Trimph Spitfire first car!
Discussion
Hi all, I was dreading my first car, and it was a debate between my mums Fiat panda diseasal or my own shopping trolley... however, through here, I thankfully found Classic Car insurance. therefore i was able to upgrade to something slower, smaller, less reliable, thirstier, and just utterly fantastic.
So, I got myself a low slung 1971 bright red and chrome sporty(ish) car, which costs less in insurance than a fiat panda... Success!
although finding one was a bit tricky in the depths of Cornwall, I eventually found one just in Civilization - and Devon.
although in need of a little work (with a possible head gasket failure approaching) it was actually in decent nick, with only a few patches of bubbling, and a sound chassis, UJs, Diff and gearbox.
The first drive back was interesting, to say the least, as it involved Plymouth rush hour traffic, a jerky throttle, No PS, and a bonnet clip coming undone at about 70mph...
however, once back I have driven it around Lanes, where, it really shines out, no matter what you are doing it is guaranteed to put a smile on your face
I have not had a chance to take any decent photos, as It is Cornwall and so almost perpetually cloudy or raining, so here are the sellers:
better than a a Fiat Panda, I hope You'll agree (although they are actually damn good little motors)
So, I got myself a low slung 1971 bright red and chrome sporty(ish) car, which costs less in insurance than a fiat panda... Success!
although finding one was a bit tricky in the depths of Cornwall, I eventually found one just in Civilization - and Devon.
although in need of a little work (with a possible head gasket failure approaching) it was actually in decent nick, with only a few patches of bubbling, and a sound chassis, UJs, Diff and gearbox.
The first drive back was interesting, to say the least, as it involved Plymouth rush hour traffic, a jerky throttle, No PS, and a bonnet clip coming undone at about 70mph...
however, once back I have driven it around Lanes, where, it really shines out, no matter what you are doing it is guaranteed to put a smile on your face
I have not had a chance to take any decent photos, as It is Cornwall and so almost perpetually cloudy or raining, so here are the sellers:
better than a a Fiat Panda, I hope You'll agree (although they are actually damn good little motors)
Fantastic! Gorgeous little car, how much was the insurance out of interest? 
Excellent buy, really nice car with the later Mark IV or V suspension. Stylish and different. Good buy!
Drove loads of these over the years, sold my last two years ago.
One word of caution.
The rear suspension is a real Achilles heel on these.
The transverse spring can cause serious wheel tuck in if cornering quickly.
I would take the trouble to learn the limit on these which is not high when potholes, drain covers etc can cause sudden suspension loading in a corner.
Perfectly safe and controllable, but something you should be aware of from the start.
Drove loads of these over the years, sold my last two years ago.
One word of caution.
The rear suspension is a real Achilles heel on these.
The transverse spring can cause serious wheel tuck in if cornering quickly.
I would take the trouble to learn the limit on these which is not high when potholes, drain covers etc can cause sudden suspension loading in a corner.
Perfectly safe and controllable, but something you should be aware of from the start.
Chunkychucky said:
Nicely done chap. Who did you sort your insurance through if you dont mind me asking? 
not entirely sure, But as Im still a learner 
it was a specialist one for learners... (yes, I must own the only spitfire with L plates on ) howver it was about £80PM, compared to something like £120 for the Panda.... My Mum is also insured (she hasnt had the chance to drive it though 
) and it was £90 PA (both of these are full cover, unlimited mileage & breakdown cover -probably needed-)So, In conclusion, you still get a sore arse, but not quite as sore... (£1400 Pa for a Fiat for me, and should be roughly £500 less for the spitfire, when I get my license, and no road tax!)
Steffan said:
Excellent buy, really nice car with the later Mark IV or V suspension. Stylish and different. Good buy!
Drove loads of these over the years, sold my last two years ago.
One word of caution.
The rear suspension is a real Achilles heel on these.
The transverse spring can cause serious wheel tuck in if cornering quickly.
I would take the trouble to learn the limit on these which is not high when potholes, drain covers etc can cause sudden suspension loading in a corner.
Perfectly safe and controllable, but something you should be aware of from the start.
yeah, Cheers for the heads up Drove loads of these over the years, sold my last two years ago.
One word of caution.
The rear suspension is a real Achilles heel on these.
The transverse spring can cause serious wheel tuck in if cornering quickly.
I would take the trouble to learn the limit on these which is not high when potholes, drain covers etc can cause sudden suspension loading in a corner.
Perfectly safe and controllable, but something you should be aware of from the start.
Dispite preferring the looks of the MKIII i chose this because of the suspension 'issues' being sorted... however you have to avoid Potholes and drain covers, because you can actually feel the car get VERY unsettled also, They bloody hurt... I found the best bit was scraping my head on the hood irons as I flew up from the rebound of the pothole/whetever.
Moral: drive with Hood down whenever possible.
Enjoy the car, this should be a great buy.
Mechanically they are like Meccano to maintain. Should give 30+ MPG and cruise comfortably at Motorway speeds.
Hood will be noisy. Speedwell and others did very good hardtops for winter use the later ones even had plug in heated rear windscreen. Which worked. I found the hardtops very worthwhile from November until April. More secure a lot quieter and much warmer. There will be ones about on the Bay and so on.
I regret to say insurance is becoming seriously prohibitive for young drivers
I would expect more of this as the realisation of insurance costs sinks in.
Classic Mini could be much better than a modern box in overall costs terms. Virtually no depreciation, rock bottom insurance and cheap to maintain.
Happy Motoring.
Moral: drive with Hood down whenever possible.
Enjoy the car, this should be a great buy.
Mechanically they are like Meccano to maintain. Should give 30+ MPG and cruise comfortably at Motorway speeds.
Hood will be noisy. Speedwell and others did very good hardtops for winter use the later ones even had plug in heated rear windscreen. Which worked. I found the hardtops very worthwhile from November until April. More secure a lot quieter and much warmer. There will be ones about on the Bay and so on.
I regret to say insurance is becoming seriously prohibitive for young drivers
I would expect more of this as the realisation of insurance costs sinks in.
Classic Mini could be much better than a modern box in overall costs terms. Virtually no depreciation, rock bottom insurance and cheap to maintain.
Happy Motoring.
Edited by Steffan on Thursday 16th February 16:29
Steffan said:
I would expect more of this as the realisation of insurance costs sinks in.
Classic Mini could be much better than a modern box in overall costs terms. Virtually no depreciation, rock bottom insurance and cheap to maintain.
Happy Motoring.
That is a very good point, I bought this as not only is it fun and very pretty Classic Mini could be much better than a modern box in overall costs terms. Virtually no depreciation, rock bottom insurance and cheap to maintain.
Happy Motoring.
it also requires some tweaking to keep it going, which means i can actually mess around with spanners and learn how to fix it.On another note, Buying this Mid January, means that if i ever sell it on, It's very likely that I will get more for it if i sell in the spring/summer. Add that to nil depreciation (and possible appreciation), cheap parts and zero Road Tax, and it works out very cheap indeed... Perfect!
I would definitely suggest a hard top for winter.
Plastic hoods are not good in low light and foggy conditions. Rear window steams up. Plus much better security which with Breedon locks is no bad thing and a lot warmer.
More of an all weather car, in one pretty easy swop.
They are not a lot of money even nowadays. Happy driving!
Plastic hoods are not good in low light and foggy conditions. Rear window steams up. Plus much better security which with Breedon locks is no bad thing and a lot warmer.
More of an all weather car, in one pretty easy swop.
They are not a lot of money even nowadays. Happy driving!
I have to inform you that yours is not the only spit with L plates. Last year I was walking home and noticed a very nice looking Mark 4 Spit on a driveway in the next road to me. I was having a clear out at the time and had just found my old owners manual and restoration manual from the time when I owned a mark 4 (my first sports car and I loved it). I popped round to see if the owner of the car would like these books and met the proud owner who was 17 and had just bought the car to learn to drive on and to use as his first car. He kindly showed me around it and it was in very nice condition having been fully restored. Happy memories flooded back. He is one lucky young man as are you my friend. Have fun but not too much!
PVN said:
I have to inform you that yours is not the only spit with L plates. Last year I was walking home and noticed a very nice looking Mark 4 Spit on a driveway in the next road to me. I was having a clear out at the time and had just found my old owners manual and restoration manual from the time when I owned a mark 4 (my first sports car and I loved it). I popped round to see if the owner of the car would like these books and met the proud owner who was 17 and had just bought the car to learn to drive on and to use as his first car. He kindly showed me around it and it was in very nice condition having been fully restored. Happy memories flooded back. He is one lucky young man as are you my friend. Have fun but not too much!
Mind the rear suspension. I have been caught out by Triumph Herald/Vitesse/GT6 cars galore. They snap out of line especially the early suspension models.
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