolt has been removed, restored and reassembled.
Chassis :
A jig was made to host the tub in the air and separate from the chassis. The tub kept straight using welded in temp bars, which was raised up to gain access. The chassis has been restored down to bare metal, and rust patches removed and re-welded ( which were very few ) and then red oxide primed, over which a tough black gloss hammarite was applied.
Body :
It has had a number of brand new body panels ( namely A-pillars, floors, triple skinned sills, cross members, quarter panels & rear valance ) installed via reputable suppliers like Moss, welding in with the proper treatment applied ( eg use of weld through primer on all internal panels, seam sealed, quality 2K epoxy primed both inside and out ). I have tried to keep a complete eye on originality of the parts, and only replaced with new parts when it needed more than a refurb ( excluding bodywork where new panels were installed ), spending many hours restoring the originals. ALL panels inside and out have been taken down to bare metal to allow a full appreciation of work needed and then restored to ensure a long forward life.
Engine :
The engine bottom end is good ( from a bottom end inspection and bore, piston/ ring view ) and so only the top end was restored due to sitting idle for a few years, this involved new oil supply bar to the valves, valve regrind/ sealing and a complete re-setup. All ancillaries were removed and restored or replaced, carbs stripped, cleaned and rebuilt, new coil/ points and then run up and timed. The flywheel + clutch was removed, checked and refurbed/ cleaned along with the bell housing.
Electrics :
The loom has been completely restored, externally tested and covered in both high and low temp loom tape. Once reinstalled all electrical components have been checked as working when reinstalled ( except the fuel sender which was not present and needs installing )
Drivetrain :
New diff pinion seal which was leaking, gearbox checked & new front wheel bearings
Brakes/ Clutch :
All stripped and restored/ replaced. New front slave cylinders and callipers/ pads, new rear drum slave cylinders replaced. Clutch slave cylinder replaced
Tyres/ Wheels:
Tyres treads are all very good, wheels refurbed and chrome inserts attached
Other:
Seats restored ( using original covers ). Dashboard re-veneered, heater fan and box restored. Soft-top frame restored. Fuel tank has been sealed and restored. Stainless exhaust
The car was completely sealed in a 2K epoxy primer early in 2024, the outward facing parts coated in a thinker external seal ( red ) that is rock hard, and all other internals with a thinner layer ( dark pink ) that sits under the main car spray primer, basecoat and clearcoat that was applied earlier this year.
I'll state here proudly that there is NO spots of rust on the car to be found inside or out ( excluding some light rust under one of the chrome wheel trims )
The work involved I would total to be some ~4500hrs over the period, and is now ready for someone to take on a lovingly take onto the next step of using on the road. I did not undertake the work for profit, this was a project to restore a historic British sports and allow someone to take onto the running road.
I have over 2000 pictures that i used to document the whole journey, these I condensed into about 1000 and can share the link to them if you are interested to see the restoration over the time and videos of a start-up and run/ rev. I plan to reduce this further into a physical photo book that can accompany the car and obviously picked a subset here too. As mentioned I have tried to keep everything that could be, original, and believe this to be a true homage to the its 1973 heritage ie you sit in the original seats, in front on the original dash ( although re-veneered ), looking at the original steering wheel and dials . I changed the colour to red as it seemed to make it look newer and more youthful.
The worst bits :
In the spirit of sharing everything about the car, these are the what i would consider the worst bits. There are no windows ( I have them ) but did not fit as the carriers were in bad shape and namely I did not like the look of the car with the windows up, so these are supplied but would need to be fitted if required). I have not fitted a soft-top skin, I have the original white one that although original might not be to the new owners choice of colour or condition so given the simplicity of fitting thought it best for the new owner to choose what might be best and fit, rather than me fit the original and the new owner want to change. The soft-top frame is good and is shown up in some of the pics. As above it does not have a fuel sender, the wire is ready to attach and gauge is present, but if taking on the road this is prob a needed. The car has not been driven but starts, runs ( revs very well, no smoke etc and took a video that can be shared if required), steers, runs and stops on my drive ( so Rev/ 1/ 2 gears I can say are fine ! ) , but have not used it to do any journeys, this is the next step for the resto as I will now be moving to restoring an MG.
Although it is MOT exempt it does not come with an MOT, so this will need to be trailered away and be be a great little hobby for someone to add their own finishing touches and take onto the road.
Any questions feel free to ask and I can share more pics and videos etc
