ModernMuscleCars.net - Modern Muscle Cars Archive

Pages: 1

Triumph Spitfire 1500 ?
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)

Posted by: Tang

Mr P will prolly be the first to reply to this...lol

We are putting on a roof for these old people, and in this old shed is a Triumph Spitfire 1500. The old guy dont know anything about it, except that it ran when it was pulled in there. It has been sitting there for a long time it looks like. 3 of the wheels are some type of Rally wheel, the front left is just a plain steel wheel, all rusted up. There is very little rust around the bottom of the body panels, and no dents what so ever. Interior looks to be in very good condition. On the dash there is a gold plate that says "SCCA Championship 1965-68-69-70-71-72-73" (I think it had a 73) . Manual car, too much dirt on the gear stick to tell if its a 4 speed or whatever it is. The odometer was in the process of rolling over, so I cant tell what the first digit is. But its either 30k, 50k ,or 60k, Ill look at it better tommorrow. Its an ugly ass brownish/red color. Black top that looks liek it snaps on...lol

I know jack shit about those cars, so is it even worth asking if it is for sale ? Whats the story behind them anyway ?

Posted by: Tang

It looks like this '74 Model, and the wheels on the one in the pic are what the left front looks like on the car Im asking about.

Wohh, they only have a curbweight of 1735lbs ?! That would be a blast to swap a 5.0 into

Posted by: MadScientistMatt

They'll definitely put a big grin on your face. I test drove one not so long ago, and even though it couldn't keep up with a riced out Accord that probably didn't even have it floored, it was fun to drive. I think the earlier ones may have the dreaded swing axle rear suspension. But it's still a good choice if you like British sports cars.

Posted by: ragtop

If you can pick it up for under $1000 it might be worth it. They are a blast to drive, parts are readilly available, and it stands a chance of having a decent pedigree. If it isn't a special car, you might consider dropping the engine from a TR6 in it. A Spit-6 scoots.

BTW, 4 speed, 4 cylinder on that car.

Posted by: Tang

Thanks Ragtop.

Posted by: Mr. P

A TR-6 motor in thaaat would be dangerous, heck, it's dangerous in a TR-6 chassis, ha ha.

They're fun cars but with only 1500 cc you obviously won't win any drag races. In SCCA form, they would handle just about like they were on rails.

http://members.tripod.com/triumphs/..._UK_A0163_1.htm

Mr. P

Posted by: ragtop

People that actually go through the trouble of finding and building a TR6 motor to stuff in a 6 will usually consider building a GT6 motor out of it. Basically the same as a TR6 with the minor difference of having a short-stroked crank. Obviously it makes a bit less torque but it revs a hell of a lot better and TR6 motor never suffered from a lack of torque anyhow.

Posted by: Spenser

I say is its under 1200 buy it, if you have the money to fix it

Posted by: Mr. P

A TR-6 powered Spit would be a terror. Many people (as Ragtop probably knows) have replaced the TR motor with a SBF V8 with little to no weight penalty. It's a chunk of iron, and really a pretty nice motor, but never designed, built, or machined to spin at Porsche RPM levels. Blueprinting can certainly help.

I think a Spitfire could be loads of fun by the way.

Mr. P

Posted by: Sweet Seduction

if I remember correctly I believe those are a very rare car to have or come across. feel free to correct me if I am wrong. But if I am right I would jump on it if its for sale

Posted by: ragtop

Sorry SS but those things aren't particularly rare.

http://search.ebay.com/triumph-spit...osortpropertyZ3

The Spit coupes are and GT6s are but not the Spitfire.

Posted by: Sweet Seduction

sorry

I just haven't heard of those in a long time so thats my bad then people wonder why I stay within the GM family

Posted by: Mr. P

Seeing one on the road, running under it's own power is pretty rare

Seeing one on the road, with wide tires and Minilites, and a sport exhaust and suspension is even more rare, running under it's own power and not on a flatbed.

Mr. P

Posted by: Mr. P

http://www.triumphspitfire.nl/ericspit.html

here's an interesting link

Mr. P

Posted by: MikeT

Tang dude, you should buy it.

Back to the Forums