Highlights
- Comprehensively restored
- £20, 000 spent on parts
- Looks fantastic inside and out
The Appeal
Giovanni Michelotti made the prototype Triumph Spitfire in 1960; two years later, the somewhat beleaguered company found the money to produce it. The car was an instant hit, outselling its BMC rivals and remaining in the Triumph range, in various iterations, until the last Spitfire 1500 rolled off the production line in August 1980. Always more expensive than an MG Midget or an Austin-Healey Sprite, the Spitfire offered more refinement and more space.
Introduced in March 1967, the MkIII Spitfire was the first major facelift to the model, with a raised front bumper, revised bonnet pressings and interior changes as well as the 1296cc engine, which the previous 1147cc unit. More than 65,000 MkIIIs rolled off the production line before the arrival of the MkIV in 1970.
Long a fixture of the British classic-car scene, the Spitfire still has a huge following, and great parts and specialist support. This one has been completely restored to a high standard, and is in excellent condition throughout.
The History and Paperwork
- MoT- and tax-exempt
- Current V5
- Invoices for parts and work carried out
- £4000 invoice from 2019
- Haynes manual
- Previous MoT certificates
The car was bought by the vendor in 2011 as a restoration project to undertake with his young son, and with his father, a retired engineer. The restoration involved spending around £20,000 on parts alone. With his son now away at university and other cars in his collection, the vendor has decided to sell the car to free up storage space.
As an historic vehicle, the car is MoT- and tax-exempt.
The Interior
- Smart vinyl seats
- Excellent dashboard
- Black carpets in great condition
- Inertia-reel seatbelts
- Moto-Lita steering wheel
- Superb doorcards
- Jaeger instruments
- Clean and tidy boot with spare wheel and cover
The Spitfire never boasted a plush or luxurious interior, but that was not part of its appeal. The somewhat spartan surroundings are nonetheless functional, with comfortable seats, good visibility and controls that fall readily to hand.
Everything here looks to have been refurbished to high standards while retaining originality.
There’s a gap in the dash where a radio would fit, but otherwise the interior presents extremely well.
In the boot, there’s a black carpet liner and a spare wire wheel with a cover.
The Exterior
- Timeless Michelotti design
- Superb red paintwork
- All panels replaced
- Excellent wire wheels, including spare
- PIrelli Cinturato tyres all round
- Good badges and brightwork
- Headlamps, indicators and rear lights all look great
- Superb hood
- Full tonneau cover
Having done few miles since restoration, the paintwork here is superb and the car positively gleamed in the late-afternoon sunshine of our photo shoot. The wire wheels also look great, with no kerb damage or corrosion, and all wear Pirelli Cinturato tyres that are clearly recent, with lots of tread left.
Elsewhere, the badges and brightwork are all pretty good, with the rear quarter-bumpers and the door handles showing some patina.
The hood is in first-class condition, and there is also a full tonneau cover supplied.
The Mechanics
- 1296cc 4-cylinder engine
- 4-speed manual gearbox
- Starts readily and sounds good
- Clean and tidy engine bay
- Stainless-steel sports exhaust
- ‘Banana branch’ manifold
The car starts on first turn of the key, and the sports exhaust gives it a lovely engine note. The vendor reports that it drives and handles really well, and the Spitfire engine has a reputation for reliability and simplicity, making home maintenance easy.
Under the bonnet, the engine is not pristine but everything is in its place and has clearly been well-maintained by successive owners.
Among the paperwork from the time of the car’s restoration are invoices for a new gearbox, clutch and shock absorbers.
Summary
With a nineteen-year lifespan in the Triumph range, the Spitfire clearly had lasting appeal. That appeal continues to this day – it’s a sought-after car with values on the increase and good ones increasingly hard to find. There’s great club and specialist support for the model, with reasonably priced parts and accessories readily available.
This one has been restored to a high standard, it looks superb inside and out, and is all ready to be driven and enjoyed by its new owner.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
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