Highlights
- Comprehensive restoration completed by Severn Classics in 2019
- Stored in a garage and used only in dry weather since restoration
- New chrome work and custom wooden dash
- Equipped with a new "Don Hoods" mohair hood with a zip-out rear window
- Brand new interior from Newton Commercial Classic Car Interior Trim
- Includes a metal hardtop, cleaned and sprayed in Sebring White
- Advisory-free MOT until November 2025
- Extensive paperwork file
The Appeal
The early-gen Spitfires are undeniably some of the curviest, most handsome of the legendary British Sports Car. The characteristics were all the same - indeed, much of the car was based upon the much-loved Triumph Herald - but that styling was the real selling point. Indeed, the story goes that it's what got the car into production!
Triumph sank into a financial slump when the 60s hit, and the Michelotti-penned motor stayed underneath a tarp in the factory. Leyland snapped up the company, and when directors were taking stock, they found the Spitfire prototype underneath its smock and were enraptured. Within a year, the car was in showrooms.
Really, can anybody blame them? Perky characteristics, a moustache grille and handsome, flowing curves made the Spitfire extravagant and fiercely continental in its approach, while maintaining that 'cute' personality the English roadster evokes so easily in enthusiasts. It's the stuff of legend - and while the MGB might be the byword, the Spitfire is undeniably deserving of its best-of-British persona.
This handsome, bright example was extensively restored in 2018, and is still in fabulous order. Accompanied by a huge stock of paperwork and with an advisory-free MOT, we'd wager it'll be a very attractive proposition for the Summer.
The vendor says:
"I bought the car because my Uncle lived with us when I was about 10 years old. He had a White Spitfire, and I always said I would have one too one day. I liked the idea of "saving" a car from the scrap yard "crusher", which this car was very close to! I'm selling it because we do a number of Mini events, and we're looking to replace the Spifire with a classic Mini.
Triumph sank into a financial slump when the 60s hit, and the Michelotti-penned motor stayed underneath a tarp in the factory. Leyland snapped up the company, and when directors were taking stock, they found the Spitfire prototype underneath its smock and were enraptured. Within a year, the car was in showrooms.
Really, can anybody blame them? Perky characteristics, a moustache grille and handsome, flowing curves made the Spitfire extravagant and fiercely continental in its approach, while maintaining that 'cute' personality the English roadster evokes so easily in enthusiasts. It's the stuff of legend - and while the MGB might be the byword, the Spitfire is undeniably deserving of its best-of-British persona.
This handsome, bright example was extensively restored in 2018, and is still in fabulous order. Accompanied by a huge stock of paperwork and with an advisory-free MOT, we'd wager it'll be a very attractive proposition for the Summer.
The vendor says:
"I bought the car because my Uncle lived with us when I was about 10 years old. He had a White Spitfire, and I always said I would have one too one day. I liked the idea of "saving" a car from the scrap yard "crusher", which this car was very close to! I'm selling it because we do a number of Mini events, and we're looking to replace the Spifire with a classic Mini.
I'm also too close to my Spitfire. After a few years of restoration, struggling at times to find the parts we needed, I find it hard to drive it in weather other than guaranteed Sun, as I hate getting the car wet and dirty! What I need is a car I have no emotional connection with that I can just jump in and drive, in any weather conditions. The car needs to be driven regularly, which I'm not doing. Hopefully, I will find a buyer who will take the car on, make a few tweaks here and there and enjoy the car for years to come."
The History and Paperwork
- First registered in 1966
- Originally dispatched to Eastern Autos Limited in Chelmsford, Essex
- The DVLA records 5 former keepers
- Purchased on 21st February 2016 from Grays, Thurrock, Essex, for £1,800 as a restoration project
- Restoration completed on 8th November 2019 by Severn Classics in the West Midlands
- Last serviced on 18th November 2025 with various maintenance tasks performed
- MOT exempt, but complete with advisory-free MOT until November 2025
- Indicates 38,826 miles on a five-figure odometer although we cannot guarantee the accuracy of this figure
- Accompanied by:
- V5c document
- Photographic record of the restoration
- British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate
- A selection of invoices, including the most recent service (2024) and restoration work
- MOT certificate
- A Haynes manual
- Castrol manual
- A magazine, booklets and handbooks
The Condition
Restoration work carried out includes:
- The entire body was stripped, chassis removed, and rusty areas replaced with new steel or panels in 2019
- Replaced bodywork included the bonnet, doors, boot, floor panels, right side rear panels, and wings
- New chrome work from JigSaw Racing, Corby, and re-chromed parts at Castle Chrome in Dudley
- New "Don Hoods" mohair hood with a zip-out rear window
- Metal hardtop included, cleaned and sprayed Sebring White, but lacks glass, rubber seals, lining, or fittings
- Brand new interior from Newton Commercial Classic Car Interior Trim
- One minus point on the car is the quality of the door fitment, the doors obviously close and shut, but the quality of the door fitting and gapping is not as good as the vendor would have wished
The current condition is as follows:
- Beautifully presented in Sebring white
- No substantial dents or dings
- Light signs of wear to the paintwork around panel fits and sills
- Brightwork is shining nicely
- Badges and branding all present and correct
- Disc wheels in good order
- Underside is beautifully presented
- Retrimmed in red - originally black
- Seats are full and very well presented
- Carpets clean and free of any rips or tears
- Wood-faced dash in good condition
- All instruments are clear and legible
- No reports of any technical faults
- Leather-wrapped Moto-Lita steering wheel
- Custom wooden dash and Moto-Lita steering wheel with red stitching
- Fitted with a Cobra Thatcham Cat2 Immobiliser and USB point in the passenger's glove box
- New Autosound classic car reproduction radio with DAB, RDS FM, auxiliary input, and USB mode
The Mechanics
- 1147cc 4-cylinder engine
- 4-speed manual transmission
- Engine bay in excellent order
- All mechanical parts cleaned, restored, or replaced in 2019
- Engine rebuilt with new:
- Pistons
- Rings
- Core plugs
- Valves guides, and seats for unleaded conversion
- Bearings throughout
- Engine was also rebored block dipped, crank reground, etc
- New electrics and wiring loom installed
- Twin stainless steel rear sports exhaust fitted
- Engine number ground off - it's likely it isn't the original engine
- We understand the car to be in fine mechanical condition
- The most recent service (November 2024) included:
- Oil and filter change
- Tune of engine
- Re-Set/Balance of carburettors
- Timing Set to12" BTDC
- Tightening of loose O/S/R wheel bearing
- Check of all F+R suspension components
- Greasing of front kingpin units
- Rectifying of sloppy clutch pedal
- Replacement of worn steering column universal joint
- Tightenening of play in O/S/F wheel bearing
- Stripping, cleaning and adjustment of up rear drum brake assembly
- Tightening of the slipping ignition barrel in the dashboard
- Checking of all electrical functions and charging
- MOT Test
- We've no reports of any issues throughout, which is backed by the advisory-free MOT
- We understand the car is ready and waiting to go
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