Description
This excellent driving, well presented ideal starter classic has covered just 65000 miles from new and was purchased new by a Major William Coxon. The original order form from Rankins – the sole distributor for the British Forces in Germany is with the car confirming the full price delivered new through the Freeport of Bremen was a total of £10800. The cars first owner was based at the Northern Army Group which was a critical NATO command and British units stationed in this region utilised the British Forces Post Office network to route mail and supplies between the UK and their overseas garrisons. The Spitfire is a matching numbers car, and it was built on the 16th January 1979 with laminated windscreen, overdrive, headrests, inertia reel seat belts, map light, centre console and European specification lights.
The original Passport to Service booklet confirms the Spitfire was delivered to HQ Northag in Germany on the 3rd July 1981 and interestingly was first serviced by Carmichael Motors Co Ltd in Stirling at 1575 miles on 27th August 1981, clearly used for a visit back to the UK. R Rankin & Co in Germany then serviced the car at 3588 and 7500 miles before a service at 10000 miles by Bodena S. R. L, Leyland dealership in Latina, Italy. In 1984 the Triumph was registered AHG 736Y in the UK, and an MOT is on file dated March 15th 1984, mileage 21500. In 1984 the car was sold to its second owner who kept the car for twenty six years, the car was in daily use until 1993, and when family came along, the car was garaged and remained off the road until 2010. The car was sold in 2010 with 54982 miles from new and since then has changed hands between classic car enthusiasts who have covered a further 9000 miles since a major re-commissioning program after its years in storage.
AHG 736Y comes with an impressive history file detailing early history, and good quality maintenance, upkeep and MOT's in more recent years. The car has arrived in structurally excellent condition, the bodywork is strong and whilst the paintwork has various minor imperfections commensurate with age, it's a good looking, honest, very usable example capable of regular use. The upholstery is very well presented, the hood is in good condition, the engine bay arguably a little untidy, but the car drives incredibly well with a strong, fit 1500cc engine, lovely smooth gearbox and working overdrive. This is a very usable practical classic, ideal for summer fun and will be freshly serviced for its next owner.
