Triumph Spitfire

Well, the 1976 Spitfire was a special year in that it had a higher compression motor; first ever offered in the 1500 series (and the last unfortunately). A well maintained 1976 model or any Spitfire model can be quite enjoyable, while not very fast by modern standards it feels quick being so close to the road. Spitfires have a very lively nature to them and with the improved rear suspension (offered after the MKIIIs) makes corners alot of fun!. This year model had very few changes to it from 1975, the first of which I mentioned already with the 9:1 compression; gave the car a little more off the line. It also had a new improved brake master reservoir that did not leak as much as the previous ones and it had new rims, offered only for 1976, with little squares in the wheel vs the round holes standard on all the other 1500 models. In some respects the 1976 model is considered by some to be the Bicentennial model for the few -one time changes that were never done on any other model, (IE wheels and 9:1 compression head). There is not really any difference in handling or performance in any of the 1500 models offered between 1973 and 1980, just cosmetic and safety changes made with some more emissions added over the years. With regular and I do mean REGULAR maintenance these automobiles have never left me stranded on the side of the road. Triumphs are definately for the guys and gals that like to tinker with cars and spitfires themselves are very simple with no sensors, no computers required to do any diagnostics. The newest Spitfire is over 28 years old now so do not expect too much from any of them, they were never designed to last this long anyway. Are you still going to be driving your new car 28-35 years from now? If you are, get ready to restore it top to bottom as you go. I have personally enjoyed driving and restoring 11 Spitfires and I still drive a 1974 1500 all the time. I can not wait to restore another one soon, I love them all!!

I have owned three Spitfires, in various conditions.

THE BAD NEWS: These cars were manufactured to be very inexpensive. This means THEY ARE CHEAPLY BUILT. Because they are British they are BADLY ENGINEERED. They are slow, undependable and apt to drop parts on the road. The electrical systems are made by Lucas, well known as the Prince of Darkness (to which Mr. Lucas replied "A gentleman does not motor about after dark."). Early Spits and GT6's will fold (due to cheap engineering shortcut)the rear tire inward on sharp cornering, causing the car to flip. Flipping a convertible is most unwise (most rollbars are far to flimsy to help). The engines are unreliable, underpowered and lack baffles in the oil pan (under sharp cornering the engine starves for oil). Many are prone to overheating. Early Spits have primitive vinyl top setups (they don't fold down they are kept in the trunk). Roadnoise, lack of heat insulation, dim headlights, low tech brakes, plenty of squeaks and rattles, low top speeds, ineffective wipers. SUV's and Pickup trucks will run you over. Insurance will be more expensive.

THE GOOD: Oh, you are still here? I told you I had owned three Spitfires. Here's why. Italian body styling by Michelotti is SUPER SEXY. Nice car. What kind of car is that? What's a Triumph? Is that a race car? Is that a kit car? Every gas station is a conversation. Cars that were about to pass me slow down and shadow me. Fingers point. People yell and wave. This is a car that gets NOTICED. Oh, and IT IS A BLAST TO DRIVE! A sunny day and a winding road and you will literally have memories for a lifetime (I speak from experience). The sheer beauty of the car and the wind and the trees and the smells and the sunshine far surpass any poetry I have read. The drive through a city, looking up as you pass through the tall buildings or over a suspension bridge, these are things I dream about at night. And the OLDE ENGLISH STYLE of the vehicle adds greatly to the experience. The feel of the car, the gauges, the closeness to the road make it unique compared to modern vehicles. I go to the mountains at least once a year and THE WAY THIS CAR HANDLES is amazing. If the sign says 20mph corner I go 50mph. Yeah, its like that. Downshifting, hardly even touching the brakes, accelerating, twisting, turning, it is intoxicating. I could go on forever, but you get the point.

THE DECISION: Are you good with your hands? Do you enjoy puttering about? Then you will do alright, just get a book and start messing around with it. You will learn as you go, it's not complicated. For tough stuff find a QUALIFIED mechanic who knows ENGLISH CARS because they are different and most mechanics will screw things up.

THE CHOICE: DO NOT BUY A PROJECT CAR unless you are quite familiar with Spitfires! Buy a well kept or already restored car. IT will be a BARGAIN. Even then you will have plenty to fix. DO NOT DUMP MONEY IN A SPITFIRE!! You will not get your money back out when you sell it. If you will keep it for 20 years, make it a work of art, otherwise you are a fool. A Spitfire will never fetch more than $6000 even if it is perfect. I speak from experience on this. DON'T DO IT.

I like earlier Spits. They have more balls. The 1500's are wimps. 1969 is the best model (due to dash, seats, etc). My '67 is dropdeadbeautiful full restoration show quality with 2.4 litre Toyota drivetrain. It blows BMW M3's away. Bought on Ebay. $5900. The seller spent 3 yrs and $10,000+ on it. Get the point?