Description
** 1965 Triumph Spitfire 4 (Mk1) – 29, 500 Documented Miles | 4 Owners | 32-Year Ownership | Body-Off Restored | Exceptional History**
A rare opportunity to acquire an exceptionally well-documented early Triumph Spitfire 4 Mk1, presented in its original Signal Red specification and showing just 29, 000 miles from new.
The car has had only four owners and has remained with its most recent owner for the past 32 years. Its low mileage is supported by extensive historical documentation, including the majority of its MOT certificates from the periods in which it was in use.
In 1996 the car underwent a comprehensive body-off restoration. The restoration included replacement of the chassis with the correct-specification unit and is extensively documented with photographs, including images of the car before restoration and throughout the work.
Following restoration, the Spitfire was photographed for * Classic Cars* magazine in 1997. The car comes with the original magazine together with the original Chromalin proof of the published photograph, creating an unusual piece of period provenance directly associated with the car.
After restoration, the Spitfire was carefully garaged and, for approximately 20 years, was not used on the road. This long period of dry storage accounts for both its exceptionally low mileage and its remarkably well-preserved condition today.
The original engine remains with the car. The cylinder head has subsequently been replaced with an unleaded-compatible head, allowing the car to be enjoyed on modern fuel without the need for additives.
Importantly, the car remains faithful to its original build specification and retains a number of particularly appealing period details.
It is finished in its original Signal Red and is supplied with both its hardtop and new soft top with original un-painted frame. Remarkably, the original supplying dealer's window sticker remains in place in the hardtop rear window.
The car is currently fitted with chrome wire wheels but is also supplied with its original steel wheels, allowing it to be returned to its original appearance if desired. The original steering wheel is also included, together with the original tool kit.
The history file includes:
• Extensive photographic record of the 1996 body-off restoration
• Photographs of the car before restoration
• Majority of MOT certificates covering its periods of road use
• Documentation supporting the recorded 29, 500 miles
• Original 1997 * Classic Cars* magazine featuring the car
• Original Chromalin proof of the magazine photograph
• Records relating to its long-term ownership and restoration
• Original steering wheel
• Original steel wheels
• Original tool kit
The car is now in exceptional condition throughout and presents exactly as one would hope an extensively documented, cherished early Spitfire would.
Its appeal lies not simply in its condition, but in the completeness and continuity of its history: low documented mileage, four owners, 32 years in one ownership, original engine, original build specification, photographic restoration records and unusual period magazine provenance.
Early Spitfire 4 Mk1s of this quality and with this degree of history are increasingly difficult to find.
**£20, 500**
Serious enquiries are welcomed. Further photographs of the car, underside, engine bay, interior, hardtop, original components and extensive history file are available.
What has always made this car special is the combination of its originality, history and the way it has been preserved over such a long period.
It is a 1965 Spitfire 4 (Mk1) with just 29, 500 documented miles, only four owners from new and 32 years in the same ownership. It retains its original engine and remains in its original Signal Red specification.
What really sets it apart is the depth of its history. The body-off restoration carried out in 1996 is extensively photographed, with images of the car before the work began and throughout the restoration. Soon afterwards, it was photographed for Classic Cars magazine in 1997, and both the original magazine and the Chromalin proof of the published image remain with the car. It was also used in a book called 100 Great Sportscars, images available. It's simply a beautiful car with a fantastic and original thoaty straight through exhaust note sound.
There are also some wonderful small details that are almost impossible to recreate, such as the original supplying dealer's sticker still surviving in the hardtop rear window. The car also comes with its original steel wheels, original steering wheel and original tool kit, alongside the chrome wire wheels currently fitted.
For me, the most appealing thing about the car is that it has a genuine, continuous story. It has not simply been restored to look like an early Spitfire; it has the photographs, documents, original parts and period provenance to support its history.
It spent around 20 years off the road and stored in a garage, which helps explain both its exceptionally low mileage and its excellent condition today.
It is a car that can be enjoyed and drives really well, but I believe it will particularly appeal to someone who values the history, provenance and character of an early Spitfire as much as the way it looks.
