Spitfire British or American?
Discussion
I went to look at a Spitfire with my father today, the seller said it was a British model, but I'm not sure.
It was right hand drive, all lights and instruments were British spec, but, it had amber marker lights on the wings and rear 3/4 panels.
To me it looked like an American spec body, the paper work states it was registered in the U.K. from new, and the seller says it's 95% original.
My personal opinion is that it has been rebodied with an American body, what do you guys think?
Sorry but no pics, I didn't have a phone or camera on me when we saw it
It was right hand drive, all lights and instruments were British spec, but, it had amber marker lights on the wings and rear 3/4 panels.
To me it looked like an American spec body, the paper work states it was registered in the U.K. from new, and the seller says it's 95% original.
My personal opinion is that it has been rebodied with an American body, what do you guys think?
Sorry but no pics, I didn't have a phone or camera on me when we saw it
Hmmmm indicators on the front wings would suggest a US spec bonnet. A few were bought in to replace rotten uk ones. indicators on the rear wings may suggest a retubbed car as well. I take it you're talking Mk IV/1500.
Strange the seller says 95 % og? Maybe he's unaware of the work that been done in the past. Nice rot free car with US parts would in my mind be better than a bodged UK shell.
Strange the seller says 95 % og? Maybe he's unaware of the work that been done in the past. Nice rot free car with US parts would in my mind be better than a bodged UK shell.
If it were american spec the marker lights would be red wouldn't they?
Not sure on this - US-spec TR6 rear light clusters are completely red - but the front indicators are completely orange (if they've not faded). US Spec TR6s also have rear side repeaters wired up to flash, UK ones don't, but mine do because it's easy to change and can't hurt.
Sorry, not much help been a long and peculiar day.
Not sure on this - US-spec TR6 rear light clusters are completely red - but the front indicators are completely orange (if they've not faded). US Spec TR6s also have rear side repeaters wired up to flash, UK ones don't, but mine do because it's easy to change and can't hurt.
Sorry, not much help been a long and peculiar day.
A lot depends on the year.
But don't worry, quite a number of Spitfires have had US parts fitted over the years being rust free.
Identities tend to get "mixed" a lot, particularly with Mk IVs as they straddle the tax free cut off date.
1500 engines are much better to drive than Mk IV 1300, overdrive is very useful, but mostly go on body condition. Examine all floors and sills.
But don't worry, quite a number of Spitfires have had US parts fitted over the years being rust free.
Identities tend to get "mixed" a lot, particularly with Mk IVs as they straddle the tax free cut off date.
1500 engines are much better to drive than Mk IV 1300, overdrive is very useful, but mostly go on body condition. Examine all floors and sills.
caziques said:
1500 engines are much better to drive than Mk IV 1300
Really? As far as I was aware the 1500 engine was hopelessly longstroked, didn't have enough bearings, and was about as happy to rev as a tractor. In fact in the Triumph Dolomite (of which I have more experience) the 1300 was limited to a single carburettor to make sure it made less power than the 1500...davepoth said:
Really? As far as I was aware the 1500 engine was hopelessly longstroked, didn't have enough bearings, and was about as happy to rev as a tractor. In fact in the Triumph Dolomite (of which I have more experience) the 1300 was limited to a single carburettor to make sure it made less power than the 1500...
No that's wrong - mostly. 1500 is a fine engine but needs plenty of oil changes and good cooling.
It is probably the 'best' of the spitfires in 21st century traffic.
The mk4 1300 big bearing engines are less well liked. The most favoured engine from a pure sports car view is the small bearing 1300 from the mk3 - in small bearing guise it made good power. Fastest spitfire in terms of top speed was the 1500.
The car in the OP sounds like a rebodied car with a yank shell. If its in good order Id consider it unless I was looking for originality.
Had 2 of these and have very fond memorys of them . The first ONK 847L Originally Mimosa , then red ( Where are you now ? ) I bought in late 1985 from a neighbour, for my ex wife , we had some very happy times with that car and should never have sold it in 1986.
The second one was an Orange W plate one, low miles, but pretty rotten. I spent all of the summer of 1995, restoreing it and sold it via one of the monthly comics in June 95.
I Much preferred the 1300 Engine over the 1500 though, far sweeter .
The second one was an Orange W plate one, low miles, but pretty rotten. I spent all of the summer of 1995, restoreing it and sold it via one of the monthly comics in June 95.
I Much preferred the 1300 Engine over the 1500 though, far sweeter .
As with everything else condition is more important than anything else when it comes to Spitfire engines - a tidy 1300 will make more power than a tired 1500 for example.
There isn't really THAT much to choose between the engines - 1300 will rev a little more happily but 1500 will give a little more torque so buy based on body condition as that will cost a lot more to fix (the TSSC will do you a recon exchange unleaded 1.3 or 1.5 engine for £1435 for example).
There isn't really THAT much to choose between the engines - 1300 will rev a little more happily but 1500 will give a little more torque so buy based on body condition as that will cost a lot more to fix (the TSSC will do you a recon exchange unleaded 1.3 or 1.5 engine for £1435 for example).
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