Triumph Spitfire
Yet another Triumph joins the Clark classic fleet
For many years, I’ve intended that my classic collection would have a couple of keepers and a slot for a project car that would be replaced occasionally, giving me an opportunity to sample ownership of a number of classics. It’s my version of petrolhead nirvana! If you’ve been following my Staff Car Sagas for the past few years, thank you, and you will no doubt have realised that the keepers are my brace of six-pot Triumphs, the GT6 and the TR6.
Some time ago, I owned a Dolomite Sprint-engined TR7 as a project car that, in accordance with the plan, was sold on after a bit of fun and fettling. I replaced the TR7 with a Reliant Scimitar project, but that’s five years ago now. After the anticipated fun and fettling, my classic masterplan got derailed, as I fell for the Scimitar and couldn’t bear to let it go. You can guess where this is heading. I’ve got two fine Triumphs and a smart reliable Reliant; I enjoy driving all three and dare I say, they’re running very nicely. Our two BMW daily drivers require nothing more than basic maintenance and fuel. I really needed another project.
The car that started my life-long Triumph habit was a Spitfire MKIII, and lately I’d been itching to get another. Inevitably, I convinced myself that a Spitfire project could make sound financial sense, unquestionably a case of heart ruling head!
I’m not really the type for ground up restorations, preferring to have a car that can be driven while it’s improved.
Scouring online adverts, there were some very smart looking Spitfires available, but they were outside my budget and wouldn’t fulfil the wish for a rolling improvement project. After viewing several cars that either needed too much welding or lacked the original engine, I found an advert that sounded promising. The car was in Swindon and I was soon heading down the A34 for a viewing.
The body of this little Spit’ could best be described as ‘scruffy’. Though floors and sills had been replaced, there were some frilly areas around the edges of the one-piece bonnet and a split in one door skin. There would be enough welding to give me some much needed practice, without being too daunting for a bodywork novice. The Triumph White paint was uneven and somewhat flaky, so the project scope would have to include a respray. The interior also required work, with oversized Mazda MX-5 seats cramming the cockpit; fortunately, the original seats were available, though in need of new
foams and covers. Naturally the rough state of the body and interior kept the price within reasonable limits. Mechanically it appeared sound but in need of a thorough service. The interior would certainly need improvement. After a quick haggle, owner Steve Bull and I amicably agreed a price that’s about half the current value of a top condition MKIII.
Once the car was safely home, I launched into getting the mechanics up to scratch by flushing and changing all the fluids, followed by a thorough inspection of brakes, suspension and steering, finishing with a tune up. Mechanically, this little car has proved to be as good as
I hoped. The engine runs quietly and pulls strongly, the later all-synchromesh gearbox and overdrive are working well with new oil, and after a clean-up and fresh fluid, the brakes stop the little car effectively enough. The only significant mechanical issues are a rumbling half shaft universal joint and some play in the steering column bushes.
Getting out and driving the Spitfire on cool sunny days is a joy, at least it is now I’ve refitted the original seats. I’d almost forgotten how hard you can drive these little Triumphs. It’s a chuckable, carefree driving experience that you just don’t get from bigger, grown up cars like the TR. The 1300 engine loves to rev and is strong enough to take repeated spanking, too. Straightaway, I’m thoroughly enjoying my cheeky little project Spitfire!