1967 TRIUMPH SPITFIRE 1300 MkIII

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

This tiny Triumph is huge fun on the road, and there are no mechanical maladies to wipe the smile off your face. The wonderfully rev-happy engine pulls well and feels like a healthy unit; it certainly feels faster than the offi cial 0-60mph fi gures, and there are no signs of misfi res or worrying noises or knocks. There’s a very direct feel to the steering, which doesn’t have any disconcerting slop or vagueness, and despite having a smaller than standard wheel it’s not overly heavy. The gearchange is fi rm throughout the gate, and the overdrive clicks in and out as it should on the switch. The brakes bring this Spitfi re to a halt with ease, with no squealing, juddering or pulling to either side, and the fl y-off handbrake works just as Canley intended. It drives like a Spitfi re should.

BODYWORK CHECK

This Spitfi re was restored a few years ago and still looks really good today. The body is rustfree, the panels are straight and there are no dents or scrapes. The door fit isn’t perfect – which is not uncommon on these cars – but all the other shut lines are good. The paint is excellent all round and has a deep shine. The bonnet script is original and, therefore a little patinated, but the rest of the chrome appears almost as-new. The 155/80 R13 whitewall tyres appear to been fi tted recently and have deep tread. The twin tailpipe exhaust and half corner bumpers look good. The black hood and tonneau cover are typically tight but work as they should and are in good condition.

HOW’S THE INTERIOR?

This has been pleasingly refreshed. The seats are either new (or, more probably, retrimmed) and the carpet is new, along with good door cards. There is a new Mountney leather steering wheel and a new wood finish dashboard and wooden gear knob. An aftermarket hazard light switch has been fitted at some point in the car’s life and there’s a modern stereo under the dash on the driver’s side, plus a fi re extinguisher on the passenger side. Static seat belts are fi tted.

UNDER THE BONNET

It all looks clean and well-kept under the bonnet, having been tidied during restoration. There are many new parts in the engine bay, including the alternator, battery, brake and clutch master cylinders and possibly the radiator. Even the card inner wings and clamshell bonnet hydraulic lift struts are new. The front suspension is on show when the bonnet is raised and that all looks clean.

THE CCW VIEW

Someone has spent a lot of money making this car as good as new, if not better. Everything about it is just right, from the excellent road manners and fi recracker engine to the mint interior. Best of all, it’s a joy to drive. Buy with confi dence.